Chris Grainger 0:02

Welcome to the Lion Within Us, a podcast serving Christian men who are hungry to be the leaders God intends you to be. I'm your host, Chris Granger. Let's jump in. All right, fellas, spiritual kickoff time. Let's get into it. Okay. So the scripture of the week this week is Psalm 127, verse 3. It says, Behold, children are a gift of the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward. Okay. Lots of things to think about with this verse, guys. And we're going to see how we can simplify and apply it to our life. Very first thing we need to know, you enjoy the spiritual kickoff podcast. Thank you for listening, first and foremost. And look, we do these Monday through Friday at the Lion within us. It's called the Daily SKO. It's a great way to just kind of get your day started with some encouragement as well as just alongside fellow brothers in Christ. We also give you a free gift for signing up for the daily SKO if you're in the continental U.S. And then you also get

Psalm 127 And Daily SKO Invite

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access to our prayer request space. So if we have a prayer meeting every Monday, we love to have you join us. If you can't join that meeting, let us know how we can pray for you. I mean, this is the most attended thing we do every week at The Lion by far, and we want it to be that way. So it's all for free. It's our way of serving others at The Lion Within Us. So it's called the Daily SKO. So you just head over to thelionwithin.us, just click on that daily SKO. Get signed up for free, claim your free gift, and then just be part of something that's pretty cool. God is moving in a mighty way. We'd love for you to be a part of that, okay? All right. So now, where is this verse at when we look when we're looking at Psalms? It's kind of like the middle of your Bible, okay? So it's it's before Proverbs, but it's after Job. So usually if you open up your Bible right towards the middle, you're gonna be really close to Psalms or Proverbs and right in there. So that's where you're gonna find it at, okay? So Old Testament, just remember that just your Old Testament in your Psalms, okay? And this week we'll be talking about what it's like to be called to be a father, but not just a father, a father of girls, being having those daughters in our life. And as someone who has multiple daughters, I I love this topic, and hopefully you'll be encouraged by it. But for this episode, we're just gonna talk about that call to be a father, period. And what does that mean? What does that look like? And I I know for me, I remember like it was yesterday, man. Like that the ultrasound, you know how you go in and that little text, you know, she they take the little wand thing and they put that little goop on your on your wife's belly, and and there's they're waving it around, and it kind of looks like like a scary movie from back in the day or something. Like it's a black screen with all this stuff. Like, I don't know what you're looking at. But you I probably you say you do, but I I'm just going, I'm just gonna go with it, okay? Uh, and then they asked us the question, like, do you want to know what you're having? And I felt like in that moment, like everything just stood still. And then that lady said the words that will forever alter my life. She said, You're having a girl. And I was like, A girl. Oh my gracious. Like, I don't know anything about raising a girl. You know, I grew up, I had a little brother. That's all I had, you know.

