A Godly Father

Most people are aware of the important role fathers play in the lives of their children.  But it's not just enough for men to know the characteristics of a godly father, they must also DO what is required to BE a godly father.  Real fathers are there for their children to help them grow spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

Godly fathers accept the responsibility God has given them and don't try to shift it to someone else.  They know that every decision they make will affect each member of the family.  Therefore they need to have the mind of Christ so they can make wise and godly decisions for their family.  In this post, I want to share with you four assignments that a godly father fulfills for their children.

1.  Provide A Spiritual Covering

Godly fathers are the spiritual leaders of their homes and children of godly fathers know that they will always be there for them and will love them know matter what.  The godly father has the same love for his children as the Heavenly Father does for each of us.  The godly father also provides the resources necessary for their children's spiritual growth.

2.  Provide Guidance By Example

Nothing is more powerful in guiding your children than a good or unfortunately a bad example. As

fathers we must model the behavior we desire out of our children.  We have 18 to 20 years at the most to train and teach our children to make wise decisions when they get out on their own.  One of the important behaviors we should desire for our children is the practice of prayer.  To teach them the value of prayer, be sure to turn to prayer for every situation you deal with as a family.

3.  Provide Guidance By Counseling

Let your children know that no topic is "off limits."  Allow them to express themselves no matter what they think.  Don't allow them to be "disrespectful" but do allow them to be themselves.  If you want to provide guidance for you children then you must spend time with them.  One person said children spell "love" T-I-M-E!  Children need our time.  If you aren't spending quality time guiding and counseling with your children, then they will conclude "if you don't have time for me, then you must not care about me."  That may not be the case, but that is how a child will perceive it.

4.  Stop Generational Cycles

This is critical for your children to be successful.  There may be generational cycles at work in your life.  These could include poverty, lust, anger, divorce, sexual abuse, etc.  As a father you must recognize it, call it what it is, renounce it and repent from it, seek God's help for deliverance, and then walk in liberty!  It is your responsibility as the father to break these generational cycles so they don't keep your children in bondage.

Father's have a tremendous responsibility.  None of us had perfect fathers as an example to follow.  Nor are any of us perfect.  Where you have made mistakes, ask your children to forgive you.  Do it with sincerity and humility and God will honor it.  Then start over and be the godly father God desires you to be.

Pastor Temple

The Law Of Confession (Part 4)

God's will for your life is for you to speak life giving words.  The words you confess, publicly and privately, are so powerful they have an affect on every aspect of your life, and the lives of those around you.  Because your words are so powerful, it is important that you not confess one thing one day and the opposite the next.  When you do this, you are nullifying the confession of your faith because your words are always a confession of your faith.  In this post I want to share with you the power of your words and how you can let the Word of God work in you.

The Power of Your Words

The Word of God is full of instructions on how to use the power of your words.  I am going to share with you several passages and how they instruct us to use the power of our words.

• Psalm 119:130 -- We are to begin the process of training our spirit with the Word of God.
• Revelation 12:11 -- This passage informs us that we will overcome by the word of our mouth.  You are going to be an over-comer by the word of your testimony.  By what you say.
• Proverbs 6:2 -- Your words will snare you and make you the devil's prey or they will deliver you.
• Hebrews 3:1 -- This means that all Jesus has to confess to the Father about your situation is what you confess.  Make sure you confess what you want the Father to hear.
  
• Proverbs 10:11 -- You will find that when you begin to say what God says in His Word, it’s just as though God said it to you right then.
• Proverbs 12:6 -- Deliverance is as close as your mouth!
• Proverbs 12:14 -- The fruit of his mouth would be what his mouth produces.
• Proverbs 15:4 -- Wrong words create a tear in your spirit.  This is how the devil gets in.
• Proverbs 15:23 -- Your words have the ability to make you joyous or happy.
• Proverbs 16:23 -- Your heart (spirit) is programmed by the Word of God so it can teach your mouth how to speak.

Remember, words are like containers.  They carry faith, or fear, and they produce fruit after their kind.

