Week 30 - #Prepare “Dare”

“How Dare You?"

Philippians 1:14 - "Most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence from my imprisonment and dare even more to speak the message fearlessly.”

Isaiah 54:2 - “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes."

Why is it that we are typically OK with “daring" to enlarge our own territories when it comes to the physical, and mental aspects, but rarely with our spiritual growth?

We often "dare" to climb the highest mountain, swim in the biggest ocean, and run the longest race but, rarely "dare" to seek a greater walk with God.

Are we more willing and apt to dare to achieve personal goals, because they are more tangible? Something visible that can be held or displayed on a shelf?

When was the last time you prepared to be transformed by daring to lean your ladder against God's wall?

DADs, when we dare to discover God's deep love for us His plan for us becomes clearer. When we truly dare to turn to Him we become more daring to“enlarge the place of our tents, and let the curtains of our habitations be stretched out;” Isaiah 54:2.

When we prepare to dare (not jumping out of airplanes or taking unhealthy risks), but daring to run with God, then only then, will He be able to fully use us for His glory.

DADs, remember some take dares for flair but let’s take dares to share and care. Let’s prepare to dare today by sharing His love and caring for His people.

Now that’s a real "truth and dare!"

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 “Share.” Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare to “dare."

Week 29 - #Prepare “Share”

“Netflix-tions & Hulu-cinations”

Hebrews 13:16 "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."

Romans 12:13 "Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality."

I wonder why starting at a very young age it is so difficult to share with others.

Why is it that one of the very first words we learn from infancy is "mine"?

During these long months of the global pandemic, one of the peripheral non-life threatening, however life sucking symptoms, has been binge TV watching. These “Netflix-tions,” sometimes causing “Hulu-cinations,” often zap hours of precious time from us all, never to be regained.

However, even in the mindlessness of binge watching God can deliver a needed message, through a simple made for cable series.

So here is the message I heard embedded in my latest commitment to sit on the couch while staring at the screen, that is related to our topic today focusing on the preparation to share.

The scene takes place in a fictitious remote town where a group of lifelong friends have gathered in the living room of a beautiful farmhouse. The owner of the home is being showered by love and affection as the ladies all take turns reminiscing about their friendship and lives together. Eventually the ladies say their goodbyes and head to their homes. Later, the town doctor stops by and is invited to stay for dinner. The doctor agrees and enjoys a cup of coffee on the porch while the woman’s daughter prepares dinner. With the events of her day the woman decides she needs to lie down to take a nap for a while. This loving woman and single mom has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. When her daughter goes to wake her up for dinner she finds her mother unresponsive and calls out for the doctor to come. The doctor finds no pulse as she has passed away in her sleep.

Needless to say, it is a very emotional setting. The daughter is distraught and through her tears and emotion cries out “I wish I spent more time. I wish I had more time.”

In those simple but poignant words, God reminded me how precious life is and of the urgency to prepare to “share” with those we particularly love, the most valuable gift we possess, our time.

What are we saving our sharing for? When "it’s convenient"? When we are "comfortable"? When "we feel like ____ (Fill in the Blank)"?

Whatever our reasons, when we withhold things like sharing our “time”, (something if we make it important we all have), keeps us from being fully “prepared.”

The phrase “Sharing is Caring” was trademarked by the Salvation Army in 1950. It’s fitting since they have spent years caring for others. Founded in 1865 in East End London, they begin providing gifts and meals for the elderly, sick, and underprivileged. This simple coined phrase can teach us all a lesson.

We are all reminded in Hebrews 13:16 to practice our sharing, "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased."

In this hour of preparation, do you have time to share? Time to listen? Time to mentor? Time to play? Time to love?

Sharing the gift of yourself doesn't cost anything except time. In essence we have no time to lose.

DADs, you are on the clock. There is no time NOT to share. Prepare to share today.

Let’s don’t say in the end, “I wish I had spent more time…”

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 “Share.” Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare to “dare."

Week 28- #Prepare “Grow”

"Growing Us...Growing Others"

2 Peter 3:18: "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

2 Corinthians 10:15: "Not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you,”

Have you taken time to consider the areas of growth thus far for you this year?

What are the areas of celebration?

What goals have you set and accomplished?

I believe we have the tendency to deny ourselves the recognition of our own milestones.

When we deny our own successes in some ways we are directly denying the opportunity to give God the credit, while missing the chance to also help motivate others as well.

Now, I am not suggesting you require a parade or party every time you experience favor, but I am suggesting that we share our struggles and triumphs with our preparation towards our own growth. Growing in the intentional walk in our faith, can serve as an example for others to follow.

Paul puts it this way in 2 Corinthians 10:15: "not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you.”

You see as we grow we can also help others to prepare for their growth. The possibility of the replication of a growing faith in God in others, is an eternal reason to share our own growth story.

Your story of growth, your urgency to prepare for growth, can inspire others and enlarge their territory and their influence for Christ.

If, as you reflect upon the prior question posed, “have you taken time to consider your areas of growth,” then I exhort you to do so now.

Even the smallest area of growth can make a difference in the lives of those you come in contact.

If you are struggling with identifying those areas, today is the perfect time to establish your preparation for the areas needed for growth.

If you are looking for a foundation of preparation for growth, there is no better place than to start with what is written in 2 Peter 3:18: "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

DADs, celebrate and share those areas of victories and growth today, while preparing a plan for perpetual growth for your tomorrows!

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 “Grow.” Next week we will consider how critical it is to 

prepare to “share."

Week 27- #Prepare “Learn”

“Willing and Coachable"

"Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."- Philippians 4:9

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,but fools despise wisdom and instruction."- Proverbs 1:7

"My soul yearns for you in the night;in the morning my spirit longs for you.When your judgments come upon the earth,the people of the world learn righteousness."- Isaiah 26:9

So if you’re like me, you have perfected the art of "telling", but not necessarily the art of "learning."

My dad used to say that the key to success boils down to two things:
1. To be willing.
2. To be coachable.

In this week’s focus with our preparation to “learn,” I ask you to ponder, "are you willing and are you coachable?”

Many people claim to be a lifelong learner but in essence are a full blown “teller.”

There is one thing I know, (but have not mastered either), you cannot listen, and you cannot learn, if you are always talking!

True confession. Outside of a few passions of mine, I spend little time yearning for more learning. But in my preparation to acquire new knowledge, I am willing and coachable if I can just slow down long enough to realize its purpose.

Once I recognize the purpose, I am often encouraged to use this knowledge by putting my new learning into practice.

Paul shares this thought in Philippians 4:9; "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Today, what is it you need to prepare to be a willing and coachable recipient of knowledge? What can you learn today to be better tomorrow?

When we think we know it all, or already have all the answers, we stop growing and become disconnected.

A great place to start a new pathway to our preparation for learning begins with a relationship with God.

In Proverbs 1:7 it says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

DADs...what if every morning when the opportunity clock went off, you woke up every day with an attitude hungry for more knowledge, and learning for what God called you to be? Imagine the difference it would make with your wife, and your family, if you prepared to learn by modeling a willing and coachable spirit in your homes!

DADs…let us together "prepare to learn" 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 “Learn.” Next week we will consider how critical it is to prepare to “Grow."