1 Corinthians 16:13-14 "Act Like Men, Be a Godly Father." Calvary Chapel Devine Devotional with Pastor Michael Petit

​Looking back as father I really regret the time; I was not following Christ.  I was living for the world, and I was a bad example to my kids. I learned there was a big difference between being a Godly Father or just a father living for the world. One of the verses I loved when coming to Christ was in the Book of 1 Corinthians. 

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

Be Watchful: Dad’s need to understand the devil has released a full-on assault to destroy the family and trap your kids in sin. Schools, Celebrities, Musicians and even some politicians are trying to indoctrinate your kids to the celebrate sin. If they do not, they get cancelled, called racist, bigot, bullied on social networks and they deal with it daily. You would think the church would be safe from this, but some American pastors and churches are pushing progressive Christianity. They dive into political, social, gender and world issues that go directly against the word of God with the intent to seem woke. Dad you to need tell them about the culture (the sin in it) and answer questions they may have. But answer it with God’s word. I can not even imagine how hard it is to be a kid today.
 
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Be vigilant, the devil will come to steal, kill, and destroy your family if your asleep on guard duty. Wake-up to the Word and lead them with the sword God’s word. Also do not just yell at them when you disagree. Remove the emotions and feelings, be a good listener and answers their questions, but with a biblical view and truth. One thing that breaks my heart when reading this verse in the Book of Colossians is I sinned, before Christ I would provoke my kids, destroy their self-esteem, and then discouraged them. 

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

It is so easy for a child to be discouraged today, so be watchful encourage them to use the bible to apply in their life. The Bible should be the lens that we use to see the world. They may have viewpoint or different way of seeing something in the world and they may have questions. Answer them, do not bend on the word of God, but give it to them with love and truth. Remember, rules without relationship lead to rebellion.

Stand Firm in the Faith: I think many dads’ today are on shaky ground and having trouble standing. Why? Many have neglected their relationship with Christ. They are too busy to spend time in the word, prayer, or fellowship. Cannot stand firm. In the Book of Nehemiah we the Nation of Israel being revived and the Stand up and worship God. 

Nehemiah 9:5 
 Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

We also need to Stand in obedience to His word.   

Psalm 119:41-44 ESV
Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise; [42] then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word. [43] And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules. [44] I will keep your law continually, forever and ever.

The world is coming not to just knock you down but knock you out. We can stand firm in His steadfast love and abiding in Him. We set the tone for the house. We need to be men of God that put our relationship with Christ first. Keeping the faith, persevere and be persistent understand it is God that keeps us standing. 

Act Like Men: You know I could write a devotional just on this one thing topic (Act Like Men). The media, Hollywood and even the politicians are doing everything to destroy masculinity. Throughout the Bible we see men that lead and are great warriors, but God is first in their life. Our example is Christ. Jesus was teacher and preacher. Jesus was dedicated to prayer, obedience, love, mercy and not a wimpy man. Jesus confronted injustice, hypocrites, and demons. 

Mark 1:13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

Your wife and kids are looking to you to be the example of Christ, how is that going? Do they see Christ in you or more of the world? Godly Man need to love sacrificially. Be servants but stand upright and lead. Be strong, wash them with the word and be an example of Jesus Christ.

 Be Strong: Most dad’s think their strong physically, but we are talking spiritually. Be strong in your faith with Christ but is being made stronger continually. Be strong in worship, word, prayer and confessing sin. I love in the Book of Nehemiah we see a revival. We see men returning to Worship, Word, Prayer and Confession. Strong men desire the word. 

Nehemiah 8:13 ESV
On the second day the heads of fathers' houses of all the people, with the priests and the Levites, came together to Ezra the scribe in order to study the words of the Law.


The men were revived. Revival is when God’s people are revived, and they return to God. Being strong is even dealing with our sin as well. Dad you are not perfect, guess what God knows. Your kids need to see being strong in your faith. Being a Godly Father is hard but so rewarding. Being strong will take spiritual exercise and it is continual journey.   

Let all that you do be done in love: Dad do not be afraid to tell your child “I Love You”, give a hug or pray with them at night.  Love them and serve them. Love is also correction at times. 

1 Corinthians 13:13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Lord knows the world needs more love today. Agape love is sacrificial, and it is a love of sacrifice without expecting anything in return.  We see such divide in country, schools and even in some churches. Be a father that expresses his love to his wife, family, and friends. When we do this the love of Christ overflows from the house, into the church, school, and beyond. 

I just want to encourage you dad to live for the Lord, God will empower you through the Holy Spirit and obedience to bless you to be the dad you have been called to be. Happy Father’s Day.

Pastor Michael Petit