Recently in America we celebrated a holiday dedicated to fathers. The importance of good fathers cannot be exaggerated. This holiday provided a way to thank our parents, and if we are parents, for our children to thank us for what we do for them. My kids gave me some great gifts and cards for Fathers Day. The hugs and thanks from them was the best part of the day though. Gifts are good, but a genuine show of appreciation and love is always better.
This day was also a great time to remind me God is our Father, the only Father who will never leave us nor forsake us. He will not let us down as an earthly father will. Every time we enter a church it is to worship God for all He has done and show appreciation and love toward Him.
Do we bring gifts (We paid our tithes, we are good for the month), buy a cheap card for Him (Grudgingly do a ministry in the church), or just be selfish and take all the glory for the day for ourselves (Look what I did attitude)? Some churches I have attended through the years seem to focus on things other than God with their services, by self-gratifying music, sermons and events.
It is a selfish, arrogant society in America today and we often judge the church functions by how the service made us feel. It is not about us Christians, it is all about God. We need to show God real affection and love in our churches, homes, and lives. We need to stop living in our self-centered world and start living in God’s world and working for His kingdom. I know my kids respect me when they are willing to give up their activities or time for me. Our heavenly Father is the same, He wants us to worship Him from the time we get up in the morning until we go to sleep at night.
This is not for everyone else and not me. I need to be constantly reminded of this as well. That is why I like to read the book of Psalms. Throughout it we can see David demonstrating how much he loved and appreciated God for what He had done for him and his people, but also for being a great Father to David in his daily walk.
Often this also means punishment and correction, but we know that is because God cares for us. If our kids do something wrong, we correct them and may even punish them for what they did, so they will not do it again. If we did not care about their safety or future, we would let them do whatever they wanted.
David shows how genuine his affection and appreciation was for God in his descriptions of how great, merciful, and loving God was. David also showed he praised and thanked God constantly every day for His blessings. I hope every good Christian father follows the scriptures on how to be a great leader and father for his family. Your children will appreciate it, as we all need to daily appreciate the blessings and grace shown to us undeserving people by God, our Father.
“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. 6 He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. 7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.” (Psalm 62:5-7)
I have included the Lord’s Prayer below as well, please read it in reflection and not repetition. The overall theme of this prayer taught to us by Jesus, our Lord as an example, is we are to daily praise God and work for His Kingdom.
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:9-13)
In Christ,
The Sword of the Spirit 