A Good Father

What is a father?  The dictionary gives several definitions:  a man who has begotten a child, a male parent, a founder, a producer, an author, to accept responsibility for, to care for or look after someone, someone deserving respect or reverence.  But a father is much more than this.

Father’s Day is coming up and it’s time to reflect on the importance of fatherhood.  Everyone needs a father figure.  The role of a mother in the family is well known, but the role of the father in especially important.  Fathers bring strength and stability to the home.  All families need fathers.  Our society is in moral decay.  Kids need both mothers and fathers to train and set examples for their children.  Our kids are exposed to so much filth and violence on TV and the internet.  You’ve heard to saying, “garbage in, garbage out”.  That is exactly right.  What goes in our brains influences what comes out good or bad behavior.

You don’t need a Ph. D. in child psychology to figure it out.  We all are influenced by who we spend time with and where we spend it.  What would you rather see your kids influenced by?  Would you want them to be influenced by TV, computer games, friends or by you?  The best way to be a good influence is by taking time to be with them and for them to be with you and with the family.  Taking them to Sunday School and church is good, but that’s only a few hours a week.

It starts in the home.  It starts with God’s Word.

There are several Scriptures for raising your children.  Eph. 6:4 – “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”  How do you do that?  Study the Bible together.  2 Tim. 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

We as Christians want our children to grow up to love God and others and to obey His Word.  It’s a process, but your goal should be to have them keep their focus on God.  Teach them to be obedience and that disobedience displeases you and it displeases God.  We want them to develop a godly character and godly qualities.  Heb. 12:10 tells us that God disciplines or trains us so we may share His holiness.  Parents must do the same. 

They should be taught moral purity.  They need to learn how to deal with trials with the right attitude.  They need to learn to be thankful in all things.  They need to learn not to be selfish.  They need to learn biblical love not worldly love.  They need to learn how to solve conflicts God’s way.  They need to learn certain skills to be able to function as adults.  They need to learn respect and responsibilities.

Tips on how to be a good father:

Love your children as God loves you.  Love them in spite of their shortcomings. 

Give them hugs and kisses.  Never withhold your love from them. 

Be patient with them as God is patient with you.

Be their protector and provider.

Be a dad that disciplines.

Spend time with them.

Play with them and read to them.

Love their mom.

Teach them godly ways.

Pray for them.

Take them to church.

Teach them about Jesus.

Be an example.  They will learn far more from your actions than from what you say.  You don’t have to be perfect.  You will make mistakes.  Just, be a good example and the authority figure in your home.  You have a responsibility!

Have a Happy Father’s Day!

Join me here next time. -- I encourage you to trust in and have faith in Jesus.

_______________________________________________

If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below.

You can follow this blog by clicking "Subscribe by Email".  If you follow by email, you will receive an email every time there is a new post.

God is not fair!

Does it make you mad when it seems God is unfair?  Does it seem that the guy whose sin is very obvious gets away with it?  Why does God let people get away with being mean and unkind to others?  How about the gal who can eat anything she wants and never gains a pound?  Is that fair? 

Jesus told a story of a man who owned a vineyard.  He hired workers in the morning and agreed to pay them a day’s wage.  The same thing happened at noon and again later in the day.  At the end of the day he ordered his foreman to pay all the workers, beginning with those hired last.  They received a day’s full wage.  All the workers received the same pay. 

Those who had worked all day grumbled saying it wasn’t fair because they had worked more than the others and should receive more.  The owner said he had not been unfair because they had agreed to work for the wage.  He said as the owner he had the right to pay them what he wanted.

God doesn’t operate on the merit system.  He deals with us according to His free grace.  “For it is by his grace you are saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9.

God is no respecter of persons and does not show favoritism (Acts 10:34; Colossians 3:35).  It’s a good thing He is not fair.  Your status, race, wealth, or background doesn’t matter to God.  He will save all who call upon Him and will judge all who deny Him.  Before you wish God would be fair remember if He was fair, you would get what you really deserve.  God is just, but merciful.  Instead of giving you what you deserve, He extends His mercy over and over.

We are so blessed, but don’t deserve any of His blessings.  Because of our sins, we deserve judgment and condemnation.  So be very glad God isn’t fair.

When we see others who are blessed more or differently than us, we say that’s unfair.  God knows each of us and He knows what we need.  He doesn’t give us ‘one size fits all’ blessings.  He molds each of us with His personalized care for our good and for His glory.  We need to be thankful for the blessings He give us and for the blessings He gives to others.

