A FATHERING HEART

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“I have chosen him for a reason, namely that he will carefully instruct his children and his household to keep themselves strong in relationship to Me and to walk in My ways by doing what is good and right in the world and by showing mercy and justice to all others. I know he will uphold his end of the covenant, so that he can ensure My promises to him will be fulfilled and upheld as well.”

Genesis 18:19 (The Voice)

Happy Father’s Day to all dads! We all celebrate your role. A father’s role is revealed from the life of Abraham. There are a myriad of reasons as to why we should or could celebrate Father’s Day, and every reason would carry personal and meaningful insight. Yet, God Himself unveils a father’s powerful role when He chose Abraham. He says…

“I have chosen him for a reason, namely that he will CAREFULLY INSTRUCT his CHILDREN and his HOUSEHOLD to keep themselves strong in RELATIONSHIP TO ME and to WALK IN MY WAYS by doing what is good and right IN THE WORLD and by SHOWING MERCY and JUSTICE to all others. I know he will uphold his end of the covenant, so that he can ensure My promises to him will be fulfilled and upheld as well” (Genesis 18:19, The Voice).

In other words, the Lord knew Abraham had a “FATHERING HEART” and “a disciple-making heart.” At the core of every father, in the “hands of God”, is a desire to raise up a generation of “World Shakers and History Makers” for His purposes and glory. God saw Abraham’s heart and knew he would be obedient to teach and train his children in His Word and His ways. What God saw in Abraham was the heart of a disciple-maker. Thus, God’s ultimate desire was to have a generation who was, “…strong in relationship to Him and
to walk in His ways by doing what is good and right in the world and by showing mercy and justice to all…”

In order for that to happen, we must look to Jesus. He modeled the message of His Father’s heart. He modeled the message of wining souls and making disciples. It’s also why Jesus modeled the message of the “Model of Twelve”, proving not only that it succeeded but that it is His Heavenly Father’s plan and purpose for His church. Discipleship is the desire of the Father’s heart.

Jesus once spoke to Philip, one of His key disciples and said, “Philip, if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father” (John 14:9). Jesus’ entire life was about making disciples. Jesus modeled the Father’s heart by making disciples. Although He only had 3 1/2 years to carefully instruct His disciples and to model for them how they ought to live their lives for Him and through Him, they would impact, influence, and turn the world upside down versus have the world turn them upside down. Biblically, the heart of a father and a disciple are but “one in the same”, influencing generations for Kingdom Legacy.

Let’s model His message for both our biological children and those we are called to disciple. They both are headed for the same finish line…God’s glory!

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
In studying how to better “Model the Message”, I once came across the following from an unknown author. Keep it in mind as a father for your children and as a disciple-maker. (Pastor Art Sepulveda)

“Walk a little slower, Daddy,” said a little child so small.
“I’m following in your footsteps and I don’t want to fall.”
“Sometimes your steps are very fast, and sometimes they’re hard to see;
So, walk a little slower, Daddy, for you are leading me.”
“Someday when I’m all grown up, you’re what I want to be.”
“Then, I will have a little child who’ll want to follow me.”
“And I would want to lead just right, and know that I was true;
So, walk a little slower Daddy, for I must follow you.”

Author unknown

TODAY’S DECLARATION
“I have my Heavenly Father’s heart, for both my children and those He has called me to disciple. I will model His message for all to see.”

TODAY’S BIBLE READING

    • Old Testament: 2 Kings 16-17; Psalms 119:161-168
    • New Testament: Luke 6:17-26; Philippians 3:10-14

A FATHERING HEART