From Father to Leader

When we allow the maker, who is above any name, to be placed in the position of Father, men have a better understanding of who they are supposed to be.  Within the past year, I have come to some incredible revelations of how men are to be.

When we tackle the job of leader, we want to control everything ourselves.  Take a prodigy who knows how to play all instruments in an orchestra and has been set forth as the conductor.  What good would it do if the conductor constantly told himself, "I wish there were a hundred of me because I know I can do it better"?  To possess this mentality builds up a wall of pride that in turn leaves no room to teach or to guide.  When the conductor says, "I could do it all better," he is then set up to be angry at the players.  After that, he becomes patronizing and belittles the players.

The One who created us knows everything.  Everything is more than just the little sliver we can fathom in our minds.  The difference between Him and the arrogant conductor is that our Maker is so patient that His goodness causes us to discover the truth without drilling it into our heads until we become numb to our throbbing skulls.  

Philippians 1:6 - "He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ."

We have umpteen days to "get it right".  We have many years to dwell and find out the poisons that this world brings.  Once we see the turmoil and the distress of the people, we long for peace and rest.  Some are drunken from riches, food, fame, etc and then there are those that find hope in death.  That is the peace of the Father that we strive for.

The church falters many times.  Many of us say to God, "Fix this..." or "Change that..."  We can become anxious and say, "God when are you going to do something!"  Rather than angrily screaming back at the church, He speaks in a still small voice which is the truth that grabs a hold of our hearts until we have no choice but to surrender ourselves to Him.

Here on Earth, however, we men become upset and tend to think that we should point out our wives flaws since they are so zealous to point out ours.  The difference between man and woman is this:  our wives are seeking stability and leadership in us just as the church seeks stability in the Father.  We are not to be seeking stability from them.  

If my wife sees a flaw in me, she tells me about it.  I am just now beginning to realize that it is not because she is mad at me but because she wants security and if I want to be a good leader I have to recognize my flaws and seek maturity.  That's what all wives want or should want.  They want to know that their leader is leading them in the right direction.  If not, they are going to let that leader know where they can improve.  

In my stubbornness, I have fought back so many times but I finally have come to realize that my wife is begging me to lead. As any good leader does, a father should not angrily rebuke his wife for mistakes that she makes.  Rather, in peace and love, he should seek out how to encourage her to break away from those mistakes.  Fighting back with excuses is never going to get us anywhere.  We should accept where we fail, make it right, and learn to direct our families in love.

Just as we all strive for that rest in our Father, our wives strive for rest in us.  I truly believe, growing up, we are programmed to worship women.  We are like that old wolf drooling at the lady singing on stage with his heart pounding out of his chest.   We believe we have to worship our wives and tend to their every beck and call.  The truth, however, is all our wives really want...is just want us.  

This resembles the church.  The Father doesn't worship the church.  He helps it and guides is when it begins to falter.  He patiently waits for the church to walk into His arms and say, "I have waited for You all my life." In parallel, deep down inside, our wives are saying, "I have waited to rest on your shoulders all day!"

The difference between earthly father and Heavenly Father is this:  When our work is finished in one day, all we can think of is how we want our rest.  When the Father's work is finished after this age, all He can think of is how joyful He is to see His church.

We should remember to always tend to our wives and children when we get home.  TV can wait.  News can wait.  Music...I cringe but say...it can wait.  Family:  It can't wait.  It won't wait.  Every second is a chance to be the rest that our family needs.  It's a chance to be the encouragement that our families need.  

So where in the world do we find our encouragement?  From the Lord Himself (and He is most definitely not in the world).  We fall down on our knees or think upon His love every second of every hour.  I will be one to admit that I have been lost and confused in this train of thought but maybe if I can pass it on, it will lay even more securely upon my heart, soul, and mind. 

If we allow the Father to be Father, we can begin to understand, day by day, how the Maker of all things desires us to live.  It takes time to turn away from everything we told ourselves and the defense mechanisms we built up for ourselves but we can let them fall away even faster when we run to the truth of who we were always supposed to be.
Matthew 5:48 - "You therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

The Fight for Masculinity

Our new age culture is doing everything it can do to make God as feministic as possible.  They want you to be comfortable with calling Him, "Mother" even though all the prophets, apostles, and Jesus referred to Him as (Abba) Father.  The bits and pieces of information they share for this philosophy is that El Shaddai means, "God of Breasts" or the "God of fertility".   Here are some verses that are used to support this way of thinking:

Genesis 17:1-6 - "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.”At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him, “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations. I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations, and kings will be among them!"

Genesis 35:11 - "Then God said, "I am El-Shaddai--'God Almighty.' Be fruitful and multiply. You will become a great nation, even many nations. Kings will be among your descendants!"

