Other books in the God’s Love series: GOD’S LOVE FOR MOTHERS GOD’S LOVE FOR COUPLES GOD’S LOVE FOR FRIENDS
2nd edition, 1st printing 2015 Selection and arrangement © Scandinavia Publishing House 1999. Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. A co-production from Scandinavia Publishing House, Drejervej 15, 3rd floor, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark. E-mail: info@sph.as Web: www.sph.as All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher. Quotations and paintings selected by Scandinavia Publishing House Edited by Tomas Vium Olesen Design by Ranilo Cabo / Line14 Cover painting by William Henry Midwood Printed in China ISBN 9788771324730
ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE WORD OF GOD
God’s
Love
For Fathers
This second book in the “God’s Love” series aims to encourage and strengthen men in their positions as fathers. This is more than a nicelooking gift book, a delight to the eye. Meditate on the verses in the silence of your heart. Allow the beauty of the art to uphold the wisdom of the words. It is a privilege to spend time with our heavenly Father, and it is the hope of those who put this book together that it will provide guidance in your daily walk with God. When Jesus walked the earth, He had a very close relationship with God, calling Him His Father, and we too can walk closely with God. No longer does Jesus call us servants; instead He calls us friends, because everything He learned from His Father He has made known to us. We are His brothers and God is our Father. All we have to do is to stay close to God. How can we do that? One way is to read His Word. He will help us succeed as good fathers, teaching us in the ways of love, mercy and patience, all characteristics of His own personality. He will give us strength and help us prioritize our time in the right ways. My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Proverbs 7:1-2
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GOD’S LOVE FOR FATHERS
Contents God’s Promises for Fathers.................................................................15 Love...........................................................................................16 Guidance..................................................................................19 Upbringing...............................................................................22 Responsibility...........................................................................25 God’s Promises for Your Calling........................................................29 Direction...................................................................................30 Wisdom....................................................................................33 Work.........................................................................................36 Ministry....................................................................................38 Leadership................................................................................41 Vision........................................................................................44 God’s Promises for Your Family........................................................47 Priorities...................................................................................48 Marriage....................................................................................51 Wife..........................................................................................54 Generations..............................................................................57
God’s Promises for Your Children.....................................................61 Infancy......................................................................................63 Childhood................................................................................65 Adolescence..............................................................................67 Young Adult..............................................................................70 Grandchildren..........................................................................73 God’s Promises in Dark Times...........................................................77 Wrestling...................................................................................78 Anxiety......................................................................................81 Trials.........................................................................................82 Brokenness................................................................................85 Perseverance..............................................................................88 Illness........................................................................................90 Grief and Mourning.................................................................93 Healing.....................................................................................97 God’s Promises in Light Times...........................................................99 Recovery....................................................................................100 Reconciliation...........................................................................103 Blessing.....................................................................................106 Happiness.................................................................................109 Success......................................................................................112
God’s Promises for Your Spiritual Life...............................................115 Conversion...............................................................................116 Growth of the Spirit.................................................................119 Prayer........................................................................................122 Worship....................................................................................124 Scripture Meditation................................................................127 Being Met by God....................................................................130 Brotherhood.............................................................................132 Relationships............................................................................134 God’s Promises for Time.....................................................................137 Seasons......................................................................................138 Past............................................................................................141 Present......................................................................................144 Future.......................................................................................147
GOD’S PROMISES FOR FATHERS
Love
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Isaiah 49:16
Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred. Proverbs 15:17
Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Jude 21
May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Psalm 119:76
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GOD’S LOVE FOR FATHERS
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this; to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:9-17
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GOD’S LOVE FOR FATHERS
Guidance
He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. Psalm 121:3-6
As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. John 17:18-19
GOD’S PROMISES FOR FATHERS
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“His eyes are on the ways of mortals; he sees their every step.” Job 34:21
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:7-12
GOD’S PROMISES FOR FATHERS
21
Upbringing
My son, do not despise the LORD’S discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Proverbs 3:11-12
Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death. A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, and you will have to do it again. Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Proverbs 19:18-20
For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
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GOD’S LOVE FOR FATHERS
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2
The rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother. When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall. Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire. Proverbs 29:15-17
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4
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GOD’S LOVE FOR FATHERS
Responsibility
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16
The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. Proverbs 29:7
“Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.” Luke 12:42-44
GOD’S PROMISES FOR FATHERS
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“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” Luke 16:10
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. James 4:17
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