Like It Or Not "You Da Man"

LIKE IT OR NOT “YOU DA MAN”

Ps 127:3-5

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Ps 127:3-128:1

3 Don’t you see that children are GOD’s best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? 4 Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. 5 Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you; you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep.

Some men prepare for fatherhood like they do a career. Some take child rearing classes, they read up on what it means to be a good dad, disciplining, and future planning for the child. They want to be the perfect father.

Then the child comes into the world and the father is faced with things that he didn’t learn in Fatherhood 101. All those poopy diapers and throwups, fevers and coughs and endless crying spells. I mean, where is Dr Spock when you need him?

And then there are the men who like to make babies but want nothing to do with them after they arrive. Know any of them? My philosophy is, you play you pay.

There is nothing wrong with classroom exercises and we should educate ourselves in child rearing, but if you want counseling in child raising you need go to the Bible.

It could not be counted, the numbered men, who have been on their face before God in total fear of bringing a child into this world.

Reasons for the fear;

I’m not ready for it.

I don’t know how to raise one.

We can’t afford it.

I’m still in school

I’m too busy.

Don’t want to be tied down.

We are too young.

All those statements are moot but its too late when the evidence is presented.

Fatherhood, as you can see, offers great and wonderful challenges.

If you accept the challenge, you take on rolls and wear different hats, as the children grow through different stages of life.

You become;

Sanitary engineer. (diapers)

A shoulder to lean on.

A sound board.

A counselor.

A doctor.

A sports trainer. (baseball, football, soccer, swimming inst. Etc.)

A teacher.

But one responsibility that I have yet to mention is more important that any and all of the others, and that is that God has chosen you dads to bring your children to Jesus Christ.

That child’s understanding of God, that child’s trust and faith in God, that child level of service to God, and that child’s eternal destination can be determined by how you display your love for God.

I recently read a touching story about a humble, consecrated pastor whose young son had become very ill. After the boy had undergone an exhaustive series of tests, the father was told the shocking news that his son had a terminal illness. The youngster had accepted Christ as his Savior, so the minister knew that death would usher him into Glory; but he wondered how to inform one in the bloom of youth that he soon would die. After earnestly seeking the direction of the Holy Spirit, he went with a heavy heart through the hospital ward to the boy’s bedside.

First he read a passage of Scripture and had a time of prayer with his dear child. Then he gently told him that the doctors could promise him only a few more days to live. "Are you afraid to meet Jesus, my boy?" asked his devout father. Blinking away a few tears, the little fellow said bravely, "No, not if He’s like you, Dad!"

You have read;

Matt 5:13-14

13 Ye are the salt of the earth:... 14 Ye are the light of the world.

But we are neither if we are not first salt and light to our children.

1 Tim 5:8

8 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.

Provide what? Godly influences through word and action. Allowing God to live through you. Displaying the fruits of the Spirit befoer your children.

We are a greater influence than we probably will ever realize. We must be very careful what we say and do because one wrong piece of information or action could possibly send our children down the wrong road and without the grace of God they may never return.

We must walk in the Spirit. We must be Christlike.

We are a great influence.