As the year continues and I look for devotionals about dads, the next one that came up is called What Dad Needs. I am walking through the devotionals in the order that the Bible.com plans show them when I do a search for dad. It is different from the previous devotionals I have worked through this year but to make it something that will and can honor God, I am allowing the search results to determine what devotionals to work through. What Dad Needs is a 5-day devotional and is described on Bible.com this way:
Fathers are people who constantly sacrifice for their families with very little recognition. There are many ways to give back to these men in our lives, but it is sometimes difficult to know what they are and how to implement them everyday. As you dive into Biblical ways to recognize and strengthen your relationship with your earthly dad, you will also see the many ways they reflect our Heavenly Father.
What Dad Needs
Today’s verses from God’s Word come to us from Proverbs 17:17, Romans 10:13, and Psalm 145:4.
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
Proverbs 17:17 NIV
for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:13 NIV
One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.
Psalms 145:4 NIV
Where are you today? What does your life look like? Do you realize what Proverbs 17:17 is saying to us today? Do you realize it is calling us to a Christ-centered life? Do you realize that it is calling us to the two central love principles for living life? Loving God with all our hearts, mind, soul, and strength and loving our neighbors as ourselves? Ever considered how natural friendships tend to be based on a common belief, interest, or passion and how if one of the two changes direction the friendship seems to fall apart? In comparison when we are brothers and sisters in Christ, we have the same Holy Spirit and the love of God in the center of our relationships and so when adversity comes up we have a firm foundation and a central core to be able to withstand the test. God never called us to do this life alone which is why He gave us one another and wants to be in a relationship with us. So let’s put Jesus where He belongs at the center so that when we engage or connect with other people He is the center and so just as a string of three strands is not easily broken, the relationships we build will be strong too. If we find ourselves somewhere without brothers and sisters in Christ then we are probably in a position to introduce people to the love of Jesus! We are positioned in just the right place to share with them our second verse for today the reality and truth of salvation. We are positioned to tell them the good news and get them to call upon the Lord too. As we step up, step out, and step in to what God has for us we will be able to share from generation to generation the incredible works God has and is doing in and through our lives. Let’s testify of His goodness! Let’s testify of His greatness! Let’s testify to His love! Let’s tell of His mighty acts.
Today’s devotional has been provided by Gregg Matte from Houston’s First Baptist Church (more details can be found https://houstonsfirst.org/)
Reading through today’s devotional, here are some takeaways for me: (check out the devotional on your own too to see if you pick up other nuggets, and please share your findings in the comments)
- Ever noticed how hurting people hurt people?
- Ever seen the reminder of the deep hurt people are facing and causing in our world because of sin being in it?
- Consider the children who need a dad, who need a mom, who need love that are being abandoned.
- Consider the needy who are facing poverty, have lost their homes, their possessions and are seen on street corners.
- Consider the violence taking place all over the place.
- Consider the crime that seems to be running rampant out there.
- Consider everything you are seeing and witnessing personally and via the media.
- Imagine if the men would choose to Be The Dads and step up in a godly way consistently.
- Imagine if the men would share the hope and truth of Jesus and Be The Dads so that their children would see the benefits of a relationship with Jesus by the way they live their lives and how Jesus is impacting them and their family so that their children would be raised up in the way they should go so that they too could stand firm because of their own personal relationship with Jesus.
- Will you choose to be a godly father to your kids so that they too will receive and pursue God in their lives?
- Do you realize the consequences of not picking up this mantle?
- Do you realize the impact of an absent dad? (This world needs you to Be The Dads you were created to be)
- Statistics show that there is a 4x greater likelihood of poverty!
- Statistics show that there is a 7x greater likelihood of teen pregnancy!
- Statistics show that there is a 2x greater likelihood of dropping out of high school!
- Statistics show that there is a higher change of substance abuse!
- Statistics show that there is a higher change of depression!
- There is a benefit and it is important that we Be The Dads that produce and provide a legacy to the next generation!
- As a dad, our decisions affect generations to come! Will you Be The Dads who start a good or bad cycle? Will you Be The Dads who will break a bad cycle?
- Once the cycle has begun it is hard to break them.
- Do you realize that living life with your kids can have long lasting impact to their future decisions?
- Do you realize that living life for Jesus and in relationship with Jesus can produce a lasting legacy through many generations?
- The greatest legacy we can receive and give is the one in which a living relationship with Jesus is at the center.
- It’s a legacy that connects believers over thousands of years and doesn’t matter what sins are taking place in the world.
- Our Heavenly Father sent His Son Jesus, once for all, who gave His life on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice to pay our debt and offer us eternal life with Him.
- Legacy is important to God!
- Legacy directly impacts our lives!
- Did your dad Be The Dad who left you with a godly legacy on this earth? How has it impacted you and your life?
- Did your dad Be The Dad who left you with a godly legacy on this earth? How are you thanking him for stepping up and Being The Dad?
- Are you thanking them by producing and passing on this legacy to the next generation?
- Today’s devotional closes with this prayer:
- Prayer: Father, we thank you for Your legacy and that we have access to it regardless of what our earthly legacy looks like. Thank you that we have an opportunity to continue this legacy with our own families, friends, and even strangers through choosing You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
