This is a little article I wrote before Father’s Day back when I was ministering to Airmen in the Air Force.  It’s called: “Fathers Have Influence”

Fathers indeed have a lot of influence.  I was young when I decided to steal some of dad’s chewing tobacco for a camping trip with some buddies.  I wanted to be like dad, to walk around with a gigantic lump of tobacco lodged in my jaw.  That night camping we consumed tons of hot dogs and soda.  To top it off we relaxed on the creek bank with our fishing rods in hand, and a huge plug of chewing tobacco in our mouths.  Needless to say, I saw those hot dogs again that night; I was as green as Kermit the Frog.  (Sorry to be so graphic)

     Not all of my dad’s influences were bad habits.  He is the reason for my interest in serving my country.  He served 29 years in the South Carolina Army National Guard.  He encouraged my decision to follow Christ.  My undergraduate degree in Agricultural Education was largely influenced by the things we did together.  Sure other people have impacted my life, but my Father has had the greatest influence to this day present.

     Many people either look forward to Father’s Day or Hate it.  Take a few moments this coming Father’s Day to reflect on the good influences that your father has had on your life.  If you’re a Father, maybe it’s a time to do a self-examination to see if your influences are good.  Regardless of what you do, turn to the example and influence of our Heavenly Father to gain wisdom.  Psalms 68:5-6 tells us that God is, “a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.  God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing: but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.”

     Remember beware of hot dogs and chewing tobacco!

 

Show Them Who to Stand With  Psalm 1:1

1 Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

Titus 2:7-8 “in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”

 

“I am convinced that a committed Christian will show a zealous concern for the cause of Christ. He or she will live daily with a set of spiritual convictions taken from the Bible. He or she will be one of the toughest to move–along with a God-given humility–in his or her stand for Christ.”  A.W. Tozer

 

Show Them How to Savor the Word of God  Psalm 1:2

 

Psalm 119:103 “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

 

God’s Word is the life blood for all true Christians, His guide, His love letter!

 

“How can you expect to dwell with God forever, if you so neglect and forsake him here?”  Jonathan Edwards

 

Show Them How to Serve and Worship God  Psalm 1:3

 

The deeper your roots are planted, the firmer you’ll be during life’s storms!  Worship and serve, even when the storms come.  When your weak, wrecked, and feeling worthless, worship the only One who can redirect your path!

 

Teach them that Christ is our first priority

 

Philippians 3:8 “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.  I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ” 

 

“Nothing teaches us about the preciousness of the Creator as much as when we learn the emptiness of everything else.”  CH Spurgeon

 

Deuteronomy 6:7 “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”   

 

Show Then How to Survive the World  Psalm 1:4-6

 

1 Peter 4:12-14 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.”

 

This is not our home, but we are to make it our mission to take as many to Heaven with us!

 

 

How should Father’s Lead

Pray and pray with your family- there is a great bond that happens when you pray.  Has your family seen you shed tears for the lost?  That would impact the next generation to see Dad and Mom broken for the unsaved.

Read the Bible and devote yourself to His Word!

Reflect and Acknowledge What God Has Done

Accomplish What You Must Do For God

Experience Ministry (Consider a vacation/mission trip together)

Establish Christ Above Other Activities

Enjoy The Relationship of Christ and Family Together