Father's day Testimony

The First Commandment With Promise

This Father’s Day, my mind is reflecting on the first commandment with a promise. “Honor thy father and they mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee” (Ex 20:12).

I have been blessed having godly parents who raised me in faith toward God, and for this I am truly grateful. Not only with a love for God, but a love for His Word as well. Dad was born again at the early age of nine, and felt the call to preach by ten, even setting up a box in his back yard preaching to the neighborhood kids. By the age of 17, he was out on the road preaching revivals in California.

My earliest memories were not playing outside or riding bikes, (which we did plenty of, Dad right there teaching me to ride my first bike), but of us being in church singing and praising God. Dad was the pastor, Mother played the piano, both had to be upon the platform, so my siblings and I had our assigned seats as well, right on the front row, the side nearer the piano so we were under Mother’s eye, and my Dad’s as well. Let me tell you, they both could be moved by the Spirit in the service, but always knew if we boys were getting out of line or misbehaving.

Usually it was a snap of the finger or a look, and we straightened right up. We knew that if my Dad had to stop what was going on, we were in for it. Now “it” could mean a good talking to, but more than likely “it” meant we were going to get the right hand of fellowship. Back in the 60’s this was the way parents kept the children lined up. And today I carry no scars, physical or emotional, from the way my folks raised me. As a matter of fact, I have more respect for them raising me according to God’s Word, than to have just let us run wild.

In my teens,I became discouraged with church and the things of God, but I knew I had a Mother and Father who believed in the power of prayer, and never once gave up hope. One day when I was 21, my Dad came to the place where I worked, to tell me a dream he had about me. The dream: We both were in what looked like the army, in the same bunk house. The time for inspection was coming up, and my Dad said his bed wasn’t as clean as it should be, and my bed was in shambles. Then the General walked in, Dad said he walked over to my bed and sat me down and put his arm around me saying, “If you get this all straighten out by next week, all will be well.”

My life at that time was in shambles. I regarded nothing or any one, myself in particular. I sat there listening, but it still wasn’t sinking in. A few weeks later I saw my Dad come back to my office, this time he was invited me to go with a group he was taking to Pennsylvania for the weekend for a Bible teaching. I thought of his dream and consented to go.

That weekend wasn’t a revival or where there was hundreds of people, just a handful, eager to hear the Revelation of God’s word. I sat there day and night soaking it all in, with ears to hear, and an open heart. At the last service, all stood up and we began to worship, I lifted my hands in prayer and prayed, and began to speak with tongues, shouting and glorifying the Lord, shocked by what was coming out of my mouth, knowing just days before, the vile words that had to come out of my mouth. God took His word and brought this wayward son back to His presence. Since that day, even if I have failed from time to time, I knew that I am His, by His grace. And I honor my Dad today for believing and never giving up on me.

Today I see too many children on their own, or as the Bible says, left to their own devices, which brings the mother shame. I look at what happened yesterday in Charleston, SC, asking myself I wonder how this twenty-one year old was raised, with so little disregard for life and God, that he could walk into a church and taking nine lives.

So if we do not honor our fathers and mothers, the promise is our life will be short. This young man’s life is for all purposes over, whether he is still breathing or not.

I look at my two daughters, seeing them grown on their own, and how well they are and what God is doing in their lives, whether they are serving Him the way I brought them up to or not. I know they know how they were raised to love the Lord. I never put them down for the way they are now, I may remind them from time to time that they know what is right, and usually I get a nod of the head in affirmation.

I am blessed today to share in the ministry with both my Dad and Mother.

What joy I have when I see Dad with His hands raised and feet dancing praising the Lord! I could be somewhere else right now in my life, but the Lord has shown me in so many ways that He has me right where I need to be to work for Him. I shall labor for the Lord as long as I have breath in my lungs and my heart is beating.

So I want to say to all the fathers, may you have a great Father’s day, and know that the Father in heaven is watching over you, still caring for His children.

Happy Father’s Day!