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Be A Blessing

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered..”

Proverbs 11:25
watering can with water sprinkling out

How do you enter a situation, or conversation? Do you seek to be a blessing the another? or are do you simply seek your own self-gain? … I need to continually ask myself this same these same questions.

Once again, this verse speaks of generosity and the benefits that come from this virtue. God promises to to bless our generosity, and often it is in the area of reciprocation. Though not always returning the exact currency that was generously given. This is why Solomon uses the term watering and being watered, the concept is in the first part of the verse about being enriched.

Giving and receiving was spoken of both by Jesus Himself, as well as Paul:

35 In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Acts 20:35

Paul, here, was seeking to bring a blessing by his help to the weak, and no doubt was enriched by his effort.

“If I want to get water I must give water. Though that seems a strange way of self-serving, I pray you try it.”

Charles Spurgeon

Let’s Pray…

Father, in Jesus’ Name and by the Holy Spirit, blessing and honor to You. You have demonstrated generosity for us in so many ways.

Father, thank you for enriching me when…

Because You are the father of the rain I give You thanks for __________ that waters my soul.

Father, I confess I’m tempted to enter situations only thinking of myself when…

Lord, help me to trust in Your method of “watering” when I feel…

Spirit, remind me bring a blessing when I run into…

Devotions for Dads! – Proverbs 11:24

“One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.”

Proverbs 11:24

In God’s economy, according to this verse at least, it may seem that subtraction actually equals addition. However, in this scenario, the motive of the “one” moves the commodities involved from math to generosity, which plays by different rules.

Often when people think of the word generosity they automatically think of money. But biblical generosity speaks more of seed, than a coin, when it talks of giving freely. When our generosity spurs us to give of our finances, our time, our treasure, our possessions, etc… in essence, to give of ourselves, the “ask” is not for a commodity, but for our heart. Do you trust that God can, “make all grace abound to you, …” as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:8? Take a look at the purpose and the intention for this “funny math” spoken by a Pharisee of the law (which included the book of Proverbs), and enlightened by the Holy Spirit:

8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
    his righteousness endures forever.”

10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others,

2 Corinthians 9:8-13

So, really, it’s not changing subtraction to addition… but to multiplication! And what is multiplied is the “seed for sowing;” the ability and opportunity to continue to be generous! …and this, is ultimately for the glory of God and the edification of others. A seed must be given to the ground in order for it to make more of itself, and the farmer who does not plant his seed will not gain a harvest of blessing and therefore be left wanting.

Let’s Pray…

Father, in Jesus’ Name and by the Holy Spirit, praise and honor belong to You. You have demonstrated generosity for us in so many ways.

Lord, I praise You because You were generous to me when You…

Because You are the author of generosity, I give You thanks for…

Father, I confess I’m tempted to not show generosity when…

Lord, give me Your perspective on generosity when I feel…

Spirit, remind me of Your generosity to me, this week, when I encounter…

Devotions for Dads! – Proverbs 11:23

“The desire of the righteous ends only in good; the expectation of the wicked in wrath.”

Proverbs 11:23
Man in a field with sun setting behind him

The character of the person who seeks righteousness thinks about and desires things that are good. The character of the person who seeks calamity for others or pushes others down to build himself up will find the wrath of God upon his pride and wicked desire. Many places in God’s Word discuss the concept of thoughts, words, actions, and character being connected (Genesis 6:5, Matthew 15:11, and James 3:10 to name a few).

Solomon, here, expresses a simple axiom that is the basis for many versions of this wisdom seen in many cultures around the world. A version of the quote below has been reiterated by famous philosophers and writers such as Gandhi, Voltaire, Stojanovic, Bergson, Chia,  Marcus Aurelius, Alfred Roberts, and Margaret Thatcher, and is also credited as a Chinese Proverb:

Be careful of your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words.
Be careful of your words,
Your words become your actions.
Be careful of your actions,
Your actions become your habits.
Be careful of your habits,
Your habits become your character.
Be careful of your character,
Your character becomes your destiny.

Unknown

I have often said to my children, “The truth is true no matter how much you argue over it.” This truth, spoken by the wisest man and not only in Proverbs 11:23 (versions of this also in Proverbs 4:23-24 and 23:7), reminds us that what we think about governs and guides what becomes our character. Therefore, we should mind what we think about, and teach our children to do the same.

