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(This week’s devotions are based Week 1 of a Sermon Series on the Lord’s Prayer.  LISTEN TO IT HERE)

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“Let my prayers rise before you as incense, the lifting of my hands as the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:2)

We begin the Lord’s prayer with the words, “Our Father in heaven.”  Each of these words or phrases is so significant.  “Our” implies a personal relationship we have.  “Father” implies the role God plays in our life. “In heaven”…why is that so important?

This short phrase distinguishes our requests we present to our earthly fathers from our heavenly father.  It does not diminish the importance of our earthly fathers, but rather heightens the blessing of having a heavenly father.  Jesus highlighted one:

Jesus said 9 “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:9-11)

Our heavenly Father has perspective.

Earthly dads desire the best and want to give their best to their children.  Magnify that exponentially and one realizes they have a heavenly father who perfectly knows what is best for his children…and welcomes your request.

Our heavenly Father has an even larger and bigger perspective than our earthly fathers.  Sometimes our dads have or do withhold giving something because they know that it is not the best for their child.  As a child this can be frustrating, and perhaps only the perspective of time will allow us to see that dad really did know and do what was best.  How much more our relationship with our heavenly Father.  We can always trust that he knows and gives what is best…even if it doesn’t match what WE think is best.

Our heavenly Father is perfect.

This means a lot to me as an earthly dad.  I am not perfect.  My girls know that well.  I am grateful that I have a heavenly Father who is willing to forgive and restore when I fail.  I treasure that my girls always have a perfect heavenly Father to whom to look up when they see shortcomings in their earthly dad.

Our heavenly Father portrays pure justice and unconditional love.

No better example have I found to understand the balance God has of justice and love than to be in the role of a dad.  The two, justice and love, are perfectly compatible and one should not be overlooked for the sake of the other.  Justice can not exist without love and love without justice.  What do I mean?  It is loving to have boundaries and limits to life.  Justice from God is real because he gives us those boundaries in which to live so that we experience the greatest blessings on this earth and in heaven.  Just like a father tells his child, “Don’t run in the street” because he desires his child to not experience getting hit by a car.  In fact, if the child runs in the street, he may be disciplined to know the seriousness of the infraction and how much dad loves his child to ensure it doesn’t happen again.  Love from God is real because he desires the eternal blessing of his children.  Love is not a boundary-less grant to a child to do whatever they want.  Love desires to guide a child in the way of righteousness and to the eternal blessings of heaven.  I treasure that my heavenly Father is perfectly both and as an earthly dad can learn from his examples of justice and love.

Our heavenly Father is present…always.

Earthly dads get busy with work, hobbies, chores, and just life in general.  Sometimes we are not as present for our children as we would like.  Our heavenly Father is available 24/7…every day to listen to our prayers, remind us of his promises and guide us with his Word.

Earthly dads are great and a blessing from the Lord.  How much greater a blessing we have to be able to call God, “Our Father IN HEAVEN.”

Apply: What other blessings do you receive from your Father in heaven that is better and more perfect than from your father on earth?

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, thank you Father for your eternal perspective, your perfect love and justice, and your ongoing presence.  We treasure that you have thought enough of us to bring us into an eternal relationship with you! AMEN.

Today is my wife Christy’s 50^th birthday!  Happy birthday, honey!  (I know it’s not good to expose a woman’s age, but this milestone is worth celebrating!)

I treasure that I have had a chance to spend almost half of these years married to her and have known her for over 35 of them.  She is an amazing woman and a true gift to me, our girls, and all with whom she has interacted with for the past 50 years.

I give you two sections of Scripture that come to mind as we celebrate and mark this day together.  First inspired words of David in Psalm 139:13-16.  Each day is a gift and part of God’s eternal plan.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

The second is the sayings of King Lemuel at the end of Proverbs with a reflection on the characteristics of a noble wife, a noble woman.  While the details are not all parallel, the character, heart, work ethic, faith and impact of Christy match well this description.

10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Thank you for allowing me to share this reflection on my wife’s 50^th birthday.  I treasure her, her love, her gifts, her faith, her person, her impact, and her love.

Christy, “Happy birthday!”  I and many others love you lots.  May God’s plan for you have many more days and years ahead!

Apply: If you’d like to send a birthday greeting, find Christy on Facebook, email her at christygeiger@gmail.com or send a card to 1235 Rowan Dr. Georgetown, TX 78628.

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you for the 50 years with which you have gifted Christy.  Thank you for the gifts you have given to her and the impact she has had on us as her family and many others.  Love, protect, guide, encourage, and strengthen her for many years to come! AMEN

(This week’s devotions are based Week 1 of a Sermon Series on the Lord’s Prayer.  LISTEN TO IT HERE)

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For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)

Perhaps for the first time, over this past weekend and early this week I heard a number of comments on the radio and in print lamenting the demise of fatherhood in our country.  One article (sorry can’t remember the source) indicated that America is the leading “fatherless” country in the world.

That’s not a statistic to be proud of.

