2 Marks of a Great Father

ENGLISH

And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate 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 children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually. — Job 1:5

As a young man, I grew up without a father in my home. Therefore, when I eventually became a father, I wondered if I would make a very good one myself. But this text provides some great wisdom. It clarifies two marks of great fathers.

First, great fathers make spiritual leadership a priority. Notice that Job rose early in the morning. It appears to be his first waking thought. And let's keep in mind, Job was a busy man. In verse three, the author states he was one of the wealthiest and largest ranchers in all the east (Job 1:3). Yet even though his business and the busyness was calling, it waited. His priority on this morning was the spiritual leadership of his family. On this day, it was his children that came to mind. This is a definitive mark of a great father. He cares first about the spiritual leadership of his family.

Second, great fathers are marked by their selfless offerings. Notice that Job did not offer a sacrifice for himself, which would be expected in this situation. Rather, out of concern for his children, he offers a sacrifice for them. This is rather unusual but highly commendable. It gives us insight into how much he cared about his children and their ongoing relationship with God.

And so, in this one verse, Job raises the bar for all Christian fathers. Here are two questions to consider:

  1. What adjustments do you need to make in your schedule for your family?
  2. What spiritual sacrifices do you need to make for the care of your family?

Adjust today. Whether you are a father or not. And set a new pattern and example for coming generations.

ASK THIS: What adjustment or sacrifice do you need to make today?

DO THIS: Make a small adjustment and share your commitment below.

PRAY THIS: God, I want my family and children to know you — not how busy I am or how much I work. Help me prioritize and reprioritize my life and align it to things that matter for eternity.

PLAY THIS: Lead Me.

SPANISH
FRENCH
AFRIKAANS
DUTCH
CHINESE

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Read through the Bible daily with Vince Miller.

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Eddie Ackerman

I need to, and will, pray OUT LOUD for my kids when they wake up so that they KNOW I am concerned about their day and spiritual well being.

Tyler

Philipians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but consider other more important than yourself. I need to man up and lead by putting my family’s need ahead of my own desires and make what is important to them important to me.

Sam

My selfish and self centered ways need to be adjusted

David J

Spend more time as a family sharing the word of God

Rex

It’s my second youngest granddaughter’s birthday today. “Camden Claire” is three years old. I need to call her and tell her how special she is to our family and pray for her day

Chris

To sit down as a family for dinner

Corey

So good!!!
To simply set myself and the things I enjoy aside to make happen, the things my children have been asking to do! It’s easy to get burned out and need our personal time as parents however, being passive to what matters most to our children is just what the enemy wants and we can’t let this happen.

Blessings today everyone!!!

Rich Thomas

Less work for me and more play with my kids.

Cory B

Show up to events instead of my own busyness. She needs to know she is a priority in my life.

Gary Ward

It’s amazing how much 15 to 20 minutes studying the word and praying each morning makes a difference in our decision making for the day.
Thanks Vince for following your vision towards men’s ministry and discipleship.

David L. Trima

My Dad kind of lead me by stepping aside…explanation….He was the first born American of Italian parents. So of course he grew up Catholic and did NOT want me to be. When my parents found out that I was on the way, he told my mother that he wanted me to be brought up Baptist with her. He ALWAYS supported me in what I was doing church wise, BUT could not tell his parents that he wanted to switch.

Lynn

Pray for them and our grandchildren to love Christ. I am retired so my time me is always theirs. Pray they aren’t to busy with life to read and hear God’s word .

Ed

Keep reaching out to them
Telling them I love them, I’m proud of them and that they are good at something. God gifts us all with something to offer others

Mark

I need to get another family devotional book and start again with the kids right after dinner

Danny Leo

I love the look into Job’s heart and how he put God 1st and the spiritual needs of his family extremely high up his priority list… my adjustment is to continue to have heart to hearts with my kids, but do them more frequently and not let my priority list “get in the way” of my family. I love the car rides to and from practice and this always is a good time to speak to and listen to my kids needs. God Bless!

SHELDON Bullard

My children are all grown up now i hope that what my wife and i would have model before them that they teach them to their children, what i seek to do is just be their for them to give advice, i too like daily pray for them. for the fathers who have small kids my advise to you is love them, play with them, spend time with them. you have one shot at raising them when they are gone they are gone for good so make the best of if.