Zealous: For God, in marriage, family, and our communities

You might be asking yourself, what does zealous mean? The definition of this adjective tells us that it means “showing great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective“. With this context, as a dad, are you zealous about your marriage? How about your family, are you zealous about your kids? What about your community and world, are you zealous about being a power for good in your community and world?

Zealous in Marriage:

Going to the instruction manual for life, the Bible, we find these scriptures related to being zealous in marriage:

• Ephesians 5:25-33: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…” This passage emphasizes the need for husbands to be passionate and selfless in their love, reflecting Christ’s love for the church.
• Proverbs 5:18-19: “May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.” This verse encourages husbands to cherish and find joy in their wives continually.

The Bible teaches that husbands should love their wives with the same selfless and sacrificial love that Christ has for the church, as outlined in Ephesians 5:25-33. This profound love involves cherishing, respecting, and rejoicing in their wives, consistently nurturing the marital bond with enthusiasm and dedication, as highlighted in Proverbs 5:18-19. This zealous commitment strengthens the foundation of a marriage and reflects a deep, abiding love.

We must go from knowing to doing and being active when it comes to being zealous for our marriage. To be zealous in marriage, husbands should prioritize consistent and meaningful communication with their wives, sharing the mundane and significant aspects of their daily lives. Engaging in regular acts of service, such as helping with household chores or planning surprise date nights, can demonstrate a commitment to the relationship. Fostering spiritual growth through prayer, Bible study, and attending marriage workshops or counseling can strengthen the marital bond and ensure a passionate and enduring connection.

Zealous for our Kids:

Going to the instruction manual for life, the Bible, we find these scriptures related to being zealous for our kids:

• Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” This suggests that fathers should be diligent and enthusiastic in guiding their children’s moral and spiritual development.
• Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Here, the focus is on nurturing children with patience and care.

Scripture emphasizes the importance of diligent and enthusiastic parenting. Proverbs 22:6 encourages fathers to guide their children’s spiritual and moral development from a young age, ensuring a lasting impact. Ephesians 6:4 advises fathers to nurture their children with patience and care, avoiding frustration and instead focusing on training and instructing them in the ways of the Lord. This zealous approach to parenting fosters a supportive and loving environment for children to grow and thrive.

Let’s be the dads who go from being hearers of the Word to doers of the Word. Being zealous for our kids involves active involvement by participating in their hobbies, attending events, and assisting with schoolwork. Fathers should lead by example, modeling the behaviors and values they wish to instill in their children. This includes showing zeal and dedication in their actions. Moreover, spiritual instruction is crucial; leading family devotions, encouraging participation in church activities, and teaching the importance of a relationship with God can help cultivate a strong moral and spiritual foundation for children.

Zealous for our Community and World:

Going to the instruction manual for life, the Bible, we find these scriptures related to being zealous for our community and world:

• Matthew 22:39: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This commandment calls for active and fervent love towards others in our community.
• James 1:27: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…” This verse highlights the importance of being proactive in helping the vulnerable in our society.

The Bible calls for an active and genuine love towards others, as seen in Matthew 22:39, where loving your neighbor as yourself is emphasized. Additionally, James 1:27 highlights the importance of being proactive in caring for the vulnerable, such as orphans and widows. This zealous commitment to community and global outreach involves actively seeking ways to serve and support others, demonstrating God’s love through compassionate and selfless actions.

Our priorities as dads will start with God, our wives, and our kids, but it can’t stop there. We need to live lives that are passionate about our communities and the world as well. To be zealous in the community and the world, dads can dedicate time to volunteer for local service projects and involve their families in these activities to instill a sense of service and compassion. Generosity with time, talents, and resources is vital—supporting local charities, engaging in acts of kindness, and being a source of encouragement can make a significant impact. Staying informed about local and global issues, advocating for justice, and supporting initiatives that align with biblical values of compassion and care for others are also essential aspects of zealous community involvement.

Zealous for God:

For all of the above to work we need to have started with God as our source who fills us to overflowing to the point we can be zealous for our wives, kids, and world.

The Bible encourages a genuine and passionate relationship with God, characterized by wholehearted devotion and enthusiastic worship. In Matthew 22:37, Jesus commands us to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This all-encompassing love signifies a deep commitment to God, prioritizing Him above all else. Additionally, Romans 12:11 urges believers to “never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” This passage highlights the importance of maintaining enthusiasm and dedication in our service to God, consistently seeking to honor Him in all aspects of life.

