Week 26- #Prepare “Equip”

"What Needs To Be Made Ready?"

Hebrews 13:21 "Equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."

Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."

Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

I don’t know about you but I cannot believe that we have already reached the halfway point of 2022!

Today marks week #26 in our “pathway to preparation.”

So I am thinking this is a good time to take a "time out," and pause to consider two very important questions as we continue on this journey.

Question one: Are you better equipped today than you were yesterday?

Question two: Who are you equipping along the way?

One definition for “equip” is "to furnish for service or action by appropriate provisioning and to make ready!"

In spite of this pandemic, many have utilized this time to practice habits they otherwise would not have initiated, which have positively affected their physical, mental, and spiritual well being.

A personal challenge to myself, and one I asked others early on during the pandemic, “was to be better today…than we were before.”

Paul offers this religious appeal in Hebrews 13:21 to “Equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.”

It’s hard to imagine actually coming out of a struggle like a pandemic better than before!

Some may ask, ”how can it even be possible?"

It can only be possible by our intentionality to "prepare to equip!”

To provide the appropriate provisions for our own growth, and to make ready enabling us to do God’s will.

In this way, I again ask, "are you better equipped today than you were yesterday?"

And in this same light let’s consider question two, “who are you equipping along the way?”

In Hebrews 10:24-25 the Jewish Christians are exhorted to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

You see my brothers, it is not enough to come out of this pandemic (or any of life’s opportunities for that matter) preparing to equip if we do it all in solitude.

Although, it is true that we must take care of ourselves, and fill our own wheelbarrows first (or we have nothing to give others) we must not deny our call for “equipping" others along the way.

DADs, what provisions do you need to appropriately provide? What do you need to “make ready?”

It’s time to prepare to equip.

First, ourselves, then anyone who will listen!

To God be the glory!

DADs, “get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon Men Suit Up!

**Today we prepare to “Equip.” Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare to “Learn."

Week 25- #Prepare “Reflect”

“Relentless in Our Reflection"

Psalm 16:7- "I will praise the Lord who guides me; yes, during the night I reflect and learn."

Hebrews 13:7- "Remember your leaders, who spoke God's message to you; reflect on the outcome of their lives and imitate their faith."

2 Corinthians 13:5- "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realise that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?"

Lamentations 3:40- "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.”

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In many ways this week's topic of preparing to reflect, is related to the multifaceted aspects of “acknowledgement” we examined back in week 21.

But for me, true reflection typically is more specific, and a much deeper form of acknowledgment, whether reflecting upon something you just heard, something you may have read, or even a conversation you were a part of.

It can be as recent as your last conversation or as far back as your earliest childhood memory.

Preparedness for reflection helps us learn from those experiences calling us to a more intentional discernment.

God wants us to be in relationship with Him. And refection can be a pathway leading towards that destination.

In Lamentations 3:40 - we are exhorted to, "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.”
It is in our deepest reflections, bringing us closer to allowing God to work inside and through us.

DADs, we must be willing to travel on this road today of reflection, testing ourselves for continuous growth with a pursuit to emulate Jesus.

In our preparation for reflection we must carry the banner found in Psalm 16:7 "I will praise the Lord who guides me; yes, during the night I reflect and learn."

DADs, let us be relentless in our reflection today!

To God be the glory!

DADs“get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon Men Suit Up!

**Today we prepare to “Reflect.” Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare to “Equip" ourselves and others.

Week 24- #Prepare “Service”

“The Greatest Example"

For even the Son of Man did not come expecting to be served by everyone, but to serve everyone, and to give his life as the ransom price in exchange for the salvation of many.” - Mark 10:45

Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests. - Philippians 2:4

Every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve one another as faithful stewards of the many-colored tapestry of God’s grace. - 1 Peter 4:10

I have several theories why some people fail to share their gifts with others.

I believe one reason is many of us think we have nothing worth giving.

For some, they may not know how to share the gifts, because it’s never been modeled for them.

While still others have yet to even acknowledge the gifts they have in the first place.

Well let me just remind you, the reader, you don’t have to be exceptionally talented or “gifted” to serve. In reality all you need to do is be aware of the needs of those around you.

And then prepare to take action.

Sometimes serving simply means being present with someone who needs the comfort of an intentional and concerned listener, while other opportunities can provide a variety of actionable acts of service, filling in the gaps for others crossing our paths.

