Into:
First off, I’m far from perfect. I am definitely a work in progress. This bible study is as much for me as it is for everyone else. This is just a starting point for everything discussed and studying in it. I made this for people that want to be or already are homesteaders, preppers, and Aspiring Mighty Men. I think that last one may need an explanation for most. It is a lifestyle that is named after Dave and his mighty men. Now while those men accomplish a lot and have some great qualities they are also deeply flawed. Like all people. Our aim is to learn from them and others from the bible, men and women included. First we will learn from their great deeds. But we’ll also learn from their flaws. This bible study doesn’t go deeply into that. It is just starting to lay a foundation. The three pillars of the Aspiring Mighty Men Lifestyle are; faith, family and fraternity. Faith is the easiest to define. We strive to become better followers of Jesus and his teachings. To learn to love God with everything we have and to love others as ourselves. Next is family. First off we are husbands (most of the people reading this are men but that doesn’t mean women aren’t welcomed to be a part of the community). Most people get married before having kids and are married after the kids move out. If we don’t make this relationship second after God it will lead to disaster and not set the example we need to pass down to our kids. Then the next part of the family is raising good, Godly children and leading them by example. The last pillar is fraternity. Being part of voluntary groups like mutual assistant group, bowling leagues (if people still do that kind of stuff) and most importantly the church. We should be good members of these groups. Participating and helping where we can. But we should also become leaders. That doesn’t necessarily mean that we are the head of the group or lead bible study. It means that we strive to be the best example we can and try to lift others up as we do. The reason I broke this lifestyle into three pillars is because if we have these three areas well established wh have a firm foundation to grow from. Like how a well constructed 3 legged stool doesn’t wobble no matter how uneven the ground. I have one last thing before we get started. When studying the Bible I try to use the principle to never read a Bible verse. We should read the surrounding versus or even whole chapters. So with one exception I have listed the whole chapter not just the verses being highlighted.
Day 1: Preparing in Times of Plenty
Read Genesis 41
As Americans, we live in a time of plenty. It may not always feel that way, but compared to other parts of the world or even people from the past we have more than enough. King Louis XIV of France was known for his extravagant meals, sometimes having 20 to 30 dishes prepared for him in one sitting. That sounds like a lot, and it is, but think about what we have today. The average fast-food restaurant offers just as many options, and then there are all-you-can-eat buffets.
Because we have been given so much, we have a responsibility to ensure we continue to have what we need not just for ourselves, but for our families and others. I’ve seen the value of this firsthand. Several times, I’ve been able to share from my stored food with people who were struggling. Before my first wife, April, passed, I was able to spend more time with her in the hospital because we had stored food I could rely on instead of needing to work. Later, when my new wife, Sarah and I needed to buy tires but were short on money, our family was able to eat from our stores instead of going to the grocery store, freeing up the money we needed.
In Genesis 41, Pharaoh had a dream that troubled him, and Joseph, through God’s wisdom, interpreted it: there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh saw Joseph’s wisdom and put him in charge of preparing for the lean years. Because of their obedience to God’s warning, they were able to save not only Egypt but also Joseph’s family.
We can learn from Joseph’s example. When we prepare in times of plenty, we are able to endure hard seasons, help others, and leave an inheritance for our children and grandchildren like Proverbs 13 says.
Reflection:
- Are you making the most of your time of plenty?
- How can you better prepare for future hardships both physically and spiritually?
- Who in your life could be blessed by your preparedness?
Day 2: The Danger of Neglect
Read Proverbs 6
We all know someone who ignores problems until it’s too late. The car makes a weird noise, but they don’t take it to the shop. The roof starts leaking, but they put off fixing it. Then one day, the car won’t start, or the ceiling caves in, and suddenly, it’s an emergency. The same thing happens when people refuse to prepare for hard times.
Proverbs 6 warns about laziness and the consequences of ignoring responsibility. Verses 6-11 tell us to look at the ant how it gathers food in the summer so it has enough for winter. It doesn’t wait until it’s too late. The passage reminds us that if we are careless, poverty and hardship can sneak up on us like a thief in the night.
