Every Dad's Fight

 Nowadays dads are portrayed on the media as dorky, evil or toxic, absent.  BUT, don't let them lie to you --- Dads are really important.

Some statistics:  

US Census Bureau - 17.8 million kids which = 1 in 4, have NO biological, step or adoptive father in the home.  in 1960, 91% of kids had both parents at home.

NFI shows greater risk of suicide,  more likely to drop out of school and commit suicide.  AND, is not just enough to be around. 

Univ. of Pennsylvania found children who feel close relationship, warmth with father - 75% less likely teen pregnancy, 80% less incarceration, 50% less depression.

PEW found that the US has the highest rate of single parent households in the world.  More than 3 times the world average.  And, sadly, no difference among Christians and non-Christians.

Is the above due to political and entertainments, or a grass movement of degeneracy.  Top down, or bottom up!  Tend to lean more to top down but we took the bait that politics and entertainments dished out.

Either way, good dads stand in the way of the schemes of the devil.  You are either the last hope or the cause of society's problems.

In Ephesians 6, the armor of God appears right after God's directions for families.

Today, EVERY DAD'S FIGHT.
Do you want to protect your children? Lead your family?  Be the man and father God called you to be?

Deut. 6:1-5 - you must know God yourself
1)  You must love and fear the Lord. - Prov. 1:7, Prov. 8:1, John 15:5 - every man must come to a point in his life where they realize that they need something/someone besides himself.
2)  Understand you set the tone for generations - Deut. 6:2, Deut. 4:9

Deut. 6:6
3)  You must study and know God's Word - Psm. 119:105 - "Thy Word is a lamp....."   Josh. 1:8

Deut. 6:7-8
4)  You are the pastor/shepherd of your family
        a)  Feed sheep - John 21:17 - spiritual formation, character, Theology
        b)  Protect them from wolves - Paul - Eph. elders - Acts. 20:26-31  Wolves are friends, teachers, social media internet, tv, Christian circles
       c)  Your life needs to match up with your message - 1 Tim. 4:16

Deut. 6:20-25
5)  Recognize God is with and for the Christian Dad - Prov. 13:13   Prov. 14:25-27 - Joshua before promise land and Jesus before ascension.

Challenges:

Establish Defensive Strategy - (discipline, guarding them on phone, social media, friends)
     "        Attack Plan - (scripture, prayer, worship)
     "        Unit Cohesion Program  (love, relationship)
     "        Personal Training Regimen  (salvation, Scripture reading, memorization, prayer, worship, repentance)

Children:  Pray for your dad. -  Honor, respect and love the dad that's trying like that.

Closing Scripture:

Eph. 6:10-17