Let The Word of God Work In You

You must realize that good habits and bad habits never happen easily, they have to be cultivated.  Give God something to work with.  Don’t give the devil words to work with, give God words to work with.  Hosea 14:2 says, “Take with you Words and turn to the Lord.”  What are you going to take when you go to the Lord?  You've got to take words.

Here's how it works.  You can take any appropriate scripture, personalize it, and say about yourself what the scripture says.  For instance Psalm 1 says: 

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish."

So you would begin to say about yourself "I am blessed because I don't walk in the counsel of the ungodly nor do I stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful.  But my delight is in the law of the Lord..."

You get the picture?  And you can do this with any number of scriptures that are an encouragement to you and a promise from God.  And if you will do this for the next 365 days, you’ll be a different person.  Don’t be telling people all your troubles.  Tell them what God says!  Every faith principle, every spiritual law that God set forth in His Word was for your benefit.  It was designed to put you over in life.

If you would like to download a "Scriptural Promises" e-book (pdf format) you can do so for FREE.  

The Law of Confession (Part 3)

Your words say so much about you!  The words you speak will either deliver you or hold you captive.  It's important to realize that your words have the power to dominate your life.  The words you speak will literally create heaven or hell in your life, home, family, church, job, etc.

In this post, I want share with you five facts about how words affect our lives and identify who we are.  Proverbs 18:21 -- "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it, shall eat the fruit thereof."

1.  Faith Is Expressed In Words
Through what you say, you have the power to bring good things or bad things into your life.  For years faith has been taught in the church, but there is more to faith than just believing.  A function of faith is also "speaking words of faith" or "saying what you believe" and acting on what you say.

Let me give you an example.  You are not "saved" just because you believe in salvation.  Roman 10:9-10 states: "If that wilt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto

righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."  It is with the mouth that we confess our faith and are saved.  Do you see the importance of faith being expressed in our words?

2.  Words Identify You
The words you speak will identify you as a person of faith, or a person of unbelief.  Your words will identify you as a person of life and peace or of death and fear.  It all depends on what you are saying.  An example of this would be the twelve spies from Israel who went over into the Promised Land to see what was there (Numbers 13 & 14). These men were identified by their confession.  Ten were men of fear because the came back and reported what "couldn't" be done, and two (Joshua and Caleb) were men of faith because they confessed what could be done based on God's promise.  Be careful how your words identify you to others.

3.  Words Affect Your Thinking
Proverbs 23:7 states - "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he..."  A man thinks the way he talks and talks the way he thinks.  If you continually speak words of negativity, then you will begin to think negative.  On the other hand if you speak words of encouragement and hopefulness, you will begin to think along those lines.

4.  Words Affect Others Around You
When you read the story of the spies who went into the Promised Land you can see how the ten spies who confess what couldn't be done influenced the entire nation of Israel. People tend to follow the negative, especially if it's a majority!  Your words are affecting your life, children, and all those around you.  Be sure to use them for the good.

5.  Your Words Determine Your Future
The words of Jesus in Mark 11:23 inform us that we will receive what we ask for when we believe what we say.  Even the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:25-34) received what she said. In verse 28 she stated: "..if I may touch but his clothes I will be made whole."  That was her confession!  What is your confession, especially as it relates to your future?

Don't let your negative words determine your future.  Speak the Word of God and know that He has good for you!

The Law Of Confession (Part 2)

Whoever said "ignorance is bliss" didn't understand the importance of words and the ability of what we don't know to destroy us.  Just as what we don't know can cause us much trouble, what we do know can keep us out of trouble!  What we know about the power of our confession and of our words has the ability to bring life or death to us.

In this post I want to share with you two principles about how words affect your life and then give you some thoughts from God's Word on what types of attitudes you should and shouldn't confess.

Words Can Work For You Or Against You

One of the problems in the church world today is the failure to recognize the power and authority of the spoken word.  People do "reap what they sow" and that spiritual law is true not only with natural seeds you plant in the garden, but also with the seeds of your words.