Although an extremely admirable and memorable experience, acts of service must not be evident only within the annual mission trip, or church outreach, but should be displayed in our acts of random kindness to our fellow man on a daily basis.

When our preparedness is practiced by keeping our daily walk consistent, then we will be able to see through God’s eyes, exemplifying our readiness. Even when unexpected spontaneous service opportunities appear.

And if we are to prepare for real service, we must do what Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:4 to “Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests.”

If we have any desire DADs in our hearts to be like Jesus, and be the DAD God calls us to be, we can prepare to serve others by starting with our children and our wives.

DADs, you cannot hide behind the thought that you have nothing to give or gifts to share. All it takes is a desire to put your needs behind others and be alert for action.

“For even the Son of Man did not come expecting to be served by everyone, but to serve everyone, and to give his life as the ransom price in exchange for the salvation of many.” Mark 10:45

DADs, let us not forget we were made to serve. We have no excuse. The greatest example has gone before us.

To God be the glory!

DADs, “get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon Men Suit Up!

**Today we discussed preparation to “Service.” Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare “Reflect” along the life’s journey.

Week 23 - #Prepare “Trust”

"In God We Trust?"

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19

What was the last thing you truly placed your trust in? A person? A team? A betting tip?

For some I know, trust is something that must be earned, while others seem to trust more readily?

I wonder if the reason for those finding it easier to trust in general, is they have prepared a safety net around themselves by placing first, wholeheartedly, their trust in God in all circumstances?

So why do we sometimes not choose God first?

Why is it that we reach for every self-help book on the shelf and sometimes exhaust all other options before placing our trust in God?

Do we really trust we can find the secret elsewhere? Especially when God gives each of us no matter our situations the same formula found in Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all your heartand lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him,and he will make your paths straight.”

So in other words, in order to fully trust in God we must prepare to give up trying to "script" our life out without first discerning God's wisdom.

To prepare to trust we must first submit.

DADs, we must go to the cross and find ourselves on our knees giving it all to Him.

Not just in the little things, but in all things!

DADs when you do this, place, practice, and prepare to fully trust in your Abba Father, you will find so much passion and relief!

DADs, your paths will be made straight, and will know as it says in Nehemiah 8:10: “the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

To God be the glory!

DADs, “get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon Men Suit Up!

**Today we prepare to “trust.” Next week we will consider how essential our preparation to serve is."

Week 22 - #Prepare “Letters”

“The Legacy of Letters"

Hebrews 13:22 -"But I urge you, brethren, bear with this word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly."

Proverbs 18:4 - “A person's words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook.”

Romans 15:15 -"But I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God,”

What in your life do you need to acknowledge?

I have his framed degree on the wall next to mine. I display his watch and college ring on my desk. I often wear the Cincinnati University Bearcat t-shirt I once gave him for Father’s Day. But the most prized possessions I have left from my dad, is the stack of handwritten letters he sent to me that I have kept, (I have them all) going all the way back to my college years; and even before.

Oh (self included) how the art of handwritten notes have been lost to emails, a quick text, tweets, Facebook posts or direct messages.

Often forgotten are the artifacts of ink to paper, cards, envelopes, and stamps!

Although most of us have fallen victim to our instant paths of connecting through various social media, and technology platforms, there is still nothing like holding a tangible piece of paper in your hands, with a hand written message by a very intentional sender.

So what hinders our letter writing to others even when, as a recipient, most know the joy it brings to us finding a letter in the mailbox with our name on it!

Can we not find the time to reciprocate the sender’s thoughtfulness? To acknowledge their intentional action. To convey our gratitude, love, encouragement or even sorrow depending on their current circumstances?

When was the last time you sat down to prepare to share your thoughts on paper and make someone’s day?

King Solomon the author of Proverbs 18:4 shared “A person's words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook.”

In this world and in times like these I gain strength from the old letters my dad wrote me over the years. He may be gone but his words of encouragement and exhortation lives on.

DADs, not only speak the words (which are so valuable), but let us also regularly write down the words that are the life-giving water, full of wisdom and refreshing as a bubbling brook,” today. Words that outlive us leaving our legacy behind for the next generation to pass along.

To God be the glory!

DADs “get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you! So…C’mon Men Suit Up!

**Today we prepared for the legacy of “letters.” Next week we will consider how to earn and prepare for “trust."