The Ultrasound That Changed Everything

Chris Grainger 3:10

So, how in the world would God think that I would be equipped to be a girl dad? And uh, man, I really struggle with that. And when I look at Psalm, at this scripture right here, Psalm 127, verse 3, this tells us it this wasn't random. It wasn't look, this was uh uh a gift from the Lord. Period. This was entrusted to me, not a sign by some accident, okay? And and I don't know about you, but I remember leaving that appointment, I was more nervous uh that than I went when I walked in for sure, because I recognized in a few months I'd have a daughter. Like I would have a daughter, y'all. I hold her in my arms, and I definitely didn't feel ready for it. Uh and so I I I did what I thought I needed to do at time. I read some footbooks and I tried to do what I could to prepare. Uh, but when that day came, it just hit me like like nothing else. Uh and and from my first daughter, my oldest, she's 15 right now, she'll be 16 in August. Um, she was in the Mercy C section. So I didn't get to see her being born. Um, but I can tell you what, I remember like yesterday, the day they wheeled her out of that operating routing room, and and that little cart, that little buggy thing, and they put her right there and everything shifted. You know, she had a head full of hair, and and I was able to be the first one to give her her first bath, her first uh put her first clothes on her, her first diaper, just holding her, just hold on her in my arms. And there was just something that in that instant changed. And I know God put that there, and it came alive. And I knew in that moment, without a shadow of a doubt, that God handpicked me to be that little girl's daddy. I mean, that was a big moment, man. Well, nobody else, not my friends, not a pastor, not a neighbor. Me, me. I was supposed to be her dad. And bro, if you're out there and you and you are a dad, you maybe you need to hear this. God, in his sovereignty, specifically chose you, you to be your father, your your child's father. And nobody can feel that role but you. Nobody can. And don't let anybody try to rob that from you, bro. Like nobody can take that from you. Because what Psalm 127, verse 3 tells us, it's like, look, your your child is not a burden to manage, it's a reward to steward. Okay. So look, being a dad is not random, it's a divine calling. And I remember holding her in my arms for the first time. And you know, they what wrap her up and they swallow them little things up like a little taco, or just hold that little thing together. And and and I was just whispering a prayer of thanks for the miracle that I was holding my arm. And and I in that moment I was overwhelmed. I mean, that sense of overwhelmed just came crashing in. But then something beautiful happened. You know, because while doubts and insecurities they're gonna race through your mind. She was resting, this is peaceful on my chest, y'all. And there was just something about that that peace for her, I was dead, man. She was good, she had that. And and that moment didn't take all my fears

A Child As Reward To Steward

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away, but it reminded me that God's there and he's gonna equip me. He is gonna equip me as as as I go along. And if he called, and think about this, if he the way that God calls children a gift, we also need to remember he calls us capable, even when we don't feel like we're capable, right? This is it. And look, we have to start thinking through this calling of being a father and embracing it. Because when the king of the universe entrusts us as guys with one of his daughters, bro, heaven rejoices at that moment because in those moments men are stepping up and leading as he desires. And and I pray that you remember that God could have chosen, think about that, God could have chosen anybody on the planet to be your daughter's dad. But in he chose you, you right? And it didn't come by chance, it's by design. So, guys, we need to hold our head high. We need to rebuke, if you got any any thoughts of doubt rolling through your mind that you're not a good dad, just kick that crap to the curb, bro. Rest in the truth that you are the man for this job. You are. If you need some guys to start speaking that life and encouragement into you on a regular basis, guys, at the lion, this is what we do. This is what we do. We're not gonna come to you from a world from from a worldview standpoint, we're gonna come to you from a biblical standpoint. We'll speak God's truth into you and help you recognize what you've been called to do. So now the question of the week is how are you? Or how did you, maybe that that parenting time has passed, how did you embrace being your role as a father? Because if it's anything, anything outside of a wonderful opportunity of stewardship with God, and you're missing it, but it's not a burden. We need to lean into it. We need more godly fathers stepping into that role. And look, as we as we raise our children, we're ultimately trying to point them to the truth, right? We want them to understand and know who God is, to develop their own relationship with Jesus Christ, to ultimately submit their life to him and follow him and do whatever he calls them to do. But it starts with you taking that most important step first. So if you've never submitted your life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, you're listening to the line, like today's a day, this is a great opportunity for you to do that. Maybe, maybe you just recently found out that you're gonna be a father, and for some reason, somebody shared this podcast with you. And if this is you, you're listening, and you're gonna be a dad, you've never uh really turned your life over to Christ. If you if you're just kind of living life your way, you're just doing the best you can, and you're trying to figure out this stuff, I'm here to tell you, bro. To fully embrace being a father, you need to first embrace your heavenly father and recognize that you that he made you in his image. And you may look in the mirror and you may think, like, Chris, like, there is no way I can be a dad, man. Like this, you don't understand. Like, I you don't know how jacked up I am and all the things that I've done. I'm like, bro, you don't you don't understand. Like, there's no way God can see good in me. And I'm like, wrong. Wrong. He can he made you in his image. Have you made some mistakes? Yeah, we all have. Every single one of us has. We all fall short of the glory of God, okay? So need to recognize that to be true. But you are made in his image, bud. You okay, you're not a mistake. You are made in his image. Now you may have been a surprise to your parents. I don't know. How many situations you came into? There's there's there's no surprise babies. There's lots of surprise parents, okay? So recognize that. You're made in his image. But unfortunately, you have a sin nature. We have that sin that's in us. Nobody had to teach you that, right? Nobody had to teach my little kids how to sin, right? They just figured it out on their own because they were born that sin nature, right? And that separates

