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 hope in Christ. Last time we talked about the first step, humility. 

True humility leads to obedience. 

Obedience, just as vital as humility, brings to light the hope in Christ to do His will.

Obedience branches off from 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, intentional obedience follows!

One demonstration of obedience is 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!

At Suit Up Ministries we use the word H.O.P.E. as an acronym representing the four quarters that every DAD needs to become fully transformed into the man God uses. 

The 1st Quarter is Humility.

What does it mean to be humble? The chorus of a old Mac Davis tune reminds us;

“Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble…when you are perfect in every way”

This is not exactly in line with the Webster’s definition of humility which defines it as:

“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 second only to faith. 

However, humility is considered the first virtue in as much 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 illustration of great humility is in the person of Moses, who leads the Hebrew people out of slavery in Egypt and to the Promised Land. Humility is 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. Humility is the first step to H.O.P.E. 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!

Dr. Jeff Springer

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 Ministries we use the word H.O.P.E. as an acronym representing the four vital links that every man needs to become transformed into the child of God  

and to be fully used:  

H…Humility 

O…Obedience

P…Prayer

E…Eternal vs External

DADs…each step builds upon each other all essential steps towards walking in Christ and each giving the hope that every man wants and needs that together provides every DAD the 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!

Dr. Jeff Springer

DADs,

Over the last three weeks we have been talking about how important it is to identify the MVP’s in your life. Those people will motivate your character, value your soul & praise your journey!

We found out that the first step towards finding your MVP’s is “Acknowledging” the need for MVP’s in your life. 

Then we discovered that the second step was all about “Broadening” your perspective for who might be an MVP for you!

Today we look at the final step, “Cultivating” the relationships 

that you already have!

In gardening, the definition of cultivating means to prepare and use for growing crops; to till; to grow from seeds.

With our MVP’s, ”Cultivating" is defined as: to improve by care, training, or study; to promote the development or growth of; acquire and develop and to give one's attention to; to pursue!

In Romans 12:9-10 Paul writes, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.  

Honor one another above yourselves”.

How often do we miss opportunities to “Cultivate" relationships that we already have? Why do we spend so much time seeking what can be literally standing right beside us?

DADs, today, take time to “Cultivate" the relationships that you already have and are willing to be the MVP that enables you to run with a winning team, God’s team.      

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!

Dr. Jeff Springer

DADs,

This week we have been talking about how important it is to identify the MVP’s in your life. Those people who motivate your character, value your soul & praise your journey!

Last week we found out that the first step towards finding your MVP’s is “Acknowledging” the need for MVP’s in your life.

Today we look at the second step, “Broadening” your perspective for who might be an MVP.

You see DADs, there is always a reason why God puts certain people in your lives!

We only need to open our eyes and look beyond our own beliefs, prejudices and simply just plain stubbornness, that often keeps us from truly seeing those MVP’s that would & will encourage our faith.   

Its always amazing who will or can influence you to be better!

Proverbs 11:2– When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
    but with humility comes wisdom.

“Broadening" our perspective as to who will walk with us is essential to running with a winning team God’s team.

Is there somebody that crosses your path daily that if given a chance could be the very person that God purposely placed in your life to be your next MVP?

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!

DADs,

A few weeks ago we talked about how important it is to identify the MVP’s in your life. Those people who will motivate your character, value your soul & praise your journey!

The first step towards finding your MVP’s, is “Acknowledging” DADs, acknowledging your need for an MVP! Often times we want to go it alone, but DADs, we all need MVP’s in our life. Acknowledging that fact sooner than later will assist you in your journey with Christ.

In I Samuel 20:17– It says “Jonathan once again swore to David in his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own soul”.

Jonathon & David acknowledged each other as MVP’s by their loyalty and their love.

DADs, who do you  need  to “Acknowledge” as your MVP? 

Your wife, your children, your friends, your parents, maybe a Christian brother or sister?

Let yourself be available for the possibilities. We all need people in our lives and we all need to be needed.  

Acknowledge your MVP’s today.

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!

Dr. Jeff Springer

DADs, 

When I was in college, one summer I visited my friend that was attending summer classes at Baylor. He was living in a temporary dorm room for this brief summer session. Back then, the bathrooms were down the hall. So, in the morning and at night if you showered, you had to carry all your stuff to the showers, toiletries, towels etc. The dorm was full of junior high summer campers from all over Texas for a middle school aged retreat. So, needless to say I had to “time” my evening shower appointment strategically. The second night there, when I turned out my light and laid in bed, I suddenly sat up reaching for my other hand and realized I was missing my ring! My National Championship ring I had just received for football that spring for the season before. You see I had this bad habit of taking my rings off and putting them on the sink when I washed my hands. So in the dark, I immediately ran down the hallway to the bathrooms to seek my lost ring. Gone. It was so late there was no one to call. I was embarrassed. In a panic I told my friend and we searched every stall, every shower. Gone. I reported it missing the next day. We checked lost and found several times the next few days until eventually the realization came that I had to go home. I got in my car to go home. Ringless.  

Our scriptures for today are about lost things too:

Luke 15:1-10

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.

*Interesting that tax collectors would gather around to hear Jesus! 

In Roman times the tax collectors were loathed. 

Reviled. They were like “varsity” sinners. Compared to the “regular” or JV sinners!

2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

The Pharisees were as well in the same room! They considered tax collectors as “those people”.

Think about this, tax collectors and Pharisees both legalistic on opposite ends both in their roles doing their jobs without compassion!

What a great opportunity Jesus had before him! Before this time Jesus had gone to them but because of His ministry they have “gathered” themselves to hear Him.

