Who’s Your Daddy?

I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father. “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” John 8:38-47 NIV

Truth is truth and a lie is lie and a liar is liar. There is no way to “pretty up ugliness from within.” A common phrase known by many is, “beauty is only skin deep,” and if that’s true, when ugly hits the surface, we know ugliness dwells in the depths of a person’s soul.

You see, I’m not referring to a person’s looks, but their attitude and behavior. I’ve known some very “unattractive” people by “people standards” who were the most beautiful people I’ve ever met. And then I’ve known some attractive people who were downright ugly.

A person’s beauty or ugliness has nothing to do with their physical appearance as far as I’m concerned; nor do I waste my time trying to determine if a newborn looks like its mother or father--a newborn baby looks like a newborn baby–lovable.

But then we grow up and as babies grow and develop–their physical features sharpen, their personality is revealed and for the most part, what we see in a seven year-old is what we’ll see in a seventy-year old if there is no discipline in the child’s life.

For the most part, the frontal lobe of our brains are not fully developed until we’re somewhere between the ages of 23-25 years–give or take a few years. That’s the time we can rationally and logically develop clear and coherent thinking skills and act accordingly. When we see irrational behavior in an adult from ages 26 upwards–we can conclude (accurately in most cases) that there was some developmental delay in the brain or in an older person, brain cells are diminishing or malfunctioning.

From a biological and physiological perspective, when a person’s brain is malfunctioning they have difficulty understanding right from wrong and truth from lies. From a spiritual perspective–either they know and acknowledge God as their Father and speak truth, or they acknowledge the devil is their daddy and speak lies.

We have the son of the devil living in the White House–whether it is #45 or the puppeteer encouraging him to do stupid is anyone’s guess. But when #45 claims to be a Christian–he lies–there is no evidence–no fruit of such an occurrence ever happening. But there is more than enough evidence to find him guilty of being the devil’s son. The lies, the lack of empathy, the callousness, the craving to rule others when there is no evidence he can discipline himself.

Think about it! That’s exactly how the devil acts–always trying to influence people to do evil, thinking he can rule God’s kingdom, and manipulating others into thinking the way he thinks. And those who are easily influenced, are misled and eventually brought to destruction because they allowed evil to guide them, instead of truth.

Now, Jesus is Truth and He is the Son of God, therefore God is Truth. If God is our Father, we should want to speak and live truth. If the devil is our father, we will speak and live lies. So, who’s your daddy? Do you look like your father? Do you act like your father? Speaking truth whether people want to hear it or not–indicates you belong to God. Speaking lies just to get people on your side–indicates you belong to the devil. You know who you belong to–and so does God. And your attitude and behavior–is a revelation for all who pay attention to you.

Lord, help all of Your children to be more like You on a daily basis. Create in us a desire to submit to You and resist the devil and all of his temptations so he’ll flee from us. Keep us strengthened by Your love and encouraged through Holy Spirit to stay in the battle until victory is won over evil.

Advertisement

Mothers and Fathers!

If you’re reading this and are as tired of the nonsense we see promoted in the media on a daily basis, then you understand why we need to address–mothers and fathers.

No matter how often we talk about family–we must understand God’s plan for family. He intended for the mothers to be mothers–to be role models for the daughters they might have and to guide their sons–not only in being a good person, but in understanding the role of a man by encouraging a right relationship with fathers.

Fathers are needed in every little girl’s life. Little girls are born with an inherent need to be loved by their fathers and when fathers are not around, that need is easily influenced by predators and the girls are drawn into situations that could cause them irreparable harm. That first love of a man should be from a father and every little girl should know–that a father molded and motivated by God is their protector–not their persecutor. A father who loves God will never molest his own daughter or the daughter of anyone else. When a father molests a child–of either sex–they are setting that child down a path that could turn disastrous--and they may never live the life God intended them to live. Fathers–O Fathers–you have failed your daughters.

Every little boy needs their father in their lives to teach them how to be men of courage and valor and honor and integrity. When boys don’t have an appropriate role model in their fathers to teach them, they go astray–angry, bitter, and frustrated, seeking vengeance and will take out their frustrations upon anyone they come across. This is why we have gangs attacking senior citizens and robbing them. This is why we have males breaking into homes and beating older residents to death. This is why we have males thinking they have a right to carjack people. This is why males think they have a right to pick up a gun and take someone’s life and expect no repercussions. Fathers–O Fathers–you have failed your sons!

