We celebrate the awesome fathers of integrity. Thank you for being upright men of God—we love you!
I often think back fondly of the men in my life who deposited in me good principles to live by. It is these principles that I cherish and put into practice every day. Unfortunately, too many families do not have a godly husband or father in the home to provide or protect them. As a result, there is no godly man loving, teaching, and training the children based on God’s Holy Word (John 13:34-35; Titus 2:1-2, 6-8). This is not the perfect order of our Heavenly Father and many times this situation brings pain and suffering to all.
I was blessed to be raised in a Christian home with a father and mother who loved the Lord. I know that it was their prayers and discipline that kept me safe when I was determined to do wrong (Proverbs 13:24; 22:6). It was only through the grace of God that I came out of my rebellious years alive and unharmed (Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:6-7; Hosea 8:7; John 8:32). Thank you, Jesus!
Soon after I got married, my husband and I joined Crenshaw Christian Center, an outstanding church in Los Angeles. It was through the teachings of then Apostle Federick K.C. Price that I came to know and better understand the responsibilities of the parents. God intended for the husband and wife to work to together to make a happy home for themselves and their children. We all need living examples to follow and imitate (Hebrews 6:9-12). Apostle Price and Dr. Betty were excellent role models for John and myself. They lived their lives in such a manner to bring glory and honor to our Heavenly Father. We were blessed to have an exceptional man and woman of God in our lives.
It is for this reason that I want to encourage you men to be your finest. God’s Word says that you are not an accident. You were created and fashioned in the image of the Living God (Genesis 1:26-28). You have a godly plan and purpose on your life that was assigned to you and you alone. If you are married and/or have children you have the ability to be the best husband and parent in Jesus. All it takes is to say “no” to sin and then choose to be obedient to God’s Word. This can easily be accomplished, if you allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in all things (I Corinthians 2:9-16).
And, if you don’t already know the women in your life are depending on you to complete your God given role, as the leader, protector and provider. You must think, speak and act like our Savior and Lord Jesus the Christ. In fact, when it comes to the family structure, the husband is the head; secondly the wife/mother as the homemaker; and then the children. This is the perfect order of God that provides stability in the home and nourishes love and peace.