A FAITHFUL FATHER

“So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, ‘It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.’ Thus Job did regularly" (Job 1:5 NKJV).

Job presents a powerful example of godliness and a man who sought to honor the Lord in all he did. He was also a faithful father who was deeply committed to his family.

He provided a godly example - Job was an enormously wealthy man but there was much more to his legacy than his bank account. He was described as a man who was “blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil” (v.1). Fathers, your children will imitate you. Money may buy many things but it cannot buy character. Job provided something more important than dollars and cents, he provided a Godly example.

He was present in their lives - Job was not there for the actual celebration but he was very aware of his children’s activities. He was not a disengaged father. He was a presence in their lives, even though they were adults.

He served as priest of his household - Job would send for his children after the time of feasting and “purified or sanctified” them. Job was as concerned for God’s glory as he was for his children. He was calling his children to be conscious of their sins. As minister of our families, our main responsibility is to teach our children about the things of God. As priest of the family, it is the father’s responsibility to bring up his children “in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).

Job persevered - “Thus Job did regularly.” Interceding on behalf of his children was Job’s daily custom. The world does not need more actors or rock stars. The world needs father who are willing to go the distance. Fathers who are willing to sacrifice for the sake of the future. This is eternally important.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Your children are not only heirs to your possessions - they are heirs to your values and character!”

Anonymous

Word Study

Distress

In Rom. 2:9 we read, “There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek!” (NASB).

Distress is the Greek word stenochōria (στενοχωρία = sten-okh-o-ree'-ah). It is made up of two words: “stenos” which means narrow, and “chora” which means place. Thus the word means narrowness of space, confined space. It pictures finding oneself in a tight corner, with no way out or the possibility of escape.

Literally, stenochoria describes a narrow place, a confined space. Metaphorically, it refers to anxiety and distress of mind, such as when a person does not know where to turn or what to do for relief. It conveys the idea of anguish, calamity, and extreme affliction.

In Classical Greek stenochoria means lack of space, absence of room, a limited time. In the Septuagint as well as the New Testament, stenochoria carries the idea of distress. The apostle Paul talked about taking pleasure in infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecution, and distresses “for Christ’s sake” (2 Cor. 12:10). Paul knew that when he was weak, God would make him strong.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

Old Testament Prophecy – Messiah would emphasize He trusted God and had placed Himself in the Lord’s hands (Psalm 31:14)

New Testament Fulfillment – Matt. 27:43

Did You Know…

The Lord Jesus made his living as a carpenter with hammer, wood, and nails (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3). Jesus was crucified by the Romans who used a hammer, wood, and nails (Matt. 27:35; Mark 15:24; Luke 23:33; John 19:17-18; 20:25-27).

Bible Quiz

My name is Methuselah, and my father was a devout man who walked with God. In the end he was translated to Heaven. Do you know the name of my righteous dad?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: What is another word used in the Old Testament for “Prophet?” “Seer” (1 Sam. 9:8-9; 2 Sam. 24:11).

Everyday Expressions Alluded to in the Bible

"Father knows best”

“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matt. 6:8 NKJV).

“Father knows best” - The expression “father knows best” carries the idea that the parent knows the children’s needs. Being a believer in the Lord Jesus means that God becomes our Father. As a child of God, the believer does not have to worry about God knowing or meeting his needs. Our prayers do not inform or persuade God. He already knows and cares about our need, but He wants us to ask Him. He wants to hear us, He wants to commune with us, more than we could ever want to commune with Him.

Did You Know – Christian History

William Black was born November 10, 1760 in Yorkshire, England. He was the founder of the Methodist congregation in colonial Nova Scotia.

After completing education, William and his family to Nova Scotia in 1775. In 1779, William Black experienced a revolutionary change in his life at a Methodist meeting. From the outset, Willian wanted to carry the Gospel throughout Nova Scotia. He believed that getting right with God should cause a person to want to share the Gospel with others.

William Black preached his first sermon on June 11, 1782 and was determined not to simply be an itinerant evangelist but a Methodist preacher. And although his knowledge of theology was limited, he believed that the new birth was obtained through justification by faith. This new birth combined with disciplined Christian living was the way to Christian perfection or holiness.

To overcome his lack of training, William studied hard on his own. To build the church, he traveled constantly throughout Nova Scotia and neighboring provinces, preaching wherever he could get a hearing. He corresponded with John Wesley and other Methodist leaders. Being a man of tact, he kept good friendship with other evangelicals. When there was no local Methodist group, he would send his converts to the Baptists, although their doctrine were different from his own. All he asked of a church was that it demonstrate the life of Christ in it. In 1789, the conference ordained William as a deacon and elder. At that point, he became the first Canadian citizen ordained in the Methodist church.

As the presiding elder of Eastern Canada, William Black was the most influential Canadian Methodist of his period. His many years of hard work resulted in a solid Methodist organization in Nova Scotia. It was considered the most conservative wing of the Canadian Methodists.

Before his death, he would be known as ‘The Apostle of Methodism in the Maritimes.’ Although he performed the work of a minister in spreading the Gospel, he remained a layman until 1989. William died September 8, 1834 in Halifax.

A Little Humor

A little boy and his father are walking in a cemetery and come across a gravestone that reads “here lies a lawyer and a good man.” “Dad,” the boy asks his father, “Why did they bury 2 men in 1 grave?”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Nothing speaks more clearly of God’s love than the cross!”