God is love and He is not fair, but He is good and just.  It isn’t fair that Jesus endured rejection that should have been ours or that He suffered on the cross on our behalf.  It’s not fair that we received the grace of God.  If He was fair, we would all receive what we’ve earned and deserved – DEATH.

Do you struggle with fairness?

What right do you have to question how and why God uses what He created?

Will you trust God to do whatever is right?

Principle:  God is not fair, but He is always right.

Join me here next time. -- I encourage you to trust in and have faith in Jesus.

_______________________________________________

If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below.

You can follow this blog by clicking "Subscribe by Email".  If you follow by email, you will receive an email every time there is a new post.

Faith vs. Fear

This is a time in our world when many people have a lot of fear – fear of the coronavirus, fear our finances won’t hold out, fear of losing our job, fear we will lose our business.  This virus makes us have a fear of helplessness.  Not only do we fear the coronavirus and how it affects us and our family, but all kinds of fears invade our minds.  Maybe it’s fear of public speaking, fear of heights, fear of rejection, fear of flying, fear of crossing bridges, fear of elevators, fear of water, etc. 

Fear is very common to us all from time to time, but we want the world to think that we have our lives under control and fear isn’t an issue.  It’s something we really don’t discuss not even with our friends.  If you let it, it can dig down deep in your life and then dominate you.  It shows up in all kinds of ways.  It can show in your behavior.  It can show up by you lying, making excuses, and even in denial.  It shows up as anxiety, nervousness, worry, stress, tension, bad attitude, and even in our health.  It impacts your thinking and decision making.  We all have or have had some kind of fear.

Fear is opposite from faith.  Hebrews 11:1 describes faith.  “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  Hope can’t be separated from faith, because without hope, there can be no faith.  Fear is lacking faith and denying the hope God’s gives you.  When you grow in faith, fear leaves you.

Jesus knew we would be afraid and we would doubt.  He said “Fear not” over and over again.  But sometime fear is a good thing.  Courage is not the absence of fear; it’s the will to persevere in the face of fear.  It is a feeling and it will pass if we realized what it is.  We need to remember that Jesus is with us and is on our side protecting us always.  We can’t run from fear.  We must deal with it.  “If God is for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31.  We must trust in what He said.  We can use the weapons He has given us – His Word, talking with Him in prayer, our church, Christian friends who are there for us and who encourage us along the way.

God doesn’t want us to walk in fear.  He tells us in Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything…”  He goes on to say, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellence or praiseworthy - think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you.” – Philippians 4:8-9. 

Isaiah 41:10 – “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.  “Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

God doesn’t condemn us for our fear, but He wants to free us from it.  He gives us the power to overcome fear.  We can arm ourselves with God’s armor found in Ephesians 6:10-18.

Faith and fear cannot exist together.  Faith can deliver us from fear and worry because it’s the opposite of unbelief.  Faith is a gift from God.  It is an absolute belief that God is constantly working behind the scenes in all areas of our lives no matter our circumstances. 

What can you do to rid yourself of fear?  You need to have faith and trust in God, because He is sovereign and in control.  So take your eyes off yourself and answer fear with the truth of God’s Word.  Let faith take the place of your fear.  Romans 10:17 – “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.”  Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”  When you are not in constant intimacy with God, that’s when fear and panic can take hold.  If you give God only crumbs of your time and attention, your faith can weaken.  When you walk close with God and trust Him daily in all situations, your fears will be conquered.  So stay in His Word and stay in communication with God through prayer.  Then trust Him and your fears will disappear.  God’s got this!

What fears do you have in your life?

Do your fears cause you shame?

Do your fears lead you to doubt your faith?

What do you do at the first sign of fear?

Do you turn to God in prayer?

                                    Faith vs. Fear

                        While fear cowers, faith stands.

                        While fear frets, faith prays.

                        While fear looks within, faith looks to Jesus.

                        While fear despairs, faith hopes.

Principle:  Fear cripples, but faith sets us free.

Prayer to Fight Fear with Faith

Dear Father,

We live in a chaotic time right now.  You know my struggles and that my mind is limited and weak.  I confess that I sometime look at my situation with fear.  Help me to fight back against this fear with faith in your Word and your truth.  Calm my thoughts and my emotions.  Help me stay focused on you and not on my fear.  Help me not to be anxious about anything.  Give me strength to be thankful for my blessings and not grumble.  Thank you, Lord, for who you are and that you are in control and I am not.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.                                                                            

Join me here next time. -- I encourage you to trust in and have faith in Jesus.

__________________________________________

If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below.

 

You can follow this blog by clicking "Subscribe by Email".  If you follow by email, you will receive an email every time there is a new post.

