Jack Countryman - A Fathers Guide for Life

2008 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

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All scripture references are from the New King James Version of the Bible (NKJV)
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Designed by Blackbird Creative

ISBN: 978-14041-8669-7

Printed in the United States of America

A Father's Guide for Life
is a special resource for

May the guidance in these pages
bring even more strength of
purpose to your life.

CONTENTS

Nothing blesses a man like being a dad. Fatherhood stretches him further beyond himself than he ever thought he could go. It requires more wisdom, selflessness, and constant devotion than any j ob or hobby might need. Doing it right is a lifetime adventure.

To meet those challenges, every earthly father needs help from the heavenly Father. He's the best Dad of all time (and beyond time), and He longs for you to let Him guide the lives of you and your children. So let Him.

A father's best guide for life is found in God's Word. Let these scriptures and insights help you connect with the One who will be with you and your family every step of the way.

I am the vine, you are the branches.
He who abides in Me, and I in him,
bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you,
you will ask what you desire,
and it shall be done for you.

JOHN 15:5, 7

When a father learns to abide in Christ, he has taken a major step to being the Christian man God wants him to be. Make each day a time of reflection on the blessings God has in store for you.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

PROVERBS 3:6

When we acknowledge God in our ways, we open ourselves to become the father our family desires us to be, and God will give us the wisdom He so desires in our life.

My little children, these things I write to you,
so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate
with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

1 JOHN 2:1

Do not be surprised if you are called to be an advocate for your children. When they know of your unconditional love, there will be a bond that cannot be broken.

Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth
concerning anything that they ask, it will he done for them
by My Father in heaven.

MATTHEW 18: 19

When a family is in agreement about important issues that will affect their lives, there will be harmony and peace. As the leader of your household, work hard to build an atmosphere of agreement.

The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

PSALM 103:8

Be careful with your emotions. Let the Lord be your example. Your children will respond to you when they know you are slow to anger and are understanding even when they make a mistake.

Be anxious for nothing, hut in everything by prayer and
supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to
God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

PHILIPPIANS 4:6 -7

When a family is anxious, everyone suffers. God does not want us to worry about anything, but to pray about everything. Paul's promise in Philippians 4:7 is a great encouragement to every family to develop a prayer life that will allow God to fill our hearts and minds with His presence.

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you,
seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds,
and to him who knocks it will be opened.

LUKE 11:9-10

The Lord invites us to ask and seek, and He promises that we will be rewarded. What a wonderful example for fathers! When everyone in your family knows that you invite them to ask you anything, the security you build will speak volumes.

That their hearts may he encouraged, being knit together in love,
and attaining to all riches of the full assurance
of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God,
both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden
all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

COLOSSIANS 2:2-3

Every father needs to give assurance to each member of his family, just as God gives us the Holy Spirit to give us the confidence of His presence. A father must continually assure his loved ones of his unconditional love.

The wife does not have authority over her own body,
but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have
authority over his own body, but the wife does.

1 CORINTHIANS 7:4

With authority comes responsibility. Make sure you use the influence you have been given wisely. Remember the authority you have been given is also part of the authority you surrender to your spouse.

And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do
to be saved?" So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and you will be saved, you and your household."

ACTS 16:30-31

When you believe in someone or something, you are placing complete trust in that person or thing. Make sure that you as a father leave no doubt about what you believe in and what your family needs to believe in. The promise God has made to you is sure and will never fail.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scomful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.

PSALM 1:1-2

A father's life is blessed when his life has a great influence on his family. His children will reflect his behavior and want to live to please him. Make sure the reflection they give is the one you want to see.

The wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are hold as a lion.

PROVERBS 28:1

Being a strong, bold Christian father is a desirable characteristic that we so often do not see. Share your Christian faith as a lifestyle with those you know and love. God's blessings are given to the bold and faithful

The Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed,
took bread; and when He had given thanks,
He broke it and said, "Take, eat,
this is My body which is broken for you;
do this in remembrance of Me."

1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-24

Being broken for God's glory is oftentimes the only way He will ever get our attention. As Jesus Christ gave His life for you and me, let us live in such a way that God will be honored in all that we say and do.

He who loves his brother abides in the light and