10. Marriage Devotional: Toward a New Breed of Men

Marriage Devotional: Toward a New Breed of Men

Author: Dennis Rainey

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

    Why do Fortune 500 companies pay such huge salaries to their top executives? Because they know that leadership makes a difference. As a husband and father, your leadership will make a difference in your family. Oh, your wife and children may survive from day to day, but are they heading anywhere? Are they growing in Christlike character? Are they focusing on what is important?

    There is no question why so many marriages and families are in trouble. Too many men are functioning only as material providers. We need a new breed of men who can appreciate and expend energy, time and—most importantly—focused attention on the spiritual aspect of family life.

    We need a new breed of men who have the ability to focus on the unseen—the eternal—as well as the seen. Men who will say no to more bucks when it means sacrificing their families. A new breed who will ask, with every decision they make: "How will this affect the relationships within my family?"

    We need a new breed of men who will recognize they need to leave something to posterity that will outlive the financial inheritances they may leave for their children: proven character. . .a new breed of men who realize that to succeed in the eyes of men but fail in the eyes of God is the ultimate failure.

    One man has said, "It is better to fail in a cause that will ultimately succeed than to succeed in a cause that will ultimately fail."

    Will you take upon yourself the challenge Albert Einstein gave a group of young scientists? While addressing this highly motivated group of young men, he said, "Gentlemen, try not to become men of success. But rather, try to become men of value."

Discuss:

    What material things do you hope to leave to your children? What specific spiritual values do you hope to instill in them? Which of these "keepsakes" is more important?

Pray:

    Imagine your children as grown and established in their own families. Pray for what each one will become.

1. Parenting Devotional: Where are the men?

Parenting Devotional: Where are the men?

Author: Dennis Rainey

Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

    As he grows up, a boy needs at least one man who will pay attention to him. A man who spends time with him, teaches him, admonishes him, encourages him. If he can‵t find that in a father, a boy needs another man he can look up to—a mentor.

    What’s become of the fathers, the mentors? Well, I can tell you where they‵re not. They‵re not in the PTA meetings or the piano recitals. They‵re not teaching Sunday School. They‵re not at the pediatrician’s office holding a sick child. You will see a lot of women there. A dozen grandmothers. But you won‵t see as many men or fathers.

    Your sons and the sons in your neighborhood need godly men—men who will sharpen them to be God’s best—to mentor and show them the way to righteousness. You may be the only godly man or father your neighborhood kids have. But what does a godly mentor do?

    He does not bend to selfishness. He doesn‵t let it be his master. He’s got a higher calling than just giving in to what self wants.

    He says yes to the next generation of leaders. He calls his Christian brother up and says, "Come on, don‵t just unplug when you come home. Reject passivity. Get involved. Be the spiritual leader. Take the initiative in your home."

    Boys need Christian men who will be there for them and will cover for absentee fathers—men who aren‵t afraid to be the Little League coaches, the Boy Scout leaders, the big brothers and the school teachers. Men who will share their love, wisdom, skills and time. Men need to give time to help with homework, baths, laundry and grocery shopping. Time to read to children, drive them to ballet and cheer at their soccer games.

    What will your son or daughter remember most about you as a dad? Your gifts, toys and trinkets, or your life unashamedly connected to his or hers?

Discuss:

    What do you remember most about your dad? Evaluate your involvement with your family and other kids in whose lives you have an influence. Set one goal for this week to be a better mentor.

Pray:

    That God would give you the strength to make some difficult choices to make your family a priority over your work and hobbies.