06/19/16 Happy Father's Day
(God gave me a secret motto)
At various times in my life, I have chosen passages of Scripture to serve me as a motto. Here are a few of the passages that I chose during my Bible college and early pastoral years.
(keep reading for the secret)
Matthew 6:33
(33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
1 Timothy 4:12-13
(12) Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
(13) Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Joshua 1:5-9
(5) There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
(6) Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
(7) Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
(8) This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
(9) Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
(here it is)
Although I have chosen other passages, I did not realize until this Father's Day that God had chosen a secret motto for me. Oh, yes, this passage has always been important to me and my ministry, but I never realized how much my life was actually saturated with the truths of this passage. This has been a guiding concept since before I was a father, a pastor, a husband. It has guided my ministry in preaching, teaching, counseling, and yes, as a husband and father.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
(16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
(17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
ALL of my family life has been dedicated to this intent.
* To teach that the Holy Bible is God's word, given by God.
* To teach sound doctrine.
* To reprove (confront and convince) people of their sins and their need for Christ as Savior.
* To correct (heal, mend, restore, make right).
* To INSTRUCT IN RIGHTEOUSNESS.
* For the purpose of perfecting and equipping folks for living godly lives and doing God's work.
My ministry and family life has been for this purpose. But the realization of how I always INSTRUCT IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, in all situation, at all times, jumped out at me this week.
I don't just give advice or make suggestions, I INSTRUCT IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, from the word of God.
This is especially true now with my grandchildren. I am in a position (grandfather) and a calling (pastor) and a standing (living in the victory of holiness) that qualifies me to help these little ones in a very definite and special way. I do not oppress or ridicule or SHOW FAVORITISM. I love my grandchildren, all of them the same. I will do what I can to help them grow, to avoid the pitfalls of life and to make heaven their home.
I AM AN INSTRUCTOR IN RIGHTEOUSNESS. This is what I am. God burned this into the fiber of my being. This passage has always been at work, far beyond my awareness.
Sadly, there are children who do not have a loving grand parent, called, equipped to do this work in their lives.
