Scripture

• Ephesians 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
• Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
• Hebrews 12:9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

A Father’s Influence

Every father that has a part in his children’s lives influences his children for good or bad. A child’s perception of God is often based on what the child sees in his father and/or grandfather. Even many adults today have a hard time trusting God, because they couldn’t trust their own father. Because they felt that their father did not love them, they feel God doesn’t love them. Or maybe their father was not a part of their life, so they feel that God doesn’t care.

On a positive note, a man of integrity and compassion can have godly influence over his children. They will grow up in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord.” They will have a proper understanding of God. They will be able to trust in the faithfulness and love of God.

Some sad statistics (fathers.com)

·        According to 72.2 % of the U.S. population, fatherlessness is the most significant family or social problem facing America.

·        63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes (U.S. Dept. Of Health/Census) – 5 times the average.

·        90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes – 32 times the average.

·        85% of all children who show behavior disorders come from fatherless homes – 20 times the average. (Center for Disease Control)

·        80% of rapists with anger problems come from fatherless homes –14 times the average. (Justice & Behavior, Vol. 14, p. 403-26)

·        71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes – 9 times the average. (National Principals Association Report)

·        A large percentage of inmates in our prison system grew up without a father.

Admonition

We are providers, administrators, instructors, encouragers, counselors, nurses, listeners, companions, etc. Fathers, be a part of your children’s lives. Be the dad that God wants you to be. Don’t be too tired to be involved. I think that Paul’s admonition to ‘servants of the Lord’ applies to fathers also:

2 Timothy 2:24-25a And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing …

Let's be the fathers that God wants us to be.

HAVE A BLESSED AND HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

Please join us for our Father's Day Service, June 19 at 10:30 AM

New Testament Baptist Church - Tucson, AZ (ntbctucson.com)