As I continue this journey of blogging about and for dads through daily devotionals I have been able to find, connect with the publishers, and get approval to share my thoughts and insights from reading them, I have found this dad devotional called The Daring Dad. The image that goes along with it is so telling as it shows the title as The DARE-ING Dad. I am excited to see what dares come out of this devotional that can help us be the dads God needs us to be. The introduction to the blog that captured my attention and drew me to reach out to the publisher was:
Being a dad is difficult. You have so much responsibility. So much to do. Many of us put being a dad on the back burner – until we find ourselves in a place we don’t want to be. I dare you to be a great dad.
The Daring Dad from Plans on Bible.com
Today’s devotional is connected to the verses from God’s Word found in:
- Ephesians 2:11-14
- Titus 2:11-14
- Romans 3:20-24
‘Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ‘
Ephesians 2:11-14
‘For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. ‘
Titus 2:11-14
‘Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. ‘
Romans 3:20-24
Let’s be the dads God created and purposed for us to be. Let’s lean in to who He says we are and what He has done to help us be the dads. Let’s walk close to God thanks to the blood of Jesus, the sacrifice of Jesus, and the love of Jesus. Let’s decide to walk in unity because Jesus broke down the barriers and so we are one, we are children of God, we are a part of God’s family. Let’s be the dads who break down the walls of hostility and instead stand together and be the dads that this world, this community, our families, our wives, and our kids all need.
Let’s be the dads who come together as brothers in Christ. Let’s be the dads who come together saying ”No” to ungodliness and worldly passions. Let’s be the dads who choose to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives! Let’s be the dads who choose to step up and stand up for dads, for wives, for kids and for family! It’s not a male or female future, God wants us to have a family future! Let’s live to the higher calling till the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Let’s be the dads who understand God’s commandments to help us self evaluate ourselves and be able to identify when and where we miss the mark. Let’s be the dads who by faith receive Jesus into our hearts as our Lord and Savior. Let’s be the dads who believe in Jesus and choose to walk out the rest of our lives with Him. None of us are perfect, we have all fallen short of the glory of God and sinned. Let’s be the dads who are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Today’s devotional has been provided by Stonecreek Church. (more details can be found http://www.stonecreek.church)
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)
Let’s be the dads who know that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ!
- Ever gotten stuck in the never ending game of monopoly?
- Ever felt like you keep getting the Chance card that sends you to jail and keeps you from collecting $200?
- Ever felt like you keep getting the Community Chest card that sends you to jail and keeps you from collecting $200?
- Ever had the unlucky rolls that land you on the go to jail square?
- Ever seen your lucky double and extra turn get you into trouble when you rolled it for the third time and went to jail?
- Ever felt like you were stuck on such a board in your life?
- Ever had the get out of jail free card and got out?
- Ever had the lucky doubles rolls to get out?
- Ever felt like you were on the rat race trying to make enough money to get around the board of life one more day?
- Where do you go? Where do you turn?
- Ever done something to get in trouble?
- Did you confess your mistake?
- Did you try to hide it out of fear of punishment?
- How about in your relationship with God? Do you think the same way?
- Will you be the dad who leads by example and grabs hold of God’s Word that tells us about to confess our sins?
- “Although we deserve punishment, Jesus has given us grace.”
- ”Yes, we have consequences because of our actions, but the consequence of being separated from Jesus has been taken off the table.”
- Today’s devotional closes with a DARE, are you ready to be the dad and take up this dare?
- ”I DARE YOU to give your kids a “get out of jail free” card. Today, ask them to tell you about a time they did something wrong but didn’t get caught. They will not get “in trouble” because of what they share. You may have to come alongside them to set up some guardrails so the mistake doesn’t happen again. Grace.”
