Category: MASH United

For those who are wanting to deepen their walk with the Lord to become the man God has created them to be, this daily devotional is designed to encourage, equip, challenge, and support you in that endeavor. Very much like the direct but kind, guiding words of a craftsman to an apprentice, this devotional says to searching hearts what they most likely have longed to hear all their lives. That may sound hard to believe, but history has proven that many grown men have never had a father’s guidance that could direct them either in word or example into the truth regarding love, marriage, intimacy, and nurturing. This devotional provides opportunities for men to revisit what it means to be a leader, husband, or father God’s way.

10/01/19 A Great Lesson

10/01/19 A Great Lesson

I remember the time my dad came to me at 2:00 AM with a spare tire in his hand, because I had burned the rubber off my own tires after about two months. I had a flat about a mile from home, and I woke him up to take me back where I left my car. I was sure that I was really in for it this time. He had commented on me driving foolishly for a long time, so I knew this was incredible fuel for a fatherly "I told you so" kind of lesson.
What surprised me, though, was the fact that he said nothing that night, or even after that I can recall. He didn't have to. I knew how wrong I had been. Now, I'm not going to say that I changed my ways immediately since I went through many sets of tires before I finally wised up; but that instance had a great impact on me none-the-less.
My dad's quiet assistance at that time said more than any lecture he could have given me. He simply served because he was my dad. In his own way, he said out loud that he loved me without saying a word in a situation where I deserved many words.
As a father, it might be good to take a thorough look at the way you are directing your children into wholeness. Are you continually correcting them, or are you giving them some space to learn some valuable lessons in ways that allow God to work on their hearts? Sometimes the most is said when no words are involved. It gives you time to pray for their best interests, too.
Let's talk more!
Jim Corbett

9/30/19 Your Weakness, His Strength

So many of us guys have been taught that failure in any area of our lives is a horrible thing! Most of us were taught that not having all the answers means weakness, and weakness is a bad thing. If you really study the Bible, you will find that only in our weakness is God able to prove Himself strong to us.
On my tombstone, I would like the words, "Here lies a man who understood his desperate need of God." I want everyone to know that I understood that without a moment by moment need of my Father in heaven I could do nothing.
The most important, most powerful man in history was Jesus. Far from being weak, He said that His every move was ordained by His Father. He did nothing of Himself. That's a full understanding of where the power to walk in the kingdom of heaven on this earth came from. His submission brought heavenly power down to this earth.
I know this may sound wrong to some of you fathers, but sometimes it's good to need to seek help in a situation in front of your kids. To do so shows them how to do the same, especially when you seek help from Jesus. Their learning how to go to Jesus is the best lesson you could ever teach. Would you be willing to be in need so you could be used by the Lord to teach them that lesson?
Let's talk more!

Jim Corbett

9/28/19 Your Obedience Helps Others

As a father and husband, if you are where you're supposed to be with God, then those in your circle of influence have a much better chance of being where they're supposed to be. It stands to reason that if you are setting an example of obedience to God and make it comfortable for your family to walk in obedience to God, they will be able to search His heart for their lives.
Conversely, if you are going about your days moving in your own thoughts and abilities, never really understanding the importance of finding His heart and His will, they will do the same simply because it's a family pattern you've established.  Is it any wonder that so many families are fractured and directionless as far as God is concerned? Is it any wonder that most families will not be prepared to face the challenges on the horizon and will seek direction from other sources than the Lord?
Your job, dads, is to provide an atmosphere of dependence on the Lord in every area of your life and each situation you face. In doing so, you will be allowing those around you to do the same. That dependence is the only place of faultless direction and powerful wisdom available to any of them to face every challenge, even when you're not around. Cultivating the habit of seeking God for direction and following that direction in absolute obedience is the best gift you can give to those around you. It's the only place of real safety for all of you.
Jesus loved doing only His Father's will. If you and your wife love walking in obedience to Him, your children will have the freedom to follow His will, too. That's a very good thing! Will you walk in obedience to help your family do likewise?
Let's talk more!
Jim Corbett

9/27/19 Encounters with God

Men, as leaders of those under your stewardship, are you preparing yourself for an encounter with God? Does your heart long for such intimacy that only His personal invitation into His throne room - where He anoints you in preparation for the times and seasons ahead - will satisfy you? If not, why not?
You have been born spiritually because of the work of Jesus. You have been invited into an intimate relationship with your Father in heaven. You have been called and selected to walk with Him throughout your days in continual communion. He has become your Father in the truest sense of the word.
He is also your Almighty God. Meeting with Him on a regular basis will change you. Any encounter you are privileged to have will destroy all those things that hinder you from walking in His truths. It will change how you think, how you act, and you will know why you have been given breath. You will have answers for yourself and for those around you.
As a watchman looking past what we have been told to believe and observing what is really on the horizon, I am convinced that nothing but the keeping power of God will suffice in the near future. Nothing but clear directions and God-ordained paths will be safe places to travel. Those paths only come from having moment by moment encounters with a loving, direction-giving Father. He is waiting to meet with you long and often. Maybe it's time to make such encounters the priority of your life - for your sake and for those around you.
Let's talk more!
Jim Corbett

9/26/19 Fruitless Imaginations

As a father and husband, who directs your plans? 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 tells us that every thought that does not conform to the work that Jesus did is to be cast aside. Jesus also did nothing of Himself, but only what He and His Father agreed upon to do. How then do any of us believe that our own thoughts or ideas, based on need or circumstances and derived from our own imaginations, are good enough to direct our wives and families to safe, prosperous paths in life? 
As a steward of those around you, there will come a time when you stand before Almighty God and give account of those He has entrusted to your care. You will be asked if you provided a safe and clear path for your wife and family to follow, a place where they had every opportunity to become all they could be in Christ. How's that working for you? 
Have you done or are you doing everything that you can for their best interests? Have you determined in your heart that their stewardship is more important than your job or the things that keep you comfortable? If you haven't, now might be a good time to reassess whether or not the plans you follow are yours or the Lord's. 
Following His plans and ideas in all things leads to a prosperous life in His eyes. He sees that following your plans is nothing more than flowing in fruitless imaginations. We are told to cast them down as useless, because they have no basis for truth and deny God's way for you. Whose plans do you choose?
Let's talk more! 
Jim Corbett

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