HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Happy father's day!

What does that mean to you?

My wife Robertha was in labour for just over 7 hours. I remember it clearly because I was there through it all. I recall that before midnight on June 12, 2006 she started having contractions. We called our doctor and Robertha explained how she was feeling. Doc advised us to go to the hospital. When we got there the nurses checked her while I scrubbed in and waited anxiously. I recall sitting by her on the hospital bed holding her hand and trying to find jokes to tell her as the contractions came and went. I watched my daughter Samara being born at 7:47 am on June 13, 2006. I was a daddy!

That was the easy part. What about being a father? I can tell you what the Holy Bible says BUT I can also tell you that I am striving through Christ Jesus to live up to the Biblical definition of father, daddy and papa. My daughter deserves it.

In the Old Testament the English word 'father' comes from an interesting Hebrew root: AB, pronounced äv. It refers to the following:

The founder or first ancestor of a nation;
The author or maker of a thing;
The one who brings up or nourishes someone;
A master or teacher, such as prophets and priests;
The father of a king in the capacity of counsellor;
Intimate connection and relationship as in father to child.

In the New Testament the English word 'father' comes from the Greek root: PATER, pronounced pä-tā'r. It refers to the following:

Nourisher;
Protector;
Upholder;
Generator or male ancestor;
The founder of a race or tribe, the progenitor or forefather of a people.

Both words are used of God and man. Abraham is called the father of many nations. Jesus gets intimate and personal with God when He calls God ABBA, father.

"And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt." Mark 14:36

Paul tells Christians that they receive the spirit of adoption and that by this spirit believers cry ABBA, father.

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." Romans 8:15

Paul also tells us that because we are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son and this Spirit cries ABBA, father.

"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." Galatians 4:6

ABBA is an Aramaic word of Chaldee origin that is used in the New Testament. When it is used, the Greek interpretation usually accompanies it. It is used in prayer to express a most sacred proper title for God.

As fathers on earth we are called to be the best example of God to our children and we are to train them up to be the same to their children. This is not about playing God but about being the loving, gracious and merciful protector and provider to our children that God has been to us.

Being a father is such an awesome responsibility and God Himself has bestowed that on us. Let us seek from deep within ourselves to exemplify this father-attribute of God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Don't you think your children deserve it? Don't you deserve it?

God Bless You!