Need a Dad?
- Lesson Taught.
Lesson Learned.
Now Think On This
Steve Martin
“And He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the
children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and
strike the earth with a curse." (Malachi 4:6, NKJV)
In prayer this morning the Lord reminded me of my dad,
Louis James Martin, who graduated to his heavenly reward over 15 years ago at
the age of 67, as a result of lymphoma cancer. I was giving thanks to my Father
that my Dad had taught me practical things while growing up – like putting away
the wrench tool after I used it, so it wouldn’t rust in the rain. You know –
just practical, common sense things like that.
As I continued praying, I realized that many of the current
generation we gave birth to don’t have a “real” Dad, or Mom, who were/are around
to teach them even the basic, practical things in life. Sure, each of us had at
least one parent in the beginning at the hospital, but not many then had a
father or mother, who loved them enough to train them, encourage them, or show
them how to live, after they left the place of their birth.
Few had a real mentor to teach them that they weren’t
given life to just exist for themselves. But their life is to have life, a life
with purpose, and understanding of the Creator’s plan, as they were created to
be. Not only in the natural realm, but especially even more so in the spiritual
one.
I mean – how many of this generation now in their
teens, including even those hitting their 40’s, know what life is all about, other
than playing video games for hours, standing in line for the latest hot movie a
day before it opens, or getting drunk, taking drugs of all kinds, or having sex
(with whomever), beginning in their middle school years?
Where are the fathers? Where are the mothers?
How far we have fallen.
The verse written just before Malachi 4:6, before
the restoration of the fathers to their children, says it even more which is
worth noting.
"Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the
prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord. He will
restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the
children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a
curse." (Malachi 4:5-6, NASU)
Our Father in heaven clearly states that He is going
to do something about the mess our kids, and their kids, are in. God the Father
says He is going to send Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and
terrible day of the Lord. To do what? To restore the hearts of the fathers to
their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.
As for me, I think that day is now. Certainly we are
approaching the great and terrible day of the Lord, in these last days. Thus
so, I am looking, I am expecting, I am believing the Lord is going to keep this
promise, His promise to His people.
Will each child have a father and mother to train
them, to teach them, to instruct them in the ways of the Lord? I don’t think
so, but I do believe that those who are longing for such a one in their life
will certainly be given one – a “parent” who will care for them. Teach them
right from wrong. Black and white. No gray stuff here.
And for those of us who know what to do, how to do
it, and when to do it – live as we were created to live– we will be given these
ones to do just that. Show them the way they are to go.
I am glad my Dad taught me the basics of life. That
wrench that I would have left out in the grass, after adjusting the motor on my
lawnmower, would have rusted after the first rain. And then I would have had to
buy another one, using money I would have spent on a nice hamburger and French fries.
I am very grateful for that, but even more so, how
he taught me, by example, how to live right.
Lesson taught. Lesson learned. We have to do the
same for those who need it now.
My eyes are open. My heart is ready, as a father, to
teach those who want to be taught.
My heart has been turned to my children, and those
who need a dad.
So think on this, in the love of
Jesus,
Steve Martin
Love For His People, Inc.
P.S. I would be
most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends.
They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks!
Steve
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Now Think On This - In the New Year of our Lord 01.18.16 -
#235 –“Need A Dad? Lesson Taught. Lesson Learned.” – Monday at 6:30 am
All previous editions of Now Think On This can
be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This
Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this
encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social
media icons below. Thanks! Steve
LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE FEATURED BOOK
Paperback $5.99
Kindle: $1.99
Buy here: The Promise by Steve Martin
Throughout our lives, God keeps His hand on our shoulders and nudges us on to more than what we could ever realize. I am excited to share how He did it this with me, and am confident mine will be a story you’ll be able to relate to.
As I unveil my story, think back to those times when you knew there was some¬thing more but you just couldn’t put your finger on it. You knew deep down that life wasn’t what the TV sitcoms portrayed it to be. In our souls there is the hope, the cry for more, that someday questions will be answered and promises fulfilled if we just kept plugging away at what we know to do.
In The Promise I share my 40 year journey with you, and show you that dreams do come true. Though Peter Pan isn’t real, the Lord, the One Who created us, certainly is, and He has a plan in place for each one of us. When you are done reading this story, my prayer is that you too will know more of that good plan and His purpose for you.
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People
Charlotte, NC
