Daddy

June 12, 2014 “Our Father, Who is in heaven, holy is your name.”(Luke 11:2) Sunday, June 14, 2014, is Father’s Day. Some of you may be fathers, but all have a father, whether living or dead. Some of your fathers were not in your home as you grew up, whether because of their death, divorce, or uncontrollable circumstances. The only father-figure you ever knew may have been either a grandfather, an uncle, an older brother, a friend, or maybe even a super-hero you admired. Whoever may have been an earthly father-figure to you, that one becomes your first image of God. Whether you are a flesh and blood father, you all are influential for good or bad in someone’s life, whether you are aware of it or not; and you will be held accountable before God for the influence you portray. Because of this fact, it is your obligation to those watching your life, to live in such a way that will show others the correct “image of God.” Of course to be able to do this you must know God personally yourself. No one is perfect, but we can have a “perfect” heart; and the heavenly Father sees and knows your heart. “Even a child is known by his acts, whether or not what he does is pure and right” (Prov.20:11). You cannot be “pure and right” without, first of all, asking Jesus to cleanse you from all your sins, then daily walk with “clean hands and a pure heart” (Ps.24:3-5). If you live a life of love, selflessness, truthfulness, faithfulness, responsibility, forgiveness, patience and acceptance, then those watching, especially children, will expect the heavenly Father to have the same attributes. All of these attributes are so endearing and cherished by all watching, but remember, you can’t live this way without the indwelling Holy Spirit to empower you to be a man of integrity. Although you may fail at times, (and we all do), just acknowledge your failure and try again. It is amazing how failing can inspire you to try again, and it can make you stronger when you acknowledge where you are weak and ask the Lord to help you not fail in that way again. Conversely, if you live your life selfishly; shading the truth to benefit yourself; not being dependable and faithful to keep your word; not accepting your responsibility as an adult of integrity; not forgiving quickly when wronged; being impatient when others don’t do it right; and not accepting others when they fail. Ask your self the questions: Am I consistently harsh; am I too busy for family and also emotionally detached. If these are your traits, those little ones watching will think God the Father is not loving, untruthful, unfaithful, unforgiving, impatience and you are unacceptable. It is very hard, if not impossible, for anyone to desire to trust a heavenly father who has these negative attributes. Do you desire to reflect the Lord Jesus Christ in your life? To reflect Him takes no training, just a complete commitment to Him and follow your training guide – the Bible. By doing those two things the Holy Spirit offers guidance and strength for raising your children, then all those who come behind you will find you faithful, and they will rise up and bless you. Find Us Faithful by Steve Green We're pilgrims on the journey Of the narrow road, and those who've gone before us line the way,cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary, their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace. Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses let us run the race, not only for the prize, but as those who've gone before us let us leave to those behind us the heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives. After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone, and our children sift through all we've left behind. May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover, become the light that leads them to the road we each must find. CHORUS: Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful, may the fire of our devotion light their way. May the footprints that we leave, lead them to believe, And the lives we live inspire them to obey. Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful.