Power to Change » Father

Jesus: A Gift From The Father

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:00:00 +0000

People feel disconnected. We live amongst many and yet feel alone. We spend more and more time online and in that place people are coming to us asking for someone to care. You can help.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” (James 1:17)

Who knows a child better than his parent? From the time a baby is delivered, its mother and father know more than anyone else what will make the child content, sad, frightened, or excited. They recognize not only the youngster’s preferences but also his needs. And for that reason, parents usually know how to select the most appropriate gifts for their son or daughter.

How much more does our Heavenly Father understand us! He didn’t have to learn about us the way earthly parents do. As our Creator, who “wove” each of us when we were still in the womb (Psalm 139:13), He knows us better than even our family.

That means He is perfectly aware, not just of our likes, dislikes, abilities, and struggles, but especially of our needs. So when it comes to gifts, doesn’t it make sense that God is the best Giver?

God knew our greatest need would be a solution to our sin problem, because sin separates us from Him. So He designed the perfect plan, which is also the perfect gift: He determined to send His sinless Son Jesus as the payment for your sin-debt and mine. The One we see as a baby in the manger is fully God, who came to earth with a purpose – to die so that you and I could have forgiveness of our sins, and that by believing, we might have the greatest gift of all: eternal life.

Your best Christmas present is not wrapped up and placed under the tree; it is the One whose birthday we celebrate. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Question: How have you been reminded of God’s love and mercy in your life this season?

Do you need a reminder of God’s gifts in your life? Let us pray for you.

Do You Know Your Child?

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 08:00:50 +0000

>> Watch part 11 of this series: Creative Parenting

New to this series? Watch the introduction video here

How well do you know your child? Most mothers really know about their child, so many fathers don’t. Ask yourself this question and the answers can pretty well tell you. If you score, say 9 out of 10, then you’re probably a father who knows his child. If you don’t, then you’ve got your homework to do.

What are your child’s favorite things? What is your child’s #1 friend? Who’s his #1, #2 friend? Do you know who that is? Write down: What is your child’s favorite color? What is your child’s favorite class? Can you write that down? What is one issue that your child is facing in their life that they have to resolve?

I will challenge you to get to know your child because the more you know your child, literally the greater impact you will have in their life.

Get to know your child! So take time to get to know them. What is your child’s favorite sport? What is your child’s favorite position they’d like to play in soccer, in basketball? Do you know those things?

You might do this: When you talk with your child write down what your children shared with you. And if you do, you know what? You’re going to listen, because most people cannot recall five things they just had in the conversation with their child, which means, they normally did not even listen to their child. And the more your child thinks you’re listening to them, the more they will trust you and truly want to share things with you.

A child will project the image of their earthly father upon our Heavenly Father. And the more your child looks to you as their hero; the more your child admires and respects you, the easier it is for them to learn to love and honor and worship their Heavenly Father.

Learn how you can be the best father to your children:

The Importance of a Father’s Role
Are You a Good Parent?

Acquaint Yourself with Him

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 08:00:04 +0000

Acquaint yourself in a deeper way with our great God: Explore our many series of online interactive studies on Learning About God

Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon, published in “Mornings & Evenings,” entry for May 8th, PM.
Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2011.

“Acquaint now thyself with Him.” Job 22:21, KJV

If we want to properly “acquaint ourselves with God, and be at peace,” we must know Him as He has revealed Himself, not only in the unity of His essence and provision, but also in the plurality of His persons, the Trinity. God said, “Let us make man in our own image.” (Genesis 1:26, KJV) Let a person be discontent until he knows something about the “us” from whom their existence was derived.

Endeavor to know the Father. Bury your head in Him, in deep repentance, and confess that you are not worthy to be called His son. Receive the kiss of His love. Let the ring which is the token of His eternal faithfulness be on your finger. Sit at His table and let your heart be merry in His grace.

Then press forward and seek to know the Son of God who is the brightness of His Father’s glory, and yet in unspeakable condescension of grace became man for our sakes. Know Him in the singular complexity of His nature. He is eternal God, and yet suffering, finite man. Follow Him as He walks the waters with the tread of deity, and as He sits upon the well in the weariness of humanity. Be not satisfied unless you know much of Jesus Christ as your Lord, your Friend, your Brother, your all.

And do not neglect the Holy Spirit. Endeavor to obtain a clear view of His nature and character, His attributes, and His works. Behold that Spirit of the Lord, who first of all moved upon chaos, and brought forth order. He now visits the chaos of your soul, and creates the order of holiness. Behold Him as the Lord and giver of spiritual life, the Illuminator, the Instructor, the Comforter, and the Sanctifier. Behold Him as, like holy anointing, He descends upon the head of Jesus, and then afterwards rests upon you who are as the tassels of His garments.

