Saturday, June 16, 2012

June 17, 2012

You've probably seen this Subaru commercial. In 33 seconds it senses the heartbeat of a father. The most instinctive thing a dad wants to do is protect his family.

Watch and enjoy:



Modern fathers do a good job of protecting their kids in just about everyway possible - except spiritually. Considering it is the spiritual part that is going to live forever, shouldn't that be the highest priority for protecting?
In case you are wondering how to do that, Paul gives some good instructions in Ephesians 5:22-6:18:

"Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to  make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,  because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.    Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."

That is a lot of Scripture and it is certainly worthy of serious study. But in the interest of time on this Father's Day 2012, allow me to summarize the truths of it for you.

To protect your family:

Live In His Protection - "put on the FULL armor of God"

Every day you are under spiritual attack by the Enemy of your soul. All day every day he comes to kill, steal and destroy. If you are not protected you will be defeated. When you are defeated how can you protect your family?

Lean On His Power Through Prayer -  "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."

Be sure you maintain a continuous conversation with your Father. Pray for strength. Pray for supplies. Pray for His Spirit to fill you. Pray for safety for your wife and children. Pray for success in your efforts for the Lord. Pray for your friends at work and let them know they can count on you for prayer support.

Love Your Wife - "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her"

One of the best things you can do for your family is to love your wife with a sincere sacrificial love. Serve her needs. Shower her with affection and attention so she feels secure in your love. Serve the Lord with all your heart so she can trust you and respect you. Make it easy for her to submit to you because of the way you submit to the Lord!

Lead Your Children Well - "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord."

Live a godly life before your children and set a spiritual example. Always be aware that more is "caught" by them than is "taught" by you. Fathers are ALWAYS teaching because kids are always watching. But be particularly alert for those teachable moments when you have an opportunity to share Biblical truths with them.
 
Most of all, make sure your children have received Christ as their personal Savior through faith.

It is nice to buy a safe car for your child and surround them with other safety items and products. But giving them a Subaru will not get them to heaven. Only you, their earthly Father, getting them connected to your Heavenly Father will provide them the everlasting safety they desire and deserve!