Father’s Day 2023

~ The Christ-Like Father ~

 

Note ~ I am aware that many individuals endured very faulty fathers (or even no father in their home). Without a good father present in the formative years an individual starts life with a major disadvantage. Also, a poor father makes it much more difficult for a child to learn to love and respect a heavenly Father. 

 

The Reality ~ In many “civilized societies” in the world today the importance of good parenting – and especially the proper role of a father – is being minimized and sometimes even mocked and ridiculed today. This trend is a deliberate strategy of Satan himself.

 

The Goal Of A Christian Father ~ Simply stated: to demonstrate Christ-like characteristics to his children and others. 

 

Clearly this is God’s plan. His desire is for all fathers to reflect His character – like an earthly mirror of our heavenly Father. Consider just one simple example of what this means from Matthew’s Gospel:

 

“What man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent? If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!” (Matthew 7:9–11 amp).

 

Comment ~ Jesus expects Christian fathers to carefully ensure healthy physical and spiritual growth of those who have been gifted to him. This is not a choice or something to be done only when it is convenient. Earthly fathers by their actions, demeanor, and love are to be a path towards their children learning to love their heavenly Father. Remember, that Jesus gave His very life for His own.   

 

Scripture ~ Jesus said, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!” (Matthew 18:6-7, see also Mark 9:42 and Luke 17:1-2).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

Fatherless? Fix It!

 ~ God Is The Father to the Fatherless ~

 

Reality ~ Unfortunately in today’s world millions of children are fatherless.  This has various realities: in some cases the father is no where to be found while in some cases the father is present but brutal, and still others the father is present but not at all fatherly. 

 

Solution ~ The best possible Father – beyond what you could imagine – wants to be your father!

 

Scripture ~ “But You [God] have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, to repay it by Your hand.  The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless” (Psalm 10:14-18).  

 

“Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear, to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may oppress no more” (Psalm 10:17-18).

 

“Sing to God, sing praises to His name; extol Him who rides on the clouds, by His name Yah, and rejoice before Him.  A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation” (Psalm 68:4-5).

 

“For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.  He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing” (Deuteronomy 10:17-19).

 

Comment ~ God is your Father by creation, but He wants a relationship with you by adopting you into His family as a joint heir of everything.  But you are not in that relationship automatically.  You must admit that you have sinned, that you cannot save yourself, and that you accept His Son’s payment for all your sin (past, present, and future).  If you pray to Him sincerely for cleansing you will receive it. 

 

If you would like further assistance I suggest you go to www.heavenornot.net

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

Daddy Forgot

 ~ Dads, Think About This ~

Daddy Forgot

He shot out the door “I’m late” he said,

He left breakfast untouched, newspaper unread.

His car revved up and off he went,

He drove away to that important event.

As his car pulled away the small girl ran down,

“Wait, Daddy wait,” I hear dressing gown.

Her mouth crumpled up and she started to cry,

            “Daddy’s gone, and he didn’t kiss me goodbye.”

She rang her Daddy and accusingly said,

            “You left without a kiss I was still in bed.”

“I am sorry Sweetheart” – “It’s okay” she replied,

But both were hurting deep inside.

Our little angel gulped down her food,

            Put on her shoes and was ready for school.

She walked out of the door her shoulders slumped,

            In her throat she could feel a sorrowful lump.

Just then the car glided up to the door,

            “It’s Daddy, it’s Daddy” the little girl roared.

They ran to each other and hugged and kissed,

            All was made better for what had been missed.

Twenty years later no one would remember,

            He was late for a meeting one snowy December.

But a little girl would never forget that time,

            When her Dad drove home to say “Goodbye.” 

~ Angella Horner, 5 July 2020 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *

Father’s Day 2020

~ May This Be True of Each Father! ~

“I, Paul, have been sent on special assignment by Christ as part of God’s master plan.  Together with my friend Timothy, I greet the Christians and stalwart followers of Christ who live in Colosse.  May everything good from God our Father be yours!  Our prayers for you are always spilling over into thanksgivings.  We can’t quit thanking God our Father and Jesus our Messiah for you!  We keep getting reports on your steady faith in Christ, our Jesus, and the love you continuously extend to all Christians.  The lines of purpose in your lives never grow slack, tightly tied as they are to your future in heaven, kept taut by hope” (Colossians 1:1-5, The Message).

“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1, njkv).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

Be an insider!  Sign up for his author NEWSLETTER and receive occasional news and special offers.  His books have won national and international literary awards.  Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift.  Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way.  You can easily unsubscribe at any time. 

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .