But not all earthly fathers are good. Some were mean, unkind, selfish, seldom home, and hurt the family both verbally and physically.

I had a wonderful earthly father who raised me with Christian principles, but not with God! That was not being a good earthly father! Sad to say, we did not have a Bible in my home when I was growing up. So, when I left home, I had no Christ-like guidelines.

The Bible gives us commands to follow concerning our earthly father, whether he is good or bad, godly, or ungodly. Let’s look at a couple.

Exodus 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you."

Mark 7:10 "For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’"

The word HONOR means to hold them in high esteem! It does not say, only the good ones! We cannot hold our father (or mother) in high esteem if we have bitterness or unforgiveness against them. This is not about what they did but how we will survive what they did! If for no other reason, we give our mom and dad honor because they gave us life! We would not be here on this earth without them!

When we give our life over to the Lord Jesus Christ, we start living in the kingdom of God and we become children of God. We now have a HEAVENLY FATHER who is only about our good and who shows us how to live successfully in this land He has given us. The Bible is our manual for success and there is no other manual. It shows us His promises which never change. Here are a few about our Heavenly Father.

Psalm 68:5  "A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation."

Psalm 89:26  "He shall cry to Me, 'You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.’"

Let us remember these promises and meditate on this truth. We are going to live with our HEAVENLY FATHER forever, and HE is good and kind and never changes. When we read His Word, we get to know Him and all His benefits! 

Our Father is always willing to listen and even teaches us how to pray to Him! 

In this manner, therefore, pray:

"Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

Matthew 6:9-15

When we pray which is talking to our Father, we always start by giving Him honor!