Provoking Fathers!

Colossians 3:19-21
Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

We live in a crazy world. The traditional Christian values are being chucked out like three day old fish. Both my wife and I come from broken homes, but God has been good to our marriage we are almost 31 years together. I remember my children coming home and asking "Why don't I have 2 mommies and 2 daddies!

I am thankful that my Father has always been there for me. He lives with me and I dread the day the Lord calls him to heaven. I have learned so much from him. I believe my dad demonstrated these things to me in a practical way.

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

My folks divorced when I was young. My mother left us for another man, and she died about 8 years after that. I lived with my dad, sister, and brother for a number of years.

If anyone had a right to complain or become bitter it would have been my dad. I can say while my mother was alive, my dad never once nor allowed us to be bitter against her.

Children obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

My dad taught me to obey. Sometimes without questioning!, and at other times he allowed me to question his authority (but that had consequences). I never fully understood why, but the older I get the more I am blessed because it is easier for me to be obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ.

I still strive to be obedient to my dad! I still try to be obedient to my Lord! I do wish to please and be pleasing to the Lord.

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

I deal with a lot of young soldiers, a lot of them have not had a good example of a father in their homes. They struggle with authority. They stab in the dark to find and give love, not knowing what true love is all about. I blame the "fathers" (or lack thereof).

A lot of discouraged Christians have never taken the time to learn the love of God. They never cultivated a right (Biblical) relationship with the Lord. A Christian should never be discouraged when it comes to the special relationship God offers to His children.

Are you a "Provoking Father"? (I hope not!)