The Gospel And The First Step]

Chris Grainger 10:40

us from God. So we have a holy and righteous God, and we have us as sinners, and we try to close this gap by being good, or just trying to, or some version of good in our mind, trying to work our way to him. Like, bro, it just don't work that way, unfortunately. Like, there's no way we can overcome the sinner in our life by the good works that we do. And we may fool ourselves and think that, but it's just wrong. It's a lie from the world. So what we knew, what we what we need is someone to do for us what we can't do for ourselves. We need a savior. Therefore, that's where Jesus comes into the scene. That's why we call him our Messiah, a savior, who came to take away the sins of the world. This is Jesus who came on a mission for us to live the perfect life, to die, uh, what to show us the miracles, the teachings, and all that, right? And then in what and he willingly died, paid the penalty for our sin on the cross. And look, that's the penalty of sin. The penalty of sin is death. So he went to the cross, was crucified, and died. He didn't pass out and fall asleep or anything like that. Jesus died on the cross. Then they took him off the cross, they laid him in a tone, and this is where things start got really interesting. Because in any other narrative or scenario, that's where the story ends. Like he's dead. Yep, yep, that's right. He died. No more, not with Jesus. Not with Jesus. Because in three days, he overcame death, he rose, he lives, and we worship a living savior. And that is the big difference between Christianity and everything else in this world. So don't let anybody fool you. That is it. So our we put our hope and our trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior. And I want you to do the same. Because maybe God has called you to be a dad. Maybe you're super nervous and you're anxious, you don't know how to do it. I get it, man. I've been there. I've I felt those emotions six different times. Okay, I'm raising four, I got two waiting on me in heaven. I get it. But falling down at the feet of the cross and and and and surrendering to your heavenly father, man, that's the first step. That's the most important step you'll ever take in being able to be the father to your child that he wants you to be. It starts with your relationship with him. That's what I'm trying to really encourage you to think about right now. Maybe you're at that point in your life going, okay, well, I recognize that. I believe that, Chris, but I I haven't done anything with it. Well, you can do it right now. Like it doesn't have to be at the end of a church service or in a special special building or survey. Oh, it could, this is a one-on-one relationship with you and God. Like, I can't do this for you, your your your wife, your parents, your if you have kids, your kids can't, your grandparents, your best friends. Nobody can do this for you. You know, for all my children, I wish I could just like, you know, say something and pray over them. And next thing you know, they they're they're they're they're they're uh believers and they're in heaven. But it don't work that way. Because every person's faith is personal. And we all are on our own discipleship journey. And this has to be a decision you make for yourself. I'm just trying to encourage you to do it. But you have to be the one who takes a step of obedience and walking with him. So if you're ready to take that step, if you're ready to surrender your life to your Lordship of Jesus Christ, if you're ready to recognize that your way is not the right way, and that to be the man that God's called you to be, it starts with following your heavenly Father. And let's just pray. Invite him into your life. And let this be the day that changes everything for the better, particularly for you guys who've been called to be Father. So, Father, whoever's listening right now, I never know because it's just the way technology works and the way you're moving in the line. I never know who's gonna listen, Father. But I know there's lots of guys out there who are encouraged right now. Maybe they're hearing this for the very first time, they're hearing the gospel, and they're recognizing, Lord, that they are they've never surrendered to you. And maybe they found out that they're gonna be a father here on earth. They don't know what to do. But Lord, I'm just praying that they, that first step that they take, it's turned to you as their heavenly father. So for that one guy who's listening, he's recognized he's he's he knows he's a sinner in need of a savior. His way has not been working, and he's just confessing right now of all the to you all the ways that he is falling short. And he also believes, Lord, that you