Taking this name of our God, who is above any name, and using it to support a case for God being our "Mother" is comparable to when "priests" took Deuteronomy 6:8  - "You shall bind (My commandments)  as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes." - literally and wore cards with scripture on their foreheads.  They completely missed the point and Jeremiah tells us that: "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people."

The way God causes us to understand things is through metaphors.  If we start saying, God can be a woman, because El-Shaddai means, "God of fertility" then we miss the concept that God has the power to multiply or leave barren.  Job 1:21 - And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

If we take the apostle Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 3:2 - I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready - literally,  are we then allowed to call Paul a woman?  When Jesus said in Matthew 23:37, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing," did He all of a sudden become a woman?

Genesis 1:27 says, "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." but 1 Corinthians 11:7-9 says, "For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God, but woman is the glory of man. For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man."  Genesis 2:23 backs this up when Adam says, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”  Adam was not made of bone or flesh but dirt and the Spirit of God.  

What this means is that the woman obtained her physical and spiritual flesh from man.  This means that man is perfectly capable of being compassionate.  A man is perfectly capable of gathering the lost sheep.  If man was just a ravage and ruthless warrior, what kind of humble father or leader would he be?  Can a man not be related to a mother eagle who guides her young, as well, and still be completely man?  The reason God is the Father is because, not only does He contain the bone of structure and the flesh of compassion and love but He is a God of discipline and does not back down from His word.  It is the duty of earthly man to learn to represent this character because that is who God chooses to be like Him. 
 The man was designed to be the head of the wife just as God is the head of the church.  Just as the wife tries to "wear the pants" some times so does the church (the bride of Christ) try to take God's role.  It can't be done!  There are many single mothers out there and they are doing a great job thriving through it but if they search deep within themselves, they know that what their child needs is a father.  

If we even consider God to be a woman, we break up the DNA of marriage and promote homosexuality.  The cross is the prime example of the upward, Godly, way being masculine and the horizontal, earthly, way being feminine.  If we allow God to be a woman, then we have an equal sign (=) with no crossroad to Heaven.  God used the cross to mock the Egyptian gods who came down to earth and had relations with women of this earth.  While the Egyptians used the crux to "bring life" and bring down the gods, our heavenly Father used the cross as a symbol for His people to meet with Him in the heavens and leave the enemy behind.

One of the biggest issues God had with earth was homosexuality - Romans 1:27:  "and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error."

Why does God have such a problem with homosexuality?  Because it doesn't lead us to who God is.  God says, "I hate divorce." He says that when man and woman come together, they become one.  When God comes together with the church, they become one.  Amos 3:3 - "“Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?"  

The Almighty, Masculine, Disciplinary, yet compassionate God of fire doesn't seek to agree with the precepts of men.  He searches the heart of man that it might come to agree with Him.  Remember that Satan whispered in Eve's ear, "Did God really say that?"  Even today, Satan is telling the church, "Did God really say that?"  The church cannot try to redefine who God is.  Anytime the church does not walk in the truth of God, the Holy Spirit will take no place in it.  God sets His foot down.  We have the opportunity to look Him in His eyes of fire and agree with Him or turn around to who we were and turn into a pillar of salt that just blows away with the wind.  

God designed Man to be head of the household because God is the head of the church.  If we start telling ourselves that we can call God "Mother", we are telling God that we don't need the stern discipline of a Father.  

Ezekiel 13:17-23 - "Now, son of man, speak out against the women who prophesy from their own imaginations. This is what the Sovereign LORD says: What sorrow awaits you women who are ensnaring the souls of my people, young and old alike. You tie magic charms on their wrists and furnish them with magic veils. Do you think you can trap others without bringing destruction on yourselves? You bring shame on me among my people for a few handfuls of barley or a piece of bread. By lying to my people who love to listen to lies, you kill those who should not die, and you promise life to those who should not live.

“This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against all your magic charms, which you use to ensnare my people like birds. I will tear them from your arms, setting my people free like birds set free from a cage. I will tear off the magic veils and save my people from your grasp. They will no longer be your victims. Then you will know that I am the LORD. You have discouraged the righteous with your lies, but I didn’t want them to be sad. And you have encouraged the wicked by promising them life, even though they continue in their sins. Because of all this, you will no longer talk of seeing visions that you never saw, nor will you make predictions. For I will rescue my people from your grasp. Then you will know that I am the LORD.”

My friends.   Seek not to just use precepts of your minds but seek to know God for who He really is.  Seek to find the signs on earth of who God designed mankind to be and how mankind reflects the Image of God.  Don't wear a card on your forehead with fancy scripture but know God's heart.  Jesus' resurrection and pouring out of the Holy Spirit grants us that mark on our foreheads.

