Sowing Faith: How Dads Can Cultivate a God-Centered Family
In Luke 7:47, Jesus teaches us a profound lesson about forgiveness and love: “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” This scripture highlights the transformative power of forgiveness and how it can lead to a life filled with love and grace. As fathers, we are called to embody these principles in our daily lives, prioritizing our relationship with God, our wives, and our children, in that order. By doing so, we plant seeds of faith that will yield a bountiful harvest of love in our families and beyond.
Nurturing Love and Forgiveness: The Impact of a Dad’s Devotion to His Wife
When a father places God first in his life, he sets a foundation of faith and trust that permeates every aspect of his being. This prioritization is not just about attending church or reading the Bible, but about living out God’s principles in everyday actions. It means seeking God’s guidance in decisions, showing humility and gratitude, and modeling a Christ-like character. This spiritual leadership creates a ripple effect, inspiring his wife and children to also seek a deeper relationship with God. As a result, the family becomes a strong, united front, grounded in faith and love.
Guiding Growth: Fathers Planting Seeds of Wisdom in Their Children
Next, by prioritizing his wife second, a father demonstrates the importance of a loving and respectful partnership. Ephesians 5:25 instructs husbands to love their wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. This sacrificial love involves putting her needs above his own, supporting her dreams and aspirations, and being her steadfast companion through life’s challenges. When children witness this kind of love and respect between their parents, they learn valuable lessons about relationships, commitment, and the true meaning of love.
Reaping a Legacy: The Lasting Impact of a Dad’s Priorities
Finally, placing children third in the hierarchy does not mean they are less important, but rather that they benefit from the strong foundation of a God-centered marriage. Fathers are called to nurture, guide, and discipline their children in a way that reflects God’s love and wisdom. Proverbs 22:6 reminds us to “train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” By investing time, love, and patience into their children’s lives, fathers plant seeds that will grow into a harvest of faith, integrity, and compassion.
Embracing Our Divine Calling: The Father’s Legacy of Love and Faith
In conclusion, by aligning our priorities with God’s design—placing Him first, our wives second, and our children third—we fulfill our roles as fathers in a way that honors God and blesses our families. This intentional approach not only strengthens our faith but also creates a legacy of love and faithfulness that will impact generations to come. Let us strive to be the dads that God created, purposed, and planned for us to be, for the sake of our wives, our children, and the world.
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: THE SURPRISING EDGE
Verse: Luke 7:47
'Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” '
Ever considered the power of forgiveness and the impact it has on those you love and are around? Be the dads who forgive knowing that it not only frees you from the chains and weight of anger, frustration, and bitterness but also opens up the doors to greater love.
The Athlete’s Edge: A Metaphor for Salvation
Today’s devotional provides an interesting mirroring of the experience of salvation and becoming a Christian to that of an athlete who has been training with extra weights to have an edge when it comes to time to go when they compete without the weights and discover that they can move with increased speed and agility.
Running the Race: Freed from the Burden of Sin
Today’s devotional speaks to how “we start out running the race of the Christian life with a surprising edge.” It goes on to speak of how “when we are freed from the burden of sin, it is like a weight is lifted off our backs” and how “we feel we can run faster and jump higher than ever before.” It goes on to share how that forgiveness impacted Mary using Luke 7:44-47 which says:
Forgiveness and Love: Lessons from Luke 7:44-47
'Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” '
Turning to Jesus: Embracing God’s Forgiveness
Let’s be the dads who turn to Jesus today. For those who haven’t met Jesus and received Him as their Lord and Savior, you will be in for a surprising edge that will come upon you as you will be “energized by God’s great forgiveness.” We need to know and share how “God stands ready to lift the burden of sin and shame from our lives.” It continues to remind us how “when we ask for forgiveness, He forgives us fully and completely.”
A Call to Action: Confession and Forgiveness
Today’s devotional closes by challenging us to realize where we are at and make a decision on how to move forward. It says “When you are weighted down by unconfessed sin, remember that the Lord wants to take that burden away.” We can’t forget but must choose to remember what we find in 1 John 1:8-10 where it says:
'If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.'
So today, no matter how big or small, if we’ve been saved or need a Savior, today, let’s take hold of the challenge of today’s devotional and remember that “He promises that He will ” lift off the burdens and forgive us “if you will only ask for forgiveness.”
“Either sin is with you, lying on your shoulders, or it is lying on Christ, the Lamb of God…Now choose what you want.”
MARTIN LUTHER