Ignoring reality doesn’t stop it from coming. If you don’t store food, one unexpected job loss or emergency can leave you struggling. It can make it hard to provide for your family and impossible to be a blessing to others. If you don’t maintain your tools, they’ll fail when you need them most. And if you don’t invest in your faith, you won’t have a foundation to stand on when life gets tough.
I saw this firsthand when a train derailment happened in the small town where I lived. It spilled chlorine. Thankfully, nobody was in immediate danger, but an evacuation order was put in place for parts of the area. Most people packed in a hurry and forgot a lot of necessities. But April and I were able to grab the bags we had already packed, along with extra food and all of her medicine. The railroad company put everyone up in hotels, and we could stay there comfortably while others were scrambling to find what they had forgotten.
We’ve all seen disasters on the news hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, snowstorms the list goes on. Not being ready doesn’t just make things harder for you. It means you haven’t taken care of your family, and you can’t be a blessing to others.
God calls us to be wise stewards not just of our money and resources, but of our time and responsibilities. Failing to prepare isn’t just about making life harder for yourself. It can leave your family vulnerable and keep you from helping others when they need it most.
Reflection:
- Are there areas of your life where you’ve been putting things off?
- What small steps can you take today to prepare for the future?
- How can you be a good steward of what God has given you?
Day 3: Beyond Buying—Partnering with God
Read Matthew 19
A lot of us think preparedness is about stacking supplies and getting ready to handle everything on their own. But if we rely only on what we’ve stored or what we can do, we’re setting ourselves up for failure. Supplies run out. Skills can only take us so far. True preparedness isn’t just about self-reliance, it’s about depending on God.
Matthew 19:21-22 tells the story of the rich young ruler. He thought he had everything; wealth, resources, status but he lacked one thing: full trust in God. When Jesus told him to sell his possessions and follow Him, he walked away sad. He was too attached to his own accomplishments to rely on God.
It’s easy to fall into that same trap. We can stockpile food, learn every skill, and prepare for every scenario, but if we’re not walking with God, it won’t be enough. Being a producer is important. Being able to grow food, make things, and learn to live sustainably, but we have to recognize that everything we have ultimately comes from Him.
King David understood this. When he faced Goliath, he wasn’t relying on his own strength. He was relying on God. But that trust didn’t appear overnight. As a shepherd, he had already seen God help him defeat lions and bears. Because he had trusted God in smaller battles, he had the faith to trust Him in bigger ones.
There have been lots of times in my life I had to rely on God. When April passed away it was pretty hard on me but because I knew that I could rely on God that I would be ok. I slowly started to make my life better. I spent more time prying, reading the bible and doing stuff for others. Over time I healed from her loss and even became a better person because of it. But I could do any of that without God’s guidance in overcoming my loss.
Preparedness isn’t just about what you can do as an individual. Even David, as strong as he was, didn’t fight every battle alone. He had mighty men, advisors, and a nation behind him. God created us for community. He didn’t design us to go through life on our own. A strong community means shared resources, shared wisdom, and most importantly, people who will remind us to rely on God when things get tough.
There’s wisdom in preparing, but there’s also wisdom in knowing we can’t control everything. Crops fail. Storms destroy. Economies collapse. If our faith is in our supplies, we’ll end up just as lost as the rich young ruler. But if our faith is in God, and we build relationships with like-minded people, we can walk through anything with confidence, knowing He will provide.
Reflection:
- Are you relying more on your own efforts than on God?
- How can you balance wise preparedness with deep trust in Him?
- What small battles in your life can you trust God with today, so you’re ready for bigger ones later?
- Who are the people in your life that you can build strong communities with?
Day 4: The Work of Our Hands
Read Proverbs 12
A lot of people think of homesteading as some kind of trendy hobby or a step back in time, but it’s really just about working with what God has given us. The Bible is full of examples of people who had to grow their own food, raise animals, and make what they needed. From Adam tending the garden to Paul making tents, work has always been part of God’s plan for us and often provides us with a way of growing closer to Him.
