Driving Notes

Today is the Collegiate Day of Prayer around the United States – we would LOVE for you to join us in praying for students, faculty and staff here at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.  Click here for more about it!

In our devotional “Time With God for Fathers,” by Jack Countryman, we’re looking at verses about kindness and comfort today.

A father, or parent for that matter, with a kind and tender heart can be a magnet to those he loves. Everyone craves love and encouragement. Kindness builds  confidence, security and trust for those around you.  We can reflect God’s kindness with those in our circle of family and mentorship.

Matthew 7:9-11…⁹ Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?¹¹ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

The phrase “the God of all comfort” in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 is encouraging.  It helps us remember that God will always come to our aid – it is His promise for those who follow Christ. He will see us through the trials we are facing.

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any ^[a]trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our ^[b]consolation also abounds through Christ.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

The word trust is mentioned in the Bible over 50 times.  Proverbs 3:5 is a signature verse for many as it reminds us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…and lean NOT on your own understanding…”  When we learn to trust and we accept this command, we can face ANY circumstance with confidence and hope!  This especially goes for parents as we raise our children.

Our confidence and hope doesn’t come from our strength, wisdom, energy or power.  It comes from God’s ability.

In our devotional “Time With God for Fathers,” by Jack Countryman, he also uses
2 Samuel 22:2-3:

² And he said: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
³ The God of my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
My stronghold and my refuge;
My Savior, You save me from violence.

When we trust, we tap into an irresistible force that no one or nothing can successfully oppose!

Have you ever heard this? “Life is 10% what happens, 90% how we react to it.”  What about this one? “You need to change your attitude.” How we approach the challenges of like determines the kind of person we become. If we ponder negative things, our frame of mind will soon turn sour, pessimistic and negative. But, if we fill our minds with the things of God, the opposite happens.

Philippians 4:8 says:

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things arelovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Todd

Today we’re re-issuing a Dad Devotional from last week with a new twist:

A Father’s Prayer – Philippians 4:6-7
⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

This prayer is simply, “Guide me with my words and actions toward my children…”

So how can we get some practical ideas this Valentine’s Day?

Here’s a great poster from author Jay Payleitner that hangs in my office…and reminds us of 52 things that we as ‘forever fathers’ should not forget…

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

“The buck stops here” is a phrase made popular by former U.S. President Harry Truman in response to the other common phrase, “pass the buck.”  Truman’s Oval Office sign simply meant that taking responsibility sometimes meant NOT passing on the difficult decisions or actions.

In our devotional “Time With God for Fathers,” by Jack Countryman, he addresses this issue using the framework of Luke 12: 8-9…

⁸ “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. ⁹ But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.

That means as fathers, we are responsible for the spiritual development of our families, especially our children. Like it or not, we will imprint our character, good, bad or indifferent, on our children. This verse reminds us to reflect God’s character and share His influence openly with our children.

We also shared a devotional today about taking that reflection of God’s character to loving our neighbor.  Exodus 20 commands us to reflect Christ’s love with those around us, also reminds us to avoid petty jealousy:

¹⁶ “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. ¹⁷ “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

This is then referenced again by Jesus in Matthew 22: 37-40…