Reflections, June 21st, 2009 Happy Father's Day!

Sunday, June 21st, 2009

Reflections: The Greatest Father

Happy Father's Day!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Scripture reading for this week: Genesis 17, Exodus 14, 1 Samuel 17, Daniel 3, 6, Revelation 21

What an awesome Father that we have in the Lord, our God. Can anyone do it better? But our husbands and fathers can come mighty close. Why? Because in them is the same spirit that is in God. For we all have been made in the image, the likeness, of our heavenly Father.

There is a treasure that God has waiting for every man that will reach out his hand toward the Father, and allow God to teach them, and instruct them in the way in which they should walk. There is power in the position of a father. There is greatness waiting to explode in the lives of every man that walks upon this earth. Many just don't know it; never having been taught. And many others have been beaten down, so that they forget.

It is my sincerest prayer that this week's Reflection will be a source of encouragement and inspiration. I pray that every man, every boy, every father, every husband receives what God has ordained for them, and be encouraged to walk in the Kingship that God has ordained for them. And may every wife, mother, sister, girlfriend, friend be an encourager and supporter of the men in their lives. May there be a word of kindness and love upon your lips that will encourage the men in your life to be their very best.

When I think of Father's Day, I cannot help but to think of my own father. Anyone who knows me well knows that I was a Daddy's girl. The sun rose and set around my father in my eyes. He could do no wrong; Of course, that's how it usually is when you are children.

Although my father had his share of faults, and he didn't always choose the right path; he was excellent at letting me know how much he loved me. I never felt that my father didn't love me. He was my hero. He was my friend. He was my encourager. Beyond his faults, there was a heart of love. And anyone who knew my father-really knew his heart-understood that he had a lot of love. And always wanted what was best for his children.

My father was the one who encouraged me to write. I'll never forget. I was in the sixth grade, and I wrote my first play; My English class was going to perform it. My father hugged me so tight, and told me how proud he was of me. Then he looked me in the eyes, and said: "Baby, if you want to write, then you write. I believe in you. You can be the best writer in the world."

Though I chose another path at first, because of other people's expectations, I never forgot what my father spoke to me that day. It stayed with me; in my heart and in the recesses of my mind. Now I'm an author, a freelance writer, and publisher. And I know that part of my success and my dreams coming true, is because I had a father that loved me and wanted what was best for me. Even in his chastisement, it was still about loving me and wanting what was best.

The same can be said of our Heavenly Father. He loves us so much. He wants the very best for us. Even when we fall, or wander away; He is there, waiting with extended arms to embrace us, cover us, and wash away all the dirt and grime of sin.

God loves us. He is a Father whose heart yearns for fellowship with His children; for reconciliation. He has so much for His children, which many of us miss it, because we do not know that God is the kind of Father that will reach into the deepest, darkest, nastiest pit to pull you out. And even through His chastisement, He will do it with love that you will know for certain that the heart of God beats just for you.

In every man there is the possibility of becoming a father. A father that will teach and discipline, and encourage their children to strive for the very best. To live the very best life possible, and to do it fervently and honestly.

There is nothing more endearing to me than to see a man who knows and understands who he is, and what he has to offer. A man that knows who he really is in Christ, and proceeds to lead his family in the ways of God. A man that is willing to humble himself before God Almighty, and receive what God has intended for him. It is inspiring.

There are promises that God has been holding for many men. Promises of health, wealth, victory, stability, family. Yet many do not understand that a real man is not based upon a macho attitude, or strength, or how many female conquests they make, or how many children they sire. A real man is a man that understands that God comes first, and has given his heart to the Father to shape and mold.

I laugh sometimes when I hear or see men that laugh at other men who choose to serve the Lord; who aren't afraid to openly praise God and say aloud that they love God. Those men that laugh have no idea the power, strength, and blessings that are upon a man that has chosen to follow God. The man that chooses to follow God has positioned himself for greatness in the Lord. He has made it so that his entire family is blessed, and that his prayers are being heard. A man that knows and understands the heart of God, knows and understands that God has his back in every and all circumstances, and he will never have to act brutish or in the way of the world to prove his manhood or his ability to defend himself, or his family.

