Promise Keepers Canada’s Men of Integrity Devotional,
published by Christianity Today International.

Discover Her Little Joys

Jay Payleitner is a freelance writer, speaker, and radio producer with credits including Josh McDowell Radio, WordPower, and Today’s Father with Carey Casey. A former executive director for the Illinois Fatherhood Initiative, Jay currently writes, blogs, and produces for The National Center for Fathering. He is the author of several books including One-Minute Devotions for Dads and 52 Things Wives Need from Their Husbands.

Here are some things my wife likes: fireworks, parades, scones, sparkly glassware on her Thanksgiving dinner table, hanging out with her children, bling for Christmas, warm feet, lying on a beach with a book, fresh flowers, fresh snow, frozen Cokes, lightly buttered popcorn, and craft magazines

You probably know where I’m going with this. A wise husband will make a similar list particular to his own wife—using it and updating it frequently. Keep the list at the top of your mind and allow it to trigger spontaneous moments when you provide your wife one of her favorite things.

I promise, just making that list will give you all kinds of fresh insights and a new appreciation for your wife. You’ll begin to see her as only a devoted husband can. There are things you know about her that no one else does. Which means only you can intentionally and regularly provide those moments of joy. Only you can prompt that intimate smile that makes marriage different than any other relationship in the world.

Key Study Passage: Ephesians 5:21-32

Adapted from 52 Things Wives Need from Their Husbands (Harvest House, 2011) by permission. All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher. May not be reproduced.

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The marriage of an 80 year old white man and a 20 year old white woman was the talk of the town. After being married a year, the couple went to the hospital for the birth of their first child.
The attending nurse came out of the delivery room to congratulate the old gentleman and said, “This is amazing. How do you do it at your age?” The old man grinned and said, “You got to keep the old motor running.”
The following year, the couple returned to the hospital for the birth of their second child. The same nurse was attending the delivery and again went out to congratulate the old gentleman.
She said, “Sir, you are something else. How do you manage it?” The old man grinned and said, “You gotta keep the old motor running”
A year later, same thing with their third and, after the delivery, she once again approached the old gentleman, smiled, and said, “Well, you surely are something else! How do you do it?” The old man replied, “It’s like I’ve told you before, you gotta keep the old motor running.”
The nurse, still smiling, patted him on the back and said: “Well, I guess it’s time to change the oil … this one’s blac
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Promise Keepers Canada’s Men of Integrity Devotional,
published by Christianity Today International.

Say, “I’m Sorry”

Key Bible Verse: Foolish people don’t care if they sin, but good people want to be forgiven. (Proverbs 14:9, GNT)

Dig Deeper: Psalm 32:1-5

Show of hands: How many of you have messed up, stubbornly refused to repent, and suffered two or three weeks of the cold shoulder from your wife? Wouldn’t it have been easier on you (and your wife) if you had delivered a sincere and timely apology?

Why are we so pig-headed about this?

If the toilet seat is up, say “I’m sorry.” If you allowed the water softener to run out of salt, say “My bad.” Those are relatively minor infractions. But a quick apology is good practice for when you really self-destruct. When you say something terribly stupid, forget something terribly important, or do something terribly disgraceful, you’ll be better equipped to do what you need to do.

On those occasions, take the following steps to prepare an apology. Find a quiet place. Do several minutes of soul-searching. Decide what kind of promise or restitution needs to be made.

Then go to her. This may take awhile, and it may not be pretty. You probably don’t need to rehash a detailed account of what you did. But you do need to acknowledge the damage you’ve done. Express remorse. Ask forgiveness. The words “I’m so sorry” still work well.

—Jay Payleitner in 52 Things Wives Need from Their Husbands

My Response: How quick am I to apologize for minor mistakes? Is there something major for which I need to seek my wife’s forgiveness?

Thought to Apply: An apology is the superglue of life. It can repair just about anything.—Lynn Johnston (cartoonist)

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Promise Keepers Canada’s Men of Integrity Devotional,
published by Christianity Today International.

Ask, “Is This Okay?”

