Thanks, Dad

Read: 1 Thess. 2:1-12
We exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children. —1 Thess. 2:11
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In the US, more long distance calls are made on Mother’s Day than any other day. But on Father’s Day, the most collect calls are made. It seems that children still depend on their fathers to provide, even when they are far away from home.

Fathers are needed and wanted for much more than financial help. While 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 is primarily directed toward church leaders, Paul talks about how their role is similar to a father’s. He states: “You know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children.”

Exhorted is “to call near.” It is easy for fathers to think that all that’s required of them is to bring home a paycheck. But children need their close encouragement.

The word comforted is “to console.” Nothing is more valuable to a child than the time given by a father to listen and talk. Without constant relating, relationships turn cold.

Charged is “to affirm.” Fathers challenge their children by affirming the truth of God’s Word as they live it out in front of them. And even in failings, they affirm what is right through the asking of forgiveness.

How thankful we can be for fathers who help their children “walk worthy of God” (v.12). – Albert Lee

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We’re thankful for our fathers, Lord,

They’re special gifts from You;

Help us to show we honor them

By what we say and do. —Sper

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Good fathers reflect the heavenly Father.

Father's Day

Someone has just reminded me that today is Father’s day, and yes I have almost forgotten, so I begin thinking what about Father’s day that I can blog about today?  In between sessions of Church camp in Melaka I quickly wrote some of this as it will lose the impact if I will to write it the next day.

We tend to honor mom more than dad. Mother’s day seems to produce more excitements than Father’s day, probably mothers have the advantage of carrying the child close to her heart for additional none months and the first person a baby sees and smells is the mother when s/he comes out into the world.

And, we honor them with the day like father's day. So we send our dad a card or take our dad for a meal to show appreciation on this day. Isn’t that a western culture to select one day of the year to honor the parents?

But the Biblical culture would have you honoring your father every day. Listen to God’s instruction:

"Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise.

— Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:2

So early in the birth of the nation of Israel, God give Israel laws to government the new born nation. So honoring parents is among the Ten Words. Some of the other laws we will divide & classify them it for purpose of understanding. 1. Civil Law (for administering the nations.), 2. Sanitary laws (for cleanliness & hygiene.) 3. Dietary laws. (for health purposes) 4. and of course the Moral Law as some call the 10 Commandments.

And another verses.

Hear, O sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention that you may gain understanding, For I give you sound teaching; Do not abandon my instruction. When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother, Then he taught me and said to me, "Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live;” Proverb 4 : 1-4 (see also Proverb 10:1)

One of the reasons that Chinese culture has survived thousands of years through many political and social revolutions is that through it all, they obeyed the fifth commandment not because it was spoken by God through Moses, but because it was wise. "[That] you may live a long time in the land" is not a tempting bribe to good conduct, but a statement of fact about nations and tribes and families in which honor is found.

How do we honor our Father?

You honor others by treating them with the same high respect you owe to the person of Jesus Christ. If you treat others the way you treat Jesus, you will honor not only your parents but every living soul.

Honor takes many different forms. It is much more than greeting cards, candy and flowers on Father's Day.

Children, likewise, honor their parents in different ways.

1. To a small child, honor means obedience.

2. To an adolescent, it means respect.

3. To an adult child, it means kindness, thoughtfulness, and care of parents.

As a child grow to adulthood they may eventually outgrow their need to obey their parents, they never outgrow their duty to honor their parents.

The time may come when aged parents may even have to take instruction from their children. But even then, and especially then, children must find ways to honor their parents, to affirm their dignity and worth.

Remember, the Bible doesn't tell who is to honor you, but whom you are to honor your parents, your children and everyone else. You obey the fifth commandment, not by demanding that others honor you but by taking the initiative to honor them.

And go ahead give your Father a warm Hug and Take him for special Dinner today. But remember to honor him every day.