Mothers–I’m not letting you off easy either. A daughter needs to understand how men should treat her and if you’re allowing every Tom, Dick and Harry into your homes and putting your children in jeopardy–your daughters may never know what a man’s love is really all about. Love–is not lust and has nothing to do with physical aspects of sexuality. Teach your daughters to respect themselves–in how they dress and how they talk–to others and to think of themselves the way God sees them--more precious than jewels. Be the role model God intended for you to be and don’t allow society to dictate to you–how to be a Godly mother. Don’t fail your daughters–the enemy seeks to destroy her and make her feel worthless and unwanted. By being a Godly example of motherhood–as God intended, you can foil the enemy’s plans for your daughter’s life.

Mothers–stop talking about absent dads–running them into the ground just because you’re frustrated about a failed relationship.  When you decide to have children, your children must be your first priority and if by chance you hooked up with the wrong man and made a baby–deal with it. Seek God’s wisdom to raise that child and to handle the disappointment of the relationship that probably never should have been. Don’t allow your sons to become so bitter about their fathers they refuse to hear them–especially when they’re telling them the right thing to do. Don’t fail your sons–the enemy already has plans for him and you’re the only one who can foil the enemy’s plans!

One final cautionary note for both–mothers and fathers.  Don’t allow the disappointments or the horrible events in your own life to flow over into the lives of your children. Seek help and get over it so your children can lead, full, productive lives–knowing they are loved, by you and God!

Let’s change this culture of inconsideration and disrespect by training our children in the ways they should go so when they are older, what they have been taught, won’t leave them.

Happy Father’s Day!

I write to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
Because you have overcome the wicked one.
I write to you, little children,
Because you have known the Father. (I John 2:13 NKJV)

 

Know that the God we serve is the same as He was yesterday, and will be until the end.  Look unto Him to know all things in how to be a godly father, doing all things well for your children.

Happy Father’s Day!

 

Who Called You?

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV).

“Johnny, take out the garbage!”

“Carlos, go find your brother!”

Remember when you heard someone calling you; especially your mother? You could tell by her tone what mood she was in. And God help us if we were called by our ‘full names’. We knew we were in trouble. But mothers are not the only ones who call us to do something.

God calls us to do specific things in life and when we do what He wants us to do, He honors our efforts and good things happen. What has He called us to do? That depends. Every believer is called to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but some have been gifted to operate in specific offices of ministry. “He gave gifts for some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and some teachers (of The Word)” (Ephesians 4:11). Here’s something to think about God’s gifts–they are without repentance. In other words, whether we live right or not, the gifts He has given, will not be taken from us; they simply won’t be as effective as they could be.

When God “has called us” into a ministry office, it does not matter what others think since we should only be concerned about pleasing God. If God is pleased, nothing and no one else matters.

The real problem with ministry in the church is when “other people call someone” into an office. Some fathers call their sons into ministry; some mothers call their sons into ministry; some pastors call their children into ministry; some showing favoritism call people into ministry that God has never even considered. When this happens, the gifts are counterfeit and the anointing is manipulated to make it appear as though God had a hand in it. How do we know?

Listen to those with “counterfeit gifts” and see if what they say aligns with The Word. Can we find anywhere in The Word of God, preachers condemning people for how they dress or other such nonsense? Can we find the preachers of the bible, lining people up to give an offering based on the amount for which “they” are asking and then belittling those who have nothing to give? Can we find preachers in the Bible who promote dancing and shouting over hearing The Word, so by the time they stop dancing and shouting, they are too  tired to hear The Word? Can we find preachers in the Bible who promote worldliness over godliness? Can we find preachers in the Bible who always “have a word of wisdom” for the people they know, but never have anything to say about those they don’t know? This list could go on and on, but there is not enough space or time to continue. Do you get the point?

God knows those He has called–He knows what gifts they have been anointed with to help move the body of Christ forward; not backwards. Those who God has called may not pastor a mega-church, but they have mega-influence over all who know them. Those who God has called, always give God credit for everything they accomplish in life. Those who God has called, understand the importance of only saying or teaching what God has already said. Those who God has called, “Study the Word so they can rightly divide (explain) it to others”. This is how we recognize the difference between those who God has called, from those who others have called.