When we plant seed we can do everything in our power to cultivate good soil and irrigation but without God’s help we will really struggle and most likely fail. God is the one who provides the rain. He help insure the soil life web that provides the nutrients for our plants. God help our animals to grow strong and to have good offspring. We only partner with God to minimize bad genetics but He is the one in control of life.
Proverbs 12:11 says, “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.” God blesses the work of our hands, but that means we actually have to do the work. Storing up supplies is one thing, but learning how to produce food, take care of animals, and build what we need takes things to another level. If we don’t know how to provide for ourselves and others, we’re just consumers relying on someone else.
There are plenty of people who have garages full of gear they don’t know how to use. They’ve got heirloom seeds but have never planted a garden. They’ve got chickens but don’t know how to care for them if something goes wrong and they cant just go to the feed store. There’s a big difference between owning something and knowing how to use it. That’s why homesteading is such an important part of real preparedness. It’s about putting in the work so that when times get tough, we’re not just standing around hoping things work out.
But it’s not just about survival. God designed us to work with Him, not just for ourselves. If all we’re doing is trying to be self-sufficient, we’ve missed the point. Homesteading gives us a way to bless others, to teach our families, and to build strong communities. A productive homestead doesn’t just feed your family, it creates abundance that can help others. Whether it’s sharing extra eggs, teaching a neighbor how to can food, or helping someone get their own garden started, the skills we build today can serve people tomorrow.
Hard work is a gift from God. It teaches us patience, endurance, and trust. At the end of a day of hard work that makes a difference in our family’s life we often feel a sense of great satisfaction. And when we learn to work with our hands and with Him, we’ll see that the real blessing isn’t just in what we produce, it’s in how we grow along the way.
Reflection:
- Are you putting in the work to build real skills, or just collecting supplies?
- How can you use what you produce to bless others?
- What’s one new skill you can start practicing today?
Day 5: Trust in God’s Provision
Matthew 6
There’s a lot of talk about preparedness today, stockpiling food, learning new skills, and making sure we’re ready for anything. But in all that planning, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we are the ones who must provide for everything. It’s easy to believe that we can control every detail of our lives, but the truth is, we cannot. And that’s okay because we serve a God who can.
Often people become preppers out of fear. But we shouldn’t do it because we are afraid. We should do it out of a sense of obedience. We are supposed to be able to take care of those around us to the best that we can. We should be preparing to help ourselves and others and not worrying about what disasters may come.
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow. He points to the birds of the air and the lilies of the field as examples of how God provides for His creation. If He takes care of them, won’t He take care of us too? God has always been a provider, and that hasn’t changed.
As we prepare for the future whether it’s through building relationships, learning skills, or gathering resources it’s crucial that we remember who ultimately provides. Our work, our efforts, and our preparations are important, but they are not what ultimately sustains us. God is the One who blesses the work of our hands and provides what we need in every season.
Sometimes it’s easy to think that the more we store, the safer we’ll be. But if our trust is in our supplies instead of in God, we’ve missed the mark. We are called to be good stewards, yes, but we must also acknowledge that He is our ultimate source of provision. No amount of food, water, or gear can replace the peace that comes from trusting in God.
Just like the Israelites in the wilderness, God provided them with manna every day. They didn’t store it up for weeks or months. They had to trust that God would provide daily. If we trust Him in our daily needs, we can rest knowing that He will continue to provide in every season whether we’re in plenty or in want.
Reflection:
- What are you most worried about when it comes to preparedness?
- How can you trust God more in your preparations and your daily life?
- In what areas of your life have you been relying too much on your own efforts instead of trusting in God’s provision?
Day 6: Lack of Faith in Crisis
Read Numbers 14
In the wilderness, the Israelites had seen God do amazing things. He parted the Red Sea, led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, and provided manna from heaven. Yet, when faced with a new challenge the giants in the land of Canaan they faltered. They doubted God’s ability to provide, protect, and deliver them.