Key Bible Verse: A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. (Proverbs 15:18, NIV)

Dig Deeper: Proverbs 15:1, 18, 23, 31

I used to stand in front of my closet and get mad at my wife because I knew when I finally came down the stairs she would find something wrong with what I was wearing. I would say, “Ready to go?” and she would find fault: “How old is that shirt?” “That tie is too wide.” “Those socks? Really?”

One day, instead of getting angry, I just gave up. I threw on what I thought was a reasonable outfit and trudged down the stairs.

Instead of saying, “Ready to go?” I said, “Is this okay?”

Strangely enough, on that particular day there were no wardrobe malfunctions. I had struck fashion gold and learned a new trick for maintaining marital accord.

The benefits of my new discovery are many. There’s never a fight about what I’m wearing. Less time digging in my closet. I look presentable.

Like so many great ideas for husbands, this one has several parallel applications. “Is this okay?” or “What do you think?” can be used when picking a restaurant, a movie, vacation destination, or any number of decisions that need to be made.

—Jay Payleitner in 52 Things Wives Need from Their Husbands

My Response: I will look for times I need to more consistently ask “Is this okay?” or “What do you think?”

Thought to Apply: What counts in making a happy marriage is not so much how compatible you are, but how you deal with incompatibility.—Leo Tolstoy (Russian novelist)

Adapted from 52 Things Wives Need from Their Husbands (Harvest House, 2011)

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Promise Keepers Canada’s Men of Integrity Devotional,

published by Christianity Today International.
Weekend Bible Study

Psalm 1 uses poetic language to contrast the life of the godless with the life of the godly. Those with a passion for God and his Word (v. 2) are like sturdy, fruit-producing trees (v. 3), says the psalmist, while the wicked “are like worthless chaff, scattered in the wind” (v. 4). Much loved and widely quoted, this psalm is more than good poetry. Along with pointing out the consequences of wickedness, it offers comfort, encouragement, and guidance for all who seek to live by God’s winning game plan.

Key Study Passage: Psalm 1

In what ways do people “follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners” (v. 1)?
What does it mean to “delight” (v. 2) in God’s Word? How does this differ from simply reading or even studying the Bible?
What promises are made in verse 3? (See also Jer. 17:7-8.) How are the promises in this verse true for believers who face difficulties and even persecution?
According to verses 4-6, what are the consequences of wickedness? Does this mean that there is no hope for the wicked? (For insights into God’s desire for the wicked, read the book of Jonah.)
How do you believe God “watches over the path of the godly” (v. 6)? How do you see God watch over your own life?
Spend Time in Prayer: Read and reflect on Psalm 1, pausing after each verse to say a prayer of praise, thanksgiving, or confession; close by praying for two or three people you know who need salvation or need to rededicate their lives to Christ and to godly living.

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Promise Keepers Canada’s Men of Integrity Devotional,
published by Christianity Today International.

Prep for Game Day

Key Bible Verse: I will study your teachings and follow your footsteps. (Psalm 119:15, CEV)

Dig Deeper: Psalm 119:9-16

On Wednesdays we’d give each player his playbook for the game. Then we’d practice the plays for the rest of the week. All the coaches on my staff wanted our players to have the best advantage that would increase our chances for a win.

This is what our Head Coach—God—has done for us: He has provided us with the perfect playbook for a winning strategy for our biggest game of all—the game of life. In his Word, the Bible, our all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving God has prepared the perfect game plan for you and me. But are we diligently studying it? The locker room on game day is quiet. Most of the players are studying their game plans in final preparation for the game. You could feel the intensity in the locker room.

In studying the Bible, do you and I make a similar commitment to preparation? At one point in my life, I decided I would invest in real estate. But, I was not studying what my Bible had to say about finances. This decision led to one of the biggest messes I’ve ever experienced. I was playing the game without studying the game plan.

—Joe Gibbs in Game Plan for Life Chalk Talks

My Response: What is my plan for regular and intentional Bible study? Before I make a major decision, do I turn to God’s Word for guidance?

Thought to Apply: More than 55 years ago my father told me, “The Bible does not belong on a shelf but in your hand, under your eye, in your heart.”—Martin Niemöller (German theologian, Lutheran pastor)

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Promise Keepers Canada’s Men of Integrity Devotional

published by Christianity Today International.

