Welcome to Day 21 of The Challenge!
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Fathers, provoke not your children to anger,
lest they be discouraged.
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The Word of God proclaims that, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable . . . ” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). However, some Scripture passages are more applicable to certain people than other passages are. This is true in the case of studying Colossians 3:21, because I am not a father and neither are the majority of the people who will be reading this exposition!
Therefore, I believe what God has led me to write about the godly example that I have had the privilege to observe first hand. The example that I am speaking of is that of my father, Daniel Webster. My dad has lived out this verse in front of me my entire life in three ways.
First, my father has learned how to conquer anger, and according to Proverbs that is the key to keep from stirring up anger in another person. (Proverbs 15:18) My dad lives in victory over anger because he has learned to yield his rights. In fact, the most visible right that my father has relinquished is the right to be heard. He will seek to earn a hearing with someone rather than demand one. I believe that I can say truthfully, that my dad has never in my life, provoked me to anger. On the contrary, he has encouraged and discipled me how to overcome anger by yielding rights in my own life.
Secondly, Dad vigorously exercises himself in seeking to practice humility. A prideful person will most certainly bring strife. (Proverbs 13:10) I have seen my Dad on numerous occasions give honor to others instead of accepting it for himself.
An example of this is the “disclaimer” that my dad put in his bio which states “Any accomplishment that I have achieved is only because of the investment of God and others in my life”.
Finally, and most importantly, my dad spends much time deepening his relationship with Jesus Christ, specifically in the area of prayer. I do not believe that my father could daily practice meekness and humility if it were not for the fact that he spends quality time in prayer. He firmly believes that it is not that he is something extraordinary, but that God has answered his prayers and has displayed his victorious power in his life.
In conclusion, you may be saying to yourself this is all good information. However, how is this applicable to a Journey attendee who is most likely not married, and is not a father? The answer is, as a young man I should ask myself three questions. Am I a man who has conquered anger? Am I a humble man? Am I a man of prayer? And if I am a young lady, I should ask myself some similar questions. Is the man that I am seeking to be the father of my children a humble and meek man, and does he spend time cultivating his relationship with Jesus Christ? May we all gain a meek and quiet spirit as we seek to love Jesus Christ with all our hearts!
~ Jordan Webster
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January 21st, 2010 at 9:22 am
Jordan, Thank you for pointing out key qualities that God looks for in a man that He wants to use. I know from personal experience the impact you have made on many with these qualities. I also greatly respect your dad for the incredible achievements that he has accomplished but yet the modest and humble attitude that has earned him so much respect. May God bless you and thank you for sharing! ~ David Waller
January 21st, 2010 at 4:30 pm
As I look at this post, it is the 22nd in New Zealand, and I am a father of 7 and husband of 1. Today’s 5 Psalms and 1 proverb took us to Proverbs 24. Verses 6 and 22 are applicable tot his post.
Verse 24 says, “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go.” So to add to what Jordan said, boys, make every haste to confess every instance of anger turning to wrath.
Anger is just a signal. Acting in anger is a sin which roots deep into your life and will kill the joy in your family life when you become older.
Just last night at 4:40am to be precise, I awoke having had a disturbing dream. These things happen when we meditate on the scripture, and the Holy Spirit roots out evil in our heart as we sleep.
The verse phrase I had been meditating on was “Children obey your parents in all things” verse 20 of Col 3. The dream was not very nice and I was prompted to get up and write a couple of observations the sheet of paper on my home office wall that is entitled, “I’m an …”
Its the title of a book I hope to write sometime, so I won’t give away all the details! But it about anger.
The first thing I wrote and I quote from my midnight musings…”How can I thank God for this “incurable”character flaw in my life?
So boys, if you are facing an incurable character flaw that may lead you in the future to provoke your children (and wife) to wrath, start thanking God now, as you go through the steps found in the IBLP materials and if you’ve gone through the JTTH, the materials there.
Get things sorted before you get married! And if you have no one close by in your life who you can get married to, watch out! Think about Andy Warner! One minute he’s studying, the next he can’t study! The spirit of the Lord came upon him!
Do all you can now to prepare, for when you have your child in front of you, and they are driving you up the wall, its too late! You’re stuck with your current quota of character, and the taste of your own fruits of the Holy Spirit!
January 21st, 2010 at 11:48 pm
God’s LOVE/TIMING IS AMAZING! THANK YOU JORDAN AND THANK YOU MR. SMITH! And THANK GOD! THIS POST HAS DIRECTLY ADDRESSED MANY INWARD STRUGGLES I HAVE BEEN HAVING.
January 22nd, 2010 at 12:48 am
That is exciting! I’m glad to hear God is working in your life.
Neil Smith
January 25th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Wow! Great testimony
: )
You and your family!
Its so great to see how God works in the families of His children! May God keep blessing you Jordan
July 7th, 2010 at 2:17 pm
[...] respect for State Senator Daniel Webster of Florida, an honorable statesmen, a wise leader, and a loving father. He served so well in the Florida Legislature that several years ago they designated a local [...]