As we start today and consider what it is we need, what to put first or what our top priority is I am drawn to the priority list I have gotten put onto a dog tag that puts God first, my wife second, my kids third, and everything else comes after that. By putting God first, it keeps our focus, thoughts, and actions in alignment with His will. With that in place then we can look to be the husbands our wives need us to be for our family, just as Jesus is the head of the church and sacrificed Himself for all of us. Having our relationship with our wives with Jesus in the center for a 3-strand chord is not easily broken, we are ready to step up and stand up and be the dads God has created and purposed for us to be for the sake of our kids.
Put God First
To be the dads God calls us to be, we must prioritize our relationship with Him above all else. Jesus emphasized the importance of this in Matthew 6:33, saying,
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
When we put God first, we ensure that we are led by His wisdom and love to help guide our thoughts, actions, and decisions. This alignment with His will brings peace and order to our lives, allowing us to be better husbands and fathers.
Key Takeaways:
- Seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness should be our top priority.
- When we put God first, He provides for our needs and guides our path.
- This foundation strengthens all other relationships and responsibilities.
Practical Application:
- Start each day with prayer and Bible study to align your heart and mind with God’s will.
- Regularly attend church and engage in fellowship with other believers to grow in your faith.
- Make decisions that honor God and reflect His love and wisdom daily.
Love Your Wife as Christ Loves the Church
Our relationship with our wives is crucial in fulfilling our role as fathers. Ephesians 5:25 instructs,
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."
This sacrificial love models Christ’s love and provides a strong foundation for our family. We demonstrate commitment, respect, and unconditional love by prioritizing our wives and putting their needs second only to God.
Key Takeaways:
- Husbands are called to love their wives sacrificially, as Christ loves the church.
- A strong, Christ-centered marriage creates a stable environment for children.
- Mutual love and respect between spouses reflect God’s design for marriage.
Practical Application:
- Make time for regular date nights and meaningful conversations with your wife.
- Pray together daily, seeking God’s guidance and strength for your marriage.
- Show appreciation and affection to your wife, affirming her value and importance in your life.
Build a Strong Family Foundation
The Bible emphasizes the importance of a united family, grounded in faith. Ecclesiastes 4:12 states,
"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
When God is at the center of our marriage, it becomes a strong, unbreakable bond. This unity equips us to raise our children in a loving, secure environment, reflecting God’s love and truth.
Key Takeaways:
- A three-strand cord (husband, wife, and God) represents a strong, unbreakable bond.
- God’s presence in our marriage fortifies our relationship and family.
- Unity in faith provides a stable, loving environment for children.
Practical Application:
- Involve God in your family decisions and activities through prayer and scripture reading.
- Foster a Christ-centered home by teaching your children biblical values and principles.
- Lead by example, showing your children what it means to live a life committed to God.
Be the Fathers God Created Us to Be
God has a unique purpose for each father, calling us to lead, protect, and nurture our children. Proverbs 22:6 advises,
"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."
By guiding our children in God’s ways, we fulfill our God-given role and help them develop a strong, lasting faith. Our influence as fathers can shape their character and faith journey for years to come.
Key Takeaways:
- Fathers have a divine responsibility to guide their children in God’s ways.
- Teaching children biblical values ensures a strong foundation for their future.
- Our role as fathers is vital in shaping our children’s character and faith.
Practical Application:
- Spend quality time with your children, building strong, trusting relationships.
- Teach them about God’s love and truth through Bible stories, prayer, and worship.
- Model godly behavior and integrity, serving as a living example of Christ’s love.
Today’s Devotional:
This year, I am utilizing the 365 Daily Devotions book I received for Christmas, applying its teachings specifically in the context of fatherhood. It’s called WALKING WITH GOD by DAVID JEREMIAH. It’s exciting to learn from a new resource this year as we have tried different options the past two years and will keep working through this for 2024. For more information about the author and his ministry, visit DavidJeremiah.org.
Topic: DESERT SANDS
Verse: Matthew 4:10
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ ”
First practice spiritual discipline
Today’s devotional gets us started considering the scriptural exercises that took place between Jesus and the devil. So let’s consider the things or additional factors that play into Jesus’ victory over the devil. When we dig into Matthew 4 and all the temptations that came at Jesus, we find that it wasn’t just the ability to memorize scripture that provided His victory but rather it was also His reliance on the Holy Spirit “who was leading Him at every point.”
Matthew 4:1 (NIV)
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
First fast and pray and meditate on God’s Word
Jesus was in a state of having fasted and prayed and so spiritually focused in order to reject the temptations and lies of the devil. Staying in the context of today’s verse, we find in the next verse that Jesus won as we read:
Matthew 4:11 (NIV)
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
Jesus first got prayed up, fasted up, and read up so that when the devil tried to take Him down by manipulating God’s Word being led by the Holy Spirit, He was able to walk out victorious through His “unflinching righteousness.”
Today’s devotion calls us to learn from Jesus’ example so that when sin and temptation come our way, we can walk out of it victorious too. It says “To win against sin, we need the Holy Spirit’s power, the practice of regular spiritual discipline, a determination to live righteously, tenacity, and a handful of crucial Scriptures to quote in times of temptations.”
Today’s devotion challenges us to have “our spiritual tools ready” so that “we too can resist the devil, and he will flee from us.”
“Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue, look ever to Jesus, He’ll cary you through.
HORATIO R. PALMER
