Pastor's Desk
June 18 , 2006
FATHERS, MARRIAGES AND FAMILIES. It is good to think about marriages and families on Father’s Day because in God’s design there are no fathers without marriages and families. At the beginning of the scriptures we read: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24) Out of the union between husband and wife children are born, they become father and mother and the outcome is a family unit.
In our fallen world we must face the reality that there are many fatherless families and some of these families have been able to overcome the challenge of a missing father. That, however, does not make God’s design for the family obsolete. A dad who takes his responsibilities seriously as father and husband in a family along with his wife and the mother of their children is always the preferred option when it is available. This pattern needs to be continually modeled in our society as the ideal, even when not everyone has the opportunity to personally experience it. Children need to be taught to honor their fathers and mothers (Ephesians 6:1-3); and fathers need to be encouraged to be loving husbands (Ephesians 5:25) and nurturing dads. "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)
We need to see more fathers take loving servant leadership of their families, taking responsibility not only to put bread on the table but also to see to it that their children develop spiritually. This is not done by talk alone but also by walk. Fathers, your children need to see you take interest in eternal things as well as wholesome practical earthly things. Whether you like it or not, they are watching you. Their values are being shaped by what they see and hear of you and from you. As we and they grow older the direct influence on our kids is diminished but we must never underestimate the character building deposits that we invest into their lives as time goes on. When I think about it, I am overwhelmed but I thank God, our heavenly Father who is ready to help us become the dads we need to be for our kids.
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"He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands."
This page was last updated on Friday, June 16, 2006