 Wednesday, September 19 2018
DADshow do you demonstrate obedience at home? Although in Ephesians Paul talks about “mutual” submission between a husband and his wife…it is the man that needs to take the lead and model that spiritual example. Obedience in our walk starts in the home. God give many of us the precious gift of a life partner in our wives and precious legacies in our children. If we cannot practice intentional obedience with our family…it will not matter that we are obedient at work! Paul writes in Ephesians 5:25-28: 25Husbands, love your wives, just as also Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26to make her holy, cleansing her in the washing of water by the word. 27He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and blameless. 28In the same way, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. Ephesians 6:4: 4And fathers, don't stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. DADs…if our faith and obedience is real…it will usually prove itself first at home…..in our relationships with those who know us best! In what family relationship do you need obedience the most? What are the primary obstacles that are keeping you from practicing obedience in your home? DADs…remember to obey…is God’s command. DADs…“get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon DADs…Suit Up! To follow the “Suit Up” Movement…
Wednesday, September 12 2018
DADs…what do you say or do at work that communicates to your co-workers, bosses, customers, and others your obedience? Is your obedience at work only obvious in the “big” things or is your obedience apparent to others even in the day to day plans and activities? At what point during the day do you hand your day over to God? Is it in the disappointments of a failure or even in your successes? In 2 Chronicles 17& 18: Ezra writes about one of Judah’s Kings…King Jehoshaphat. The king’s strengths and accomplishments included that he was a bold follower of God and carried out a national program of religious education… 2 Chronicles 17:3 & 4: Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals but sought the God of his father and walked by His commands, not according to the practices of Israel. But Ezra…also wrote of Jehoshaphat’s lack of obediencein the little things that can often become the big things… 2 Chronicles 18:1: Ezra writes: Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance, and he made an alliance with Ahab through marriage. Jehoshaphat allowed his son to marry the daughter of the wicked Ahab. Without asking God he made an alliance with Ahab and later got involved with Ahab’s son in a venture that was shipwrecked by God. DADs…God wants all of us…not just when the odds are clearly against us! God wants to be in our business…even in the details. DADs…while on the job…what are the ways you can ensure obedience in your work day for the future? How can you model obedience in all your words and deeds? Next time…we will continue this conversation on obedience at work and look at how your position at work can be a mission field. DADs…“get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon men…Suit Up! Wednesday, September 05 2018
DADs...If you google obedience on the internet…you will find many of the first page links deal with how to train your dog. You would have to look long and hard before you may run across an article that reflects a positive light on obedience as it pertains to our daily walk with Christ. DADs…in this world…to “obey”…is not often the “norm” and sometimes has a connotation of weakness, and giving away our control to others. To obey…goes against our instincts & inclinations. To comply, submit or to be generally agreeable…in the world that we work and live in… communicates as a lack of strength or leadership. But…the truth DADs…to be obedient…is to lead…and will bring three basic benefits: Rescues us from self-destruction:
to not turn back…an “inward renovation” Perseverance even in dire sufferings:
Aids in our interpersonal relationships:
Helps us recognize authority & direction from others! All three lead to Winning Situations!! 2 Chronicles 31:21: 21 He was diligent in every deed that he began in the service of God's temple, in the law and in the commandment, in order to seek his God, and he prospered.
Are you ready to prosper? Then DADs...start your obedience today! DADs…“get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon men…Suit Up! Thursday, August 30 2018
DADs...Last time we talked about what obedience is… Today let’s talk about what obedience is not… What Obedience is Not... It is not slavery to God, or a loss of what is good for “me.” Obedience frees us from sin and offers the best that God has for us. True happiness is not based on what pleases us; rather, it is being in the center of God’s love and will. When we focus on Him, we see that with His Lordship comes more insights, resources, and privileges than we could ever understand. This gives us deeper, richer joy. Obedience is not Willfulness, or having a strong-willed mindset; rather, it is our lining up with His precepts and call. Even in the Old Testament, God was more concerned with people’s trust and obedience than with their offerings and sacrifices. God delights in our obedience.
