Gentlemen,

It has been said that “a man cannot long act contrary to his beliefs.” This month I’d like to look at the importance of beliefs in the raising of our sons (and daughters). What we believe important, but in whom we believe is vital! Let’s dive right in and look at three things I believe our children need to believe with all their hearts. And, it is our pleasure as fathers to assist them in developing these beliefs.

First, our children must be able to say, “I believe in…Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.” Jesus said this in John 11:26, “And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” As James tells us, even the Devil believes. Our children must not only believe but then act on this belief by receiving and accepting God’s gift of salvation. Not only does this settle the “Where will you spend eternity?” question but this belief must also extend to accepting Christ’s lordship over their lives. They must believe that God has left them on this earth after salvation for the purpose of maturing them and utilizing them to impact the world. Jesus’ charge to the disciples in Acts 1:8 shows how He intended to utilize them as His witnesses in Jerusalem, the surrounding towns, and even to the remotest part of the earth.

This first belief also extends to accepting God’s sovereign will for each child’s life. In the Farr family, we talk often of God’s plan for our children, where they are going, and how they are going to get there. Mom, Dad, and each child put together five-year plans to help guide our thinking and decision making. Dad leads the way by setting the course for the family and where it will minister and serve. For each child, their current plans address their ministry, educational future, and potential marriage. Right now, as they approach the time to think of marriage, they must believe that God has already made the selection, from the foundations of the earth, and they must not be anxious. They are to charge hard to complete the mission God has for them now and leave the spouse issue to God’s selection and timing.

Second, our children must be able to say, “I believe in…my mom and dad to have my best interests at heart.” Scripture says it this way in Luke 11:11-13, “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children…” God has placed it into the heart of every mother and father to want to give good gifts to their children. There are reasons this may not happen, such as ungratefulness on the child’s part or evil in the heart of a parent, but that is not God’s design. We desire to tell them of our love and then show them by our words and actions that we have their best interests at heart.

In my family, Sue and I desire our children to achieve and become 100% of what God has put into them, mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We give them tangible and intangible gifts they need to be successful, and we spur them on to “love and good deeds,” from Hebrews 10:24-25. We cheer for their successes; when they fail, we cry with them and help pick up the pieces. Peter, Brian, and Katie, our children, know that Mom and Dad have their best interests at heart, even if we have to give them some hard counsel at times.

Third, our children must be able to say, “I believe in… myself.” No, this is not some pop psychology saying but, rather, a fundamental belief that a child can accomplish what God places in front of him or her with God’s assistance. Mark 9:23-24 says this about the father of a deaf and mute child, “Jesus said unto him, if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” This belief in him or herself allows each child to come up against a hard thing in life and say, “I will not quit. I will overcome this obstacle with God’s help!” It is not believing the lies Satan tells young people about themselves, their Godly design, or their parentage, but rather it is a reminder to believe the truth they know from the Holy Scriptures. The Apostle Paul did this as well with young Timothy as he encouraged him to remain true to the Scriptures and what he was taught as a young man by his mother and grandmother.

I want my children to have the courage to face difficult situations, knowing that God, Mom, and Dad are all there to assist. We cannot do the hard thing for them; they must go through it themselves. However, we can cheer, encourage, and support them in the effort. They must believe they can accomplish what God, through their authorities, ask of them. I desire that my children are continually challenged to find that 100% level in their lives which will utilize all that God has given to them in the spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental realms.

Beliefs are important. What we believe drives our behaviors and actions. I want my children to know the truth, for that truth to set them free, and for them to achieve their God-given purposes in this life. Acts 13:36 says this about Israel’s King David, “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep…” I want my children, and yours, to serve God well, in their generation before going home to their reward in heaven. As a father, I want to serve God’s purposes in my generation as well; that will then truly be multi-generational faithfulness.

Regards,

Roger D. Farr
ALERT Cadet Commanding Officer