The Hearts of the Fathers

I challenged the dads this past Father's Day to be the patriarch of their family. Patriarchs have a generational view. It goes far beyond today, next year, and even our lifetime. The great men of the bible affected generations. Too often we get caught up on the stumbling blocks of men. Our job, our stuff, and trying to fit in. Israel battled this constantly. When they served God wholeheartedly they lived blessed lives. When they got caught up with their stuff and the idols around them they fell hard.

One of the saddest sections of Scriptures in the Bible comes from Judges 2:6-11:

6 And when Joshua had let the people go, the children of Israel went every man unto his inheritance to possess the land.

7 And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel.

8 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old.

9 And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash.

10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.

11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:

God had given them the formula, but somewhere they missed it.

Deuteronomy 5:5-12 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

10 When the LORD your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, 11 houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Your kids don't need a new cell phone, the latest video game, another club, sport, or activity. They don't need to know who wins American Idol or any other reality TV show. They need patriarchs who see eternity and make an impression on them. An impression when they wake up, walk along the road, sit around the house, and go to bed at night. They need patriarchs who fill their house and lives with the presence of God. Don't be a Joshua generation who enjoyed the blessing and miracles of the Lord and forgot to pass it along to the next generation.

God is looking for patriarchs. Your kids are looking for patriarchs. So what will it be? Your job? Your stuff? Fitting in? Building your little earthly kingdom? Or will you help turn the hearts of your children to God?

Be Refreshed!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.

Scripture of the Day: Malachi 4:5-6 5 "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."

Quote of the Day: "Pray to God. Love God. Fear God. Serve God. Take not God's name in vain. Do not Swear. Do not Steal. Cheat not in your play. Play not with bad boys. Call no ill names. Use no ill words. Tell no Lies. Hate Lies. Speak the Truth. Spend your Time well. Love your School. Mind your Book. Strive to learn. Be not a Dunce." A Lesson for Children. 1777