1 Samuel 15:22: 22 Then Samuel said: Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention [is better] than the fat of rams. DADs…it is our self-surrender of our will so we become less in our spirit and more in His Spirit that God wants from you and me. When we refuse to obey Him, we just sin and keep on sinning. When we have the maturity to change and grow for the better, seeking and following Him and not our pride or the world’s ways, we will become victorious. Our faith will be firm! We must listen to Him and remove anything that hinders purity in our faith and devotion to Christ. God delights in our obedience. He does not demand it, nor is it required for our salvation. It is something we do because, as the hymn goes, “there is no other way!” DADs…“get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon men…Suit Up! Wednesday, August 22 2018
DADs...To comply…to submit…or to agree…are all examples of obedience. All are things that we as DADs struggle with on a regular basis. Take those three definitions of obedience and apply them to your roles of a husband and a DAD. On a scale from 1-10…how does your obediencerate? Do you comply…submit or agree when it comes to your relationships at home? How about your roles at work or even church? Do you model obediencedaily or disobedience? DADs…your decision to obey or not to obey God’s commands can be either “Blessing or a Curse”. Deuteronomy 11:26-28: 26"Look, today I set before you a blessing and a curse: 27[there will be] a blessing, if you obey the commands of the LORD your God I am giving you today, 28and a curse, if you do not obey the commands of the LORD your God, and you turn aside from the path I command you today by following other gods you have not known. What are the “other” Gods in your life? What are the areas of obedience that you need to work on? Until you choose to address those issues…you cannot be the man that God can fully use. DADs….God does not expect us to be a doormat for others to wipe their dirty shoes on…but He does expect us to comply…submit and agree to His commands in all circumstances and in all relationships. DADs…“get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon men…Suit Up! To follow the “Suit Up” Movement…
Wednesday, August 15 2018
DADs... The past three weeks… we have been considering the 4 quarters of achieving H.O.P.E. Just like a football game each quarter is essential to the victory! Each quarter builds on the other. Our conversations in the first quarter reminded us… that we gain Christ’s hope, through true Humility… which in the second quarter carries us towards… intentional Obedience… last week in the third quarter we stressed how that our intentional Obedience will lead to the “ceaseless” prayerthat God cries out from us every day! DADs…today…it is the 4thquarter…. And it is today… that we take the next step in achieving that HOPEin Christ that is promised through the cross. Again, we realize that it is only our true humility, our intentional obedienceand ceaseless prayersthat will move us to truly by seeking those things Eternal versus External. John 6:27: "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval" What external things hinder your eternal walk? Why is it so hard to focus on eternal living? What are you doing to daily to seek those things that are eternal? Paul writes in Philippians 4:19: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable…if anything is excellent or praiseworthy… think about such things" DADs...we all desire hope in Christ… the question is are you willing to humble yourselves… be intentionally obedient, ensure a daily relationship of ceaseless prayer… and seek those things that are Eternal versus External? DADs…do not stand on the sidelines of life…get off the bench… “get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon DADs…Suit Up! To follow the “Suit Up” Movement…
Wednesday, August 08 2018
Do you have a relationship with Jesus? Do you do all the busyness of your day…but leave Jesus in the locker room of your daily walk? DADs...it’s now half time and it’s time to suit up and get back on the pitch. The past two weeks we have talked about how hope…real hope in Christ begins with our humility…and with humility…intentional obedience follows. One of the greatest ways to demonstrate our intentional obedience... as God cries out for each of us every day, is to literally get on our hands & knees to pray regularly with our Lord and Savior. Paul wrote in his letter to thePhilippians 1:9-10: "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ." In Colossians 4:2this passage says: - "Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Do you have a consistent prayer time daily? When do you find yourself in prayer? Is prayer important to you? DADs…to gain hope through Christ…there must be a daily conversation with God through prayer! As a great friend of mine and a brother in Christ once told me “Men…the time is now…to get on our knees and pray.” H.O.P.E.goes like this…Humility leads to Obedience…Obedience leads to “ceaseless” prayer. AND...then through our prayers we will see the need to seek those things "Eternal versus External" which will be our topic NEXT week, as we enter the 4th quarter. DADs…do not stand on the sidelines of life…get off the bench…“get in the game”… Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon men…Suit Up! To follow the “Suit Up” Movement…