Then the greatest story teller ever took full advantage of this opportunity.

3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  

The Tax collectors understood this from a business standpoint, they understood that it was important to “protect” the investment

The Pharisees struggled with this idea because they did not see God as this caring God but a more authoritarian God with rules. More like a King vs. a savior. They cannot comprehend this idea of “inviting” others in!

5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home.

My favorite verse!

And it gets even better!

Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’  

Think about the most precious possession you have lost. Maybe you thought it was lost forever! 

Even finally reach the point of realization that its gone and most likely never to be found. 

And then you found it!! 

You want to tell everyone!! 

A party! You are relieved. You are grateful. You are happy. You want to celebrate. And it’s just a thing!

With God, we are more than a thing. We are His precious children. He yearns for us. 

When we go to the depths of despair and it seems hopeless he cries with us. 

When we experience a miracle of new life, He rejoices with us. We are not just a thing. We have been adopted into His Family.

7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the houseand search carefully until she finds it? 9 Andwhen she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

God wants an active relationship with you.

How valuable we are to God! He cares about each and every person on this earth. 

When we are lost, He pursues us. 

When we wander, He pursues us. 

When we run, He pursues us. 

And He and all the angels rejoice when even one person comes to Christ.

I am daily the wandering sheep.

I am like the lost coin that falls on the floor and rolls under the bed into darkness. 

I am like the one in the story later in Luke of the Prodigal son, that goes away from his father.

But like the shepherd with the one lost sheep, and the woman with the one lost coin or a father with the one lost son, God never gives up His seeking for us.

Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a]neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

DADs, Ultimately God is going to meet you where you are. 

God’s grace covers all. We fight not for the victory, but from the victory. 

Thanks, be to God, who runs to us with open arms, and is always ready to greet us with His kiss and pick us up over His shoulder and carry us home.

DADs, it’s SIMPLE, just surrender to Christ that is constantly SEEKING you, allowing you to be the DAD God has called you to be!!

Suiting up!

Jeff

The History of DAD (Fathers) Day started in 1910 by Senora Dodd who had lost her mom when she was very young but had a great father, raising her and all her siblings! Dodd thought her DAD along with many other DADs needed a day to recognize all DADs everywhere that were more than just present but the DAD. Thus Father’s (DAD) Day got its origin!

Remember, being a real DAD means:

D:Daily

A:Active

D: Devotion

DADs, when I was kid my favorite toys were:

• Peebles doll (yes, do not judge!)

• Long John fire truck

• Ohio State letter jacket

When my parents were together I thought the greatest gift was the next toy.

When they got divorced I discovered that the greatest gift was time because I was with my Dad only every other week. 

However, Sunday nights having to leave my Dad was the worst. I would run to my room and turn on all the lights and radio to try to distract me from the sadness.

I called my Dad every day. I worried about my Dad. I think I was sad, because I felt my dad’s sadness. Even now, on Sunday nights I feel sometimes anxious. Not because of the new work week ahead, but because I still remember how hard it was to say goodbye to my Dad. 

When you are a kid, two weeks is a long time.

The Gospel of Matthew teaches us; “For where your treasure is there your heart will be also...” (Matthew 6:21)

DADs, Where is your treasure?

God wants you to “treasure” above all a relationship with Him. I wonder if God feels the same sadness on Sunday nights or the many other times when we don’t take Him with us. 

How is it that we sometimes allow what should matter the least to substitute for what matters most?

How do we allow our stuff, our busyness, and our things, our broken relationships to harden our hearts, our heart condition and affect our relationship with Him?

Paul teaches us in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the patterns of this world-but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Questions to ponder:

1. What do you want?

2. What are you doing?

DADs, reflect upon your heart condition?

How is it with your soul?

Where are your Treasures?

Who or what needs MORE of your Precious Time?

Thank you for being the DAD that God has called you to be!!

Suiting Up!

Dr. Jeff

DADs, as you know once every year the nation gathers around the TV to watch the Super Bowl. Even if you are just a casual sports observer, if nothing else, you will watch to see the commercials!

At the conclusion of the game there is always the announcement of the MVP of the game. The Most Valuable Player. MVP.

Every team needs a MVP to win. DADs, we too, in order to win, need to surround ourselves with MVP’s.

People that Motivates our Character.

Those who values our souls and praise our journey!

Those are the types of MVP’s which equip us for victory in Jesus Christ.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work; 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up

DADs, you are not an island, even Jesus Christ had his huddle!

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!

Make sure the fast track is the RIGHT TRACK!

In 2010 I traveled overseas to Athens Greece. In the airport I noticed that one of the airlines at one of its gates had a sign that said “all fast track customers enter here”. It looked like the line was smaller with much less wait time.

DADS, my first I thought was “I want to travel by fast track too, especially if it means that I can get on the plane first and sit in a bigger seat with more leg room!” Then I realized that those flying by fast track paid more for their ticket, a lot more!

Fast track at a higher price, at second thought, did not look so good anymore. Besides, as far I could tell our arrival time would all be the same!

DADs, one of the most important scriptures in the New Testament and the pure basis for Christianity is John 14:6; Jesus said, "I am…the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”.

This is THE fast track worth paying for! The question remains, is it worth it to you to pay the price here on Earth for a seat later in heaven?

DADs, when it comes to your flight with Jesus are you on the fast track to heaven or do you allow your environment, your desires, your temptations to move you to the wrong gate of life that is only filled with temporary comfort that fades and soon forgotten?

DADs, get in the game. Get off the bench. Be the DAD God had called you to be!

Suit Up!

Jeff