Things I Wish My Father Knew #5 Discipline Your Child

Every child

must sometimes be

disciplined

by his

earthly

or

Heavenly Father

in order that he may learn

self-control,

responsibility and

accountability.

Love

is the key

to discipline.

So…

Discipline your child

in love

because you love him,

just as your

Heavenly Father

disciplines

you

because

He loves you!

“Our fathers disciplined us

for a little while

as they thought best;

but God disciplines us

for our good,

that we may share

in His holiness.

No discipline seem pleasant

at the time, but painful.

later on, however,

it produces a harvest

of righteousness and peace

for those who have been trained by it”

(Hebrews 12:10-11)

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Things I Wish My Father Knew #4 Spiritual Leadership

A godly father?

How does one fulfil that role?

In the hustle and bustle

of earning a living,

priorities are often confused

and misdirected.

Ideally, family members

take their nourishment together –

both physically

and spiritually.

What better time is there

to read God’s word together

than after a satisfying meal?

Or… before everyone go to sleep?

What a heritage to have

…a father who prays

for the welfare of his family

at mealtime!

…a father who brings

his family with him

to the house of God

on the day of worship!

…a father willing to assume

that role of leadership

his Creator entrusted to him!

“He who fears the LORD

has a secure fortress

and for his children

it will be a refuge”

(Proverbs 14:26)

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Timothy, Disciplined Those Who Made A Thorough Mess of Their Faith (1 Timothy 1:19-20)

“Timothy… fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme”
(1 Timothy 1:18-20, NIV)

To me, the last words of this chapter are sad indeed – a honest reality – and it tell a story which has been repeated over and over again both in the Old Testament and especially in the New Testament: a story of people who were once believe rejecting or putting away or “made a thorough mess of their faith” in Christ (v.19, The Message). How many there have been who have started out well (think of your ex-classmates, campus fellowship friends, church youths and family members) but have gone off from the faith and into doctrinal error and subsequently not only their relationship with God but their whole lives as well can be summed up in one word: “shipwrecked.”

If you’re not familiar with the word “shipwrecked” as I do, simply put, it mean “wandered away from the truth” (see 1 Timothy 2:17). From what I read, it seems that Hymenaeus and Alexander are wilfully turned their back on the “sound doctrine” (1:10) that came to Paul from God. They wilfully rejected their “faith” and ignored “good conscience.” As a result – shipwrecked. Hymenaeus then referred again in 1 Timothy 2:17 and we learn that at least part of his error was in teaching that “the resurrection has already taken place.” This and other errors that we can only speculate led to shipwrecked lives.

And here is a mystery. Paul says that he has delivered or “handed” them “over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.” Honestly, I don’t know for sure what it means. I remember reading 1 Corinthians 5 where Paul instructs the church of Corinth concerning a man who was living in incest to “hand [him] over to Satan”. Same treatment here. And why? “…so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord” (v.5). I don’t believe that this shipwrecked faith will mean that they will lose their salvation and go to hell – maybe or maybe not – for I interprets it as Paul’s direction to Timothy to discipline them severely even excommunication so that they would see their error and will repent. Church discipline, have you heard about it before? You must. And as Christian leader, you must take disciplinary action against those who “blaspheme” God and His name by teaching false doctrines.

Three questions to ponder:

How can you avoid or defend yourself from “shipwreck” of the faith?

Are you and your church equipped with “sound doctrine”?

As leader, do you practice church disciple?

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Things I Wish My Father Knew #3 Your Awesome Responsibility

“Dada,” Music to your ears!

What a wonderful word

for your baby to say

Dada…

Daddy…

Dad…

Father

What an awesome responsibility

Fatherhood is…

to be entrusted

with the care

of a precious, growing child

And…

No aspect of that responsibility

is more important

than the spiritual nurturing

of your child

In a world of harsh realities,

limitless dangers,

and uncounted temptations,

you may very well be

the only path

your child has

that leads to God

Dada… Daddy… Dad… Father

To be a godly father

to that growing child:

what an awesome responsibility!

“Fathers,

do not exasperate

your children;

instead,

bring them up

in the training and instruction

of the Lord”
(Ephesians 6:4)

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Timothy, Remember Your Calling in Life and Ministry (1 Timothy 1:18-19)

“This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience”
(1 Timothy 1:18-19, ESV)

I can sense Paul’s tenderness toward Timothy by calling him “my child” and also his seriousness by telling “this charge I entrust to you.” Another translation for “entrust” is “commit” which also means to “deposit,” just as I would take my life’s savings and entrust them to Maybank for safe keeping. Paul is placing great responsibility on Timothy by charging him with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But mind you, Paul does not do so with stern authoritarianism (though no doubt Paul have authority over Timothy as apostle) but as a (spiritual) father speaking to the son he loves.

This charge is then reinforced by “the prophecies previously made about” Timothy. I’m not sure what were prophesied about him. I think this is the same reference point to event as in 1 Timothy 4:14, “Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.” This may refer to some special revelation of the Holy Spirit concerning Timothy’s call and ministry. Those prophesies, I think, was why Timothy is where he is now in leadership position. Why Paul need to reminded Timothy about his charge? Because the Christian life and ministry is a “warfare” in conflict with all the forces of evils.

Perhaps you, a child of God, reading this article needs to look back to your own “call” to serve the Son of God. It may be that call was to the ministry or some other phrase of the Lord’s service. Don’t forget, my friend that God have called you and His Holy Spirit will guide and empower you. So “be fearless in your struggle, keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we’re in” (1 Timothy 1:18b-19a, The Message). Remember your calling...

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Things I Wish My Father Knew #2 Where to Find Instruction and Guidance?

We live in a changing society –

technologically…

morally.

The role expectations for fathers

are quite different today

than in grandfather’s day!

House husband?

Chances are

your grandfather

never heard of such thing.

New rules for the game of life?

No! Our Creator’s precepts for life

are changeless.

So… where do you go for

Instruction…

Guidance…

Support?

Where can you find unchanging standard

for this increasingly complicated

role of fatherhood?

Try your own Heavenly Father!

Because of His infinite love

for his own children,

His Word will instruct you,

His example will guide you, and

His love will support you.

Stand firmly on the unchanging

Word of God!

“I the Lord do not change”
(Malachi 3:6)

“Your Word, O LORD,

is eternal;

it stands firm

in the heavens.

Your Laws endure

to this day,

for all things serve you.

… I will ponder your statutes.

Your statutes are wonderful;

therefore I obey them.

The entrance of your words

gives light;

it gives understanding

to the simple.”

(Psalm 119:89, 91, 95, 129, 130)

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.

Things I Wish My Father Knew #1 "Sons are a Heritage from the LORD"

Marriage is a time of beginning.

Another time of beginning

in a marriage

is the birth of a child.

… A dramatic,

miraculous

beginning!

And what a pride, joy and love

a father feels

as this tiny, new person

is placed in his arms

for the very first time!

For the child,

it is a start

into new surroundings –

a brand new environment.

For the father,

it is an untested start

into this thing

called parenting.

Joy and pride

mix with fear and uncertainty

as new roles and responsibilities

are cautiously approached.

Truly… a drastic,

miraculous

beginning!

“Sons are a heritage from the LORD,

children a reward from him.

Like arrows in the hands of a warrior

are sons born in one’s youth.

Blessed is the man

whose quiver is full of them.”

(Psalm 127:3-5)

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.