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“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him” Psalms 103:13 (NIV).
A Father after God’s Own Heart - Part 1:
A father after God’s own heart is a man of faith. This faith is not just personal and hidden from the world, it is an active, vibrant and visible faith that is demonstrated in word and deed. A father’s faith is not something that is only visible on Sunday, but something that is lived at home, at work and in your community. A strong father is one that owns his faith, that is not afraid to go against the cultural norms and actively teaches the faith to his children by his example and by instruction in the way they should go. Other young and old men will be inspired by his godly living and moral conduct, especially when it’s cenetered aroung faith because it will strengthened theirs. Great fathers surround themselves with other men who are striving to make Jesus the Lord of their life, it is through this support system that they are able to make it through the difficult times and remain faithful. No man is perfect, since we all fall short of the Glory of God and thankfully our God is a loving Father who is always ready to welcome us home when we humbly acknowledge our sins before him and ask for forgiveness. A father after God’s own heart knows that he needs to turn to God daily and ask for his grace and forgiveness. The sacrament of Reconciliation is a sign of humility, a sign that we have examined our lives and know that we are in need of God’s forgiveness and grace.
A Father after God’s Own Heart - Part 2:
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” Proverbs 22:6 (NIV).
A father after God’s own heart is a man of faith. This faith is not just personal and hidden from the world, it is an active, vibrant and visible faith that is demonstrated in word and deed.
Lessons Dad has taught me over the years, I see a pattern of principles.
• Go the extra mile.
Fathers should model to their children how to great dreams and to have hopeful expectations in life. Display a positive
Christian attitude, godly character and honorable integrity.
talk about doing it, but modeling it daily. They shouldn’t just
• Be faithful to God’s house.
Fathers should role model that church services aren’t
negotiable. Everyone in the family, including children must know we are all going if the doors are open.
• Serve others with all your heart.
Whether teaching Sunday school, driving the church bus, or visiting the nursing home for Bible study, Dad put his whole heart into it. He truly lived out 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”
• Keep going, even and especially when things are tough.
Your personal feelings about circumstances are not usually an indicator that it’s time to quit. Although the storms in life will rage against the family, and hards times and rough days may be ahead. A father must never gave up on caring for his children, just as our heavenly Father never gives up on us.
A Father after God’s Own Heart - Part 3:
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” Ephesians 6:4 (NIV).
Families are struggling today, and this has been happening for decades. Although there are many theories as to why, the best solution is found in God’s Word. After all, He designed the family to be the foundational unit of society, and He knows best how it should operate. No family goes without hardship, but God’s principles can help people navigate those ups and downs in a way that glorifies Him. According to Scripture, the father’s responsibility is to lead his family physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Most dads work hard to provide for material needs, and many give the family adequate time and love. But how many are diligent to lead spiritually? Dads are responsible for teaching their children to read Scripture and pray, as well as for modeling righteousness. Wives and churches contribute to the spiritual training of children, too, but fathers will be held accountable to the Lord for spiritual leadership. Although this assignment is daunting, God has provided both His Spirit and His Word to guide and empower dads to accomplish it. When fathers take their rightful place, family relationships will improve. Scripture clearly teaches that the Lord has entrusted headship in the home to the husband and father. This doesn’t mean that men are superior or more spiritual than women; it simply shows that God, in His sovereign wisdom, has given them different roles. Men who are seeking Him daily for every thing in their lives with a passion and purpose to serve Him. They understand the need the spiritual things, and it’s their heart desire to please God despite their failures and imperfections.
A Father after God’s Own Heart - Part 4:
“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged” Colossians 3:21 (NIV).
Even though our culture may find this offensive, it doesn’t change God’s ordained order, nor does it excuse fathers who abdicate this role. The greatest gift a father can give his children is to love their mother. A family is built on a solid foundation, and that foundation is built primarily on a love of God by the parents, and secondarily, a love that reflects the love of God between the parents. A man who honors, cherishes and loves his wife demonstrates to his family that there are some things that are steadfast and true, that love is stronger than any trial and that a vow is something that should be kept no matter what. While mothers were often shown as the more nurturing parent, fathers appeared to be more involved in preparing children to deal with life. Fathers also seemed to more realistically assess their children’s future behavior problems. In some cases, fathers were better predictors of their child’s future cognitive performance than moms were.A Father after God’s Own Heart will show and sow mercy to family, and especially his children. And, when he needs it the most, it will be return to him like a boomerang. Just like in David’s day, God is still in need of men after His own heart to led their families, to labor in His Kingdom, to serve in the community. God need men who are hungry for His goodness, glory, grace, lovingkindness, longsuffering, mercy and unmerited favor. Men who are seeking Him daily for every thing in their lives with a passion and purpose to serve Him. They understand the need the spiritual things, and it’s their heart desire to please God despite their failures and imperfections. A Father after God’s Own Heart will show and sow mercy to family, and especially his children. And, when he needs it the most, it will be return to him like a boomerang. Just like in David’s day, God is still in need of men after His own heart to led their families, to labor in His Kingdom, to serve in the community. God need men who are hungry for His goodness, glory, grace, lovingkindness, longsuffering, mercy and unmerited favor.
A Father after God’s Own Heart - Conclusion:
“Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old” Proverbs 23:22 (NIV).
A Father after God’s Own Heart will show and sow mercy to family, and especially his children. And, when he needs it the most, it will be return to him like a boomerang. Just like in David’s day, God is still in need of men after His own heart to led their families, to labor in His Kingdom, to serve in the community. God need men who are hungry for His goodness, glory, grace, lovingkindness, longsuffering, mercy and unmerited favor. Men who are seeking Him daily for every thing in their lives with a passion and purpose to serve Him. They understand the need the spiritual things, and it’s their heart desire to please God despite their failures and imperfections. Dad also helps with impulse control and memory and enhances a child’s ability to respond effectively to new or ambiguous situations, for boys and girls. Children who are close to their fathers tend to achieve more academically, the time a dad spends with his children is a particularly strong predictor of how empathetic a child will become in his or her latter years.
“Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well. The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!” Proverbs 23:22-25 (NIV).