DADs…

One of my all time favorite Christian Groups is 4HIM. One of my all time favorite songs that they sing is called the “Measure of a Man”.  

The chorus goes like this:

 Oh, I say the measure of a man

Is not how tall you stand

How wealthy or intelligent you are

'Cause I've found out the measure of a man

God knows and understands

For He looks inside to the bottom of your heart

And what's in the heart defines the man…

DADs, How is your heart condition today? 

How does your heart measure up to God’s standards?

Society tells us that the measure of the man is how the world judges us.

Society places us on the world scale.

God’s scale is much different. God measures us from the inside out!

Matthew 6:21- For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

DADs, do not let the world measure you but let God be your judge.

Do the things that leads to a heart conditionthat focuses on being the man 

God can fully use as His hands and feet. 

Be the DADand the husband God praises. 

Be the man that has a heart for Jesus in all that you say and do!

DADs…“get in the game”

Today is game day…and so is every day…

God gives you! So…C’mon DADs…Suit Up!

Dr. Jeff Springer

Dads, 

I used to hate to stretch, during team calisthenics I was the one just acting like I was stretching. Especially when it had to do with mid section core. Sit-ups. Not sure that I hate any other exercise more than doing sit ups.

Even in the weight room I dreaded the sit up station. I flourished at the push ups but avoided my core. 

DADs, even today I do all other stretches or workouts before I work my core! 

Why? Two reasons. 

Its hurts! And it doesn’t always show immediate results! 

Isn’t that what we all want, little pain and immediate results?

DADs, why is it the same sometimes in our spiritual walk? 

Even when we know it will make us a better we sometimes choose the easier path?

In the physical sense we know what's good for us, working on our core will make us stronger, faster, and better for our team and teammates, but we get distracted.

The same holds true now in our adult roles as husband and DAD. We can be detoured and shy away from church, Bible study, and prayer. All things that would only strengthen our families.

As a coach, I would ask my players; Do your individual goals outweigh your team or are your team goals more important than your personal goals?

As your brother in Christ and a Minister of Men, I would in regards to your spirtual growth ask, does what matters least serve as an obstacle for what matters most?

You see football is a team sport. When you work on your core you are working on your team. As long as your core values includes putting the team before your individual goals.

As the leader of your family, the DAD, WE can NEVER place outside priorities ahead of our “team”, our most precious gifts, our families! 

That means working on our spiritual Core daily!

As the coach, do you know the players I most admire? The ones that come to work every day. Early to practice. Last off the field. First to volunteer to run scout team. Always have their helmet on during the game but at the same time rarely plays. Wow. The difference in most games, when it comes down to the best teams, are not always the best players, but the strength of the CORE players. If our core players better prepared than theirs it can influence the result. The core becomes difference. 

DADs, the difference in your family is YOU! 

The outside world wants to celebrate the starters. The one that scores the winning TD. Believe me, as a coach I loved those too. They made me a great coach at times. 

But when one of those players is also a CORE player, humble and acknowledges that his success is based on the team, thats special. 

As DADs we may not look like the superstars to others, often not even to our own families, but we must be consistent and unwavering in working on our spiritual core!

Hebrews 10:24-25: 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

C- compassion for all

O- pen to coaching

R- relentless to be better

E - levates those around him

Be the DADtoday and everyday! Suit Up! Put on your Core!

DADs…do not stand on the sidelines of life…get off the bench…

“get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…

God gives you!

So…C’mon men…Suit Up!

Dr. Jeff Springer

DADs,

How do you demonstrate obedience at home? 

Although in Ephesians Paul talks about “mutual” submission between a husband and his wife, it is the man that needs to take the lead and model that spiritual example.

Obedience in our walk starts in the home. God give many of us the precious gift of a life partner in our wives and precious legacies in our children.

If we cannot practice intentional obedience with our family it will not matter that we are obedient at work!

Paul writes in Ephesians 5:25-28:

25Husbands, love your wives, just as also Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26to make her holy, cleansing her in the washing of water by the word. 27He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and blameless. 28In the same way, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

 Ephesians 6:4:

4And fathers, don't stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

DADs, if our faith and obedience is real it will usually prove itself first at home, in our relationships with those who know us best!

In what family relationship do you need obedience the most? 

What are the primary obstacles that are keeping you from practicing obedience in your home?

DADs, remember obedience is God’s command.

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

DADs,

What do you say or do at work that communicates to your co-workers, bosses, customers, and others your obedience?  

Is your obedience at work only obvious in the “big” things or is your obedience apparent to others in the day to day plans and activities? 

