The hole in the heart of a child with an absentee father is a chasm of sadness. Many young people try and fill that hole with drugs, alcohol, sex, money or power. Mostly what they end up with is a lot of anger and some superficial comfort.
As a youth director, I've had many young men yell at me "You're not my father!" It normally would happen when discipline was needed for a minor infraction like foul language. But sometimes it was their mistreatment of young women. Both guys and girls have holes in their hearts from missing dads. Girls go looking for a father's love and end up with a guy who wants sex. Guys go looking for power to try and control their fury at a dad who's not there.
Many of us try and outperform others as a way to prove our value and feel adequate. The truth is, God loves all of us the same. We can't fill a hole in our hearts with anything but Him. Just because we are born into perfect families or have successful careers, that doesn't mean God loves us more than folks on skid row.
Absentee fathers are a generational plague that causes children to search for ways to feel worthy of a father's love. God loves them and we need to tell them. We need to teach young people about the Love of the Father so they can pass it on to their children as loving moms and dads.
As a youth director, I've had many young men yell at me "You're not my father!" It normally would happen when discipline was needed for a minor infraction like foul language. But sometimes it was their mistreatment of young women. Both guys and girls have holes in their hearts from missing dads. Girls go looking for a father's love and end up with a guy who wants sex. Guys go looking for power to try and control their fury at a dad who's not there.
Many of us try and outperform others as a way to prove our value and feel adequate. The truth is, God loves all of us the same. We can't fill a hole in our hearts with anything but Him. Just because we are born into perfect families or have successful careers, that doesn't mean God loves us more than folks on skid row.
Absentee fathers are a generational plague that causes children to search for ways to feel worthy of a father's love. God loves them and we need to tell them. We need to teach young people about the Love of the Father so they can pass it on to their children as loving moms and dads.
DAY TEN WORD
"The Lord did not set his love upon you,
nor choose you,
because ye were more in number than any people;
for ye were the fewest of all people:"
​Deuteronomy 7:7
nor choose you,
because ye were more in number than any people;
for ye were the fewest of all people:"
​Deuteronomy 7:7
DEEP THOUGHTS
Pride is a great tripping stone when our arrogance overtakes our walk. Success is often described as the most dangerous pinnacle to rest on. From the high point of our lofty accomplishments we get a good look at those who are still struggling. If we're not careful, the slow insidious poison of pride will slither its way into our hearts. From there, our noses become ivory towers as we stick them skyward in a stuck-up silhouette of contempt.
The Israelites were rescued by God from being slaves in Egypt. They went from bad times to better times with times of struggle being the stepping stones. They ( and us) have a tendency to take our eyes off God when the going gets good. We give ourselves credit for our success and good times. Selfishness creeps in and we fail to esteem others as better than ourselves. That's when pride begins to go before the fall.
In this beautiful little piece of Scripture, God is reminding us that it's His choice to Love us. We can't do anything to cause Him to Love us. He showed love for the Israelites when they were yet still smaller in number. Their multiplication did not happen until God created and moved into action the plan for their deliverance from bondage.
We have generations stuck in the bondage of fatherlessness. It's time to ask God to multiply our understanding of His plan to teach His love to children. Start small in faith, God multiplies our understanding and His plan for our action will be released.
The Israelites were rescued by God from being slaves in Egypt. They went from bad times to better times with times of struggle being the stepping stones. They ( and us) have a tendency to take our eyes off God when the going gets good. We give ourselves credit for our success and good times. Selfishness creeps in and we fail to esteem others as better than ourselves. That's when pride begins to go before the fall.
In this beautiful little piece of Scripture, God is reminding us that it's His choice to Love us. We can't do anything to cause Him to Love us. He showed love for the Israelites when they were yet still smaller in number. Their multiplication did not happen until God created and moved into action the plan for their deliverance from bondage.
We have generations stuck in the bondage of fatherlessness. It's time to ask God to multiply our understanding of His plan to teach His love to children. Start small in faith, God multiplies our understanding and His plan for our action will be released.
DAY TEN PRAYER
Thank You God for a Father's Love.
Your Word is full of examples of a parents love.
You gave us the plan,
Forgive us for not following it.
If we have not trained our children in the way they should go ,
Please forgive us.
If it's still possible,
Bring us into Your multiplication of second chances.
Restore families to fathers who are willing To repent and change.
Pour forgiveness into the hearts of children with missing parents.
Those parents only did the best that they knew how.
Teach us now O God, how to mothers and fathers who multiply Your Love.
In Jesus Name.
Amen.
Your Word is full of examples of a parents love.
You gave us the plan,
Forgive us for not following it.
If we have not trained our children in the way they should go ,
Please forgive us.
If it's still possible,
Bring us into Your multiplication of second chances.
Restore families to fathers who are willing To repent and change.
Pour forgiveness into the hearts of children with missing parents.
Those parents only did the best that they knew how.
Teach us now O God, how to mothers and fathers who multiply Your Love.
In Jesus Name.
Amen.
Author's Note: This article is part of a 21-day Series called, "YWAP Fast 2019." Each year, the YWAP Directors and countless other folks begin the New Year on a 21 Day Fast. We set aside extra time to honor God and seek His will for the New Year. This series will eventually be written in book form as a model to teach future YWAP generations. We welcome your comments or questions. Jesus loves you and so do we.
For more information about how you can become a YWAP supporter and volunteer, please leave a message or call us at 716-830-8240. Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we. #ywapbuffalo #ywap4God #ywap716 #JLYASDW
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