Begin with 2 minutes of silence and stillness before God.

I am the father to three beautiful children, ages 4, 2, and 1. Like their father, they have all developed, what I call, the grazing method. Like a cow grazes all day, Tuckers have similar eating patterns. I love snacks and I love sweets and I especially love sweet snacks. Honestly, other than the age difference, we are not so different, my children and I. I have the self-control of a toddler. I know, in my heart of hearts, that a baker’s dozen was created because 12 doughnuts just isn’t enough. As a parent who wants their children to eat healthy meals to grow to be big and strong, I have to put boundaries in place. We don’t snack before meals and dessert is a treat rather than a necessity. My wife and I try to implement these boundaries daily. I would like to think that most days we experience some success in policing our children’s diets. With that being said, the challenge is not always adhering to this plan but rather finding the alone time to completely go against it ourselves. My children will often not hear their names called when it’s time to clean up their toys, brush their teeth, or do any task that they don’t find fun for that matter. Their hearing, miraculously, becomes subsonic if you open a Fudge Round while hiding in a bedroom closet roughly 27ft from their location. We want them to do as we say and not as we do.

As Christians the “do as I say, not as I do” approach can not only be harmful to ourselves but especially to those who are around us. I used to struggle with drinking alcohol. Shortly after I came to follow Christ, this struggle didn’t just magically disappear. It was a process. I will never forget leading at a church camp. My best friend’s brother was a staunch atheist going into this camp but attended this camp because I convinced him to go. He left the camp completely transformed and was poised to make a decision to follow Christ. A week or two after the camp I was struggling with some things and was in public having a few drinks with friends. My friend’s brother happened to see me. I never saw him at church again. We have had a few conversations since, however, to this day he identifies as an atheist. I dropped the ball shepherding one of my sheep and it had very real consequences. No drink, no relationship, no act of any kind is more important than our witness as believers.

Peter describes the devil as “like a roaring lion, seeking to devour.” He is lurking at every turn to exploit our weakness, not only to our own detriment but to the detriment of others. As believers, we are to live a life above reproach. Peter says, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.” Strong confidence in God’s sovereign care does not mean that the believer may live carelessly. Verse 9 says, “But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.” We resist the devil, not with special formulas, but by remaining firm in the faith. As believers know sound doctrine and obey God’s truth, Satan is withstood. Read and know your bible. Your life and the lives of those around you depend on it.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Take a few moments to reflect on how your life can be an example for others.
• What are some changes you need to make to be a better reflection of Christ?
• Read 1 Corinthians 3:9-15
• Reflect on the foundation of your work and whether Christ is the cornerstone of that work
• Prayer: God, help us to be good stewards of Your Word and Your Gospel. Help us to resist temptation and to be the salt and light in a dark world. May we exhaust every opportunity to live out Your Word and be a good example in our homes and our communities. We love You.

Family Devo: 1 Peter 5

By: Ty Park

When partnering with your family to know, love, and follow Jesus, we strive to create and share content filtered by the Head-Heart-Hands model.   

Head: the knowledge of God and His Word | Heart: the personal connection from scripture | Hands: a missional mindset  

Head

In 1 Peter Chapter 5, Peter encourages us to live a life of humility. He reminds us that we are not to lead with greed or a desire for power but to be examples to others. Peter reassures us that we will receive a crown of glory when Jesus appears again. He also encourages the younger believers to submit to the elders and to humble themselves before God, casting all their anxieties on Him. 

Heart

Peter emphasizes the importance of humility in our relationships with one another and with God. He reminds us that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. As believers, we are called to trust in God's provision and to resist the devil, standing firm in our faith. Despite the sufferings and trials we may face, Peter encourages us to remember that we are not alone. God, who is full of grace, will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. 

Hands  

Knowing that God is with us and that He cares for us, we can live with confidence and courage. We can be humble in our interactions with others, showing kindness, love, and forgiveness. Let us cast our anxieties on God, knowing that He is able to sustain us. In our daily lives, let us resist the devil and stand firm in our faith, knowing that we are part of God's family. Through our actions, may we reflect God's love and bring others into His care.  

Prayer: God, thank you so much for your son Jesus. Thank you for how you care for your people. We know we can live with a courage and confidence each day because we know you are with us. Remind us that you are able to sustain us. We trust you, Jesus! Help us show God’s love and care to others as we live our daily lives.