Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – August 9, 2014
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15
What does it mean to be the spiritual leader of my home? Do I have to reach a level of spiritual maturity before I qualify? What if my wife is more spiritual than me? Should she be the spiritual leader? Spiritual leadership is determined by position, not knowledge. God places a man in the role of spiritual leader to lead his wife and children in faith.
Our wives and children may know more of the Bible, but the Lord still holds us responsible for their spiritual well-being. So as husbands and fathers, we have to ask ourselves, “What are we doing to lead our families spiritually?” This non-optional assignment from almighty God forces us into faith-based behavior. We want to model daily time in Bible reading and prayer. Spiritual leaders show the way to knowing God.
“The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family” (Acts 16:34).
Spiritual leadership does not require a graduate degree in theology, but it does require a degree of planning and preparation. Spiritual leaders create a prayerful plan of intentional action that exposes their families to faith opportunities. You spend time looking for houses of worship that meet the needs of your wife and child, much like you would want them to live in the right home or attend the right school. Spiritual leadership seeks a church.
“Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool” (Psalm 132:7).
Men who make it a big deal to lead their family spiritually make the most difference at home and in the community. Your investment in family Bible study, your example of faith under fire, and your Christlike character are living testaments to the truth of God.
Talk about the Lord when you linger in traffic with your children, pray with them when they are fearful and upset, hold your wife’s hand and listen to her heart, sign up for the next marriage retreat, and serve others unselfishly. You cannot control the culture, but you and your house can serve the Lord. Spiritual leaders lead their family to love God.
“For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything” (Ephesians 5:23–24).
Prayer: How can I take responsibility to lead my family spiritually? How can I leave a legacy for the Lord?
Related Readings: 2 Samuel 12:20; Psalm 100:4; Acts 18:7; 2 Timothy 1:16
Post/Tweet today: Spiritual leadership does not require a graduate degree in theology, but it does require a degree of planning and preparation. #wisdomhunters
Taken from the August 9th reading in Boyd’s 365-day devotional book, “Seeking Daily the Heart of God vol. 2” … http://bit.ly/Tv6y9a
Free eBook when you invite 5 friends to the free email devotional…https://www.wisdomhunters.com/invite-your-friends/
© 2014 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved. www.wisdomhunters.com
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Even if it is the woman in the family who is more spiritually motivated, the man can show leadership by willingness to be involved and by encouraging children in church attendance, etc. Just willingness and presence is so very helpful.
This will be my last “devotional” from you. As a well-studied egalitarian, I find your consistent stand on male “headship” to be totally illogical and what is worse, biblically unsupportable. You are reading modern definitions into words that would be totally foreign to the people that heard Paul’s words. Then you are using those conclusions to read support for your mistaken ideas into other portions of Scripture to give you most support. This circular reasoning is atrocious and I am no longer interested in what you are writing.
God bless you and bring you into a better understanding.
Spot on with this devotional. Genesis 3.16 applies today. Revelation 22:3 confirms. The Lord Jesus reminds us in 1st Timothy 2:12-15 V12 I allow never for a woman to teach, …. Now go to v13 for the reason of teaching. Then back to v12 ….nor usurp authority….v14 refers to Genesis 3:16. Now v15. Notwithstanding she ( Eve) shall be saved in childbearing ( the Messiah is born through Adams lineage) as long as they ( Adam and Eve) continue in faith (they heard the Gospel Genesis 3:15 ….you will bruise HIS heel and HE shall crush thy head. Woman was never put here to lead man….2nd. Tim 3:16
I have read two emails this week that were for men. I would appreciate it if you could send some for us women. I read it every morning.
I think Boyd did a good job of nailing down, in a few paragraphs what men need to hear every day … Step up to the plate and swing the bat . We might not hit a home run but, we will eventually get on base! Maybe Cassandra has a problem with men being in the leadership role as God has obviously assigned but, thank God for His Word. No matter how hard it is to swallow sometimes! Thanks Boyd, for not shrinking back from a subject few men will take a stand on. You’re not alone on that.
It’s good to admonish the men to step up and also good to speak to woman not ursurping authority. I did find
the additional scriptures random and almost non supportive or vaguely supportive, to the point that one would conclude this particular piece questionable.
In my opinion, if and when the husband/father doesn’t lead, then the wife/mother had better otherwise the house will really fall apart.
Especially when the husband/father refuses to do so. Then perhaps as the scriptures say, ‘he will be won over by her’ gentle spirit. Praise God.
It is interesting to see how offensive Biblical truths are even to us believers. I am not offended by anything you said, it is spiritually correct and in line with what the Bible teaches. I look forward each day to reading your devotionals. In the past they have offered much needed insight I was looking for. The only idea I wish was included in today’s devotional, would be in regards to those families who are without a husband. My spiritual leader died two years ago due to complications of diabetes. Since then I’ve have to assume more responsibilities than I ever cared to. My walk with the Lord has been strengthened, because I lean on him now more than ever. I am the spiritual leader in my family now by default. Other families situations may be different than mine, but their home also may be without a husband or a father. In any case, we need to be acknowledged for our spiritual leadership too. I realize there are numerous family scenarios, probably too many to cover but for some of us it is nice to be remembered even in a devotional like this.
Dear Billy~
Thank you so much for taking the time to reach out to us about the devotional, “The Spiritual Leader”. We always appreciate hearing from our Wisdom Hunters’ family.
I agree with you, “men do need to hear this every day”.
One of the sentences in the devotional, to me, really summed up the whole devotional: “Spiritual leaders show the way to knowing God”. What an awesome and God-appointed responsibility!!
Thank you again, Billy.
We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter. Have a wonderful day!
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
I agree with this devotional and agree that most men do need to be reminded of this everyday. But what about the single moms out here that didn’t have the choice about becoming our family’s only spiritual leader? It would be great to hear some wisdom and/or encouragement for those of us who are having to step into a role that Hod didn’t design us for.
*God
Dear Brianna~
Thank you so much for reaching out to us at Wisdom Hunters with your question after reading “The Spiritual Leader”.
It is so interesting that you ask this particular question because when I read this devotional, I had the same question.
After doing a little research, I discovered that in 2013, there were an estimated 10 million single moms (in the U.S) living with children under 18 years old. That number is up from 3.4 million single moms in 1970! (<https://www.census.gov/hhes/families/files/shp1.xls)
Brianna, you are certainly not alone.
So, where do all these amazing single moms find “The Spiritual Leadership” mentioned in the devotional?
Thankfully, we have a Heavenly Father that is there for us to fill that place.
“A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in His holy dwelling.” Psalm 68:5
When we entrust our children to God and humbly ask Him to protect them, teach them and love them, He is there for them.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28
Brianna, I know single parenting can be stressful and some days, exhausting. When it’s time to regroup and refresh, hold tight to these promises:
“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 and
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you upin due time. CAST ALL YOUR ANXIETY ON HIM BECAUSE HE CARES FOR YOU.”
1 Peter 5:6
Please know, I admire you for the strength, the courage and the patience it takes a single mom to love and care for their children. You are a role model to your children and when they grow up they will always remember the Godly way you loved them.
Remember Timothy in the bible? God used his mom, Eunice, his grandmother, Lois, and a Godly mentor, Paul, to raise him up to serve God. Wow! Did he ever fulfill the purpose that God had for him!
Praying for His Grace and Strength for you, Brianna.
We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
http://www.focusonthefamily.ca/parenting/single-parenting/leading-by-example-alone
I know that’s what you meant 🙂