The Blessed Father : Pastor Tony Samuels

Today we celebrate Father’s Day, but what truly makes a father is not just a matter of having children; a father is someone who is willing to lay down their lives for their children. They nurture, instruct, and protect; they care for their children. More than ever, society needs fathers to show up and stand in their God-given position.

You see, the father’s position is one of authority, and with authority comes protection. Look at 1 Corinthians 11:3 (AMP):  But I want you to understand that Christ is the head (authority over) of every man, and man is the head of woman, and God is the head of Christ. So the father has been given a position of authority, and through that authority, a father brings protection to his wife and children. Now we see why the enemy has been attacking men…get the man out of the way and you remove the protection of the family! I don’t want to leave the mothers out, because women also have a place in the raising of children, and some have stepped up when there was no man in sight. We commend you for your love and dedication to your children.

This past week, our children attended a camp, and the theme was Battle Ready. These camps are so valuable. They are designed to bring the influence of God into our children’s lives, to expose them to truth, and bring divine transformation into their lives. A deposit has been made…so what’s next? What’s our responsibility as parents? Our responsibility is to help them protect what has been received, so it can grow and produce fruit that will remain. 2 Timothy 1:14 (AMPC) says, Guard and keep [with the greatest care] the precious and excellently adapted [Truth] which has been entrusted [to you], by the [help of the] Holy Spirit Who makes His home in us.

How do we do this? We now have to be involved with every aspect of their lives, such as what friends are they associating with; what they are watching; how they are interacting on social media. Sometimes as parents, this is not easy, because we want be in good favor with our children. Don’t let that be your focus; be more concerned about being in favor with the Lord. In the long run, your children will come back and thank you for being their parent and not their buddy. Proverbs 29:15 (AMP) says, The rod and reproof (godly instruction) give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother. Correction and discipline are good for children, but letting them have their own way will bring shame into their lives. Children don’t know what we know; they need our guidance. We as parents have to look at the big picture; it’s not about the moment, it’s about their future.

The spiritual deposits that we make and protect now will affect our children for the rest of their lives. Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV) says, Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. So this year, let things be different for our children. Let not the enemy destroy what the Lord has done in their lives; let’s build on it; let’s help them to expand it, and the outcome will be happy, healthy children, which will affect our homes.

Fathers, this is the blessing that will come on your house when you govern your family according to the ways of God, as seen in Psalms 128:1-4 (NKJV): Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. When you eat the labor of your hands, you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, your children like olive plants all around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord. Father, we love you and appreciate you.

Happy Father’s Day!!!