At what point during the day do you hand your day over to God? 

Is it in the disappointments of a failure or in your successes?  

In 2 Chronicles 17& 18:

Ezra writes about one of Judah’s Kings, King Jehoshaphat.    

The king’s strengths and accomplishments included that he was a bold follower 

of God and carried out a national program of religious education.

2 Chronicles 17:3 & 4:

Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former 

ways of his father David. 

He did not seek the Baals but sought the God of his father and walked 

by His commands, not according to the practices of Israel.

But Ezra also wrote of Jehoshaphat’s lack of obedience in the little things 

that can often become the big things.

2 Chronicles 18:1: Ezra writes:

Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance, and he made an alliance 

with Ahab through marriage.

Jehoshaphat allowed his son to marry the daughter of the wicked Ahab. 

Without asking God he made an alliance with Ahab and later got involved with 

Ahab’s son in a venture that was shipwrecked by God. 

DADs, God wants all of us, not just when the odds are clearly against us!

God wants to be in our business, even in the details.

DADs, while on the job, what are the ways you can ensure obedience in your work 

day for the future? 

How can you model obedience in all your words and deeds?

Next week, we will continue this conversation on obedience at work and look at how your position at work can be a mission field.

DADs…“get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you!

So…C’mon men…Suit Up!

Suiting Up! 

Dr. Jeff Springer

DADs,

If you google obedience, you will find many of the first page links deal with how to train your dog. 

You would have to look long and hard before you run across an article that reflects a positive light on obedience as it pertains to our daily walk with Christ.

DADs, in this world to “obey” is not often the “norm” and sometimes has a 

connotation of weakness, and giving away our control to others. 

To obey goes against our instincts & inclinations.

To comply, submit or to be generally agreeable in the world that we work and live in, communicates a lack of strength or leadership.

BUT, the truth is, DADs to be obedient is to lead and brings three basic benefits:  

1. Obedience rescues us from self-destruction:

• His will & not our will helps us see our sinful nature & instills in us a desire 

                     to not turn back to an “inward renovation”

2. Perseverance even in dire sufferings:

• By focusing on Him & not our circumstances we become enabled by His spirit. 

3. Aids in our interpersonal relationships:

• When we focus on Him & what He has done for us, we change from the inside out! 

Obedience helps us recognize authority & direction from others! All three lead to Winning Situations!!

2 Chronicles 31:21: “He was diligent in every deed that he began in the service of God's temple, in the law and in the commandment, in order to seek his God, and he prospered.”

Are you ready to prosper?

Then DADs, start your obedience today!

DADs…“get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you!

So…C’mon men…Suit Up!

DADs,

Last week we talked about what obedience is.

Today let’s talk about what obedience is not.

What Obedience is Not:

It is not slavery to God, or a loss of what is good for “me.” 

Obedience frees us from sin and offers the best that God has for us. 

True happiness is not based on what pleases us; rather, it is being in 

the center of God’s love and will. 

When we focus on Him, we see that with His Lordship comes more insights, 

resources, and privileges than we could ever understand. This gives us deeper, richer joy. 

Obedience is not Willfulness, or having a strong-willed mindset; 

rather, it is our lining up with His precepts and call. 

Even in the Old Testament, God was more concerned with people’s trust and obedience than with their offerings and sacrifices. God delights in our obedience.

    1 Samuel 15:22:

22 Then Samuel said:

    Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices

    as much as in obeying the LORD?

    Look: to obey is better than sacrifice,

    to pay attention [is better] than the fat of rams.

DADs, it is the self-surrender of our will that God wants from you and me. That we would become less in our spirit and more in His Spirit.

When we refuse to obey Him, we just sin and keep on sinning. When we have the 

maturity to change and grow for the better, seeking and following Him and not our 

pride or the world’s ways, we will become victorious. 

Our faith will be firm! 

We must listen to Him and remove anything that hinders purity in our faith and devotion to Christ. 

God delights in our obedience. He does not demand it, nor is it required for our salvation. 

It is something we do because, as the hymn goes, “there is no other way!” 

DADs…“get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you!

So…C’mon men…Suit Up!

Love you brothers, 

Dr. Jeff

DADs,

To comply, to submit, or to agree, are all examples of obedience. 

All are things that we as DADs struggle with on a regular basis. 

Take those three definitions of obedience and apply them to your roles of a husband and a DAD. 

On a scale from 1-10, how does your obedience rate?

Do you comply, submit or agree when it comes to your relationships at home? 

How about your roles at work or even church?

Do you model obedience daily or disobedience?