In Numbers 14:1-12, we see the Israelites’ fear and lack of faith in action. Despite all that God had done for them, they wanted to turn back to Egypt because they didn’t trust that He would give them victory in the Promised Land. Their crisis of faith in that moment resulted in missed opportunities, and it kept them from experiencing the full blessing God had promised them.
It’s easy to criticize the Israelites, but we often do the same. We may not be in the wilderness physically, but there are times when we face struggles, whether it’s financial, relational, or personal, and our immediate response is doubt and fear instead of trusting in God’s provision and faithfulness. We forget that the same God who provided for us in the past will continue to provide in the future.
When life gets hard, it’s easy to lean on our own understanding and abilities, trying to solve everything ourselves. But that’s when our faith is truly tested. We often forget to trust in God’s promises, instead we try to rely on our own strength. This causes us unnecessary stress and anxiety. The Israelites didn’t trust God when things got difficult, and they suffered the consequences of their lack of faith. They missed out on the glory God had for them because they doubted His power. We also can miss out on being able to share in some of God’s glory. What God wants to happen always will in the long run. God will be glorified when it happens. By relying on God and doing our best to do what He desires we will get a chance to share in a small part of His glory.
As we face challenges today, we must remember that God is with us, just as He was with the Israelites. We are called to trust Him in the hard times, knowing that He has already proven Himself faithful. Faith in God is not just about believing when things are going well; it’s about trusting Him in the middle of the storm.
When the bible talks about faith it doesn’t simply mean believing in God. It means trusting that God will keep His promises to save us and to us His justice to set things straight, because God has kept His promises in the past and we can rely on Him. Think of it this way, I have faith in my wife, Sarah. That doesn’t mean I think she exists. It means I have seen the way she has asked in the past, from the time we started dating and going forward. Because of that I have faith that she will continue to act like my wife.
Reflection:
- Are there areas in your life where you’re doubting God’s ability to provide or protect?
- How can you strengthen your faith in God when you face difficult situations?
- What lessons can you learn from the Israelites’ lack of faith in the wilderness, and how can you apply those to your own life?
Day 7: Redemption – Restoring Faith After Doubt
Read Mark 9
Faith can feel like a mountain that we can’t climb, especially when doubt creeps in. We see it in the story of a father who brought his son to Jesus, desperate for healing, yet struggling with doubt. He says, “I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). This prayer is one we can all relate to wanting to trust God, but wrestling with fear, uncertainty, and the weight of life’s struggles.
In Mark 9:14-29, Jesus responds to this father’s cry for help with both compassion and power. He heals the son and addresses the father’s doubt. “All things are possible for one who believes,” Jesus tells him. In that moment, Jesus wasn’t just healing a boy. He was calling the father, and each of us, to a deeper trust.
Faith is not a one-time decision; it’s a journey. We’ll face moments where we feel strong in our belief and others where our doubts overwhelm us. But like this father, we can come to Jesus with our uncertainty and ask for help. Jesus doesn’t rebuke this father for his doubts; He acknowledges them and invites him to trust.
In life we often will face situations that seem too big for us. We may question why God would allow those things to happen. We may not trust God’s plan or even wonder if he cares about our plight. In those times it is important to remember all the things God has done for us and others. All the blessings God has given use. It may be helpful to pray and thank God for our blessings in these times along with asking God for help and to help us with our doubts.
When we doubt, we don’t have to hide it from God. He knows our hearts and invites us to bring our doubts to Him. It’s in these moments that God often shows up in powerful ways, strengthening our faith and helping us to trust Him more fully.
When we face doubts, we don’t have to rely on our own strength. Our faith is built not on perfect understanding but on a relationship with a God who is bigger than our doubts and struggles. Trusting God isn’t about having everything figured out; it’s about being willing to trust Him in the midst of uncertainty.
Reflection:
- Are there areas in your life where you are struggling with doubt?
