A WORD FOR DADS #1

The Lord said to me,.."I will test my people with a plumbline. Amos 7:8 (TLB)

The Plumbline is a blog to encourage the Body of Christ.

A WORD FOR DADS  #1

Happy Father's Day

The scriptures clearly teach us that the Heavenly Father has given to us the very best that Heaven had to offer.. Our wonderful God had given us a powerful "role model" to which we can pattern our relationships with our children. The Bible has a lot to say to fathers/parents regarding our dealings with family and we're going to zero-in on some of His expectations for us.

I believe His declarations to us from the Word and duties incumbent upon fathers and/or parents. His first requirement for us is;

First; To TEACH: Deut.6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them vvhen thou sittest in thine house, and vvhen thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (KJV) We need to understand that our chiId(ren) have basic characteristics. Physical; mental (rational, logical); emotional; moral; social and spiritual. If these areas are to be developed in his or her life they will need; 1. Information; 2. Attitudes and character; 3. Skills. Proverbs 2:1-5 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, [2] turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, [3] and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, [4] and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, [5] then you wi II understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. (KJV)  In this passage God proposes three things for every living being...1. KNOWLEDGE = information 2. UNDERSTANDING = the ability to evaluate facts 3. WISDOM = the ability to make judgments considering facts. These are the greatest values in life...which project out into eternity. Proverbs 24:13-14 Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. [14] Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. (KJV) The greatest value is wisdom and it has its own reward. Deut. 6:1·5 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you,... [2] That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep a/l his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou. and thvson, and thvson son, all the days of thy life,... [4J Hear, 0 Israel: The Lord our God is one L:droLo [5J And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Parents and/or Dads are expected by God to TRAIN their children Diligently & Daily. How do we know this is to be a daily procedure? Deut 6:7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. NIV The religious education of children (v. 7): "Thou shalt teach them diligently to thy children; and by communicating thy knowledge thou wilt increase it." Those that love the Lord God should do all they can to capture the affections of their children to LORD. This would help preserve the cause of Christian faith in their families. Thou shalt focus on them diligently with thy children. Frequently repeat these principles to them. Try all ways of instilling the Biblical truth into their minds, and hearts; In the same way one would sharpen a knife, it is turned first on this side, then on the other. "Be careful and exact in teaching and instructing our children; The goal being to sharpen them, and put an edge upon them. Bishop Patrick tells us here that Moses thought his law was very plain and easy that every father might be able to instruct his sons in it and every mother her daughters. Moses taught in Deut 6:6-9 6 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. NKJV In other words take every opportunity to teach/discuss with those around you the divine truths; Dad's must LOVE the Lord; STUDY His Word; TEACH his children to do the same. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go. (KJV)

Second; TO PROVIDE: 2 Cor. 12:14 .....for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. (KJV) 2 Cor. 12:14 for I don't want your money. I want you! And anyway, you are my children, and little children don't pay for their father's and mother's fs'ti-doof the other way around; parents supply food for their children. (TLB)  Food, clothing, shelter are all necessary needs. Yet they are only able touch the natural man. More important is the example in Righteousness, Holiness, Godliness, Mercy, Love, Kindness, Gentleness & self control.  1 Tim. 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. (KJV)  The believing father is to make PROVISIONS for his family. Materially, Socially, Emotionally, Morally, & Spiritually.