Ironworks

                  A brother once shared the results of a Swiss study on factors in children’s attendance of religious services. The study showed that two-thirds of all children will attend religious services at least sporadically if their father attends regularly. Two-thirds will not attend religious services if their father never attends. Why is this that a father has such a great influence? We cannot deny the results but perhaps we can better understand.            Have you ever looked at a child and said, “he looks like his dad.” it is pretty easy to tell if we can look at a man’s son and see the physical likeness? We might also notice the family resemblance in a child's mannerisms. Also, one tell-tale sign of a father is a child's attitude. Fathers love hearing about the good qualities that are seen in their children. It is a sense of great joy when the good is seen. One thing I know is that ...

  “I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers in a pure conscience, how unceasing is my remembrance of thee in my supplications, night and day longing to see thee, remembering thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; having been reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in thee; which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and, I am persuaded, in thee also.”  2 Timothy 1:3-5             What do you think about when you think of the term legacy? You may think of historical figures in this nation. You may think about different organizations that have stood the test of time. What do you think of when you think about yourself? Do you associate this word with your life? This is certainly a struggle for many as they go through life and make decisions. Sometimes this struggle is more often associated with failure than success. This can lead us to question just what kind of legacy we might leave.  ...

“For Ezra had set his heart to seek the law of Jehovah, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and ordinances.” Ezra 7:10 Ezra was one of many individuals that we find in Scripture who truly sought to be intentional in their service to the Lord. Ezra made a conscious effort to set his heart to seek the law, to do it, and to teach it. What a fantastic example!  One of the best ways that we can be intentional in training our children is to follow the example of Ezra. Fathers, as the spiritual leaders of your households, are you in your own time seeking the law of the Lord (the perfect law of liberty (Jam. 1:25)? Is your personal study intentional? Do you have a plan? Parents, are you doing the perfect law of Christ? When you do something with intention you know exactly why you have done it. When you seek the Law of Christ, it will be seen in the actions you carry out in your life. When we do the will of God, others will take notice. The examples of doing the will of God puts l...