June 17: A FATHER'S DAY CHALLENGE

Here’s a powerful word from God to uncover as you celebrate Father’s Day! In Malachi 4:5 (NIV) “See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children.” This prophecy was repeated in Luke 1:17 in describing the work of John the Baptist. Interesting that a part of the spiritual preparation for Judgement Day by men has to do with their relationship with their children.
Has there ever been a time in history when men turn their backs on their children like today? This is not a problem peculiar to either black, white, or brown people. Men father children in an empty gesture to prove their manhood only to prove that they are not man enough to shoulder responsibility.
A lot of angry young boys don’t know their father. They resent being raised by a single parent. Other men come to the so-called “mid-life crisis” and turn their backs on their own children and leave heartbroken children to be raised by their mother. Children of any age, rejected by their father, will turn to destructive behavior to release their anger.
A father’s heart needs to turn to his children. He needs to be touched by them. A humble father who accepts his children as a responsibility from God will show his gratitude to God by investing his life in the welfare of his children.
In a regular nuclear family, the so-called “traditional” family, the mother will probably have the most sensitive teaching opportunities in raising the children. But this does not relieve any of the father’s duties. Both are needed!
One powerful injunction to fathers is Colossians 3:21 (NIV): “Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” If a man will read his Bible daily, there is a sufficient number of these spiritual bullets to hit him in the heart and keep his heart tender toward his children and always aware of the need to spend time with them and give them a God-inspired example to follow.

“O God, Our Father, help us fathers to not just focus on socks, ties, and
cooking out today but on the challenge to raise our children for You. Amen”