Words conceived in your heart and spoken with your mouth, will either release the ability of Satan or the ability of God in your life. Matthew 12:37 tells us that "by thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."

Words Mold You, Your Children, and Your Family

This is something that is hard to accept, but the people around you are often the product of your

words.  You should use words of encouragement and faith to create an atmosphere in the home and with your children that will build them up and make them stronger individuals.

Parents can't act one way at church and another at home.  This inconsistency is confusing for children and will cause you to lose them.  It's important to understand that spirituality and true Christian faith is found in the home before it is found at church.

Don't Think Or Talk Like The World

If you have ever been around negative people and listened to them talk, it doesn't take long to figure out why they are so unhappy and defeated.  Romans 12:2 tells us to "not be conformed to this world, but be 'transformed' by they renewing of your mind."  We are not to think and talk like the world thinks and talks.  The world thinks sickness, fear, doubt, defeat, and failure.  The world is programmed to be negative but God's people are not that way.

What To Confess

• If you are tempted to fear, quote 2 Timothy 1:7 -- God hasn't given you a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind.
• If doubt tries to enter, resist it in the name of Jesus!
• Confess what God's Word says about your healing, not your sickness.
• Don't talk about your failures and defeats but rather your successes and your victories.
• Confess Romans 8:31 -- If God be for us, who can be against us?
• Confess 1 John 4:4 -- Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world! 
• These are just some of the "good" things you can confess.  God's Word is full of many, many more!

You are the product of words and words paint pictures on the canvas of your hearts and make you what you are.  What are your words making you?  What kind of words have you been speaking?  What changes do you need to make in your conversations that will cause them to line up with God's Word?  Will you begin today?

The Law Of Confession (Part 1)

The words you speak have the power to put you over into life or to hold you in bondage! That is a powerful yet very true statement.  God's Word is very clear on the power of our tongue and words -- Proverbs 18:21 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."

In this post, I want to share with you several scriptures that point to the need for a good confession.

The Law Of The Spirit

• Galatians 6:7 - There are many ways to sow. You sow through your giving. You sow through
  
  your doing. You also sow through your speaking.
• Proverbs 4:23 -Whatever you put in your heart is going to bear fruit. It will grow up and become a part of your speech.
• Proverbs 6:2 - You are snared by your words. They get you in trouble or keep you out of trouble.
• Proverbs 12:18 -Your tongue will make you healthy or sickly.
• Matthew 12:34-37 - This is the law of the Spirit. You get whatever you speak.
• Hebrews 3:1 - Jesus is the High Priest of what we confess. What we confess is all our intercessor, Jesus Christ has to confess to the Father in our behalf. 
• Hosea 4:6 - Lack of knowledge has caused men to be destroyed and lives to suffer needless loss. 

God's Word Is Still Powerful Today

• Hebrews 11:3 - The words that God spoke out of His mouth framed this universe, set it in motion, and it stands today in obedience to the words that God spoke.
• Mark 11:11-14, 20-21 - Jesus cursed the fig tree and it died. He just spoke words.
• Hebrews 10:23 - Turn loose of the problem and get hold of your confession.

What Is The Answer?

The answer is in believing and confessing what the Word says.

• Hebrews 10:38 - The just shall live by faith.
• II Corinthians 5:7 - Faith in your heart is released by the words of your mouth.
• Psalms 119:89 - Say what the Word of God says.

Many Christians have been taken captive by their own words.  Those that say they can and those that say they can't are both right.  Which are you confessing?

A Mother's Heritage

Yesterday was Mother's Day.  Mother's everywhere were honored and given "special" treatment by their children.  But honoring mothers is  more than a "once a year" event.  Each day we should cherish and honor this most important person in our life.  Make sure you aren't like the ones who say, "Ok, Mother's Day is over, now back to work!"  Although Mother's Day usually involves children giving gifts to their moms, I want to share just a few things mothers can give to their children that will create a heritage that will live on.

1.  Principles -- Mothers should give their children the gift of Biblical principles.  If you want to pass on your faith on to your children, you must set aside time to read the Bible with them and talk with them about spiritual truths.

