 - WHERE HAVE ALL THE FATHERS GONE? Part III
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Today, women represent the backbone of many homes and churches. There are oceans of women’s ministries amidst the woefully disproportionate paucity of men’s ministries in the church. ~ Ever wondered why? By and large, men are missing from ministry. As if by one accord, they’re choosing not to identify with the Christian men’s culture because, frankly, what they have seen in most churches isn’t compelling enough to hold their attention. There’s no challenge, no adventure, no edge there. So business, sports and recreation, have become the substitute. According to survey, 8 out of 10 men in the church say their disconnect from God is lust, fantasy, and sexual acting out. As a consequence, men are in the back seat, getting a free ride, while the women are driving the bus. ~ And while she is on a roll, she’s not about to give up control. ~ After all, someone must do the job. Since the man is not assuming his God-given place of responsible, serving headship; he has been mothered, smothered and clubbered, to the place where he now has neither credibility nor currency, (in a word: honor, or respect), in the eyes of the average woman. His is a crisis of identity. “Who am I?” and’ “What’s my role and rightful place as a dad in my home?” He’s MIA: missing in action. Hence my question to you today: Where have all the fathers gone? Psalm 133:1-3: Behold how good and how pleasant ... It is like the precious oil upon the head.” It’s important to observe the anointing comes from the head. Like leader, like people. When the intended head is not found at the head, I respectfully submit to you, he has overstayed his time in the bed. Is it perhaps the bed of incredible ignorance; the bed of sedated senility, the bed of macho meat-headedness; the bed of persistent pride; the bed of religious rituals, where rigor mortis has set in? Or is it the bed of misplaced priorities? Do you see what I’m saying? When dad is not in his place, a woman is disgraced, children are misplaced; and a community is erased. It’s that critical. See how far we have strayed from the Bible? Worldliness, with its preoccupation with sex, and the success syndrome; and a steady push in redefining morality and the family; has steadily flooded professing Christendom till many no longer live the Bible. I urge you today: Rise up, O Dad. Up from that bed of ignorance, emotional senility, and pride. ~ Rise up! And run to the helm; take your position of responsible leadership. Hear the clarion call: “Mayday! Mayday! The titanic of your family is severely damaged and sinking fast in the ice-cold, raging waters of careless indifference and postmodernity. When men rise up in the church - when men take their God-given and God-appointed and anointed role in the home, the anointing is going to fall on the body of Christ in amazing ways. Healing will come to the home, the church, and the nation of Canada. Deliverance will come to God’s people; bondages will be broken; chains will be loosed, and yes, the devil will have to flee - because, he can’t stand a man who’s in his place under God’s anointing. We need and want the fathering Spirit in our homes, in our churches, and in this fair land of Canada - O Canada, under God we stand on guard for thee - For our homes, for our churches, for the nations. Lord, Have Mercy! When God sends his Holy Spirit in us, our spirits cry: “Abba, Father.” That’s the fathering Spirit of God, and that’s the fathering spirit he has placed in every man. Is there a man in your house who will stand against the rising tide of promiscuity; the onslaught of the enemy, those who’re hell-bent on destroying a father’s God-given, rightful fathering care, leadership and significance; who will protect his family, his church, his community and his nation? Sir, are you that man? It begins at the altar of repentance and resolution, and renewal today! Malachi 4:5,6. 5. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 6. And he shall turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come, says God, and smite the earth with a curse. God, right now, is sending His Word, and He is reconciling dads with their children and children with their dads. Yes, fathers are coming home again; relationships between spouses are being mended; lives are being touched; broken hearts are being healed; moms and dads are loving each other again, and all flesh will see the glory of God. Lord, we have sinned and strayed from the right pathway of godliness and taking care of our families. Forgive us today. Show us the way back to commitment and caring; and help to return to our wives and children once again; so that we all may be healed and be made whole again; in Jesus’ Name. Amen. ******************** Do you have any comments about this page? Write us at: pastor@wisdomforlivingministries.org Top |