God’s Promise:
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
— Luke 9:23 (ESV)
The Warrior’s Practice: Winning the Battle at Home
Want to win a Super Bowl? You practice.
Want to win the World Series? You practice.
Want to win a fight? You practice.
Want to win your family? You practice.
The greatest victories in life aren’t won overnight. They come through consistent, daily effort—through refining our discipline, our obedience, and our leadership as men of God. But there’s a difference between being a warrior for yourself and being a warrior for Christ. Carrying the sword—God’s Word—is an honor, but it starts with surrender.
John the Baptist got it right: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30, ESV). That’s the key to everything. Before we can lead our families well, we must empty ourselves. We must die daily. That’s not just poetic language—it’s practical. It means waking up every morning and laying down our pride, our selfish desires, and our excuses at the foot of the cross.
Carrying your cross isn’t a one-time commitment. It’s an ongoing sacrifice. Every day, in every way. And obedience—full, absolute obedience—is not optional. Our salvation is not a ticket we punch and then live as we please. Jesus isn’t just our Savior—He is our Lord. And Lordship demands surrender. It demands discipline. It demands battle-readiness.
The Battle Begins with You
No battle is won without sacrifice. Our lives as shepherds of our families require a daily exchange—emptying and filling. We empty ourselves of sin, pride, and self-interest, and we fill ourselves with Jesus, with His Word, and with His Spirit.
The world is muddy. It drags us down. It clings to us in ways we don’t even notice. The moment we stop moving forward in Christ, we start sinking. That’s why discipleship is not an occasional event—it’s a daily necessity. It’s about obedience in the small, unseen moments. It’s about taking off the burdens of the world before putting on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11).
Many of us want the armor, but we don’t want the sacrifice. We want the sword, but we don’t want the discipline of training with it. We want to stand strong, but we don’t want the discomfort of the battlefield.
Brother, the war for your family’s faith, your children’s future, and your own soul is not fought in grand, sweeping gestures—it is won in the trenches of daily obedience.
Shepherding in Action: Today’s Value
Discipline breeds victory. The strength of a servant leader is built through daily obedience. Winning in your home starts with the small, consistent acts of faithfulness.
Reflection Questions:
- Where in your life have you neglected daily obedience? What small habits can you build to strengthen your faith and leadership?
- What are the “muddy waters” that slow you down? What worldly distractions or sins do you need to lay down today?
- How can you lead your family in the practice of daily surrender to Christ?
Bible References:
- John 3:30 – “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
- Luke 9:23 – “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
- Ephesians 6:11 – “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
My Personal Journey:
These weekday reflections flow from my time in God’s Word. I invite you to join me and other men of the shepherd in building Christ-centered homes, leading and discipling like Jesus.
To follow along with the weekday readings, check out our Weekday Reflections Playlist on YouTube or click here to subscribe to the YouTube channel.
#TheHarvestField #fatherhood #servantleadership #FaithfulShepherds #ChristCenteredHome
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