WHAT A REAL DAD DOES - Volume 1 Issue 1

A while back a friend's wife asked me to prepare some "daily devotional" cards for his Christmas present.  She combined my ramblings with cards from other folks and herself regarding fatherhood & manhood for him to read at work each day.  It was a great way to communicate a special encouragement from the Lord to a loved one on a daily basis.  Since I prepared those few 'thoughts' the Lord has continued to encourage me through my daily Bible reading with many other rhemas (revelations) on this subject.  As I began to prepare those cards for her, the first verse that 'jumped off the page at me" was I Thessalonians 2:10-12 (below).  In my heart I heard the words "this is what a DAD does".  I've continued to look for these nuggets for the past couple of years and now I'd like to share one these verses and associated questions/thoughts with you each week this year.  My desire is that you continue to grow in your faith and become a master disciple maker, especially of your children.  I realize that some of you aren't dads (yet) but someday you probably will be.  Get ready now; you will be a much more successful father. If you'd like to unsubscribe, just let me know.

“You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.” I Thessalonians 2:10-12 NASB

Ask yourself, “Am I behaving devoutly, uprightly and blamelessly? Do I know the specific meanings of each one of those terms? Have I verified with my wife, children and/or fellow pilgrims if they think I'm acting in these ways?  What areas need to be more like Jesus?  What steps of repentance do I need to take THIS WEEK?  Am I exhorting, encouraging and imploring my children to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord?  What do those terms mean? Have I ever thought about it? What can I do today to make this true in my life?”  The last idea in this passage is the VISION or goal.  Don't miss this while working on the details, never lose sight of the goal. He who aims at nothing will hit it every time. 

THIS IS WHAT A REAL DAD DOES!