Prayer And Next Steps For Dads

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are the Messiah. He puts his he's putting his faith and his trust in Jesus as Lord right now. And he's confessing to you as Lord of his life. God, I pray you move in that man's life in a mighty way. Touch him, encourage him, put people in his life that are going to help him walk the path that you have a desire. I pray again has protection over him against the evil one, because the evil one's not gonna go down without a fight on this. The evil one's gonna try to get him stirred up for a little bit and then let him fizzle out. We didn't we know that's not from you. So we pray strength, encouragement, and resolve for this man. I just pray for this man right now that you that he just continues to take the the steps that you put in front of him to take. Although he may not understand them, well, these are from you. They're good. So we love you, God. We praise you. We pray everything according to your will in Christ's name. Amen. So look, if you just surrender your life to the Lordship of Jesus, look, touchdown, let's go, first and foremost. And if you're getting ready to be a dad, that's like a double touchdown. So I'd love to hear from you. Uh, maybe you are you've already surrendered your life to Christ, but you're getting ready to be a dad. I'd love to hear from you. Just give you some encouragement along the way. Feel free to email me, Chris at thelionwithin.us. I check those emails, guys, on a regular basis. So love to connect with you and hear from you. Uh so just connect with me there. Uh on Wednesday on the next episode, the Wednesday episode, we're going to keep talking about I'm just a guy uh with daughters, right? Raising a daughter. So look, we're gonna keep digging into that. So share this stuff out. You're if you're a girl dad, you're gonna enjoy this week. If you're not a girl dad, still listen to them because you never know what God's calling you to. And you I guarantee you, God has put some girl dads in your life, and you may find get some little tips or some some things to think about here with this topic. Then next time you're you're talking with a girl dad, you'll be able to relate better. Okay, so all these things, this is how all this stuff ties together for fellas. I'll learn that linewithin.us, the lionwithin.us, check out our website, the daily SKO, the lion's den, the leadership mastermind application, all those things are there. The Bible app, check out uh the lion within us on the Bible app. Just open that thing up, search that, you'll see all them, just a myriad of plans that we have out on the Bible app, guys. It's just a labor of love working with the Bible app. We love those folks, and hopefully, you're encouraged by the plans that keep coming out on a regular basis. So hopefully, uh guys, just check that stuff out there. We have our live events, guys. There's so many things that are happening at the land on a consistent basis. So check it out. All the different ways you can connect with us. If you want to support the show, the linewithwithin.us slash donate is a way to connect with us there. Uh, other than that, fellas, we just enjoyed doing this. I absolutely love sharing the message, sharing God's word, and it hopefully encouraging you along the way. Again, that daily SKO is free, guys. So there's no excuses right now for to join that. So love to for you guys to check that out. Uh, share this out with others, particularly, this is kind of a challenge for you regular line listeners. Share this one with someone. Uh, maybe he's a new, uh, he's he's a a young father, particularly if he's a girl father. Share this stuff out. Okay, hopefully, this would be an encouragement to them. So there's your challenge. Here's your takeaway. Uh, give us a rating and a review if you don't mind. We'll see you next time, guys. Thanks for hanging out today. And I'll remember just to keep unleashing the lion with it. If you're like me, you don't need another book just sitting around collecting dust. What I enjoy is something to help guide me when my feet hit the ground in the mornings. And that is why we put together Unleashing the Lion Within. It has honest stories, scripture you can apply, and simple steps to help you lead at home, at work, and everywhere in between. So if you've been feeling stuck or scattered lately, you may find this resource encouraging. Read a few pages. Take one step and watch what God does with your obedience. Hey, and if reading's tough for you right now, no problem. The book is also available in Audible version, so you can listen on the go. So if this sounds interesting, check out thelionwithin.us slash book or search for unleashing the lion within directly on Amazon. So there's no pressure here, just a resource that many guys are finding helpful. So grab the format that fits and take your next step.