As we head into day 11 of the next devotional related to dads and the one that came up is an interesting one as it is one on the topic of being popular and using that influence for the good of others. It was also interesting because even though I searched for “dad” it invites middle school students to join the devotional. I am excited to see how this devotional will play into our series of devotionals for dad and how God will choose to use it through me to help us be the dads He purposed and created and planned for us to be! Even as dads we need encouragement to recognize the influence we have. As dads, we need to also use it for the good of others! Popular is a 15-day devotional! Popular comes to us from a group name reThink Group.
Let’s check out our scriptures for today’s devotional:
‘In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. ‘
Matthew 5:16
God’s Word is powerful and true! God’s Word is alive and active! Let’s receive God’s Word into our lives and allow it to lead and guide us!
Let’s be the dads who let our lights shine! Let’s grab a hold of what light means! Let’s be the dads who get the full context of being light by seeing what else is was being said in God’s Word!
‘ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. ‘
Matthew 5:13-16
We see how we are called to be salt and light! Let’s be the dads who know that “To ‘be salt’ means to deliberately seek to influence the people in one’s life by showing them the unconditional love of Christ through good deeds. Light is a symbol used to mean awareness, knowledge, and understanding.” Let’s be the dads who know that salt “is used metaphorically to signify permanence, loyalty, durability, fidelity, usefulness, value, and purification.” Let’s be the dads who know that “light represents life. God is light, and He gives life.” Let’s be the dads who take hold of the reality that “the presence of light in the darkness is something that is unmistakable. The presence of Christians in the world must be like a light in the darkness, not only in the sense that the truth of God’s Word brings light to the darkened hearts of sinful man (John 1:1-10), but also in the sense that our good deeds must be evident for all to see. And indeed, our deeds will be evident if they are performed in accordance with the other principles that Jesus mentions in this passage, such as the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-11. Notice especially that the concern is not that Christians would stand out for their own sake, but that those who looked on might “glorify your Father who is in heaven” (v. 16, KJV).” Let’s be the dads who are salty! Let’s be the dads who consider how we can be salty by considering the various meanings of salt in the Bible.
- Salt as a Covenant
- Salt as a Symbol of Friendship and Loyalty
- Salt Adds Flavor
- Salt as a Preservative
- Salt as a Valuable Mineral
- Salt as a Source of Nourishment
Let’s be the dads who are “flavoring agents to spread the Gospel as Jesus’s disciples did so that the flavors of God’s grace and love can be experienced.” Let’s be the dads who “are to share kindness and goodness to those around us, so in our own ways, we can help ease their troubles and experience a taste of heaven here on earth.” Let’s be the dads who don’t lose our saltiness and our influence! Let’s be the dads who remember what happens when salt loses its saltiness, “salt can also lose its influence. Luke 14:34-35 teaches salt can be useless for the soil or for the manure pile.“
Let’s be the dads who are the light God is calling and has created us to be! Let’s be the dads who “do our best to live each day on purpose and in a way that’s pleasing to God.” Let’s be the dads who “show kindness and compassion to others and ourselves.” Let’s be the dads who are “looking for opportunities to be more like Jesus, to lift others up, and to do the right thing.” Let’s be the dads who are “making a mindful effort to make our light shine brighter and help others discover their light.” Let’s be the dads who look and live out practical ways of shining our lights! Let’s be the dads who “Focus on Doing Right and Don’t Be Swayed“! Let’s be the dads who “Treat Others as You Want to Be Treated“! Let’s be the dads who “Practice Humility“! Let’s be the dads who “Give Thanks, Even During Life’s Challenges“! Let’s be the dads who “Aren’t Be Afraid to Put Ourself Out There”! Let’s be the dads who have “Unwavering Resolve“! Let’s be the dads who “Love and Trust the Lord“!
So let’s stay salty! Let’s keep shining our lights!
‘Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. ‘
John 8:14
‘The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? ‘
Psalms 27:1
‘When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ‘
John 8:12
‘Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. ‘
Philippians 2:14-16
‘I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ‘
Galatians 2:20
‘ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ‘
Matthew 5:14
‘The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. ‘
Romans 13:12
Today’s devotional has been provided by reThink Group!
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)
For more information, please visit http://orangestudents.com (About The Publisher)
Takeaways from Today’s Devotional:
“You are a leader!”
- Let’s be the dads who choose to shine the light and hope of Jesus to our kids, wives, and world!
- Let’s be the dads who choose to live our lives as leaders!
- Let’s be the dads who “use our influence for the good of others is to lead by example“!
- Let’s be the dads who are leaders because we know that “What a leader does, people tend to follow. Believe it or not, you are a leader“!
- Let’s be the dads who use our influence to reach our wives, our kids, and our world!
- Let’s be the dads who realize that if our influence is small, it still matters!
- Today’s devotional speaks to influence like this:
- “Maybe your influence reaches just one person, like a younger sibling or a best friend. Maybe your reach is bigger, like your whole small group or your entire sports team. No matter who you’re leading, you have the opportunity to influence them toward good things simply by living out those good things in your life.”
- Let’s be the dads who set a good example!
- Let’s be the dads who let our lights shine!
- Today’s challenge:
- “Think about the example you want to set for others and take one step toward being that good influence this week.“