- What does it look like for you to bring your unbelief to God and ask for His help?
- How can you strengthen your faith today, even in the face of uncertainty?
Day 8: Godly Households & Legacy
Read: Deuteronomy 6
A strong family isn’t built by accident. The world bombards us with distractions, keeping us too busy, too tired, or too entertained to focus on what truly matters. But God calls us to something higher to be intentional about leading our households in faith.
In Deuteronomy 6:4-9, God commands His people to love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength. And that love isn’t meant to stay private, it’s meant to be taught diligently to our children. Faith isn’t supposed to be something we just hand off to a church program or expect our kids to figure out on their own. Schools, entertainment, and social media are more than ready to shape their beliefs. It’s our job to make sure God’s truth is written on their hearts.
But passing down faith isn’t just about talking, it’s about living. If our kids see us reading Scripture, praying, making choices based on God’s wisdom, and treating others with love and integrity, they’ll learn that faith isn’t just words. It’s real. It shapes everything.
Leading a godly household doesn’t stop with parenting. Husbands and wives must build each other up in faith. Siblings should learn to work together, not just coexist. Even if extended family is involved, we should strive to make our homes places of faith, love, and purpose.
At the end of our lives, our legacy won’t be the money we made, the things we owned, or the accomplishments we achieved. It will be the faith and values we pass down. Jesus is the First Born Son of God. As first born He is entitled to all the inheritance of the kingdom of God. We are adopted into that family when we get baptized. Jesus then will hand out part of his inheritance to us.
Proverbs 13:22 says that “a wise man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” This isn’t just about money or property. It is about passing down our faith. It is important that we set up a legacy of faithful people. The proverb isn’t just about teaching our children to be faithful but also teaching them how to be Godly parents and pass faith down to their children.
Reflection:
- How are you intentionally passing down faith in your household?
- Do your daily habits and conversations reflect God’s commands?
- What can you do today to build a stronger, godly legacy in your family?
Day 9: Broken Family Due to Sin
Read: 1 Samuel 2
A family can fall apart when sin takes root and is left unchecked. Eli, the high priest of Israel, had two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who served as priests. But instead of honoring God, they were corrupt, abusing their position for personal gain. The Bible calls them “worthless men” who “did not know the Lord” (1 Samuel 2:12). Despite their father’s warnings, they continued in their sin, leading to their downfall and ultimately bringing judgment on Eli’s entire household.
This passage is a hard reminder that faith isn’t inherited. Just because we were raised in a godly home or raise our children in one doesn’t guarantee they will follow God. Each person must choose to obey Him. But that doesn’t mean parents are without responsibility. Eli knew his sons were sinning, yet he failed to take decisive action. He scolded them, but he didn’t remove them from their positions or stop their wickedness. His failure to lead his family with discipline and accountability led to disaster.
We see this in families today. Sin, when ignored, spreads. Parents avoid tough conversations. Siblings hold grudges instead of reconciling. Marriages weaken because small problems are left unaddressed. Without accountability, compromise becomes the norm, and before long, a family built on faith starts crumbling.
The good news is that while sin can destroy a family, repentance and restoration are always possible. But we have to act. We must be willing to correct what’s wrong, discipline when necessary, and set a standard of faithfulness in our homes. We need to lead by example and make that example known to our families. This doesn’t mean just sharing what we do right. This doesn’t mean disciplining our children when they do wrong. This means doing the hard things. We must openly admit when we screw up and fall short. We must let our families know when we have sinned. Even though it is hard, the only way to teach them is to show them how we repent.
We need to learn who to show them to recognise their own problems and then how to fix them. This is hard to do. We can show them the numerous examples from the bible but we must also be the example. We must help them to learn to repent as we learn to repent better. Looking the other way only leads to deeper brokenness.
Reflection:
- Are there areas in your family where sin is being ignored instead of confronted?
- How can you lead with both love and accountability in your home?
- What steps can you take to strengthen your family’s foundation in God?
