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A Faith-Filled Father

0 comments Posted by Eric at 7:00 AM

I’m not one for protests. I don’t particularly like picketing, nor am I an activist. However, there is one cause that needs more attention: fatherhood. It’s no secret, fatherhood (and Biblical manhood), is rapidly becoming extinct. Today, many lack a solid father figure in their life: or the life of their children. Others are left wounded, hurting, and in some extreme cases bitter by the difficult experiences shared with their dad. 

Many men today desire to be a great dad and yet have no idea who to be one. This is too bad, for even Sigmund Freud correctly stated the importance of fatherhood when he said,  “I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection.” What makes a good Dad? One who is Faith-Filled. 

There is not a better example than the Father of Nations, Abraham. In Genesis 22:1-17, we read of the time when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son, his own heir, the one promised to him by God himself. In this account we see four distinct Characteristics of a Faith-Filled Father.

A Faith-Filled Father: Listens to the Lord. Throughout his life Abraham listened to God. From the calling out from his own land into a new one, from the warning against Sodom & Gomorrah to the  promise of a son; he listened. And this time was no different. In verses 1-2 when the Lord came and spoke to Abraham; he listened. Not just to part of what God said, but to all of it. He didn’t tune God out when half way through, nor did he argue with the Lord. He simply listened.


A Faith-Filled Father: Obeys the Lord. Abraham didn’t waste any time. Verses 3 tell of his immediate obedience. “Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac.” He didn’t ask God again, or wait for another sign to confirm what was said. He didn’t dilly dally around, instead he acted in direct and immediate obedience to God. Leaving early in the morning, despite how crazy the request of sacrificing his son seemed, he obeyed holding nothing back.


A Faith-Filled Father: Trusts the Lord. It didn’t take Isaac long to notice the missing element, a lamb; and when he questioned his father about it Abraham replied in verse 8. “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Abraham had a complete and confident trust in the Lord; holding nothing back, not even his own son. He trusted God to keep His promise to bless the whole world through his seed.

A Faith-Filled Father: is Blessed by the Lord. As Abraham walked in faith and obedience, God stopped him from killing his son, and instead provided a substitute sacrifice, giving Abraham his son back. As they finished offering up the ram, the Lord spoke again, confirming the promise He had made many years ago. That it was through Abraham’s offspring all nations would be blessed, and saved. 

A FAITH-FILLED Father places God before anything; including himself and his family. He is constantly listening to hear God’s plan for his life and his family, is willing to trust and obey no matter how crazy God’s call seems, and to stand blessed by Him in this life and the one to come. 

 

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Waking up to see Dad

0 comments Posted by Eric at 7:00 AM

The buzzing of the alarm, the chirping of the birds, the crack of thunder, or rustling of the wind through the leaves; there are many sounds that can wake us each morning. However, none quite compare to the sound of little feet.

Most mornings, before my alarm sounds or the song of the birds reach my ears, I am awakened by the sound of little feet racing across the hardwood floors at our home. Soon the hinges on our bedroom door begins to squeak and before I know it, our bed has some extra occupants, a five and three year old.

Although, this has happened for years, it never ceases to amaze me. The first thing my kids want to do each morning is to be with their dad. They don’t reach for the remote, or rush off to play with their toys. No, they simply want to be with me. If I have gotten up before they have stirred, they quickly leave our bedroom and set out on a hunt to find me.

But what about us? What do we seek out each morning? Coffee? Breakfast? A shower? The paper?  Or maybe it’s the snooze button. Yet should’t we reach for something else?

Consider the words of David in Psalm 63:1 “O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.” Likewise the Prophet Isaiah said “All night long I search for you; in the morning I earnestly seek for God.” (Isaiah 26:9)

Each morning before our day begins there is a need, a desire, a blessing in seeking God through His Word and Prayer; feeding our spiritual life as we do our physical one. Receiving nourishment, strength, refreshment, and encouragement for the day ahead. We are reminded that our sins are forgiven, that we are His, and that this day was made by Him for Him.

Before you reach for your morning caffeine or hit the snooze button one more time, grab your Bible and crawl up into your Abba Father’s lap and enjoy some time with your Dad.

I hope you are eager to see and spend time with your heavenly Father first thing each day.

 

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Time in the SON

0 comments Posted by Eric at 8:09 AM

Memorial Day is past, school has been released, and the mercury is reaching for the triple digits - summer is here.  If your schedule is anything like mine, this summer will prove to be anything but lazy. From conferences to conventions, camps to BBQ’s, family gatherings to time at the beach, summertime is busy. With our shortened warm season this year, we all feel a need to cram as much time in the sun as possible. 

In the midst of all the busyness one of the first things to fall by the wayside is church. For many, Sunday worship and certainly midweek study are less important in the summer, and are often treated like a mere winter activity. In the desire to spend time in the S-U-N we forget to spend time with the S-O-N. With a similar state of mind, Hebrews 10:25 is written: 

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Neglect is an interesting word. It means “not pay proper attention to; or to disregard” and carries the sentiment of “not taking proper care of someone or something.” It is often used to describe something that is in unkempt and in disarray, due to the disregard of its owner; or in some extreme cases children whose physical and often times emotional state has been weakened from the lack of parental involvement. Yet here the word is applied to Church. 

Let us not neglect, or forsake, meeting together; or in other words going to church. Even in the first century Christians had began to let their zeal and commitment to the Lord slip behind other areas of life. In doing so, they neglected their spiritual condition. But why? Why is going to church, meeting together regularily so important, so vital to our spiritual condition? There are three basic reasons: 
  • It is in Church where we are fed spiritually, where we hear God’s truth taught, are fed spiritually, and have our faith strengthened. Consider what would happen to your physical body if you stopped eating all summer. When we stop feeding on God’s Word our Spiritual bodies weaken as well. 
  • It’s what God Intended us to do. From the beginning God intended us to be in “Mutual Community.” From the creation of Eve to the calling of the nation of Israel, mankind was not intended to be alone. In fact, Jesus called 12 disciples not one. In Acts the Christians met together, and throughout the New Testament Paul didn’t just evangelize people, he planted churches. For it is within the body of Christ that fellowship and encouragement are found from other believers; challenging us to press on.
  • Once we stop going, it’s easy to stay away and hard to go back. From diet to exercise, once we stop doing anything it is very hard to start back up again. Once we stop going to church, it is difficult to get into the routine again.   


Today, I urge you in the words of Hebrews 10:25 - Don’t stop meeting together, this summer or ever. Rather make it a priority and discipline to engage in public worship weekly - wether at home or away. It is my prayer that you will be spend plenty of time with the S-O-N this summer.

 

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