Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" – Matthew 16:22
HAPPY FATHER’s DAY to those of you who are father’s. I wish you much peace and joy today and throughout your life as you watch your children grow in Christ.
We’re fixers. Men, that is. We spend our life trying to fix problems that come up. Problems at work, problems at home, problems with the kids, problems with the wife and even problems with the church. There is something inside of men that drive us to fix things. Sometimes it’s a blessing, like when the handlebars on my daughters bike were loose, or when the latch on the backyard gate was broke. Sometime’s though it is not a blessing. When my wife just wants a someone to listen, or when my kids feelings are hurt because a neighborhood bully said something mean. You can’t fix these things, it requires compassion, love and understanding.
Peter rebuked Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Filled with his desire to fix the situation in a manner which aligned with his understanding of Jesus’ purpose on this earth, he told the Savior of the World – “Not on my watch”. His pride, his confidence in himself and his desire to control the situation had overcome his faith and trust in God’s plan for salvation. Do you recall how Jesus responded to Peter? "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” He immediately put to rest any attacks by Satan to thwart the plans of God the Father.
This determination to solve problems our own way and in our timing is inherent in all of us. We must take a step back and seek the intent of God the Father in our actions and decisions in life. Not everything has to be fixed, sometimes we just need to be there, to love and to understand. As a father of 5 and grandfather of 2, I struggle with this daily. I am constantly trying to fix things the way I think they should be, without considering that perhaps God has a much bigger plan for the situation or brokenness that I am going through.
As father's we are chartered with the job of leading our families in a way that demonstrates the love of God in a way that clearly establishes a foundation that will endure. We look to our fathers for loving discipline to teach us right from wrong; for moral and ethical guidance to carry on a legacy from generation to generation; for leadership in decision making to frame our independence and for strength to make it through the struggles we face in life. A father brings vision to a family and when led by God's wisdom and courage will ensure that his children experience the love, peace and enduring grace of the Savior. When we struggle with life’s challenges in our families, at work and at home we must learn to trust in God’s authority and power to be strong enough.
Peter rebuked Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Filled with his desire to fix the situation in a manner which aligned with his understanding of Jesus’ purpose on this earth, he told the Savior of the World – “Not on my watch”. His pride, his confidence in himself and his desire to control the situation had overcome his faith and trust in God’s plan for salvation. Do you recall how Jesus responded to Peter? "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” He immediately put to rest any attacks by Satan to thwart the plans of God the Father.
This determination to solve problems our own way and in our timing is inherent in all of us. We must take a step back and seek the intent of God the Father in our actions and decisions in life. Not everything has to be fixed, sometimes we just need to be there, to love and to understand. As a father of 5 and grandfather of 2, I struggle with this daily. I am constantly trying to fix things the way I think they should be, without considering that perhaps God has a much bigger plan for the situation or brokenness that I am going through.
As father's we are chartered with the job of leading our families in a way that demonstrates the love of God in a way that clearly establishes a foundation that will endure. We look to our fathers for loving discipline to teach us right from wrong; for moral and ethical guidance to carry on a legacy from generation to generation; for leadership in decision making to frame our independence and for strength to make it through the struggles we face in life. A father brings vision to a family and when led by God's wisdom and courage will ensure that his children experience the love, peace and enduring grace of the Savior. When we struggle with life’s challenges in our families, at work and at home we must learn to trust in God’s authority and power to be strong enough.
Prayer:
Almighty God,
I pray for the father’s in this world. I pray that you fill them with a passion for serving You, a desire to be in Your will and the strength to stand firm in Your ways. This world is attacking the family from every angle Lord and we need You as our guard and our shield of protection from the enemy. Build up a fortress, beginning with the father’s in every household, to stand against evil in this world. For only through You can we be made strong. In Your name we pray – Amen
http://www.10minutereader.com
©Sondove Enterprises, 2011
Almighty God,
I pray for the father’s in this world. I pray that you fill them with a passion for serving You, a desire to be in Your will and the strength to stand firm in Your ways. This world is attacking the family from every angle Lord and we need You as our guard and our shield of protection from the enemy. Build up a fortress, beginning with the father’s in every household, to stand against evil in this world. For only through You can we be made strong. In Your name we pray – Amen
http://www.10minutereader.com
©Sondove Enterprises, 2011
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