Ezekiel 9:3-5 - "Now the glory of the God of Israel had gone up from the cherub on which it rested to the threshold of the house. And he called to the man clothed in linen, who had the writing case at his waist. And the LORD said to him, “Pass through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.” And to the others he said in my hearing, “Pass through the city after him, and strike. Your eye shall not spare, and you shall show no pity."

My friends, no priest can give you this mark with ashes or any notecard. Only Christ Himself places this mark on your foreheads.  Fervently pray to know Him more and He will reveal Himself! In the name of God the FATHER (not the mother),  God the SON (not the daughter), and God the HOLY SPIRIT (not a physical mark), Amen.

Hearers & Doers

^{Deuteronomy 6:6-7 -  "}And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:  And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."

I am in no way perfect.  I mess up big time.  Sometimes, I don't know who I am.  I know what I want to do and yet I don't do it...right.  Even though I may be a little too strict or a little too harsh, or maybe sometimes a little too relaxed and non-chalant, I still have a duty above all else to tell my children who God is.  If I can convey what I know and who God is to me, maybe they will be better than me and be able to handle situations better than me.  Hopefully, they will learn to have more faith.

Matthew 7:24-27 - Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Here is the first paragraph of the Early Learning section of Whitehouse.gov:  "Expanding access to high quality early childhood education is among the smartest investments that we can make. Research has shown that the early years in a child’s life—when the human brain is forming—represent a critically important window of opportunity to develop a child’s full potential and shape key academic, social, and cognitive skills that determine a child’s success in school and in life. "

It is the will of our society to shape not only the academic aspects of our children's life but also their social and cognitive skills.  Read Deuteronomy 6:7 once again.  Also, read Proverbs 22:6 - " Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."  It is society's goal to start early education "beginning at birth and continuing to age 5."  The sooner our children are sent to others to be taught how to live, the less foothold we play in their lives.  

Family make-up is designed in many different aspects these days:  1)  Two Parents - one who works.  2)  Two Parents - both work.  3)  One Parent - who has to work and also receives child support.  4) A Parent who lives with their parents.  

I could continue to list the varieties but the point is that we have a choice of who we allow our children to be educated by whether it is ourselves, our parents, a babysitter, or a teacher.  Regardless, it is our responsibility to mold the character of our children.  As mentioned before, we are not perfect and we may never be perfect parents but we can make every effort in our lives to steer them in the right direction.  People who work with children (Teachers, Pastors, Coaches, etc) have an ability to assist but they might have their own children to train up.  We all have an obligation to raise our children ourselves.

It is our responsibility to discipline them.  Proverbs 13:24 - "He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly."  

There is a difference between correcting with a loving intent and lashing out in anger. Colossians 3:21 - "Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged."

With everything we do and everything we say, we are teaching our children.  I have not been a parent for too long so I understand there is much to learn; however, one thing I observe is that children imitate a great deal and try to figure out what it is their parents are interested in or not.   

So we should be cautious in what we watch, eat, and say.  If we don't want our children eating a "ding-dong", then we shouldn't do it either.  If we don't want them gossiping and talking bad about others, we shouldn't either.  If we want them to learn how to interact with others, we should allow them to watch the way we do business and treat others.  If we want our children to be able to take action, we have to show them how!

The most amazing thing that Christ taught us is that it's not about what we say but what we do.  Isaiah 29:13 - "Therefore the Lord said:  “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men..."

The Old Testament was about telling us how to act.  The New Testament was about showing us how to act.  For Christ was the greatest example.  In our discussions and writings, we know full well that words only go so far.  If we observe what Christ has done, we can say, "Yeah!  That works!"   and we can in turn know what we are supposed to do.  The same is with children.

We have many battles to fight with our children.  We can curb them by listening to appropriate music, watching appropriate movies, and playing appropriate games.  We can take part in their lives so they don't hide in their headphones.  More importantly, we can show them that they are a part of our life.  We need to teach them to "not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1) 

Above all things we can teach by example is our relationship with God.  If our children see our devotion, passion, and yearning, they will find interest.  Even if they see us falter a million times, if they find us praying, reading the bible, and desiring for understanding, then that alone will inspire them.  That is only if we treat them right and love them.  

So don't leave it all up to somebody to develop your child.  You know what you want out of your children more than anybody else.  And, I know that sometimes it feels best to just give up.  But don't!  It is complicated from square one.  Even if they don't get it right away encourage them every step of the way.  When they see you haven't given up on them, they won't give up on you and they won't forget who you are.  

So be that light in the darkened place, if not to the whole world, to your children.  You have the power to pass that light along like a flame passes from candle to candle.


^{James 1:212-27 "}Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.  But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.  If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. ²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.