2.  Godly Example -- Most of the time, children follow in the path of their parents.  That's why it is vital that children see their mother live out a godly example before them.  Mother's serve as an example of influence, attitude, and action.

3.  Persistence -- Very few kids "get it" the first time.  As mothers, you must keep teaching, disciplining, and living faithfully before your children.

4.  Participation -- Get involved doing the things you want them to do. Care about their daily lives.
Don’t just send them to church, take them to church.

5.  Praise -- Learn to praise your kids for the good things they do.  Believe it or not children do more good in a day than bad.  Not every child is going to be an “A” student, but learn to praise them for doing the best they can.  Praise is more effective than condemnation.

6.  Prayer -- Don’t just pray for your kids; pray with them.  Children need to hear their parents pray for them, call their name, and make specific requests for them.  Prayer is one of the most powerful things you can do for your children.   The success of many children is directly related to the prayers of their mother.

7.  Love -- The love of a mother for her children cannot be measured. A mother will run from a mouse in fright and yet face any enemy that is trying to hurt her children without fear. When you feel that no one else loves you, a mother’s love is always there.

8.  Responsibility -- God wants each mother to become the model mother for her children.     Children are guided through life and land safely on the other side because of a mother’s prayers.     Mothers, you count to God!

Although Mother's Day is past, mothers should still be honored each and every day!  Mother's have so much to give and they will leave a heritage that will last a lifetime!

What did you do to show honor to your mother?

The Joy Of Happiness

In this hectic world of depression, divorce, bitterness and hatred, we find that happiness, joy and contentment are precious commodities that are constantly being sought after.  Many advertisements appeal to our natural desire to be happy promising joy and contentment if we will only try their products.  But even with all this appeal to be happy the majority of people have never found true and lasting happiness.

There are two kinds of happiness: one that is based on happenings and one that is based on our relationship with the Lord.  The one based on happenings means you are only happy when things are going well for you. The one based on your relationship with the Lord simply means no matter what the circumstances may be, you are going to have joy and be happy because of who you are in Jesus.

I want to share with you eight practices that will help bring "happiness" into your life.

1.  Count Your Blessings, Not Your Troubles

If we will count our blessings, we will be happier and more thankful to our heavenly Father.  We live in a wonderful nation and if you will take the time to evaluate your blessings you will see that they  far out weigh your troubles. (Matthew 6:33)

2.  Live Life One Day At A Time
The key to conquering any problem or sin is to learn to live life one day at a time!  Most of our fear for tomorrow never materialize. (James 4:13-15)

3.  Learn To Be A Giver
If you aren't getting our of life what you expect, it may be that you are expecting to always receive Luke 6:38)

and never give.  Being a giver will bring joy and happiness more than always receiving.  (

4.   Pray Every Day
Prayer is a way we communicate with God and tank Him for His many blessings and ask for His guidance.  Prayer is a vital ingredient in God's recipe for happiness. (Philippians 4:6)

5.  Don't Let Things Bother You
Too often we allow little things to bother us (often these things are imaginary).  We allow little things to rob us of happiness.  Christians have every reason to be at peace with ourselves when we have peace with God. (Philippians 4:7)

6.  Fill Your Life With Good
As God's children we should fill our minds with good thoughts and ideas.  There should be no room for evil thoughts in the mind of a Christian.  (Philippians 4:8)

7.  Learn To Laugh
It has been estimated that over 70% of all physical ills could be overcome if we could learn to laugh.  many Christians think it is not Christian to laugh and have fun.  But scripture tells us other wise (Proverbs 17:22)

8.  Learn To Practice Happiness
Take the time to learn to smile and be happy.  We really do have a lot to be happy about.  It's time we show the world that Christians are happy people. The only way to be truly happy is to let God have full control of your life. (Philippians 4:4)

Happiness can be found!  Although it's not found in drugs, alcohol or material wealth.  True happiness can be found only in obedience to God's will.  Only when we submit to God's Word can we have true peace and happiness.


Happy, Happy, Happy
What have you found that helps you to "be happy?"

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