June 19, 2011

Fathers: June 17, 2011

JUNE 17 2011. TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY JUNE 17, 2011

FATHERS

DEFINITION:

A male parent; God; a fatherly protector or provider; a title of respect.

SCRIPTURE:

Honor you father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. Ephesians 6:2

Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, and give attention to know understanding. Proverbs 4:1

We exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children. I Thessalonians 2:11

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

In two days here in America we will celebrate Fathers day. This is a special day set apart to honor our fathers. It is interesting to know that communication is at the highest level among family members at Mothers day in May and Fathers day in June. There are more long distant calls made on Mothers day than any other day of the year. But on Father’s day, there are more collect calls made than at any other time of the year.

Fathers are needed and wanted for much more than financial help today. A big concern today is that over 50% of our homes do not have a father today. The verse above from I Thessalonians is primarily directed to church leaders but Paul talks about how their role is similar to a father’s role in the family. He says, “You know how we exhorted and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children.

It is not enough for fathers to think that all they need to do is to bring home a pay check. Children and spouses need their love and encouragement. The word comforted in this verse is to console. Nothing is more important to a child then to have a father to listen and talk with them and to console them when they are hurting.

The word charged in this verse means to affirm. Fathers need to challenge their children by affirming the truth of God’s Word as they live it out day by day. Good fathers reflect their heavenly Father. What we need today is for more fathers who know Jesus to be spiritual leaders in their homes and to be there for their children to support, comfort and encourage them.

In Ephesians 6:2 Paul quotes the fifth commandment of the Ten Commandments which reads, “Honor your Father and your Mother.” In Matthew 15:4 Jesus also quoted this commandment. This is not a commandment to be ignored, although it often is. What does God mean by “honor?” To honor our parents is more than just obeying our parents. It means to respect them, to love them, and to care for them.

Far too often we hear about children who are dishonoring their parents by talking back to them and showing continual disrespect for them. The nursing homes are filled with fathers and mothers who are never visited by their children. Fathers and mothers have the responsibility, first of all, to be the kind of parents children can respect, and then they must teach their children to honor and obey them.

But let us remind you that God never gave a condition as to when we should honor our father and mother. He stated it simply and clearly, “Honor your Father and Mother.” If they abused you, you must still honor them. If they were unkind, you still must honor them. God never gave us any “ifs.”

Yes, we know that there are bad, even evil, parents in this world. A child may have to stand up against a parent who is leading them to do what is wrong. Even though a child’s parents may not have earned the love or respect of their child, their mother and father are still the child’s parents and the child should still honor them with politeness and show they care about them.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Colossians 3:2.

Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth.

PRAYER:

Help us as families today to honor our fathers on this special day. May we at the same time honor our Father in heaven.

Welcome ~ Ministry Programs ~ Make a Donation ~ Product Catalog
Family Prayer Partners
~ Family Devotional ~ Statement of Faith ~ Contact Us

 

Copyright©2009. All Rights Reserved. The content of this Christian religious blog dedicated to
bringing Bibles to people all over the world is owned exclusively by World Bible Society. Legal Disclaimer

Christian Religious Blog and Website Design by Flagstaff Central.com, Inc.
Content Management System Powered by iUpdateIt.com