Easter
Easter
Birthmarks of a Believer
Birthmarks of a Believer
Bethany Baptist
Understanding - Father’s Day
Proverbs 20:7 - “The just man walks in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.” KJV
In some translations the word “just” is translated “righteous.” This is a powerful, life-impacting, verse - both for the father and for his children. That said, there is one more key word, i.e., “integrity.”
Let’s briefly consider “integrity” – Faithful support of a standard of values. The connection? Notice the terms that occur in parallel with integrity: it suggests shades of righteousness, uprightness, without wavering, and blameless. With that knowledge, we know that “righteousness” is Biblical terminology, and “just” [while also, Biblical terminology] is perhaps more legalistic. Righteousness is used in a comparative moral sense.
One of the greatest gifts parents can give their children is a name that they will be proud of, because their parents have lived with “integrity.”
The righteous (just) man walks in his integrity: For a righteous man or woman, their upright living and integrity will be actually lived out. They will walk in their integrity. His children are blessed after him: That one will create a home and atmosphere that will be a blessing to the child. In that way, the child is blessed after the father.
In dealing with the child, perhaps the father should look at the four “F’s”: Firm, Fair, and Friendly. What about the fourth “F”? That fourth “F” is for Faith! Why do we postpone its entry? Firm, Fair, and Friendly, when fulfilled, will result in love, and when you have love – you have something to have Faith in.
I see it that God the Father is Firm in His Commandments, He is Fair in His Judgment, and He wants that Servant to become a Friend in that special bonding relationship with Him. This He does because He wants us to love Him as He first loved us; the child receiving the love of the Father, after receiving the Father’s Gift of Mercy and Grace.
The children of God are the believers – those saved through repentance of confessed sin unto eternal life with Him, [whether adult or literal child] all believers are included here.
This Father’s Day, do celebrate with the family and children, however, if you’ve not yet made your decision to ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart and to live with Him – wait no longer.
Your demonstration of faith in Jesus Christ will fulfill His commandment, to bring the children onto Him. The Scriptures tell us God will draw men (mankind) unto Himself; if you haven’t answered His calling, dear friend, it’s time.
Biblical Mothers – Ancient to Modern
Scriptural Passage: selected passages from Proverbs 31:10-31
Biblically, the Bible has much to say about mothers. Proverbs 31:29 –How fitting that the book ends with a picture of one who “Excels above them all” – a woman of strong character, great wisdom, many skills, and great compassion. This verse speaks of excellence, moral worth, ability, and nobility, not just marital fidelity. She works not to get rich, but to give of herself to the poor. She can be concerned for others because she has provided for her own family. Verse 26, “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.” Any woman who opens her mouth with wisdom deserves praise, given all the information on the use and misuse of speech in the Book of Proverbs. A virtuous (mature) woman is blessed by her family – by her children as well as her husband. In Verse 29, “But you excel them all.” These are the words of the blessing of her husband. The woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Some have the mistaken idea that the ideal woman of the Bible is retiring, servile, and entirely domestic. Not So! This woman’s strength and dignity do not come from her amazing achievements, however. They are the result of her reverence for God. In our society where physical appearance counts for so much, it may surprise you to realize that her appearance is never mentioned between verse 10-31. Her attractiveness comes entirely from her character. So it is with Jesus, whom none of us has actually seen – it’s His beautiful character – one of “agape” love, that we sing of, “Beautiful Savior…”
The woman described here, in Proverbs 31, has outstanding abilities [a necessity of ancient biblical times]; her family’s social position is high. In fact, she may not be a woman at all – rather a composite portrait of ideal womanhood. That said, do not see her as a model to imitate in every detail; your days aren’t long enough to duplicate her efforts. Rather, see her as an inspiration to be all you can be. You may not be able to be just like her, but you can certainly learn from her.
Understand, if you will, the command is to trust and reverence the LORD and ends with the picture of the woman who fulfills this command. The qualities set forth in Proverbs 31, coupled with the fear of God, lead to enjoyment, success, honor, and worth. Ancient to modern; Proverbs is very practical for our day because it demonstrates how to become wise, make good decisions, and live according to God’s ideal. God Bless Motherhood.