Day 10: Restoration of Family
Read: Luke 15
Family can be messy. There are arguments, disappointments, and sometimes even separation. Sin and selfishness can drive people apart, just like in the story of the prodigal son. He took his inheritance early, walked away from his father’s house, and wasted everything on reckless living. It wasn’t until he hit rock bottom hungry, broken, and alone that he realized what he had lost.
But this isn’t a story of a son’s failure. It’s the father’s response. When the son came back, expecting only scorn, the father ran to him, embraced him, and welcomed him home with joy. He didn’t dwell on the past. He didn’t make his son earn his way back. He forgave him completely.
All families have problems. People hurt each other. Sometimes relationships seem beyond repair. But God’s heart is always for restoration. If we want our families to reflect His love, we have to be willing to forgive like the father in this story. That doesn’t mean ignoring consequences or pretending the hurt never happened. It means leaving the door open for repentance, healing, and reconciliation.
Not everyone will choose to come home. The older brother in this parable refused to celebrate, clinging to resentment instead of grace. We can’t control how others respond, but we can control our own hearts. We can choose to be like the father ready to restore what’s been broken and welcome back those who return.
This is similar to the story of Jacob and Esau. In it Jacob who uses treachery and deceitfulness to betray his brothers. At first Esau was enraged and wanted to kill Jacob. Later we see Jacob is the one that returns to the land where Esau lives to ask his brother’s forgiveness. When he arrived Esau had already forgiven him.
There are two important lessons for us here. First it is important for us to go out of our concert zone to ask others to forgive us. Second we need to forgive others before they ask or even if they never do. Holding on to the hurt is what causes people to become bitter and alienate themselves even from the family that loves them.
Reflection:
- Is there someone in your family you need to forgive?
- Are you holding onto resentment like the older brother, or are you ready to extend grace?
- How can you create a home where restoration and healing are possible?
Day 11: True Brotherhood & Unity
Read: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
We live in a world that pushes Individualism. But Scripture paints a different picture, one of brotherhood, community, and strength in unity. “Two are better than one,” Ecclesiastes tells us, “because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.”
Alone we are vulnerable. When trials come, when burdens get heavy, when temptation strikes, who will stand beside us? We weren’t meant to walk this road alone. Even the strongest warrior needs brothers to fight alongside him. David had his mighty men. Paul had Barnabas, Timothy and others. Even Jesus surrounded Himself with disciples.
But real brotherhood isn’t just about having people around. It’s about standing together in truth, sharpening one another, and holding each other accountable. A strong community isn’t built on shallow friendships or convenience, it’s built on loyalty, trust, and shared faith in God.
The passage also speaks of a three strand cord that is not easily broken. This is a metaphor for two people bound together with God at the center. One strand is easy to break. Two twisted together is much stronger. But if you add a 3rd it is almost impossible to break. Just like we are stronger with another person and even stronger if that relationship is centered around Jesus. Brotherhood is rooted in Christ and is unbreakable. When hard times come, it doesn’t fray. When storms hit, it doesn’t snap. It endures because its strength doesn’t come from men alone it comes from God.
Reflection:
- Do you have brothers in faith who strengthen and support you?
- Are you the kind of friend and brother who lifts others up in hard times?
- How can you build stronger, Christ-centered relationships in your life?
Day 12: Betrayal & Disloyalty
Read: Matthew 26
Betrayal cuts deep. It’s one thing to face opposition from enemies, but when someone close turns against you, it shakes everything. Judas was one of the twelve. He walked with Jesus, saw His miracles, and heard His teaching. Yet for thirty pieces of silver, he handed Jesus over to those who wanted Him dead.
Judas’ betrayal wasn’t just about money, it was about misplaced priorities. Somewhere along the way, his love for wealth and personal ambition became greater than his love for Jesus. He convinced himself that what he was doing made sense, but in the end, he was left with regret and no redemption.
