My father had an authentic faith he lived before us children. It’s hard to believe my father went to be with the Lord six years ago. My father loved the Lord with all his heart. He was not a perfect man but he was authentic in his faith. He did not live one way in public and another at home. He was full of integrity in his confession of faith and his normal life.

The greatest thing my father did was pass on his faith to us. I would see my father pray, sing, and weep before the Lord. Like the old saying, “some things are better caught than taught.” I caught his faith on a daily basis. Our children are looking to us to pass on to them a faith that is alive and true; not a system of rules without grace. My daughters love the Lord and that means more to me than any ministry or anything this world could offer and they know that. I tell them to, “seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you as well.”

You may think to yourself, “Well my kids see a lot of imperfection,” but I say to you let them see your brokenness in it and then they will know your faith is genuine. My children see my humanity. When I fall short I acknowledge it but that doesn’t discount my faith. It only shows how gracious God is and that we can go to him as our loving heavenly father.

This Father’s Day sit down with your children. Acknowledge your shortcomings, if you need to. Tell them you love the Lord and you love them. Ask their forgiveness, if you need to. It may bring the presence of the Lord and testify to His work in your life. Remember, life is short. I did not expect my father to pass as quickly as he did but, as I stood at his funeral, I had no regrets. All accounts were clear between he and me. This Father’s Day clean out the accounts. As a father, live an authentic faith before your children.

A local church should be a place where people are released in their gifts and callings. It should not be just a place that you attend or where you consume. It should be a place where you are a disciple and grow. Sometimes people say to me, “Pastor I want to be mentored. I agree that having a one on one relationship with someone is important as a mentor. I have people in my life I consider mentors. However, as Bill Hybels says, “The local church is the hope of the world.” (I think we all know Jesus is the hope of the world but I understand what he is saying.) Your local church is a tremendous place to become a disciple as you get involved with others and change this world.. If all you do is consume then you never grow.

Jesus traveled with 12 disciples. Why not only one? Because, being involved with others is how God grows and mentors us. If you want to grow in God you cannot just attend a local church you must get involved and rub against other people. In Galatians 5:14 we read, “The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”” The “law” in the Old Testament in many ways points to the character of God. If you want the character of God in your life it is summed up by “Love your neighbor, (or fellow church member) as yourself.” Church members and volunteers are real people with real problems. Working together helps us grow as a disciple and your involvement in a local church is your opportunity to be mentored.

I love my local church that I pastor. It is filled with real people who really love Jesus and want to touch this world. The local church was God’s idea to disciple and mentor you!

As I write this Christmas is only four days away and there is still much to be done at home and here in the church. What a great time of year the whole world celebrates Jesus’ birth. My daughter, Liz, is part of the Rush Henrietta Singers and just last week several hun-dred in her school all joined together to sing the “Hallelujah Chorus.” I hope that everyone there enjoyed the words as we wor-shiped the King. Halle-lujah!! As we enter the New Year we are joining mil-lions of other believers who are fasting and praying throughout the world for souls and a move of God. We did this last year for the first time and what renewal, refreshing, and answers to prayer we saw. Testimonies came in during the time but even weeks and months afterwards testimonies found their way to us. This year we will be fasting as a church corporately starting Monday, January 3, through Sunday, January 23. Like last year we will be taking two requests from each person here at Word of Life. We will compile the list of re-quests and send it out by email that week. Scrip-
ture speaks of fasting most clearly in regards to food. Ask the Lord what he would have you do. Some have fasted deserts or coffee, while others have only eaten fruits and vegetables for the season of the fast. (Before you launch onto any fast please speak with your doctor especially if you have any medical issues.) There are other kinds of fasts also. You may want to fast something that takes your time away from the Lord. For example some families last year fasted television and used that time for a family devotion. Some others fasted “Facebook” and spent that time in prayer. It is a season for all of us to focus on the Lord as a church and it builds unity among us as we unite together in prayer. For me, this time last year was a highlight of the entire
calendar. Let’s join to-gether in this. As scripture says in Matthew 17:19-21, “Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mus-tard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Re-move hence to yonder place; and it shall re-move; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fast-ing.” (KJV) There is a spiritual dimension to fasting that releases the favor and power of god in our lives and in our situations. If it doesn’t mean anything to you it won’t mean any-thing to God. Fasting is a continual prayer before God. Let’s join together in this season.