I tell you that not because I’m trying to flaunt some sort of “I’m more spiritual than you” self-righteousness thing. Not even merely to motivate you to have a DAWG, though for a Christ-following man it’s the most impactful act you can take on a daily basis to grow in Christ as a man. Ya I want you to have a DAWG!
But I have a DAWG because I desperately need my identity as God’s beloved son clarified every day followed by a chaser dose of Spirit power and perspective and godly insight.
Now to the main DAWG Fact above: Today was a more impactful and striking DAWG time than I had yesterday, or the day before.
The Spirit of God hit me big TODAY with these verses that touched the nerve of where I am, today:
Galatians 5:13
13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Which led to…
Galatians 5:16
Which led to…
Galatians 6:7-8
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
So when we guys deal with temptation, when I deal with temptation, I am actually being led to a crossroads where I have a choice to make between investing in my flesh or investing in the Spirit’s work, which in this life involves more self-sacrifice and thinking about others than merely gratifying my own physical, emotional or psychological desires. Certainly to be a servant like Jesus is greater than being a self-server like Judas.
Which led to…
Proverbs 11:2
The reality is that the Spirit of God is a poser assassin- He destroys my ploys to promote myself as Mr. Wonderful, and shows me my pride. Pride leads me to gratify my flesh, to be “me focused” and leads to dishonor. Humility is God’s safe place for us as men, where we focus on the Spirit and others and this leads to wise (successful) courses of action.
Which led to…
1 Peter 5:6
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,
So I need to be at point at becoming humble. Humility is the end result of seeing myself as I ought to be seen, not as I want to be seen. I have to take responsibility to do this, humble myself, see my weaknesses while thanking God for my strengths. If we’re being tempted, and we often are, well, I am!…then I have to humble myself before God even during the temptation and ask Him for help to yank me out of it.
Which led to…
James 1:9
9 But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position;
Trials and temptations certainly qualify as “humble circumstances”. Instead of beating myself up over my low position, as God’s son I can see my low position as the high position it really is. Jesus suffered. I suffer. I can’t have a better life than Jesus had! But I can have Jesus’ life in my life now, in trial and temptation.
Which led to…
James 4:10
10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
Ya…ok. Time to get going for the day, but with my DAWG behind me now, and animating my inner man, I will put energy into thinking rightly about myself before God and leave it up to Him to pull me out of the muck into a better place.
**
Some DAWGS are more apparently impactful than others.
Some DAWG days get your attention more than other days.
But I choose to have a DAWG everyday…most days…
Because I never know what the Father will lead me to through His Spirit on any given day.
He’s got tons of incredible spiritual surprises for His boys.
I’m gonna hit the bricks now. See you soon. Look for the surprises.
– Pete Alwinson
