Make Straight Paths

As a father of eight, in a homeschooling family, I know that this time of year is critical. Critical in setting a tone and a pace that is going to carry on for many months into the school year to come, but, in reality, echo into eternity.

With that in mind, God has been drawing my attention to the life and ministry of John the Baptist: “For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’” (Matthew 3:3)

John Called Men to Repent

John first called the men to repent as the spiritual authorities of their families. The tax collectors, Pharisees, scribes, soldiers—everyone listed that John addressed directly at the Jordan were men. The Spirit of Elijah starts with men to then prepare the households in Israel to hear and, if they have ears to hear, repent and mend their ways.

The coming awakening and revival is not going to be, “I am sorry for the way I have lived,” asking for forgiveness, and then slowly walking back into that lifestyle again. It is going to be an all-in commitment—cutting off the dead things, loving what God loves, and ordering our lives to match up with His ways, knowing that the Bridegroom Jesus is coming!

John Was a Nazarite

What does this mean for you and me today? It means living a faith that is all-in. The Nazarites took a vow to the Lord to be consecrated and set apart for Him. Men, it is time that we take a vow and separate ourselves for the work of the Lord—to lead our families. It means turning away from the worthless things that distract us and spending time with God in prayer and reading the Bible.

One of my mentors, Doug Stringer of Somebody Cares International, often says, “Others may, I may not.” There will be a time when the Bridegroom is given back to us, when we will live face-to-face with our Messiah, and then we will partake of the cup. But Jesus said that when He is gone, they will fast. It is a season to take a vow and commit our lives to the Lord fully, in every area.

Straight Paths

Are you making straight paths for the Lord in the hearts of your wife and children? Do you long to see them thrive spiritually? What might be crooked in your life? What is out of order? What is not surrendered?

I am currently on a fast today, and as I went to the coffee maker to make myself the only thing I look forward to, food-wise, during a fast, the coffee machine caught on fire, giving off sparks of electricity and smoke. And I sensed the Lord drawing me away from this earthly tent, freeing me from the shackles—yes, strongholds in my mind—that make me think I need something other than Him for my strength, drive, focus, and substance.

He is my all in all. Ben, God is your all in all. Paul and Peter both describe themselves as living in a fleshly tent that will be removed, yet I focus so much on my outer tent and not my spirit.

Patterns

As homeschooling families are getting into the new rhythms of schooling and extracurricular activities, like sports or the arts, let us remember to fight to keep our hearts from crooked paths and make room for straight paths in our wives and children.

Let us fight for daily prayer, Bible reading, and sweet fellowship together, sealing the bonds of love.

I recently heard a study saying that the number one predictor of whether a child stays consistent in their faith when they leave home was having a dad who discipled them in God’s ways, while being loving and kind. It is hard for us men to be loving and kind when we are holding on to so much anxiety, pursuing the things of this world, and carrying hidden sin and “crooked ways.” When we get right, then we can fight for our families with joy, love, kindness, and a forgiving demeanor. This reflects the Father’s heart and gives our children a clear picture of what God the Father is like. And the way we love our wives reflects to her and to our children Jesus, who laid down His life for His bride, the Church.

Now Is the Time

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” (Malachi 4:5–6)

John came with the Spirit of Elijah to prepare for Jesus’ first coming. We see in Malachi that it says, “Before the great and awesome day of the Lord.” This phrase throughout Scripture refers to the Day of Judgment. Many prophecies have a double measure, serving as a foreshadowing of a second and greater outpouring. I believe the greater measure is that this anointing of the Lord will not come upon one man but upon millions of men— repenting, amending our ways, and then leading our families in straight paths.

The times are urgent. We can all feel it. The Day of the Lord is drawing near.

Kill Jezebel

In 1 Kings 18, we see a showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, whom Queen Jezebel had brought into the land in opposition to God. After Elijah called down fire from heaven and killed all the prophets, he was tired and fled to Mount Horeb in Arabia. There, he wanted to die because Jezebel wanted to kill him. God encouraged him by telling him that He had 7,000 men of Israel who had not bowed a knee to Baal. He then gave Elijah instructions to go and raise up two kings who would bring judgment upon Jezebel and King Ahab’s house, and anyone who was left would be killed by Elisha, the son in the faith whom Elijah was to raise up after him.

Did you catch that?

The plan of God to get you out of depression, discouragement, and repeated sin is to kill Jezebel. What area of your life have you allowed that spirit of Jezebel to control? That spirit’s main goal is to create crooked ways in your heart and life, leading those who have been entrusted to you to have crooked ways too. Together, brothers, let’s throw her down from the tower of our hearts.

Elijah anointed King Jehu, who called to two men—the eunuchs who had been crippled by Jezebel’s power and control—to rise up and throw her down. And they did. It is time to find several brothers and, together, throw her down. Kill Jezebel out of your life so that freedom can come! Don’t let her have anything in you. When Jehu approached, she yelled out to him, “Is that you, betrayer of your father?” She is the accuser of the brethren. As long as she has something crooked in us, she beats us over the head, saying, “You can never lead your family. You’re not good enough!”

It’s time! Enough is enough! Men of God, let’s fight! Let’s cut the strings of control and walk in true freedom, for the coming Kingdom of God is one of righteousness. Let us be those who love righteousness. Men, prepare ye the way of the Lord.

Make straight paths. Let us lead our families into the freedom, righteousness, and holiness of God.

He Must Increase

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

This is what John said when his disciples asked him if he was okay with all the attention shifting away from him to Jesus.

Dads, we shoulder a lot. But do I do it gladly so that Jesus will be glorified, or do I do it begrudgingly? May God help our hearts to live in the joy of our salvation! May we be so grateful that we get to decrease and point all the attention to Jesus and the Father God. Yes, we have been given a leadership role, but it is for us to humble ourselves and serve our families so that Christ can increase in their lives. So, any narcissistic and selfish tendency needs to die in me.

This is not about us. It’s about Him.

And our main job is to point these young hearts toward Him! And on that day when we see Him face-to-face and hear, “Well done!”, we will not be disappointed.

Let us live for that day! Lord, help me prepare the way of the Lord in my families homeschooling day today. Help me lead Bible time. Help me lead in prayer. Help me lead with joy and kindness. Help me decrease so that You may increase.

Help me make straight paths for You in the hearts of my wife and children. Help me prepare the way of the Lord.