Who called you? Or better yet, who called the person to whom you’re listening and following?

Father, grant us all the gift of discernment this day so we will not make a mockery of the gifts You have given us, to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Whose Child Are You?

“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—” (John 1:12 NIV).

We are the children of the Most High God; Jesus is our elder brother, we are joint-heirs with Him–when we receive and believe the work on the cross He did for us. Hallelujah!

We have rights–the right to believe every one of God’s promises is for us and receive them; we have the right to expect Him to hear every one of our prayers and respond; we have a right to proclaim His name in promoting the Gospel; we have a right to be heard in our proclamation, but the children of Belial also have rights.

They have the right to reject everything God has said, reject the work on the cross, deny themselves the right to receive God’s promises and the right to cut off any possible ties that would lead to a relationship with God. They have a right to lie, steal, kill, deceive, and destroy. They have a right to mimic their daddy. They have a right to reject the proclamations of Jesus Christ and they have a right to choose their place of rest for all eternity, as do we.

For the over thirty years, I have been exercising my rights as a child of the Most High.  I have encountered many obstacles, but He has created triumph out of trials. He has made me victorious when I could have been victimized. His love has sustained me  and lifted me when love could not be found in other people. His Word has encouraged me when others would not speak to me. I have a right to do all that I have seen my Daddy do. I have a right to proclaim His goodness and Praise Him everywhere I go. I am His Child and He is my Daddy–The Greatest Father Ever Known! Hallelujah!

Whose child are you?

 

My Daddy Did it!

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4:11 NIV).

I woke up thinking about the non-believers’ conversation about the non-existence of God and of course, I was reminded of God’s Word. What I always find both amazing and gratifying is the fact that whenever I need the reminder, my Daddy, through the Holy Spirit, always brings it back to my remembrance, just like He said He would.

Now, before some get upset with my reference to God as my “Daddy” understand that this represents my relationship with God.  He is my Father, my Daddy and I never take this relationship for granted. He is the “Great I Am”, Jehovah Jireh and known by so many more “titles” that I won’t list them here. However He is known by the masses, depends upon their relationship with Him.

At any rate, “He created all things and without Him nothing was created” and that is the end of the matter for most believers.

Rather than argue or debate His existence, we should work on our relationship with God (Our Daddy), listen when He speaks, be quick to obey, and then when people marvel at the great things He does for us and through us, we can proudly say, “My Daddy Did It!”

Look at the cloud formations on various days in various types of weather; My Daddy did it.

Look at the bodies of water that encourage amazement and awe; My Daddy did it.

Look at the hills and mountainsides and wonder people often feel; My Daddy did it.

Look at the miracles performed which no one can explain; My Daddy did it.

Look at the love He has shown us by sacrificing His Son for us; My Daddy did it.

Look at all we have in life that allows us to enjoy life more; My Daddy did it, when He inspired others to create all manner of things.

Look at all the labels we have attached to things; My Daddy did it, when He spoke to those who determined what we call things.

Science is known as science because My Daddy inspired someone to attach the label. Science attempts to explain what already exists, but cannot replicate the intricacies of all that My Daddy has created when He created us!

Everything that mankind has done has ignited a response from My Daddy and mankind has incurred the result of the response of obedience or disobedience, just as He said it would happen.

When the enemy attempts to cause you to doubt, remind him, our Daddy is bigger and that He also created him who is angry enough to engender hatred because of his hatred of God. Satan is the father of liars, a master of deception, and his job is to kill, steal and destroy.  I’m so thankful that My Daddy is greater than all the mischief that Satan can devise.

Happy Father’s Day!

I pray for every man who is a father after God’s own heart and especially for those are not.

There’s more to being a father than being part of the process of making a baby.  Fathers provide for their children and spend quality time with them, teaching them how to do things well, and guiding them in the right direction.  Fathers after God’s own heart, live the life of a father by patterning themselves after the greatest example of a Father.

Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask that You bless all the men who are living with a relationship with You, and treating their children the way You treat us–with love in all things, guiding, teaching, and correcting when needed. We give You praise for You are the only One worthy of it.   Speak to the hearts of those who don’t have a relationship with You and turn their hearts towards You so they will hear You.  Bless this nation and continually speak to the heart our president as he strives to do what is best for every American.  Speak to hearts of all those who oppose him and guide them into a right relationship with You so that none in this country suffers needlessly.  In Jesus’ name I thank You for it all being done!  Amen!

