Fathering: Testing and Warning

Seven Principles of Fathering Today’s Focus: Fathering: Testing and Warning Scripture: Deuteronomy 8; Acts 14:22; Hebrews 5:8; 1 Peter 4:12,13 Greetings Kingdom Citizens In the process of maturing the Lord will test us and please understand that this maturing is not an instant process. God is not in a hurry. The Lord kept Israel in the wilderness for 40 years. The wilderness journey should have only taken them 11 days but because of their ways and disobedience, an 11 day journey took them 40 years. Now when the Lord tests you the first thing that is built into you is humility. Deuteronomy 8:2: And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, TO HUMBLE THEE AND PROVE (TEST) THEE, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments or no. The testing or proving of yourself is to build character, faithfulness, love and mercy. When trials come and pressure is applied your character is the first thing that comes out. It is a revelation of the heart of the individual. God will continue to apply pressure to build the character of the sons. Let me show you this scripture: 1 Peter 4:12,13: Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. As you can see we are partakers of Christ’s sufferings and hence we will be glorified with Him. Now why are we partakers of His sufferings? What is the purpose? Hebrews 5:8: Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things He suffered; So we learn obedience by the things we suffer and why do we want to learn obedience? What is the benefit? Acts 14:22: Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. So in order for us to enter into the Kingdom of God you must suffer and the reason God makes you suffer because you must transfer your reliance from self through your soul to full reliance on the Father through the Spirit. Now the warning and I urge everyone to read this entire scripture because this pertains to us now! In Deuteronomy 8:19 the Lord warns Israel not to forget the Lord and walk after other gods and serve them and worship them. Because if you do, God has promised that you shall surely perish. Just like the nations before them that were destroyed because you do not yield and obey the voice of the Lord your God you will die. I am sure none of us desires this but let’s be about the Father’s business and obey His voice and His commandments and statutes. These are the principals and concepts of fathering that reflect the character of the Father. If we would abide by His principals and do it His way then we will see the glory of God like never before. Peace, Love and Grace from the Father, Calvin Calhoun, Jr.