HOW CAN YOU GIVE JOY TO YOUR FATHER?

June 16, 2006

On this Father's Day weekend, Byron (the Devos writer) shares a personal perspective on being a Dad and how you can honor your Father.

THINK ABOUT IT

This is my first Father's Day as a grandfather! I'm excited and proud, so thanks for letting me brag about our grandaughter - EISLEY KAY - what a cutie!

This is our son Tyler and daughter-in-law Sarah holding Eisley Kay:

I thank the Heavenly Father for the privilege of being a Dad and Grandpa!

...Byron Emmert

TAKE A LOOK

Proverbs 23:22-25 - (NLT)

²²Listen to your father, who gave you life, and don't despise your mother's experience when she is old. ²³Get the truth and don't ever sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and discernment. ²⁴The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure it is to have wise children. ²⁵So give your parents joy! May she who gave you birth be happy.

WHAT DOES TODAY'S SCRIPTURE TEACH ABOUT THE BEST WAY TO HONOR YOUR FATHER AND BRING HIM JOY?

You don't have to think very hard to understand these verses in Proverbs. Look at the characteristics of children who bring pleasure and joy to a father:

they listen
they hang on to truth and live it
they are wise, disciplined, and make good choices
they are godly

Since becoming a grandparent a few weeks ago, I have done a lot of reflecting about family. The Heavenly Father has reminded Linda (my wife) and me about His faithfulness to us and His blessings upon our family.

So I'm thanking BJ and Jessica, Tyler and Sarah and Eisley Kay, and Angela for applying today's scripture. Thank you for bringing me so much pleasure and joy! (It's better than any Father's Day card you could send! Calls, gifts, and dinner are still appropriate however!)

If your daily purpose in life is to be godly and glorify the Heavenly Father, you will bring joy to your earthy father.

TALK ABOUT IT

Thank God right now for your Dad, even though he's not or was not perfect. Thank God for your Dad, whether you know him well or never knew him at all. If you're adopted, thank God for both of your Dads. Confess any way you have not been bringing pleasure and joy to your Dad, the way God's Word teaches. Ask God's Spirit to enable you to honor your Dad in the ways presented in today's scripture. Pray that your dad will feel honored by you this weekend and blessed by the loving Heavenly Father.

TRY IT

Whether you have a great father, a non-caring father, a missing father, or a step-father, pray for him every day. Ask God to work in his life spiritually. Ask God to help you be the son or daughter He wants you to be.
Make sure you spend some time talking and listening to your dad this weekend. This will make his day!
Be sure to tell your Dad those all important words "I Love You". Try doing this every day if possible!
If your dad is no longer living, or you don't live with your dad, or you don't know who your dad is, write a note to your Heavenly Father to express your heart and experience His heart for you.
Ask God to help you learn from your experience with your dad to help you be a great Christian parent some day.

ABOUT IT

DAILY DEVOS is brought to you by Youth for Christ. Youth for Christ works with young people on campus and in the community in over one hundred countries around the world so that they might have an opportunity to become a follower of Christ and be a part of a local church.

Byron Emmert Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG. Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.

Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college. He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.