HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

“A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” – Billy Graham

“How true Daddy’s words were when he said: ‘All children must look after their own upbringing.’ Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.” — Anne Frank , German Jew and Holocaust Victim

“Mothers play an important role as the heart of the home, but this in no way lessens the equally important role fathers should play, as head of the home, in nurturing, training, and loving their children.” — Ezra Taft Benson

“I was raised in the greatest of homes … just a really great dad, and I miss him so much … he was a good man, a real simple man … Very faithful, always loved my mom, always provided for the kids, and just a lot of fun. — Max Lucado , Christian Author

There are many different ways of describing a “good” Father. Because of different perspectives, there are different descriptions. Biblically, a Father is to love and provide for his children. He is to “train up a child in the way he should go:…”, Proverbs 22:6. “…but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”, Ephesians 6:4. I Timothy 5:8 states, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel.” Children should know that they will be loved, protected and cared for.

In Matthew chapters 5, 6 and 7, Jesus is giving His “Sermon on the mount”. Chapter 7:7-11 states, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” “For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” “Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?” “Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?” “If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

How good and gracious is our heavenly Father! Like the song says, “He giveth and giveth and giveth again!” But what does He give His children? “He daily loadeth us with benefits”, “Every good and perfect gift cometh from above”, “His mercies are new every morning”. He gives comfort, peace, forgiveness, wisdom and instruction, guidance, etc.

In our video portion of today’s Devotional, we will be looking at John chapter 4, the story of the woman at the well. Our Lord gave that woman a great Gift that day that changed her life completely. May you know and receive the Gift of God and say with the Apostle Paul, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift”.