Category: ZZ

‘If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. ‘ Romans 10:9-10(NLT)

Jesus, the Way to the Father
‘“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? I am going to prepare a place for you. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do. “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?” Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe. “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.’ John 14:1-31(NLT)

Jesus, the True Vine
‘“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.
The World’s Hatred
“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me. They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures: ‘They hated me without cause.’ “But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.’ John 15:1-27(NLT)

‘“I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. This is because they have never known the Father or me. Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
“But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged. “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’
Sadness Will Be Turned to Joy
“In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.” Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.” Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy. “I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God. Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.” Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”’ John 16:1-33(NLT)

‘Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.’ Matthew 6:33(NLT)

The last thing I want you to note about the total, spiritual man is that he abhors everything that threatens the welfare of his family. He’ll be cautious about the type of television programs his children watch. He’ll not approve of literature or Internet sites with questionable content nor jokes that imply unkindness or impurity. He’s aware that whatever enters the mind remains there—so he’s careful in choosing what his children can watch and what activities they can engage in. He realizes that if he doesn’t protect his family from the destructive forces of society, no one will.

A spiritual man will also lovingly correct the attitudes and habits that disrupt the harmony of the home. He’ll not act as a policeman, spying on every activity and phone call. But as a caring father, he’ll be actively involved, desiring the best for his family.

No doubt you may question how any man can live up to all these responsibilities. By himself, he cannot. And since no one is perfect, the goal always remains ahead of us. But the possibilities are far greater than most of us can imagine—when we take the right steps.

Do you truly desire to be the husband your wife needs? Do you really want to be the father your children long for? If you’ve read this far, I believe you do.

So where do you begin?

You begin right where you are. If you’ve never received Christ as your Savior through repentance and faith, you begin there. Romans 10:9-10 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (ESV). The first step to becoming the total man, loving husband, and caring father that your family needs is to ask Christ into your life as Savior and Lord. The moment you do, the Holy Spirit will come into your life to abide forever as your Guide, Teacher, Comforter, and Provider (John 14-16).

God has promised to be your constant Helper as a husband and father—have you trusted Him for that? Are you daily reading your Bible, praying, and obeying what He shows you to do? You will not build spiritual muscles without feeding your soul and exercising your spirit. Begin there if that’s where you are. Ask the Lord for a spiritual partner (your wife or a Christian friend) if you need encouragement to walk in God’s path. Seek, ask, and knock persistently … and the Father will open the doors to spiritual power and success (Matt. 6:33).

I challenge you to take one spiritual step toward God today. And in so doing, I have no doubt He will clearly mark your next step to true manhood and godly leadership in your family and home.

from Man Of God by Charles F. Stanley

‘Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. ‘ Galatians 6:7(NLT)

The sixth characteristic of the total, spiritual man is that he’s available to share himself with others. Because he’s unselfish, he has a desire to give of himself without expecting anything in return. The joy of giving motivates him to pour himself into his family.

When my children were small, I made an effort to have a brief chat and prayer with them before they went to sleep each night. When they became teenagers, those nightly chats often became much longer and more involved. Because of my schedule, I sometimes missed a session, but not if I could help it. There was something very special about being there to listen to and pray with them shortly before they went to sleep. Because these talks were relaxed and confidential, my children often communicated things that other parents might find surprising. However, they shared because my being there consistently every night communicated to them: I care. I’m interested in you. I love you.

Sharing ourselves with our families is time wisely invested, sure to bring rich rewards. This is because we reap what we sow, more than we sow, and later than we sow (Gal. 6:7). The principle of sowing and reaping applies to families just as much as it does to farming.

Not only should a father share himself with his family, but he should also learn to share his faith with others. A father sharing with his family how the Lord used him to lead someone to Christ does more to motivate them to share their Christian testimonies than all the study courses combined.

By demonstration and by instruction we should also teach our children as early as possible to give offerings in the church—not just to meet a church budget, but as an act of love for God in obedience to His Word. Money is an essential factor in everyone’s life; therefore, the way to handle money is an important lesson for children. Father, the responsibility and opportunity belong to you. When you tithe, you’re investing wisely in the financial and spiritual welfare of your family. And when you experience times of financial difficulty, you can show your children that the strength to persevere and to work through challenging times comes from honoring God in the use of your time and money. These are lessons they will never forget.

Learning to give to God in many different ways can become an exciting family affair. When you recognize a need, pray about what the Father would have you give, and then respond in obedience together, it can be a very joyful and spiritually powerful experience. These lessons, well taught, will provide a lifetime of spiritual and financial guidance for your children.

from Man Of God by Charles F. Stanley

‘God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. ‘ 1 Peter 4:10(NLT)

‘For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. ‘ Hebrews 6:10(NLT)

The fifth thing to notice about the total, spiritual man is that he’s alert to opportunities for service—especially when it comes to his family. It took me a long time to learn this, but when it finally dawned on me that it was my responsibility to minister to my family, my entire life changed.