To cultivate zeal for God, one can start by dedicating regular time to personal spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and meditation. Engaging deeply with Scripture and seeking God’s presence through continuous prayer can foster a closer relationship with Him. Participating actively in church life—attending services, joining small groups, and serving in various ministries—can also help maintain spiritual fervor. Furthermore, sharing one’s faith with others, whether through personal conversations, community outreach, or supporting missions can demonstrate a passionate commitment to God’s work. Finally, striving to live a life that reflects God’s love and principles in daily actions and decisions exemplifies true zeal for God.

Topic: ZEALOUS FOR SOULS

Verse: Matthew 24:14 (NIV)

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Have you ever heard of “the great commission”? “The Great Commission is the instruction of the resurrected Jesus Christ to his disciples to spread the gospel to all the nations of the world.” Today’s verse speaks to how before Jesus returns “this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations”. It doesn’t say immediately; it just indicates that it must happen before He can return. Today’s devotional points us to the reality that post-rapture of the church evangelism will happen through “the 144,000 Messianic Jewish preachers” will be “leading to the the salvation of people during the Great Tribulation.”

Today’s devotional brings up an interesting point comparing 12 Jewish disciples to 144,000 Jewish evangelists. The 12 disciples were able to turn “the world upside down after the resurrection and ascention of Christ in the first century” and challenge us to consider what “144,000 Jewish evangelists can do after the return of Jesus to rapture the church.” So until then what’s our part as dads?

As dads, understanding and participating in the Great Commission is essential to our spiritual leadership within our families and communities. The Great Commission, given by Jesus Christ, calls for spreading the gospel to all nations, an endeavor that holds significant importance before His return. Reflecting on today’s devotional, we can draw parallels between the early disciples and the anticipated 144,000 Jewish evangelists during the Great Tribulation. This comparison highlights the impact of dedicated evangelism on the world. As fathers, we can take practical steps to fulfill our role in this divine mission.

1. Lead by Example:

As dads, it’s crucial to demonstrate a genuine, vibrant faith that inspires our families. Regularly engage in personal and family devotions, prayer, and Bible study. Show your children what it means to live a life devoted to Christ, displaying the values and behaviors that reflect His teachings.

2. Equip and Educate:

Teach your children about the Great Commission and the importance of evangelism. Share stories from the Bible about the early disciples and their dedication to spreading the gospel. Help them understand the significance of sharing their faith and equip them with knowledge and confidence to do so.

3. Engage in Community Outreach:

Participate in local and global missions as a family. Find opportunities to serve your community, through church-organized events, charity work, or personal initiatives. Engaging in acts of service helps those in need and provides practical experiences for your children to witness and participate in evangelism.

4. Support Evangelistic Efforts:

Financially and prayerfully support missionaries and evangelistic organizations. Encourage your family to be involved in supporting these efforts through donations, prayers, and staying informed about their work. This teaches your children the importance of collective support in fulfilling the Great Commission.

5. Foster a Heart for the Lost:

Cultivate compassion and empathy in your children for those who do not know Christ. Encourage them to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds, foster new friendships, and express their faith with kindness and respect. Teaching your children to have a heart for the lost prepares them to be effective witnesses for Christ.

6. Stay Informed and Prepared:

Stay informed about current events and global issues from a biblical perspective. Help your family understand the significance of these events concerning biblical prophecy and the urgency of spreading the gospel. Prepare your family spiritually and mentally for the challenges and opportunities of evangelism in a changing world.

7. Pray Diligently:

Make prayer a central part of your family’s life. Pray for opportunities to share the gospel, for the hearts of those who do not know Christ, and for the strength and courage to fulfill the Great Commission. Encourage your children to develop a habit of praying for others and God’s guidance in their evangelistic efforts.

By taking these steps, dads can actively participate in the Great Commission, setting a strong example for their families and contributing to the spread of the gospel. Just as the 12 disciples made a profound impact in the first century, we can inspire and prepare the next generation to carry on the mission with zeal and dedication, anticipating the work of the 144,000 Jewish evangelists and the ultimate return of Christ.

Today’s devotional closes with the following challenge:

• Preach and proclaim the Word to the world
• Value souls to the point of dropping in the seed of the gospel is key to your life
• Be Zealous for souls

“While we are creating sophisicated orgnaizations and emplyoing the latest technology to win the world to Christ, letus not forget thatour neighbor judges Jesus Christ by what he sees in us.”

CHUCK COLSON