Let’s Pray…

Father, in Jesus’ Name and by the Holy Spirit, praise and honor belong to You because You are worthy and because You have given us direct access to You.

Lord, I praise You because You have shown us what righteousness looks like through…

Because You are the only righteous One, I give You thanksgiving and praise because…

Father, forgive me for the wicked thoughts that I have when…

Lord, give me the strength to take captive the wicked thoughts I have of… (consistent distracting subjects)

Spirit, strengthen me to focus on You when I encounter conversations that… (lead me away from righteousness)

Devotions for Dads! – Proverbs 11:22

“Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.”

Proverbs 11:22
Two pigs in their muck


Wow, do we need this reminder in our society today? And guess who is created to teach your children this truth? Dad is.

Solomon reminds us, here (from personal experience I have no doubt), that as the gold ring relates to the woman’s beauty, the indiscretion relates to the trash-eating, mud-sleeping, and short-lived reality of a pig’s life. We, as Dads, need to be examples of honor and discernment when it comes to interacting with women. Our daughters need to know and live this truth, and our sons need to see us repelled by this type of woman – and they need to know why!

Praise You, God for the truths & realities of Your words Grant me the memory, the opportunity, and the ability to present this (v.22&16) to my girls tonight. There is so much life in Your Word! Bless my shift today. Please allow this private party to be generous and joyful. Strengthen me to be that for them. Grant my wife rest. Inspire her to give You her burdens, and let You take them away. Inspire my JEWEL to enjoy Your life-giving word. Boost CAP‘s desire to obey and diligently order his life. Heal my GEM‘s mind, body, & spirit. These things I pray, in Jesus’ Name, amen.

Devotions for Dads! – Proverbs 11:21

“Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.” Proverbs 11:21

The wicked will receive a just reward. Solomon reminds his son that, though it may look as though evil people are prospering and living a better life than they are, there will inevitably come a time when they will be punished according to their deeds. At the same time, the same is true of those who do good. Solomon even seems to say that a good man’s children will be blessed by his good deeds. All the more reason to take up the mantle of Dadhood, and seek God’s wisdom as you do! Use this verse, when your kids begin to envy those who do not follow God’s ways, as a teachable moment. Remember this verse, and use it real-time when the envy shows up.

Lord God, place a responsive flag – that says this – into my mind when I am tempted to envy the wicked. Inspire me to train my children to know this truth as well. May we seek Your glory in all that we do, and understand that you know far better than we do. You have perfect things, planned for me and for my children. Help me to trust in You, and Your goodness. Let me be an example of a man after Your heart, not just for my children, but for all of those around me.

Devotions for Dads! – Proverbs 11:20

“Those of a crooked heart are an abomination the LORD, but those of blameless ways are his delight.” Proverbs 11:20

It all starts in the heart. What is in the heart of a man matters to God. You could say that that is what matters most to God. In this proverb, there is a sense that the crooked heart is a person who not only commits sin, but seeks it out in order to revel in it. The other side of this coin is that those who seek out blamelessness can bring delight to God. These people do not necessarily have no sin whatsoever, they simply are seeking to remove the patterns and paths of sin in their lives so that they can be filled with His righteousness.

Lord God, I do feel considerably more able to consider the word blameless and righteous under these circumstances. The temptation was strong, but You are stronger. I constantly need Your strength. Let me train my kids to see “blamelessness” and “righteousness” this way, rather than an unachievable, out of reach, lofty goal. Remind us all that most of the people You used in the Bible sought blamelessness rather than simply achieving it. Lord, bless my lunch shift in a way that I – even I – could not fathom today. Grant favor with my guests and with my employers, and lavish Your grace upon us. Heal my wife’s heart. Heal my Gem’s insecurities. Heal my “efficiency.” Bless my wife today – to overflowing – to tears.

Devotions for Dads! – Proverbs 11:19

“Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die.” Proverbs 11:19

Fixed on good character.

Steadfast, according to Merriam-Webster means, “firmly fixed in place; not subject to change.” When one is firm in his character (righteousness, virtue, integrity) he clings to a set of standards that are the opposite of evil or wickedness. This steadfastness brings about practices and habits that encourage life to himself, and those around him. As we’ve seen in many of Solomon’s proverbs so far, there is an opposite present that takes the extreme. If righteousness leads to life, then wickedness leads to death. Character is developed over years of consistent choices. This is why the health and character of children relies greatly on a present father. Children will not voluntarily choose virtue, character, or righteousness, but if their father leads them in it, and sets appropriate expectations of them, then they have a much better chance to become steadfast in righteousness.

