This stuff is golden!! Thought I would share. A SOUND FATHER Provider • A sound father provides for his children. A man that does not provide for his family is worse than an infidel. Paul taught men in the early church to avoid putting ministry, church, or spiritual things before the natural needs of their families. In other words, caring for those in your own family, is the greatest ministry. 1Tim. 5:8 If anyone fails to provide for his relatives, and especially for those of his own family, he has disowned the faith [by failing to accompany it with fruits] and is worse than an unbeliever [who performs his obligation in these matters]. • A sound father not only provides financially for his home, but he provides esteem and validation for his children. A father should do more than just pass his image and likeness onto his children. He is the head of the family, therefore, he passes the birthright or right to be born on to his children. The birthright provides validation, direction, and security for children. A father’s approval is the conduit in which he expresses enduring unconditional love and care to his children. Gen. 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. • A sound father validates his sons and daughters. Children should never have to search for their identity. It should be given to them by their father. Just as our heavenly father gives us validation, so does earthly fathers. We learn what it means to follow instructions by following the instructions of our earthly fathers first and then our heavenly father. Good fathers will always heed to good instructions so they can better instruct their own. Prov. 19:20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. Protector • A sound father protects his family. He protects his family mentally, physically and spiritually. Eph. 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 1. Mentally - When life gets rough and hopeless, its the fathers job to instill hope and fortitude in his family. The father should cover his wife and children and not allow outsiders to tear them down emotionally or mentally. A sound father does not abandon his family. 1Tim. 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 2. Physically - God built the man physically stronger than the woman. This illustrates the role of protector. A sound father will fight and die for his family. He should never have a problem standing up for his family and going to battle for them. He was created to protect his loved ones from any one that seeks to physically harm them. 1Tim. 4:8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 3. Spiritually - A sound father stands on the word of God and protects his family from the enemy. He prays and operates in the authority God has given him as the head. He rebukes and reproves wrong actions and principles. He fights for what is spiritually right and stands for truth even in the face of adversity. Furthermore, he avoids spiritually dangerous alliances and decisions that will allow Satan access to his heart and home. Matt. 12:29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. Priest • God’s love should be illustrated by the love of an earthly father. One of the main reasons for the enemy extracting fathers from the home is to destroy the illustration of Godly love and biblical fatherhood. How can you understand the love of a heavenly father if you have not experienced the love of an earthly father? Psa. 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. • A sound father makes decisions based on the word of God, but does not overly spiritualize his actions. He is able to accept responsibility for his decisions and their consequences, and keeps his family confident in Gods power. Fathers should always perform their natural duties as men first, then as ministers second. Wise management of the home preserves the family’s trust in the father to provide for them. A father that has the trust of his family can lead them in worship to God. 1Cor. 7:33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. • The father is responsible for instilling the word of God into his family heritage. This is done by being a Godly man and walking in Gods authority. Though we may err and make mistakes, we should always strive to do our best. Godly character can be developed and shown by the way we handle our mistakes. It is always important to keep God first. Prov. 22:28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. Summary: No one is perfect and many fathers have fallen short of God’s standard for manhood. This is due to the lack of good examples before them, or not understanding God’s role and purpose for men. Its time for us, as fathers, to step it up. No more excuses! It is time to change the legacy that has been before us and recreate our own. God is calling all of us, as fathers, to correct what has been incorrect, to right what has been wrong, and to make things different for our families. A new Godly heritage is created when a father decides to fulfill his role as provider, protector and priest of his home. Prov. 20:7 The just MAN WALKETH IN HIS INTEGRITY: HIS CHILDREN ARE blessed after him.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 14:33:37 +0000
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