Ex 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. I know this is a lot of scripture but they are important scripture for the subject I would like to address today. I do not know how fathers day started and that is not what I want to talk about. The roll of a Father is so important in the raising of children. I am not saying a father is the most important aspect of child raising, I am saying that it is an essential part of the equation. The mother is just as important in the raising of a child. Many of us take our fathers for granted, and some actually disrespect them, when they are grown, thinking they don't have to honor their fathers anymore. THIS SHOULD NOT BE. A father has a lot of responsibility according to GOD'S word. I wish I could have put all the scriptures concerning fathers but there is to much to put down here. I suggest for us father's this fathers day to sit down and search the scriptures on the correct way of being a father.We as believers have the perfect example of how to be a father. That example is GOD himself. GOD is our heavenly father. HE is loving and kind and wants to lavish gifts on us. But at the same time HE does not want to give us anything that will hurt us. HE will also severely discipline us for our own good. I believe the fathers roll in the family is discipline, guidance, and to be a spiritual mentor for his children. I realize that in today's day and age, there are many single parents. Women and men have to assume the role of both parents. This is a terrible tragedy of today's society, but even if this is occurring in your life, we must still as fathers and mothers, do our best to fulfill our responsibilities. My children live with their mother and we live several thousand miles apart but I still take my role as a father, even though their mother and I are divorced, very seriously. I am constantly on the phone, and when a discipline problem occurs, my Ex picks up the phone and calls me and I talk to the child in question. I never forget their birthdays, and I always am up to date on their school, grades, and events. I don't forget them at Christmas. I also am a step father and I treat them as my own. I love and care for them the best I can. I am far from a perfect father but my heart is there and I give it my best effort and GOD takes care of the rest. Men let us not exasperate our children to anger. That is scriptural. We must discipline in love. We fathers must never discipline in anger. I have been guilty of that but I have grown so much when I turned my anger over to GOD. Do not take your frustrations of a failed marriage or a bad day or anything out on your children. Do not blame your children for your own sins and faults. Finally I would like to say, that I have the best dad in the world. He is loving and kind. All I have to do is pick up the phone and call him, and ask his advice on spiritual matters. He is so wise, and his example of a Godly father has been permanently imbedded in me forever. It is his faithfulness that has taught me to be faithful. And his tremendous love for JESUS has been transmitted to me. Thank you Dad for being the best dad a son could have. HAPPY FATHERS DAY. © Copyright 2001 by John And Cindy Thomas
DT 27:16 "Cursed is the man who dishonors his father or his mother." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
DT 32:7 Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.
PS 2:7 I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father.
PS 68:5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
PS 103:13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
PR 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.
MT 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, `Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
I LOVE YOU DAD.