By By Gaius Tew / special to The Star
June 15, 2002
I want to paint a picture in your mind about today's dads and the examples they are setting for their children.
Today's dad actually spends less than 7 minutes a day with his children at home. Many kids turn to TV and other worldly things, actually trying to figure out what sex they are, because of the abuse of a father figure.
I ask you, "Where are the men of influence today?"
As men, we possess the power to set the climate in our own home. We need to have an attitude check. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" Joshua 24:15.
Dads, you are the key to whether your family is going to be blessed or cursed. (Break generational curses, denounce strong holds). Let me encourage you to put the old man to death and let the little boy live. I think we have just been absent. You know, just call me gone.
Remember David and the recovery of spoils at Ziklag? (I Samuel 30:16-31) Through his great distress, David hears from God, pursues his enemies and overtakes them. It's recovery time, Dad. Sit the family down, tell them Daddy is about to pray, everything is going to be alright.
Dad, recognize that there is a warrior in you. God never told us not to be angry. He just said, "Sin not." We read in John 10:10: "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy (Satan)." Daddies, we have plenty to take back from the enemy. We need to start with our own homes. Remember, delinquent children come from delinquent parents most of the time.
There are 94 million men in America. Of that number, 26 million claim to be Christians; 68 million do not. Seventy-five percent of men do not attend church regularly; 85 percent of unchurched men used to attend church; 75 percent of the men in America claim to pray; 80 percent of the men in America own a Bible.
In 1992, church attendance among men was 43 percent and has steadily decline to below 28 percent today (George Barna, Index of Leading Spiritual Indicators, Dallas: Word 1996); 37.6 million American men have not attended church in the last six months; men are 67 percent as likely as women to be unchurched. In the last 18 months, the percentage of unchurched men has gone from 33 percent to 40 percent. One out of three adults is unchurched.
When a man/father is the first person in the family to come to faith, the rest of the family will follow 93 percent of the time. This percentage is drastically reduced when the child or mother is the first to come to faith (child, 31 percent; mother, 17 percent). Today, most lay ministries, prayer groups, Bible study leaders and youth leaders are women.
The woman has served as priest long enough in the home and church. Thank God for them, but it is time for the men to take over their role. You can keep a church going with women and children, but we need the men, to move the church forward. Pastors need men involved in ministry.
Well, Daddy, what is keeping you from taking control? Is it the lake, bass boat, hunting, golf course, ball games, one more night out on the town, drugs or some other influence? The first commandment is "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Exodus 20:3.
Dads, we need the right perspective. The word of God is clear here. Do not put these worldly pleasures before God. When you do go fishing, hunting, golfing and to the ball game, take the family. Daddies, let us march into Ziklag and take back the spoil Satan has stolen from us and our families. It is you who will be held responsible for your family's destiny on Judgment Day. (2 Corinthians 5:10, Matthew 16:27)
Luke 10:19 reads, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions. And over all the power of the enemy: And nothing shall by an means hurt you." Daddy, "take charge." Recognize there is a warrior in you and be the spiritual authority in your home. Serve notice on Satan. Declare, Devil, "Daddy is marching home." Pick up your sword and fight. You're a man. There is a warrior in you. Denounce Satan's power and control over you and your families' lives.
Men, you are the priests of the house. The devil should tremble at your very presence. Acts 1:8 reads, "But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you." God can give you wisdom, knowledge and the power to recover your spoil. Dad, just ask Jesus to come into your heart today. We're about to get anointed. Look out devil! When Daddy comes marching home.
The Rev. Gaius Tew is pastor of Cornerstone Church of God, 6102 Highway 39 North.