Father to Sons

June 2013

Dear Sons of Valor,

As I watch your every move, I’m saddened by what I see—the Creation, the image of me—no longer recognizable because of all you wanted to be.

I gave you power to get wealth and you instead chose greed because of your need.

I gave you sons and daughters to be your pride and joy and yet you abused and misused them all, the girls and the boys.

I gave you dominion over all the earth, took it back, and yet reconciled our relationship, but you decided to revile it by ignoring my warnings through all my messengers.

I gave you chance after chance to get it right and take your rightful place in your home and you abandoned that which was given and left them alone.

I gave you opportunities to reach out and build and yet you chose to tear down those walls and tried to rebuild on your own foundation and not that of my Son’s.

I watch you slither and creep among those who wish you nothing but ill-will and I try to speak to your heart, but you tune me out, still.

I watch as you allow your daughters to never understand what a right relationship should be with a man.

I watch your sons go through life angry and hurt because you were not there, your manhood to assert what a real man does.

Time is running out for you to understand, I created you to be the head, not behind, and I need you to be the man, the strong foundation on which family is built to last, providing direction and counsel for all in your home that will last and to do all things with honor and integrity so your children will see what life is meant to be.

Look unto me, if you’re not sure what to do.  My love is unfailing towards you at all times and I am here, just call on me for direction and inspiration and stay in My Word and watch me fulfill all that I promised to you as the man, the head, the priest of his home, walking more like Me, every day!

Your Loving,

Heavenly Father

Trapped Video Readings

A variety of selections from Trapped are being read and posted on YouTube.  Tune in and let me know what you think.  The sequel for Taryn’s story should be available on eBook before the end of May 2013.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyZHxXyguP0

Taryn–Excerpt from Trapped

When I moved into the first grade, there was no more play time in class, now all the play time took place outside on the playground.  While the girls were playing their games, I was playing tag and hide-and-seek with the boys.  One day, while we were playing, one of the boys asked me why I always played with them.

“Why?” I asked him.  “Is there something wrong with me playing with you?”

“No,” he said, shrugging his shoulders.  “I just wanted to know.”

I didn’t think any more about it until later that day when I got home and I decided to ask my dad about it.

“Dad, is there anything wrong with me playing with boys?”

“No, not if that’s what you want to do.  Why?”

“A boy at school asked me why I always played with them rather than the girls.”

“Are they bothered by your playing with them?” he asked, intently.

“I don’t know.  He just asked.”

I thought that ended the conversation, but then I noticed that my dad started doing things differently.  He bought fashion magazines home and dolls with wardrobes and silly girly pajamas.  When I asked him why he was doing all that stuff, he just smiled and said, “no reason.”  I didn’t think much more about it until he started sending me to spend time with my aunts more often than usual.  That was okay with me—their kids had lots of cool stuff to play with and I could even beat one their sons wrestling.

It wasn’t until I was in the second grade that I knew something was different about me.  On the outside I was a girl, but I wasn’t interested in any of the girl stuff.  I wasn’t sitting around giggling about boys or the silly things they did; I didn’t want to do things with them. One day when we were outside on the jungle-gym, I climbed to the top and one of the girls asked me if I knew that my panties could be seen.  I was horrified!  It had never occurred to me that I shouldn’t climb things while wearing a dress.  After all, my dad spent a great deal of time picking the dresses out for me.  I climbed down, petrified that the boys I had been playing with would laugh.  One snickered, the others just looked away.  When I got home that day, I told my dad I never wanted to wear a dress again. He asked me why and I told him what happened.  While I was talking, his face puzzled—crinkled with indecision and concern.  He told me not to worry about it and he would buy me more pants.

When I came home the following day, Dad had gone shopping for pants, but they all zipped on the side.  I wanted pants with a fly.  I didn’t know why, I just wanted pants that looked like the other boys’ pants. My tantrum about the pants brought us both to a new awareness.  I didn’t want to be girl; I wanted to be a boy.  Not knowing what else to do, he sat on my bed staring at the picture of my mother.  I didn’t know what to say, so I just waited.  He looked toward the ceiling, tears flowing down his face and he said, “I’m sorry, Elena, I did the best I could without you.”