Disloyalty isn’t always as dramatic as Judas’ betrayal. Sometimes, it’s small compromises like gossiping about a friend, abandoning someone when they need you, or choosing personal gain over integrity. We may not sell someone out for silver, but when we put selfish desires above our commitment to God and our brothers, we walk a dangerous path.
True brotherhood requires faithfulness. It means standing by each other through thick and thin, even when it’s inconvenient or costly. It means being trustworthy, keeping our word, and never putting personal gain above those we are called to stand beside.
Something about loyalty is not just simply having your friends back. If we notice that they are going down the wrong path we have a duty to say something to them. Often this is very hard because we don’t want to hurt him. But it does more harm to ignore their behavior. Jesus tells us in Matthew 18
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over…”
We shouldn’t stand by and let those we care about get hurt even if they are the one hurting them.
Judas’ story is a warning. Betrayal doesn’t just destroy relationships it damages our own soul. And once that bridge is burned, it’s not always easy to rebuild.
Reflection:
- Have you ever been hurt by betrayal? How did it affect you?
- Are there ways you’ve been disloyal to God or those close to you?
- How can you grow into a person of steadfast loyalty and integrity?
Day 13: Forgiveness & Brotherhood Restored
Read: John 21
Failure doesn’t have to be the end of the story. Peter knew what it meant to stumble. He swore he would never abandon Jesus, yet when the pressure was on, he denied Him three times. The weight of that failure crushed him. But Jesus wasn’t done with Peter.
After the resurrection, Jesus met Peter on the shore. He didn’t shame him, didn’t rub his failure in his face. Instead, He asked a simple question: “Do you love Me?” Three times, Peter had denied Jesus. Three times, Jesus gave him the opportunity to reaffirm his love. Then, instead of casting him aside, Jesus gave him a mission: “Feed My sheep.”
This is the power of true brotherhood. We all mess up. We all fail in ways that hurt others and damage trust. But when we’re willing to repent and seek restoration, relationships can be rebuilt. The word repent comes from a navigation turn that means to turn and take a new path. It doesn’t mean to simply apologize. It means to head in a new direction. To go down a new path. Forgiveness isn’t just about moving on, it’s about healing, about choosing to restore what was broken rather than letting bitterness take root.
In our own lives, we will face situations where we need to forgive and be forgiven. Brotherhood isn’t about perfection; it’s about commitment. It’s about sticking with each other even when things get messy. If Jesus could restore Peter and entrust him with leadership in His kingdom, then we have no excuse to hold grudges and refuse to reconcile with those who are willing to make things right.
Reflection:
- Are there broken relationships in your life that need restoration?
- Have you been holding onto past betrayals instead of offering forgiveness?
- How can you extend the same grace to others that Jesus showed to Peter?
Day 14: The Big Picture – Living in Balance
Read Psalm 127
After two weeks of exploring preparedness, stewardship, faith, family, and community, it all comes down to this: none of it matters if God is not at the center.
You can stockpile food, work hard, raise a strong family, and build a reliable community, but if your foundation isn’t God, it’s all in vain. True preparedness isn’t just about what you store or build, it’s about walking with God and trusting Him in every aspect of life.
Psalm 127 reminds us that our efforts only have lasting value when they align with God’s will. We aren’t meant to do this alone. When we work with God, our labor has purpose. When we walk in His wisdom, our families grow strong. When we trust in His provision, we find peace even in uncertain times.
This doesn’t mean we stop preparing or working hard, it means we do it with Him, not apart from Him. We do it so we are better equipped to help ourselves, family and others around us in the name of God. The good Samaritan was able to help not just because he was the only one willing to, but he also had the supplies he needed to render aid. It means trusting Him not just when things are easy but when things are uncertain. It means remembering that our real security isn’t in what we have but to who we belong to.
Reflection:
- Is God truly at the center of your life, or have you been relying too much on your own efforts?
- What areas of your life need to be more aligned with Him?
- How can you use what you’ve learned in these 14 days to live in balance, preparing wisely, working diligently, trusting fully, and building faithfully?