​“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:4 NLT

I want to speak to the fathers for a moment. You play such a critical role in the stability and civility of society. You are given, by God, the authority and responsibility to be the spiritual priest of your home. Let me be very straightforward: Just because you are a male and can contribute to the creation of a child inside the womb of a woman doesn't make you a father and a man. Back in the late 80's I heard a preacher named Perry Stone Jr. say: "Test tubes can make babies"!

Being a man and being a father requires you to know and love God through His Son Jesus Christ and live a life that reflects that. The ultimate manhood is when we are like Christ. Jesus was the epitome of manhood. God has given fathers the awesome privilege and responsibility to influence and guide the direction of the world through godly leadership. Let me be frank: being a sports star, driving the biggest and baddest truck,  being a body building specimen, being macho, providing nice stuff, or simply making the money, doesn't cut it. Why do men think they have to curse like a sailor and drink like a fountain in order to fit in with "the guys"? You don't have to. Make the decision to follow Jesus and stay the course. Yes, work hard, provide for your family, and enjoy the benefits of that. However, don't forget to love the mother of your children by treating her like Jesus. Stay faithful and stand firm in the things of righteousness. Teach your children by your godly example as well as give them instruction from God's Word. Then, and only then, will you be able to experience the product of fatherhood the way God created it.

Let me touch on the mothers  part of this. Dear ones, please give your best support to men who love God and are striving to lead godly lives as fathers. They need you and you need them. That's the way God intended it.

Lastly, I want to leave a verse of scripture for you to ponder today: “Help, O LORD, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth!”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭12:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