06/25/2020 —  
It seems that in our culture, fathers are optional. But that's not the way God saw it at all. He is known as our Heavenly Father, and He has brought people in every generation to fulfill the role of father on earth.

If you are a father, you have a tremendous God-ordained responsibility that you absolutely cannot do in your own strength. Fortunately, God has not only provided role models and direction in Scripture, but also rewards those who respond to their children as He commands.
 
 
1 Corinthians 4:9-21
"It seems to me that God has appointed us apostles to be at the end of the line. We are like those on display at the end of the procession, as doomed gladiators soon to be killed. We have become a theatrical spectacle to all creation, both to people and to angels. We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are the frail; you are the powerful. You are celebrated; we are humiliated. If you could see us now, you’d find that we are hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, brutally treated, and with no roof over our heads. We work hard, toiling with our own hands. When people abuse and insult us, we respond with a blessing, and when severely persecuted, we endure it with patience. When we are slandered incessantly, we always answer gently, ready to reconcile. Even now, in the world’s opinion, we are nothing but filth and the lowest scum.

“I’m not writing this to embarrass you or to shame you, but to correct you as the children I love. For although you could have countless babysitters in Christ telling you what you’re doing wrong, you don’t have many fathers who correct you in love. But I’m a true father to you, for I became your father when I gave you the gospel and brought you into union with Jesus, the Anointed One. So I encourage you, my children, to follow the example that I live before you.

"That’s why I’ve sent my dear son Timothy, whom I love. He is faithful to the Lord Yahweh and will remind you of how I conduct myself as one who lives in union with Jesus, the Anointed One, and of the teachings that I bring to every church everywhere.

"There are some among you who have exalted themselves as if I were not coming back to you. But I will come soon, if it pleases the Lord, and I will find out not only what these arrogant ones are saying, but also if they have power to back up their words! For the kingdom realm of God comes with power, not simply impressive words. So which would you prefer? Shall I come carrying the rod of authority to discipline or with an embrace in love with a gentle spirit?”(TPT).
 
 
Paul demonstrates three major activities of fathers.

• He creates and does not kill.
• Fatherhood can’t be defined by someone’s ability to make a baby, but by his ability to provide for one. The focus is not on biology, but on responsibility.
• Fatherscreate opportunities, not limitations;  possibilities, not disappointments; an expectation for a purposeful and productive future.
• That is what God does for us, as the above verses prove.

• He builds and does not destroy.
• It takes time, effort, money and energy to build things. Unfortunately, what it takes a long time to build can be ruined in a moment of carelessness, inattention or intentional harm.
• True fathers take care to tear things down only to build something better in their place. They don't destroy for the sake of destruction.

• He plants (or sows) and does not steal.
• Planting is always an act of confidence in the future. It is not just for the person who plants, but for those who follow.
• Planting a seed anticipates a harvest.
• The ability to defer gratification is a mark of maturity, both naturally and spiritually.
• The failure to plant or sow is stealing.

• The Church should encourage and support its fathers, both natural and spiritual.
• One of the curses of our age is that we have had so few examples to follow.
• Paul noted thatone of the reasons so many people have forsaken the father’s role today is that the world does not value the things true fathers must do.
• When you decide to go against the flow and create and not kill, build and not destroy, plant and not steal —the world will call you garbage that should be thrown out, and say you’re nothing but filth to be trodden upon.
• But they don’t know or understand the true role of earthly fathers, nor our heavenly Father, whose purpose is not only to create, to build and to plant, but to rescue, to redeem and to reconcile. Amen!