Lord God, keep it pressed on my heart to train up my children in the way they, each, should go. Help me to be a good example of this steadfastness, not just in front of them but for Your glory. Strengthen me during this slow time at work, bless me through it. Make me diligent to seek out other forms of income. Give me wisdom to hear You, and to follow where You lead – but also to look to the ways You have set up, and to know that sometimes I have to do ‘thus’ to get ‘so.’ Praise You for the freedom to do that, and the knowledge of how Your ability to know and direct does not limit my ability to live. Make us diligent.

Devotions for Dads! – Proverbs 11:18

“The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.” Proverbs 11:18

Certainty versus deception. This does not seem like a hard choice. A sower plants seed, he scatters seed usually, and that seed grows to something greater and bigger than the thing that was sown. When that thing is righteousness it only stands to reason that that will be rewarded by a righteous God. However, too often we are hesitant or distracted by the reward it seems that the wicked are getting. Do not miss that word… deceptive. Solomon is saying that what seems like a reward is not, and will not yield the wage (deserved payment for work accomplished) that we might think.

Lord God, You are the great Giver. The giver of all good things! Praise you that you lay before me a relatively easy choice to make. Help me to stay focused on Your righteousness, and to act in accordance with what I know You have instructed me to do. Keep me from envying the wicked, and feeling that they have it better than me, or my family. May I share in the joy of other families and not compare my marriage, or my kids to them. You have given me a path; my family a path to walk that is our own. Help me to trust in You on this journey, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

My Mistake with Responsibility

I teach my children that the first step in taking up responsibility is discerning what is, and what is not your responsibility. I learned this lesson through trial and error in my own life.

Conceptual royalty free stock image of a businessman carrying the world on his shoulders.

I happen to have responsibility as my #1 Strength according to Strength Finder 2.0, by Tom Rath. However, what I did, long before I knew about Strength Finder, was to take on the responsibility of my family and their provision, and guidance, and trials, and drama, and sin patterns, and immaturity, and the ideals of what I thought they should be versus what they were, and trying to bridge that gap, and fighting every battle, and deprecating myself because of the bad example I was leaving, and… and … and …


The purpose for that run-on sentence was to bring you a glimpse of what I was doing, in piling on the responsibility of things that were beyond my control. I carried the weight of the world on my shoulders for several years, and still struggle to keep it from piling on. It took my humor nearly completely away, for a time, in an effort to focus on not causing others to sin. I was not fun to be around, and I was always tired, floundering under the weight of not allowing God, who loves my family more than I do, to take care of the details that I couldn’t get to, even in my diligent efforts.

Don’t do that. Remember responsibility is a key, not a lock.

You don’t have to have everything on a spreadsheet, and in order; completely under control to take up the responsibility of your family. Even just thinking about that stressed me out, because I’m not so quick with Excel.

In many ways, I tried to go it alone and that only added to my unnecessary weight. We were never meant to do life alone, that’s why God gave us families in the first place. You don’t have to do it alone. Especially when you have a wife to help you… in fact that is exactly what God called her when He made her (and if the story of your life doesn’t contain a “her,” at the moment, remember that there are others out there who have gone through/are going through the same things as you). You are not alone in this, nor do you have to take this up all by yourself, that’s another reason for these pages.

Devotions for Dads! – Proverbs11:17

“A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.” Proverbs 11:17

Kindness:
“The courage to give away something that you have, to meet someone else’s need, expecting nothing in return.”

Charactersofcourage.com

Kindness has two edges to its gentle blade. It benefits the person who receives the giving, and it also brings blessing to the person who has given it. These blades can be considered a piercing to a “touching” spot in each soul which begins to bind the souls together. Kindness is indeed attractive. The ultimate expression of this is how God’s loving kindness leads us to repentance (a deeper, right, relationship with Him).

Lord God, You are as gentle as the snow, and cover my ‘world’ in the same way… a peace and a beauty that I love. Do that. Bless my shift in ways I cannot imagine, and heal my family. Bind us together in You. Let this drive me to emulate Your loving kindness in all that I do, and with all who surround me.