Such an intelligent, scriptural, and experimental belief in the Trinity in Unity is yours if you truly know God. And such knowledge brings peace indeed!

Questions: What aspects of the Trinity, God’s triune nature, do you find most comforting? Most confusing?

Living and Active

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 08:00:27 +0000

Do you need some encouragement today? Talk to a mentor.

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

Have you experienced a prod from God while reading the Bible?

“God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Tap, tap.

“If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened” (Psalm 66:18).

Poke.

“But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:15).

Nudge, nudge.

The Bible isn’t merely a classic ancient text that has stood the test of time; it is more than a masterpiece of literature and wisdom. God’s word is alive.

When I read the Bible in a spirit of readiness to hear God speak, He does. Words leap off the page as if they were written for me alone. Conviction burns through the fog of my denial and goes straight to my heart. God’s word is living and actively engages the one who reads it.

It comforts: “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18).

It instructs: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12).

It motivates: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:24-25).

And it encourages: “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:23-24)

The God of the Universe is waiting to speak to you. Open the Bible today and listen to what He has to say.

Thank you Almighty God that You have given us the Bible – Your word – and that it is living and active. Help me to daily read and listen to what you say. Amen.

Questions: When has God’s word come alive for you? How can we use the Bible to test the attitudes of our hearts?

Asking Your Kids Good Questions Part 1

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:00:59 +0000

Part 14 of the “How to be a Hero to your Kids” video series

>> Watch part 15 of this series: Asking Your Kids Good Questions Part 2

How can you be a hero to your kids? And why is it so important today? This video series taught by Josh McDowell gives answers, and offers a game plan based on the principles taught by Jesus. Josh is an internationally recognized author and public speaker, and over his long career has addressed more than 10 million young people, giving over 24,000 talks in 118 countries. Here he explores how to be a hero to your children drawing on his own experience as a father to his four children.

In this video, Josh says: “Relationships with our children. What I’d like to do for a number of segments is just share with you some things I try to be creative as a father to relate to my children. I’m going to deal with different issues, and phrases, and examples of things you can do. For example, I would always say to my children, “What would you like to do that we have never done before? Is there anything you’d like to do with Dad that you’ve never done before?”

>> Watch part 15 of this series: Asking Your Kids Good Questions Part 2

Teaching Kids What Love is About

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:00:57 +0000

Part 4 of the “How to be a Hero to your Kids” video series

>> Watch part 5 of this series: Family Comes Before Ministry

In this video, Josh says: “It’s very important that our children understand love, what it means to love and all. And one of the things I’ve struggled with my children is my three daughters and my son would grow up, how do they know if they’re in love? How do they really know if they love someone? And I finally concluded this: That one of the greatest heritages I can leave my children is my love for their mother and her love for me.”

>> Watch part 5 of this series: Family Comes Before Ministry

Sharing Your Past with Your Kids

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:00:57 +0000

Part 13 of the “How to be a Hero to your Kids” video series

>> Watch part 14 of this series: Asking Your Kids Good Questions Part 1

In this video, Josh says: “With our children, to pass values on them, we need to be honest about our own past. And you know what I found? The more I could share, not just positive but even negative things out of my past with my children, the greater impact it has in their life. And they can see that their father, their mother is real.”

>> Watch part 14 of this series: Asking Your Kids Good Questions Part 1

Passing on a Parent’s Values

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:00:55 +0000

Part 8 of the “How to be a Hero to your Kids” video series

>> Watch part 9 of this series: Talking to Kids about Ethics

In this video, Josh says: “One of the most important things we need to pass onto our children are our values. Why are things right, why are things wrong, what do we value or not? And I have learned as a father the best way to do that is through interaction with my children.”

>> Watch part 9 of this series: Talking to Kids about Ethics

How Do You Show Your Love?

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:00:50 +0000

Part 3 of the “How to be a Hero to your Kids” video series

>> Watch part 4 of this series: Teaching Kids What Love is About

In this video, Josh says: “One of the most important things I can do for my children is to love their mother. But I always try and find out from my kids what does love mean to them? How do they know I love their mother?”

>> Watch part 4 of this series: Teaching Kids What Love is About

How to Be a Hero to Your Kids Index

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 11:00:47 +0000

Want to discuss what you learned in this series, or have any questions about what you heard? Contact an online mentor to talk about it, privately & confidentially.