DADs, your decision to obey or not to obey God’s commands can be either “Blessing or a Curse”.     

Deuteronomy 11:26-28:  26"Look, today I set before you a blessing and a curse: 27[there will be] a blessing, if you obey the commands of the LORD your God I am giving you today, 28and a curse, if you do not obey the commands of the LORD your God, and you turn aside from the path I command you today by following other gods you have not known.

What are the “other” gods in your life?

What are the areas of obedience that you need to work on? 

Until you choose to address those issues, you cannot be the man that God can fully use.

DADs, God does not expect us to be a doormat for others to wipe their dirty shoes on, but He does expect us to comply, submit and agree to His commands in all circumstances and in all relationships.

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

Suiting Up, 

Dr. Jeff Springer

DADs,

Last week we talked about what obedience is. Today let’s talk about what obedience is not.

What Obedience is Not:

It is not slavery to God, or a loss of what is good for “me.” 

Obedience frees us from sin and offers the best that God has for us. 

True happiness is not based on what pleases us; rather, it is being in 

the center of God’s love and will. 

When we focus on Him, we see that with His Lordship comes more insights, resources, and privileges than we could ever understand. This gives us deeper, richer joy. 

Obedience is not Willfulness, or having a strong-willed mindset; rather, it is our lining up with His precepts and call. 

Even in the Old Testament, God was more concerned with people’s trust and obedience than with their offerings and sacrifices. God delights in our obedience.

1 Samuel 15:22: 22 Then Samuel said: Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD?Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention [is better] than the fat of rams.

DADs, it is our self-surrender of our will so we become less in our spirit and more in His Spirit that God wants from you and me.

When we refuse to obey Him, we just sin and keep on sinning. When we have the maturity to change and grow for the better, seeking and following Him and not our pride or the world’s ways, we will become victorious. 

Our faith will be firm! We must listen to Him and remove anything that hinders purity in our faith and devotion to Christ. 

God delights in our obedience. He does not demand it, nor is it required for our salvation. It is something we do because, as the hymn goes, “there is no other way!” 

DADs…“get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you!

So…C’mon men…Suit Up!

DADs,

To comply, to submit, or to agree are all examples of obedience. 

All are things that we as DADs struggle with on a regular basis. 

Take those three definitions of obedience and apply them to your roles of a husband and a DAD. 

On a scale from 1-10, how does your obedience rate?

Do you comply, submit or agree when it comes to your relationships at home? 

How about your roles at work or even church?

Do you model obedience daily or disobedience?

DADs, your decision to obey or not to obey God’s commands can be either “Blessing or a Curse”.     

Deuteronomy 11:26-28:  26"Look, today I set before you a blessing and a curse: 27[there will be] a blessing, if you obey the commands of the LORD your God I am giving you today, 28and a curse, if you do not obey the commands of the LORD your God, and you turn aside from the path I command you today by following other gods you have not known.”

What are the “other” gods in your life?

What are the areas of obedience that you need to work on? 

Until you choose to address those issues you cannot be the man that God can fully use.

DADs, God does not expect us to be a doormat for others to wipe their dirty shoes on. He does expect us to comply, submit and agree to His commands in all circumstances and in all relationships.

DADs…“get in the game”…Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you!

So…C’mon men…Suit Up!

Dr. Jeff Springer

DADs,

The past three weeks we have been considering the 4 quarters of achieving H.O.P.E. 

Just like a football game each quarter is essential to the victory! 

Each quarter builds on the other.

Our conversations in the first quarter reminded us that we gain Christ’s hope, through true Humility which in the second quarter carries us towards intentional Obedience.

Last week in the third quarter we stressed how that our intentional Obedience 

will lead to the “ceaseless” prayer that God cries out from us every day!

DADs, today it is the 4th quarter and it is today that we take the next 

step in achieving that HOPE in Christ that is promised through the cross. 

Again, we realize that it is only our true humility, our intentional obedience and ceaseless prayers that will move us to truly by seeking those things Eternal versus External.

John 6:27: "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval"

What external things hinder your eternal walk?

Why is it so hard to focus on eternal living?

What are you doing to daily to seek those things that are eternal?

Paul writes in Philippians 4:19: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is  right, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things"

DADs, we all desire hope in Christ the question is are you willing to humble yourselves be intentionally obedient, ensure a daily relationship of ceaseless prayer and seek those things that are Eternal versus External?

DADs, do not stand on the sidelines of life, get off the bench, 

“get in the game”

Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you!

So…C’mon DADs…Suit Up!

Dr. Jeff Springer