Father's Day (How we impact our children)

June 19 2011The force of the recent earthquake off the eastern coast of Japan and the tsunami it created impacted the west coast of the United States after it had traveled thousands of miles across the ocean, but without a doubt it had its greatest and most lasting impact in the places closest to the epicenter. That’s how it is for us men who have children; we will have the greatest impact (for good or bad) on those closest to us – our daughters and sons, our families.God designed it that way, both the ability to produce children and actual children are a gift from God (Psalm 127:3). But as with all God entrusts to us he also will hold us accountable for what we do with our children as well. We will answer for whether or not we have kept his commandments as Dads, whether or not we have:• Lead our children to a life of faith in and love of Almighty God and his Son Jesus Christ."You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments” Exodus 20:3-6 (NASB).“The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength” Mark 12:29-30 (NLT).“And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us” 1 John 3:23 (NIV).• Trained them so they will live good and godly lives. “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” Proverbs 22:6 (NIV).“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord” Ephesians 6:4 (NLT).• Lived holy lives ourselves, giving our sons and daughters a living example of godliness, righteousness, and integrity. “Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children (Dads), let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, ‘I am holy; you be holy’" 1 Peter 1:14-16 (MSG, parenthesis mine).• Modeled seeking the kingdom of God and in doing so loved and served others. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness …” Matthew 6:33 (NASB).“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right” James 2:8 (NIV).In my almost 29 year experience of being Dad, the 37 years I lived before my Dad died, and the 51 years I have been able to observe all kinds of dads I have found three things that just never mix with being a good and godly Dad who wants to impact his children with blessing. They are sin of any kind, selfishness, and acting like your single. On the other hand I have found seeking the guidance of the Spirit of God, learning the wisdom of the Word of God (the Bible), walking in the ways of God, and cultivating a heart for God and the things of God to be indispensible in my desire to be great Dad.Happy Fathers’ Day, to God be all glory, Pastor Hans