God’s Winning Game Plan

Winning and Losing

Joe Gibbs was the 20th and 26th head coach of the Washington Redskins, leading the team for 12 seasons. In 1991, Joe and his friend Don Meredith launched Joe Gibbs Racing—a NASCAR racing team. He is the author of Game Plan for Life Chalk Talks—a companion devotional to the Game Plan for Life Bible. Check out Joe’s website at gameplanforlife.com

As head coach of the Washington Redskins, I won three Super Bowls. As the owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, I’ve won three NASCAR Cup championships. Along the way I’ve learned a lot about what it takes to win. I also know something about losing.
Standing on the sidelines in front of 91,000 fans when a decision I made may have contributed to the Redskins’ defeat is tough. Watching one of our cars dominate a 500-mile race only to get taken out by equipment failure is hard to take. In my personal life I haven’t always been the perfect husband and dad. To be truthful, many of the most important lessons I’ve learned have come from failure.

When it comes right down to it, I’m just a regular guy looking for practical solutions to the challenges life throws at me. I believe God gives us the guidance we need in his Word. My hope is that as you read these devotionals, you’ll be encouraged to “trust in the LORD with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding” so that he can “make your paths straight” (Prov. 3:5-6, NIV).

Key Study Passage: Psalm 1

Adapted from Game Plan for Life Chalk Talks (Zondervan, 2012) by permission. All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher. May not be reproduced.

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A word to the wise

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah’s Ark…

One: Don’t miss the boat.
Two: Remember that we are all in the same boat.
Three: Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.
Four: Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
Five: Don’t listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
Six: Build your future on high ground.
Seven: For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.
Eight: Speed isn’t always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
Nine: When you’re stressed, float a while.
Ten: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals. Sale Windows 7 Ultimate
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Promise Keepers Canada’s Men of Integrity

Devotional, published by Christianity Today International.

What Unity Isn’t

Key Bible Verse: Christ brought us together through his death on the cross. (Ephesians 2:16, The Message)

Dig Deeper: Ephesians 2:11-17

Unity is not uniformity, nor is it sameness. Just as the Godhead is made up of three distinct Persons (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—each unique in personhood and yet at the same time one in essence), unity does not negate individuality. Unity occurs when we combine our unique differences together as we head toward a common goal. It is the sense that the thing that we are gathered for and moving toward is bigger than our own individual preferences.

Through the establishment of the church along with his overarching rulership above it, God has created a reflection of his kingdom in heaven on earth. He has reconciled racially divided groups into one new man (Eph. 2:14-15, NASB), uniting them into a new body (Eph. 2:16) so that the church can function in unity (Eph. 4:13). The church is the place where racial, gender, and class distinctions are no longer to be divisive because of our unity in Christ (Gal. 3:28).

Joining our unique strengths together, we add strength to strength, making a more complete and balanced whole based on our mutual relationship with and commitment to Christ.

—Tony Evans in Oneness Embraced

My Response: What practical steps can I take to encourage greater unity among the Christians in my community who are from different races and cultures?

Thought to Apply: Men often hate each other because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they cannot communicate; they cannot communicate because they are separated.—Martin Luther King JR. (civil rights leader, clergyman)

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Have you ever watched something in a video
or experienced any events in your own life
that touched your heart in the right place
and brought a tear or two to your eyes?

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I would like to share a couple of quotes from Steve Jobs
that did just that for millions of people all over the world!

“Almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.” ~Steve Jobs 1955-2011

Talk about a lesson about attitude:

After Steve Jobs was fired from Apple, he said, “The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life!”

He said, “Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith. I’m convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers.

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking.

Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”
~Steve Jobs 1955-2011

Are YOU following your heart?
Do you encourage others to follow theirs?

Are YOU keeping the faith?
Do you encourage others to keep the faith?

YOU are empowered to HELP people
with

EXP

HOW?

Where

Do you know HOW to approach and invite?

There is a right way and a wrong way.

I would love to help you get started and have 2014 be your best year ever

You can contact us at

lloydgrg@gmail.com

Skype ID llomar1

PS

What is holding you back