Jesus’ Return

Do you know what lies ahead in your future or the future of your nation or world?  Can anyone know the future for sure?  We aren’t living in ordinary times.  The way the world is going one can be sure the end is nearing.  Are you ready to meet Jesus?

We’ve all heard that Jesus will be coming back whether we are Christians or not.  In fact Jesus Himself referred to His return many times.   About ½ of the Bible is prophecy and much of it is about the end times.  These prophecies are throughout the Bible so it must be important.  Therefore, it should be important to us.  Actually it should be the most important thing to us.

The first time Jesus came in somewhat of an obscurity, but the 2^nd time He comes every eye will see Him and the entire world will witness this event.  We don’t know how this will happen, but we know we have a mighty and powerful God and nothing is impossible for Him.  By His coming everything will be made right again.  

In Matthew 24 Jesus was asked by His disciples what were the signs of the end of the age.  He told them there would be birth pains and gave some examples.  There are many current events we could call birth pains:

Rise of false prophets and teachings

Wars and rumors of wars

Famines and earthquakes

Love of many believers growing cold

Morals becoming less accepted

People abandoning their Christian faith

People exchanging the truth for lies

Disunity of fellow believers

Political oppositions

Every kind of evil and wickedness

Suppression of truth

Worldwide anti-Semitism toward Jewish people

Shameful lust – women with women and men with men

More people full of envy, murder, deceit, hate

God haters, slanders, gossips

Disobedient children

People who know right from wrong but continue doing wrong

When will He return?  Jesus said no one knows the day and hour.  He said He Himself didn’t know - at least while he was here on earth.  He said not even the angels know.  Only the Father in Heaven knows.  “No one knows about that day or hour not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” – Matthew 24:36.  People keep trying to predict the time.  Think of it this way – Romans 13:11 says “… our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”   We aren’t supposed to try to determine the time, but we are supposed to be ready at all times.

Would you say you are ready by the hatred you have in your heart for those who oppose you?

How about the gossip and lies that come out of your mouth?

Are you using your tongue to build others up or tear them down?

What about all your selfish behaviors?

The Second Coming is predicted in all 4 gospels, Acts, Paul’s epistles, James, Peter and John.  If He is returning, shouldn’t you be ready?  You should know the signs that precede His return and not be ignorant.  “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” – Luke 21:36.

After we see all these types of signs, the Rapture will occur.  The Rapture is when Jesus calls all believers to Himself.  Jesus has gone to heaven and prepared a place for all believers (John 14:1-6).   So this could happen anytime without warning and as fast as the blink of an eye.  There will be no sign or announcement.  When the Rapture occurs, He will raise all dead and with the living believers He will call them up to Him in heaven.  He will bring them before the judgment seat of Christ and reward them on the works they have accomplished.  This is not a judgment of salvation, but a reward.

Many scholars say the timing of the Rapture will begin a seven-year period known as the Tribulation.  The Tribulation will be divided into 2 halves with each lasting 42 months (see Daniel 9; Revelation 13).  During the 1^st half the Antichrist will arise and deceive the world.  The 2^nd half is called the Great Tribulation when many will not survive.  “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now – and never to be equaled again.  If those days had no been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” – Matthew 24:21-22.  Revelation 4-16 describes visions of these end days.

After the Great Tribulation:

“Immediately after the Great Tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” – Matthew 24:29.

“At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky and all the nations of the earth will mourn.  They will see the son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.  And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” – Matthew 29-31.

What is Jesus waiting for?  Jesus is waiting patiently to return, because He is giving everyone as much time as possible to choose to follow Him.  “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9. 

When Jesus returns, it won’t be a secret.  He will come in glory with His angels.  Revelation 5:11 says there are thousands of angels and ten thousand times ten thousand angels.  “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16.  “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the people of the earth will mourn because of him.” – Revelation 1:7.  So there won’t be anyone missing it.

Then comes God’s wrath.  He will send seven angels with seven plagues of horrible destruction. (Revelation 15-16).  Then all people left on earth will understand just who God is.  There is only one real God in charge.  The disagreements of who should or should not be president will not matter.  He created everything and everyone.  He rules over all people and all nations.  He is in charge of governments, sets up outcome of elections, and the rise of kings and dictators throughout the earth.

Are you a believer?  If not, what are you waiting for?  Tomorrow may be too late.

Join me here next time -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

__________________________________________

If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below. 

You can also join this site by clicking on the blue button at the top left "Join this site" or you can "Subscribe by Email".  If you follow by email, you will receive an email every time there is a new post.