A spiritually-minded man will always be on the lookout for opportunities to help his family members. Would you like your son to grow up to be the kind of husband who cares for his wife? How’s he going to learn … by reading books? No, by watching his father. A spiritually-minded man has the discernment of the Holy Spirit, and he senses opportunities for serving his wife and children that will help them learn more about the Lord and who they are in Christ.

If we’re open and seeking His guidance, God will show us how to bless our families and help them grow in the wisdom and admonition of the Lord. It’s then our responsibility to submit ourselves to their needs and to see that these needs are being met. Of course, not all opportunities are spiritual—some are quite practical. It may simply be that your daughter needs help with algebra. You may think, My wife can help her. However, your assistance in this practical need has spiritual ramifications. Your daughter needs a tender, caring father because eventually her view of you will impact her attitude toward authority and her understanding of God. 

Dad, you may not know the first thing about algebra, but it’s not how much you know. Rather, it’s your willingness to offer your help that lets your child know that she’s important to you. When she’s confident that she’s significant to you, she’ll also have confidence that she’s valuable to God. And there’s no greater lesson you can teach her or way in which you can minister to her heart with eternal value than that.

from Man Of God by Charles F. Stanley

‘I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. ‘ Philippians 1:9-10(NLT)

‘Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.’ Hosea 14:9(NLT)

‘No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart.’ John 2:25(NLT)

The fourth essential to becoming the total, spiritual man is an awareness of the spiritual needs of your family. A spiritual man is able to discern beyond what is surface or visible. When he listens to his children, he not only hears what they say, but also discerns how they feel and recognizes when there’s more to what they’re experiencing than what they’re expressing. The Bible says that Jesus confronted people and knew them inside and out (John 2:25). We don’t have Christ’s mind to that degree, but as we grow in Him, we increasingly develop His sensitivity to others’ needs.

A father who’s filled with the Spirit of God can readily discern the basic spiritual needs of his family and look for opportunities to teach them important spiritual principles. He’s also responsible for the spiritual progress of his family. When he sees his children drifting, he encourages them and helps them stay anchored to the solid rock of faith. The man of God also recognizes that his family members need a Christ-centered church where they’re taught Scripture, have fellowship with the people of God, and learn how to share their faith. The right church is your great helper in building the right kind of home.

Many years ago, I met a family that was attending a very liberal and rather spiritually-dead fellowship. They visited our church several Sundays, and I recall being genuinely concerned about their spiritual wellbeing as I talked to them. There were some strong warning signs that all was not right with them. Sadly, the father seemed either unaware of them or unwilling to acknowledge they existed, so I encouraged him to take his family to a Bible-centered church and get involved as soon as possible.

Two years passed before that father took my advice. I can still recall how he and his wife came forward during the invitation one Sunday morning. Tears streaming down their faces, they shared: “Pastor, we finally made the decision to join, but I’m afraid we waited too long.” During those two years, both of their teenagers rebelled, almost wrecking their lives completely.

That kind of procrastination occurs far too often. Being aware of and in tune with the spiritual needs of your family—and taking action when necessary—secures your place as the spiritual leader in your home and protects your family from all that seeks to tear it apart.

from Man Of God by Charles F. Stanley

‘Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.’ Matthew 6:33(NLT)

‘But they delight in the law of the Lord , meditating on it day and night.’ Psalms 1:2(NLT)

The third thing necessary for becoming the total, spiritual man is to have regular, private devotions. We can tell our children repeatedly to read the Bible and pray, but the simplest and most effective way to teach them this spiritual principle is by example—leading a devotional time with them. A father cannot leave this to his wife. You may say, “But I travel … I’m seldom at home.” Even if you’re not at home very often, your family needs you to lead them in seeking the Lord whenever you’re with them. When a child sees his father reading the Bible and praying on his knees, the memory will be irrevocably stamped on his impressionable mind.

Let me ask you: When was the last time your children saw you on your knees with an open Bible, seeking direction from God? That’s an unmistakable lesson to a child. To be a spiritual man you must take time to talk to the Father and listen to Him through His Word. The regularity of this meeting, not its length, is the important thing. Even when you’re running late, I suggest you pause long enough to get on your knees and tell the Lord, “I’m committing this day to You. As late as I am, I’m not leaving home without getting on my knees before You and setting my heart to obey You today.” God will reward your faithfulness.

Through the years, I’ve seen that the homes of fathers who do this are always richly blessed. Why? Simply because when we’re on our knees before Him, God matures us and guides us in taking spiritual steps each day. Even if you can only pause for a prayer of commitment and a memorized Bible verse in the morning, make sure you do so. This will prepare you for the day ahead. Then you can have a longer period of meditation and Bible reading later in the day when you have more time.

Understand that your attitude of mind influences every aspect of your home, which is why you need biblical principles to be the man, husband, and father you want to be. When your attention is focused on biblical truths, you’re exercising the mind of Christ—His thinking and manner of responding to circumstances. When you think as Jesus does, you’ll love your wife and children more faithfully. You will also be more sensitive to the needs of those around you.

from Man Of God by Charles F. Stanley