Wednesday, August 01 2018
DADs, In John 14:23, Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” Obedience…the second step to receiving hopein Christ. Last time we talked about the first step…humility. True humility…leads to obedience. Obedience…just as vital ashumility,brings to light in our walk the hope in Christ to do His will. Obedience stems from the building block of humility. It sometimes causes us to sacrifice and endure suffering to persevere the obstacles of temptation, persecution or even doubt. DADs, just like Jesus…we must strive every day to achieve hope through intentional obedience. Hebrews 5:8-9 - “Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” Where in your life are you completely obedient? What areas of obedience do you need to work on? True humility is the first step to hope… Where there is true humility… then daily intentionalobediencefollows! One demonstration of obedienceis prayer. Prayer will be our topic next as we continue addressing the four quarters towards achieving the hope needed to become the DAD God uses! DADs…do not stand on the sidelines of life…get off the bench…“get in the game”… Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon men…Suit Up! To follow the “Suit Up” Movement…
Wednesday, July 25 2018
At Suit Up Ministries we use the word hope…H.O.P.E.as an
acronym representing the four quarters
that every DADneeds,
to become fully transformed, into the man God uses.
And He uses us all!
The 1st Quarter is humility…
What does it mean to be humble? The chorus of a old Mac Davis tune…
“Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble…when you are perfect in every way”…
is not exactly in line with the webster’s definition of humility…
that being one that has a
“modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc.”
It doesn’t exactly parallel with what the Bible says about humility either!
Humility is said to be the foundation of spiritual transformation and 2nd only to faith.
However, humility is considered the first virtue inasmuch as it removes the obstacles to faith.
It removes pride and makes a man a fit recipient of grace:
According to the words of James 4:6, "God resists the proud, and gives his grace to the humble".
"True humility" is distinctly different from "false humility", which consists of sacrificing one's own
sanctity, gifts, talents, and accomplishments for the sake of receiving praise or adulation from another…
One amazing illustrated of great humilityis in the person of Moses, who leads the Hebrew people
out of slavery in Egypt and to the “Promised Land”.Humilityis a sign of Godly strength and purpose,
not weakness. Of this great leader, the Bible states:
“For Moses was a man exceeding meek above all men that dwelt upon earth", Numbers 12:3.
DADs…the biggest obstacle opposed to humility is our “pride”.
I Peter 5:6 says…Humble yourselves, therefore under God’s mighty hand , that he may lift you up in due time.
The next several weeks we will contemplate what gets in the way of your humility. Humilityis the first step to hope…
and without humility you cannot be fully obedient!
Men…do not stand on the sidelines of life…get off the bench…“get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you!
So…C’mon men…Suit Up!
To follow the “Suit Up” Movement…
Wednesday, July 18 2018
DADs…today men desire hope in their families; their careers; their dreams and goals; their finances; their futures…and in their today's! Inside every man, even a grown DAD, is a (precious)little boy, a child of God, wanting the same safe & secure life as the next person. The Passage in Jeremiah 29:11says: For I know the plans I have for you "plans for [your] welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. At Suit Up Ministrieswe use the word “hope"…H.O.P.E. as an acronym representing the four vitalLINKSthat every man needs to become transformed into the child of God and to be FULLYused: H…Humility O…Obedience P…Prayer E…Eternal vs External DADs…each step builds upon each other… all essential stepstowards walking in Christ… and each giving the hopethat every man wants and needs… that together provides every DADthe gift of true hope through Christ Jesus. DADs…do not stand on the sidelines of life…get off the bench…“get in the game”… Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon men…Suit Up! |
