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GOD’S FATHER HEARTTOWARDS EARTHLY FATHERS

What Kind of Father are You, or will You be?

1. No role models – usually do opposite to our earthly fathers

2. Fathers were not taught – next generation also falls apart/short

3. We cannot blame our fathers, who were not taught either Exodus 20:12(NIV) Honour your father for raising you and doing the best he knew how, so things will go well with you. Take responsibility for your OWN life and family, GIVING THANKS to God for HIS LEADING AND DIRECTION in your life.

4. Someone has to change the status quo – will it be you? Every day is a new day to personally bring changes to ourselves and those around us in God’s power and might as we are led by the Holy Spirit in us. 2 Cor 6:18 (NIV) “I will be a father to you, and you will be my son and daughter,” says the Lord Almighty.

5. Personal testimony – you don’t normally listen to mothers. Children always do what father does – hence we need to be godly role models in our words and actions as we lead our own families in humility and fear of the Lord. Prov. 22:4.

6. Who better to teach us other than Father God Himself and His Word? Prov 4:20 Your Word is life to those who find it and health to a man’s whole body. Ps 32:8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”

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7. Difficult to lead if you have emotional problems from your upbringing – deal with the rubbish and close doors and get the trash out of the way!Phil 3:13,14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

8. Personal testimony –a) Louise was the head of our home for many yearsb) Women not wired to take pressurec) Discipline of children – both parents should do this. Prov 29:17

Discipline your son and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.

d) Our wives are our helpers – gifted to do so – one flesh partnersGen 2:18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him.

e) Hard to learn leadership in a homef) Not just do what I wanted any time, incl. Spending, place to live,

church, friends, choice of schools for kids, cars, holidays, etc. Phil 2:3,4 Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

9. Be the father you dreamed about – take ownership “Just do it”

Who teaches you about faith in the Lord Jesus Gal 2:20

Who imparts unconditional love and acceptance to you

Who praises you and supports you in work and play

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Who loves your mother with honour and respect and esteems her with high value

Who makes your home safe and peaceful to come home to. Prov 24:3-4 By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

Who enjoys life and is fun to be with. John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Who works hard and trusts in God as his Provider. Phil 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Who keeps his visions always before him. Hab 2:1-3 I will stand on my guard post and station myself on the rampart; And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me, And how I may reply when I am reproved.  Then the LORD answered me and said, “Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run. “For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.

Who you know would protect you, always. 2 Thess 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

Who teaches you his crafts and skills in music, sports, etc

Who never judges you or puts you down and makes you feel worthless. James 2:13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.

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Who teaches you “men stuff” and how to be a real man or woman

Who teaches you the value of tithing. Mal 3:8-10 “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.

Who teaches you how to make money work for you and to invest in things that last. 2 Cor 9:10-12 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;  you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.  For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.

Who teaches you servanthood in the home by example. Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matt 20:26-28

Who teaches you sexual things and the value of being faithful and committed to sexual purity until marriage. 1 Cor 6:18-20 Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the [a]immoral man sins against his own body.  Or do you not know that your body is a [b]temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from [c]God, and that you are not your own?  For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

To be a dad you could always be free to talk to about your concerns, difficulties and problems. Ps 25:12-14 Who is the man who fears the LORD?He will instruct him in the way he should choose. His soul will abide

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in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land. The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant.

A dad who always has time for you and wants to be in your company

Who never takes sides without talking through situations

Who listens to God and obeys, even if it hurts. 1 Peter 1:14-15 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behaviour...

Who dreamed a dream and excelled in what is good. Dan 5:12 This was because an extraordinary spirit, knowledge and insight, interpretation of dreams, explanation of enigmas and solving of difficult problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar. Let Daniel now be summoned and he will declare the interpretation.”

Who is accountable to leadership and mentoring. Heb 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not [b]with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

Who is under authority to leadership himself. Matt 8:9 For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

Who is creative and adventurous, exploring new destinations. Josh 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not

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tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Who loves people and helps the poor. Ps 112:9 He has given freely to the poor, His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted in honor.

Who is generous and hospitable. Titus 1:8 ...but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,

A devoted father shows his children the Heart of God to them by just his presence, friendship and encouragement. Phil 2:1-2 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,  make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Who is God-honouring in his reading material and general manners, and who prefers others. Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise think on these things.

Not selfish or lusting after false gods and fleshly things. Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Who believes the best and does his utmost to add value to society and the community he lives amongst. 1 Cor 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness,

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but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

A dad who guides you in the gifting that God gave to you to fulfil your own destiny and calling, work-wise and spiritually. Prov 18:16 A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men. Rom 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 1 Tim 4:14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.

Who always blesses you in every way. Num 6:24-26 The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.’

Who leads by faith in God – Prov 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Leads in humility and fear of the LordProv 22:4 By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.

Leads in worship in home, prayer and serving and giving – always hearing from God and moving in His authority – sometimes even changing jobs, cities, etc.

Leads in imparting blessing to family – gifts, holidays, investments, praise. 1 Chron 4:9-10  Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez saying, “Because I bore him with pain.”  Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be

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with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!” And God granted him what he requested.

Leads in not judging or condemning - we fail sometimes – be humble and admit. Matt 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

Leads in honouring and supporting your wife. Heb 13:4 Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

Leads in healthy lifestyle – sport, exercise and eating habits

God first, wife and family second, ministry, and work follows

Who is a devastator of the kingdom of darkness

Challenge:HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE A DAD WHO LIVES LIKE THIS?