A real man knows that his power comes from getting on his knees and going before the Lord. I love to see and hear men praying. Why? Because I know that when a man is submitting himself unto God, nothing but blessings will follow. Though troubles may come his way, he has the assurance, from his time spent with God, that all will be well.

Don't believe me? Then maybe you should get acquainted with Scripture. God will defend and protect His believers. Daniel was a praying man. (Daniel 6) Daniel prayed three times a day and was not afraid of those around him. When a decree went out that whoever was caught praying to another God instead of the King would be killed, Daniel continued to pray and did it openly. Of course this was a plot set against Daniel by the men who were jealous of him (jealous people will always try to spoil and steal what a real man of God has, but will never succeed). They threw Daniel into the lion's den. Scripture says that the angel of God closed the lion's mouths. Do you remember what happened to his accusers? They were thrown in, and before they hit the ground, they were eaten. Talk about power! Daniel was covered in it, because he chose to serve God.

Mistakes in life will happen; Wrong choices will be made. But glory to God that He knows and understands the heart of a man. And because He knows the heart, He will deliver you, and continue to reach towards you.

Don't believe me? Then look at David. Talk about mistakes! Yet God said that David was a man after his own heart. David, although chosen of God, had many faults. Yes, he slew Goliath. Yes, he played music well to sooth Saul's soul. Yes, he became King over Israel. And yes, he was chosen and anointed by God. But my goodness; did he make some grave mistakes, and wrong choices. Yet God still called him a man after His own heart.

David was at times haughty, and nosy. David was an adulterous and a murderer. But he found favor in God's eyes. Why? Because he had a repentant heart. It grieved him what he had done. And he strived to be better than what he was. It took twenty years before David became King from the day he was anointed. And in that time, David went through many trials; As he did once becoming King. He slept with his friend's wife; Got her pregnant; Tried to cover it up. And when that didn't work, had his friend killed. Even David's own son tried to kill him. And when that son died, he grieved sorely. For no matter what, that was his son, and he loved him unconditionally.

And that is who our Father is. Though we sin grievously against Him, He loves us unconditionally. No matter how many mistakes a man has made in his life, God says, that if that man would come to Him, and repent, the Father will forgive Him, because He not only knows the heart, but knows the plan that He has for that man.

Some men have been made to feel like they can never be a good father; that their life is not worth much, and they have nothing to give. Many men have been made to feel inadequate, and worthless because of some mistakes and bad choices made on their part. But even to them, God says to come to Him, just as they are, and He will transform them and restore them.

We have no right to cast judgment on anyone. We have no right to look at someone and say what they could never be when God has spoken otherwise. Too many times the men in our lives have been made to feel as though their opinion does not matter; or that their presence is not needed. But God says that we should lift one another up, and allow the light and love of God to shine and go forth.

For every male, I encourage you to stand in your God-likeness. I challenge you to bend your knees and receive what God has ordained for you. I encourage you to know, that within you is power, strength, leadership, and Kingship.

To every mother, sister, wife, girlfriend, friend-I challenge you o build up the men in your life: from boyhood to manhood. Do not trample upon what God has given them. Do not emasculate, but bring words of encouragement and praise. Sometimes as women, we can get into the mode that we can do things all by ourselves; chanting a mantra that we are women, and we are strong. But God has given us partners and He has made it so, that without one another we could not be-no matter how you look at it. We've all been called to be workers in the vineyard, worshippers of the Lord, together.

It is my hope that this day will find every father refreshed, renewed and encouraged. I celebrate you today, and pray that the will of God be done in your lives. I pray that the spirit of peace and prosperity find rest in your: spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, social and financial lives. Be encouraged. Know that God has ordained you, called you, and created you for greatness. You are loved and very much appreciated. Be Blessed. Always.

©2009. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.