Father: August 21, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY AUGUST 21. 2013.

FATHER

DEFINITION:  

God, the Father; a male parent; a mentor, a protector or a 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:

There is a growing concern today among the masses here in America over the breakdown of the family. Even people in the media and in politics are talking about this concern. Over 50% of the homes today here in America do not have a father living in them. All across America children are living in one parent homes and children are suffering as a result.

God designed the family to have both a father and a mother. A father is needed in a family for much more than being a financial provider. God planned that the father was not only to support his family but he was to provide spiritual leadership and to love and care for his spouse and children. 

The scriptures tell us, children need a mother and a father. The question we ask is, “Why do many mothers and fathers neglect their responsibility to their children?” Why do parents put themselves and their interests before their love for their children?

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”. Paul used these three words; exhorted, comforted and charged, to describe His Fatherly responsibility to the Thessalonians who were his children in the Lord.

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 spiritual guidance. The father’s role is to exhort his children to be obedient to God’s Word and urge them to do what is right in God’s sight. 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 make responsible. Fathers need to challenge their children with the responsibility of walking in a manner worthy of God. The father must affirm the truth of God's Word by setting the example by living it out day by day in his own life. 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.

Children also have a responsibility. 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 John 20:21.

Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.

PRAYER:

Help us as families to honor our fathers. May we, as a family, realize that earthly father’s may fail and disappoint but You, our heavenly Father will never fail us or disappoint us because You are always here for us.