Devotionals by Dr. James Dobson
A Spiritual Leader
“For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord.”
Genesis 18:19
Perhaps the most important aspect of a husband’s headship in the home is his role as spiritual leader. When all is said and done, can there be anything more important to a husband than promoting the spiritual health of his wife and children while on earth and being reunited with them in heaven?
One of the things that has impressed me most about Jim during all these years is his dedication to our family’s spiritual life and the example he has set for me, Danae, and Ryan. Our first date was a Sunday evening church service, and he has never wavered from his commitment to church, especially in terms of tithing and attendance. So many times when our children were still at home, Jim would return from a trip late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, then get up and go to Sunday school. I know he was dead on his feet from fatigue, but he didn’t want his kids to see him lying in bed on the Sabbath. Early in our marriage, Jim also established routines for family devotionals, prayer time, and Bible study (admittedly at times more consistently than others). That was such a blessing for our children as they grew up in the Lord and was, and is, so encouraging to me.
Husbands, I urge you to take stock of your family’s spiritual life. Are you setting the proper example? Are you establishing times for you, your wife, and your kids to mature in God’s Word? You may stumble occasionally as you nurture your family’s faith, just as we have, but I encourage you to be a husband who stays the course. That’s the kind of leader your wife wants and needs—and the kind the Lord desires as well.
- Shirley M Dobson
Listen to today's broadcast of Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk at OnePlace.com. For more from Dr. Dobson, visit the resource center at drjamesdobson.org.
This devotional is taken from Night Light for Couples. Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
About Dr. Dobson Minute
Family Talk is a Christian non-profit organization located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Founded in 2010 by Dr. James Dobson, the ministry promotes and teaches biblical principles that support marriage, family, and child-development. Since its inception, Family Talk has served millions of families with broadcasts, monthly newsletters, feature articles, videos, blogs, books and other resources available on demand via its website, mobile apps, and social media platforms.
The Dr. James Dobson Family Institute (JDFI) is a Christian non-profit ministry located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Founded initially as Family Talk in 2010 by Dr. James Dobson, the organization promotes and teaches biblical principles that support marriage, family, and child development. Since its inception, Family Talk has served families with broadcasts, monthly newsletters, feature articles, videos, blogs, books, and other resources available on demand via their website, mobile apps, and social media platforms. In 2017, the ministry rebranded under JDFI to expand its four core ministry divisions consisting of the Family Talk radio broadcast, the Dobson Policy and Education Centers, and the Dobson Digital Library.
Dr. Dobson's flagship broadcast called, “Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk," is aired on more than 1,500 terrestrial radio outlets and numerous digital channels that reach millions each month.
About Dr. James Dobson
Dr. James Dobson is the Founder Chairman of the James Dobson Family Institute, a nonprofit organization that produces his radio program, “Dr. James Dobson's Family Talk.” He has an earned Ph.D. from the University of Southern California and holds 18 honorary doctoral degrees. He is the author of more than 70 books dedicated to the preservation of the family including, The New Dare to Discipline, Love for a Lifetime, Life on the Edge, Love Must Be Tough, The New Strong-Willed Child, When God Doesn't Make Sense, Bringing Up Boys, Bringing Up Girls, and, most recently, Your Legacy: The Greatest Gift. Dr. Dobson served as an associate clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Southern California School of Medicine for 14 years and on the attending staff of Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles for 17 years in the divisions of Child Development and Medical Genetics. He has advised five U.S. presidents and served on eight national commissions. Dr. Dobson has been married to Shirley for 64 years, and they have two grown children, Danae and Ryan, and two grandchildren.
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