Father’s Day 2026

 

~ A Day of Gladness or Sadness! ~

 

For some dads this is a sad day.

 

Sad ~ Today is a painful day for many of you.  Maybe you’ve never had an earthly father in your life.  Maybe you lost your dad at an early age, or maybe he left your life early on.

 

Others have mourned their earthly father’s death: What you would give, if you could say “Hello Dad” as you once did. Or to hear his voice and see his smile, to sit with him and chat for a while!

 

If your father is still here, cherish him with care. Some future day you may know the heartache of seeing his empty chair.” 

 

God, your heavenly Father loves you so much.  And He wants to show you how valued and loved you are.  Receive His love today.  I’m praying for you.  You aren’t alone. 

 

For ALL Christian dads this is a glad day.

 

Glad ~ “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NIV).

 

“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:10b-11 NIV).

 

“The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him (Psalm 103:13 NLT).  

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

 

Bible Version: Quotations are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.  Emphasis is added.

FREE Author Newsletter: Subscribe today and receive a FREE welcome gift followed by occasional news and special offers: https://www.booksrlr .com/connect/ Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way and you can easily unsubscribe at any time. 

Author web page: “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell” http://booksrlr .com/ – 11 national and international book awards.

Daily blog page: “Abundant Life Now” http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/

·         An INDEX of past topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.

·         The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.

·         His personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog. 

Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/robertlloyd.russell 

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.

 

* * * * *