While not the solution for every ill of society, the breakdown of the God-ordained family structure must be considered as a cause for a good amount of the dysfunction, mental issues, and crime in our country.  Statistics show that individuals who are without a father are more likely to have mental issues and be in prison for crime.

Why is that?

God designed the family with each person, mom and dad, having a unique roll to raise children.  (Note: If  you are a single mom or dad, may God give you wisdom and stamina to raise your children.  These comments do not diminish the importance of what you are doing or minimize the role of a mother.  They are simply highlighting and calling men who have fathered a child to step into the role they have and not slink away from it.  Children need a dad who knows and loves Jesus and seeks to guide his family to do the same.  It’s the way God intended it.)

So what is the role of a father?  Perhaps as we look at our heavenly father, we catch a glimpse and example of our earthly role as a dad.  Here are six key areas for us, with the Lord’s help, carry out as a father to our children, and encourage other fathers to do the same.

1. A father provides.

Often as guys we think of providing a paycheck which provides food, clothing and shelter (and more) to our families.  While this is important, don’t forget that providing is also providing emotional support and spiritual support to your family.  They need you involved in their lives, not just money in the bank.

2. A father protects.

Again we often think of protecting our families physically, but don’t forget again to protect your marriage, protect your relationship with your kids and with your Savior.

3. A father directs.

Scripture talks about training a child in the way he should go.  A father is directed by his heavenly Father and does his  part to direct his children and family in the ways of the Lord.

4. A father disciplines.

Discipline is the process of making a follower of Jesus.  Rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness are all appropriate activities of a dad.

5. A father loves.

As we have been unconditionally loved by our heavenly Father, we get to model that to our wife and children.

6. A father leads.

The Lord has entrusted godly leadership to the husband/dad.  Humbly follow your Savior and with the Spirit’s help lead your family to do the same.

Overcoming the title of “fatherless country” begins with each one of us who are in the role of father.  We set that example for our sons and the young men around us.  May God use us who call him “Abba, Father” to be a godly father to our families!

Apply: Which of the six would you say is your strength? Weakness?  Ask and seek the Lord to help you grow in that area!

Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you for your provision, protection, direction, discipline, love and leadership.  We are blessed by it and through it may we be a blessing to our families and others, AMEN.

(This week’s devotions are based Week 1 of a Sermon Series on the Lord’s Prayer.  LISTEN TO IT HERE)

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Romans 8:14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

During this “Pride” month, I have heard a few people say of those who promote and engage in the lifestyle of LGBTQ that they are “all God’s children.”

Unfortunately, this phrase seems to be used to squelch discussion about what lifestyles are truly God pleasing and dispel the dissenter to “agree” that those that have chosen to live in this sinful lifestyle are God’s children.

“God’s children” is a very special title that not all have.  It is a gift of grace that is given to some.

To whom? The Apostle Paul clearly identifies those who are God’s children.

1. God’s children have received the Spirit of God.
2. God’s children are led by the Spirit of God.
3. God’s children have faith in Christ Jesus.
4. God’s children are heirs with Christ of eternity.

Let me be clear.  All people MATTER to God and he desires all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.  But not all people enjoy the relationship as a “child of God.”  Why?

The Prophet Isaiah said, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,
nor his ear too dull to hear.
2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

When we live in unrepented and thus unforgiven sin, no matter what that sin is, we do not enjoy the Father in heaven tuning into our requests.

ONLY when the barrier of sin is removed through repentance and turning to Jesus in faith, does our Father tune into our prayers and say, “That’s my child.”

Do you remember as a parent when you’re kids were playing with friends.  Much noise could be coming from the play group.  You heard what kids were saying, but when YOUR child called, “DAD!” then you responded.

To be a child of God is a special relationship that has been established through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is a relationship established by faith given by God’s Spirit.  It is a relationship that none deserve, but it is one that God grants through the work of his Spirit through his Word and in the waters of baptism.

Being a child of God is an awesome gift.  Having God as our Father is a tremendous blessing.

To be clear, God desires a relationship with everyone in the LGBTQ community.  He desires they turn from their sin and live – just as he does for every other sinner caught in and living in unrepented sin.  Every person matters to God.

But only those with the Spirit of God at work in them to trust Jesus as Savior and live in line with the Words of God, enjoy the privilege of being called a “child of God” and enjoy the blessing of praying, “OUR Father in heaven.”

Apply: What does it mean to you to be called a “child of God”?  How can God use you to bring this gift of relationship with the Father to someone else?

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for my pride that leads me to love and walk in sin and apart from you.  Restore and strengthen the work of the Spirit in me that I may always be and act as your child.  Thank you for being my Father who loves, leads and listens to me.  AMEN.

How important is a father for kids?

I found this article both compelling and devotional posted on Fox News by Greg Laurie, “Without Fathers, we’re a sinking ship”:

We are all still reeling from the tragic murder of 19 beautiful children in Uvalde, Texas earlier this month, and wondering how something this incomprehensible could happen. 

Some are trying to bring more restrictions to gun ownership or even ban guns outright, while others point an accusing finger at local law enforcement and wonder why they did not respond more quickly. Others suggest we harden the targets with more security officers at schools. But none of those options genuinely get to the heart of the problem.

Have we considered the often-ignored reality that the absence of fathers causes a breakdown of the family?

In an article from the Heritage Foundation published in 2018 after the Parkland, Florida shooting there was this observation: “‘Among the 25 most-cited school shooters since Columbine, 75% were reared in broken homes.’ Psychologist Dr. Peter Langman, a pre-eminent expert on school shooters, found that most came from incredibly broken homes of not just divorce and separation, but also infidelity, substance abuse, criminal behavior, domestic violence, and child abuse.”

Salvador Ramos, the 18-year-old shooter responsible for the deaths of all those precious children in Texas, had no relationship with his father. His mother lived out of state, and he had a strained relationship with his grandmother, whom he also shot. All of them had criminal records as well. Ramos’s own father said in an interview, “He would always say I didn’t love him.”

We ignore this problem of the breakdown of the family at our peril.

One person said, “If you want to know what kind of father you were, don’t look at your children. Look at your grandchildren.” Families, with both fathers and mothers doing their part, are our nation’s very foundation.

When my oldest son Christopher was a little boy, I bought him a toy tugboat. It was an unsinkable bath toy. We would try to hold it underwater in a pool, and it would always pop back to the surface.

When Christopher got older, I asked him if he wanted to sink that tugboat once and for all. So, I cut a little hole in the top and dropped a cherry bomb in it, much to my son’s delight. It was not dramatic, but the cherry bomb blew a hole in the tugboat. The unsinkable craft finally sunk slowly to the bottom of the pool.

If you want to sink something, blow a hole in the hull.

With all our social experimentation today in America, we are blowing a hole in our hull. If the family sinks, the culture will sink with it.

Eighty percent of teenagers admitted to psychiatric hospitals come from fatherless homes. Fatherless children are 100 to 200% more likely to have emotional and behavioral problems. A child from a fatherless home is 68% more likely to use drugs or alcohol, far more likely to become sexually active at an early age, and three times more likely to commit a violent crime. Sixty-three percent of teenagers who attempt suicide come from fatherless homes. Seventy-one percent of children who don’t finish high school come from fatherless homes. Ninety percent of our homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes. Fatherless sons are 300% more likely to become incarcerated and stay in juvenile institutions.

Fatherless daughters who marry have a 92% higher divorce rate, and fatherless sons are 38% more likely to experience marital failure. Fatherless daughters are 53% more likely to marry as teenagers. Fatherless daughters are 111% more likely to have children as teenagers, and they are 164% more likely to have an out-of-wedlock birth. Eighty percent of all sitting in prison today grew up in fatherless homes.

Fathers are the missing piece in all of this.

In a time when cinematic ‘superheroes’ dominate the screen, it’s time to celebrate the often-overlooked heroes in our culture: Husbands who remain faithful to their spouses and honor the vow to stand by their mate “for better or for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish till death do them part” and fathers who are there to raise their children are the true superheroes.

We need more fathers to step up to the plate in our nation like never before. And even more, we need godly men.

The Bible says, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them” (Psalm 127:3-5).

The word “heritage” used in the passage can be translated as a “gift.” Kids are not given to keep but to nurture. They need our example, but most importantly, they need us. The best resource you can spend on your children is time, and lots of it.

It’s been said, “A family can survive without a nation, but the nation cannot survive without the family.”

Most importantly, we need God in our nation. We need to return to the Lord who loves us and will help us rebuild our eroding foundation, brick by brick, family by family. We need to call out to Him and ask for help.

God says, “‘Return, faithless people; I will cure you of backsliding.’ ‘Yes, we will come to you, for you are the LORD our God’” (Jer. 3:22).

I never knew my biological father. My mother went on to be married and divorced seven times.

But when I heard the good news that there was a Father in Heaven who loved me, I turned to Him.

He changed me, and in the church, I met many older father figures who gave me an example to follow.

I went on to marry my wife, Cathe, and we are getting ready to celebrate 50 years of marriage. We have two sons and five grandchildren.

Christ broke the cycle of sin in my family and He can do the same for yours!

With Father’s Day this weekend, if you have a faithful father in your life, be sure to thank him. 

To fathers who have led their families well, I want to thank you on behalf of a grateful nation! 

Happy Father’s Day!

 (https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/without-fathers-sinking-ship)

 

Apply: If you are a dad, never underestimate the importance of the role God has entrusted to you.  If you have been blessed by the faithful leadership of your dad, take time to thank him.

Prayer: Our heavenly Father, in an imperfect world, we thank you for being our perfect heavenly Father.  One, no matter what our relationship with our earthly Father, provides the love, comfort, guidance and stability we all need.  We also ask Father that you strengthen, encourage and build up all men who have fathered a child to be the person of love, faith, and forgiveness to their children.  Let them look to you for guidance and direction and strength to lead their children and families well.  AMEN.