Like a Father

The recent observance of Father’s Day was, for me, a special time to remember and reflect on the significant, positive impact my father had on my life.  He was strong and gentle at the same time.  A man of principles and high expectations, yet his humility allowed him to be patient with those that didn’t see things his way.  I appreciated his self-confident nature and never questioned his unconditional love.

I realize the good memories of my father-child experience are not shared by all.  Who knows, in today’s culture, my experiences may even be atypical.  Sadly, some were mistreated by their fathers and some don’t even know the identity of their fathers.  Despite the harsh reality for some families, the positive role model is what was intended in a father, and it is definitely more preferred.

God is likened to a father in the Bible.  Depending on your perspective, this comparison can be an inspiration or an obstacle.  Before you negatively prejudge God’s character, listen to these “fatherly” attributes:

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.  He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.  As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we were formed, he remembers that we are dust.

Psalm 103:8-14

God is a father of love and compassion.  He is sympathetic to our needs.  He is gentle when we make mistakes and patient with our slowness.  He is willing and able to forgive our sins.  God is tender-hearted, wanting us to share in his blessings.  Therefore, he is merciful and kind, even when undeserved.  It is my prayer you will know the Lord God as a father of compassion.

Carl Smith
Stephenville, Texas

Courage Seen, Courage Shown

"Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” 

 --Paul, to the Philippian saints (Philippians 1:14)

Being imprisoned for one’s faith in Jesus Christ was not news to Christians in ancient Philippi.  When Paul and his friends first brought the message of Jesus to this European city, he and Silas were thrown into prison…in the inner cell”. (Acts 16:23ff.)  Years later, imprisoned in Rome for his faith in Jesus, Paul wrote to encourage the Philippians who now also were suffering.   “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.” (Philippians 1:29ff.”)

Thus the courage Paul demonstrated through his trials proved a blessing to others that observed such.  They were “encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.”  (1:14.) Similarly, we draw strength from the noble endurance of others amid trials who are suffering for Jesus’ sake.  Believers in Asia Minor faced “painful trial” from a pagan world and it rulers.    Peter described such as “…the devil…as a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”(1 Peter 5: 8.) What can one do under such duress?  “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (v. 9.)

Faith and fellowship are two great counterattacks God enables us to employ when Satan attacks us. Faith assures us that God is alive, and in control, and that it pays to serve Him. (Hebrews 11:6.)  Fellowship reminds we are not alone, and that others understand, have endured, and are ready to encourage us.

It may be the faith of ten Laotian believers imprisoned in Vientiane for sixteen months for meeting to study God’s word in the home of a teen-aged sister in Jesus. She and another young Christian lady spent the nights in a male prison, taking turns to lie on the floor of a broom closet, seeking sleep. Some days they were compelled to sit on a corrugated tin roof in the prison under a blazing Southeast Asia sun, or in the daily deluge of monsoon rains.  The saints had been betrayed to the atheistic authorities by a false brother.  It may be the faith of their wives with their babies, continuing to trust God while they waited in hope for their loved ones’ release.  It could be the quiet example of a mother, serving God as she cares for her children while praying night and day for the conversion of her husband, the children’s father. It may be seen in the acceptance of an older saint, burdened with the weakness and diseases of age.  It may be the answers of a babe in Jesus to unfriendly questions about faith in a righteous God, while burdened with concern for friends deceived by the post-modern mantra that “there is neither an Eternal God nor an absolute moral standard.”  Notwithstanding, God as He has in every age, by the faith, courage and hopeful endurance we see in the daily walk of faith by others encourages us.  

In God’s strength let us be such an encouraging example to others around us in our own generation.

Ted Kell

Brownwood, Texas

Dining with the Messiah

Her example is inspiring and fascinating.   She brought her most-valued possession. A courageous and humble act, she washed his feet with her tears, used her hair as a towel to dry them, with great affection she kissed His feet and anointed them with perfume of great value.

 Simon hosted the Messiah in his home.  He doubted Him to be a prophet.  Simon overlooked common hospitality of the day:  no water to wash dusty feet,no kiss of salutation, nor refreshment of anointing oil before the meal.

Jesus knew the hearts & thoughts of both.  He commended her faith, recognized her acts of service expressing great love.  He sent her on her way, reaffirming her forgiveness and blessing her with peace.

Jesus masterfully taught Simon through a parable of debtors.  Simon saw only the sinful past of the woman-seemingly unaware of his own sinful ways, sins tucked away in the heart, yet clearly visible through his actions; pride and doubt among them.

Following her example-let us grow in grace, humility, gratitude, generosity, loving and worship of our Savior. Avoiding Simon’s example-let us be faith-filled, sensitive & repentant of our own sinfulness, less judgmental, hospitable and aware of our desperate need for the forgiveness found in Jesus alone.

Find the complete story in:  Luke 7:36-50      

A well-known Christian song explores the heart of the woman and our own identity within her story.

Alabaster Box by Cece Winans

The room grew still as she made her way to Jesus
She stumbles through the tears that made her blind
She felt such pain

Some spoke in anger heard folks whisper
There's no place here for her kind
Still on she came
Through the shame that flushed her face
Until at last, she knelt before his feet
And though she spoke no words
Everything she said was heard
As she poured her love for the Master
From her box of alabaster

I can't forget the way life used to be
I was a prisoner to the sin that had me bound
And I spent my days poured my life without measure
Into a little treasure box I'd thought I'd found
Until the day when Jesus came to me
And healed my soul with the wonder of His touch
So now I'm giving back to Him
All the praise He's worthy of
I've been forgiven
And that's why
I love Him so much

And I've come to pour
My praise on Him
Like oil from Mary's alabaster box
Don't be angry if I wash his feet with my tears
And dry them with my hair
You weren't there the night Jesus found me
You did not feel what I felt
When He wrapped his loving arms around me and
You don't know the cost of the oil
Oh, you don't know the cost of my praise
You don't know the cost of the oil
In my alabaster box

Each moment we have a choice to live one of these examples; which will the world see in you & me today?

Gracious, Loving Father,

Your great love and faithfulness amaze us.  Thank you for the precious gift and sacrifice of Jesus.  May we live forgiven and free to love all.  Thank you for the blessing of abiding peace.  May we live as gracious and generous “kingdom” people.  May we never forget the debt we can never repay-keep us humble, Father.

Through the name of Jesus, Amen

Mischelle Oliver, Stephenville TX