Fathers can have a wonderful impact on familes if they are controlled by the spirit of Christ. Did you see the latest study about how a father's influence can reduce risky teen behavior ?
Check it out here... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31086977/
Out of the heart are "the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23); and the heart of the community, of the church , and of the nation is the household. The well-being of society , the success of the church , the prosperity of the nation, depend upon home influences.--MH 349.
Strong, healthy, happy families = a strong, healthy happy society/nation
Families are what the heads of families make them and families as God planned for them, were headed by the father and mother. Modern societies which attempt to redefine what constitutes marriage in order to secure material benefit are thereby undermining principles which originate with the Creator Himself.
Today, we will look at the role of the father in a study entitled "FATHER to Father"....This is from a Christian standpoint and the advice to fathers comes from our heavenly Father.
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If you saw a word 979 times in one book, would you think it had some significance to it ? The word 'father' appears at least 979 times in the Bible.
STUDY IN FATHERHOOD
Not only do we have the example of our loving heavenly Father to learn from but we also have an example of someone whom GOD appointed to be a father.
"Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee./I Genesis 17:5
"GOD chose Abraham as the father of the faithful, because HE knew that he would cultivate home religion, and cause the fear of the LORD to be the atmosphere of his dwellingplace. The LORD knew that on the part of Abraham no betraying of sacred trusts; but that he would worship the LORD, and HIM only would he serve. HE knew that HIS faithful servant would lead his household forward and upward, and influence them to keep the statutes of JEHOVAH.
Abraham did not cherish a blind affection for his family; but by the combined influence of affection and authority, he ruled his home. GOD's will was made paramount. He feared the LORD with all his house.
"In GOD's sight, a man is just what he is in his family. The life of Abraham, the friend of GOD, was signalized by a strict regard for the word of the LORD. He cultivated home religion. The fear of GOD pervaded his household. He was the priest of his home. He looked upon his family as a sacred trust.
Thought question: Do you think Isaac would have willingly submitted to be sacrificed by his father if Abraham was not present in the home to build a relationship with his child ?
Besides Abraham, there were many other fathers...
"Noah's warnings had been rejected by the world, but his influence and example resulted in blessings to his family. As a reward for his faithfulness and integrity, GOD saved all the members of his family with him." PP 98
"He (Enoch) did not make his abode with the wicked.. .He placed himself and his family where the atmosphere would be as pure as possible. Then at times he went forth to the inhabitants of the world with his GOD-given message...Maranatha 184
The best advice about being a father comes from the best Father of all fathers - our heavenly FATHER. Men who intend to be good fathers should first of all realize WHO is the FATHER of us all and consider this in their relationship to other fathers and other men in general..
"Have we not all one FATHER ? hath not one GOD created us ? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother...?" Malachi 2:10
Notice GOD's promise to fathers and children in the last days...
"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers..." Malachi 4:5,6
Fathers will be more successful if we are sensitive to and careful to practice the principle of honor. Honor begins with our heavenly FATHER and HIS SON "...all men should honour the SON, even as they honour the FATHER. He that honoureth not the SON honoureth not the FATHER which sent HIM." John 5:23
According to Romans 2:23, GOD is dishonored when his 10 commandment law is broken. Therefore, GOD's law would have to be the standard of honor for fathers.
"Honour thy father and mother, as the LORD thy GOD hath commanded thee." Deuteronomy 5:16
Isaiah 29:13 tells fathers how not to honor HIM. Isaiah 58:13 tells fathers how to honor HIM especially on HIS day and 1 Peter 3:7 tells fathers to honor their wives.
Faithful fathers will follow JESUS' example and not try to honor themselves- "JESUS answered, if l honour MYSELF, MY honour is nothing.."." John 8:54
WHAT MAKES A GOOD FATHER ?
To be a good father in GOD's sight, a man must be transformed by the renewing of his mind. He must have new motives, new purposes and new desires from God that are unselfish. Only a man who is being guided by his heavenly FATHER is going to commit himself to the task of preparing his children for heaven.
"The heads of families need to be converted. Then they would make diligent efforts to redeem their past neglect. The father should feel that he is the houseband of the family. In this age of sin and intemperance, violence and crime, he should show his true interest in his household." 16MR 144
"The one aim and object of his life is the saving of souls. He refuses to do anything that would hinder him in this work. If he has children, he realizes that his work must begin in his own family. The souls of his children are exceedingly precious to him. Remembering that they are the younger members of the LORD's family, he strives with all his power to place them where they will stand on the LORD's side. He has pledged himself to serve, honor, and obey CHRIST, and puts forth patient, untiring efforts so to train his children that they will never be hostile to the SAVIOUR." PUR 51
"The priest used cedar and hyssop, dipping them into the cleansing water and sprinkling the unclean. This symbolized the blood of CHRIST spilled to cleanse us from moral impurities. The repeated sprinklings illustrate the thoroughness of the work that must be accomplished for the repenting sinner. All that he has must be consecrated. Not only should his own soul be washed clean and pure, but he should strive to have his family, his domestic arrangements, his
property, and his entire belongings consecrated to GOD." 4T 122
"In forming a relationship with CHRIST, the renewed man is but coming back to his appointed relationship with GOD. He is a representative of CHRIST...His duties lie around him, nigh and afar off. His first duty is to his children and his nearest relatives. Nothing can excuse him from neglecting the inner circle for the larger circle outside." OHC 304
A man must be converted to CHRIST before he will honor GOD, honor other human beings and his own family members to the point where he would work for their salvation.
This concludes pages 1-3 of the 7 page study entitled, "FATHER to Father." Other subject titles in this piece include
1. Positions in the Family
2. Responsibilities
3. Impact of a Good Father
4. Ministry and Ministers
5. Ministry Outside of the Home
6. Encouragement
If you would like the rest of this study emailed to you in pdf format, post your email address in the comments section.
T.K.
