The general manager had just given the group of cub scouts a tour of the Sugar Land Airport when a twin-engine Cessna landed. He told the boys to wait a few minutes because Captain may want to speak to them. The plane taxied up near where the boys were and a tall, lanky gentleman got out of the plane and walked over to them.

He put his arms around all eight boys and said, “I have two things for you. First, take the word ‘impossible’ out of your vocabulary. I have walked on the moon and know anything is possible. Second, when you have to make a decision, as my daddy told me, do what is right. How do you know what is right? You will know in your heart.” That was Captain Gene Cernan, commander of Apollo 17 and the last man to walk on the moon.

“If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” … So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden. – Genesis 4:7&16. God’s conversation with Cain was in response to Cain’s anger over the fact that God looked with favor on Abel and his offering but did not look with favor on him and his offering. Instead of listening and seeking to understand what God was saying, Cain chose to stay angry and failed to do what was right. In a fit of rage, he killed his brother, Abel. Jesus summed up what we are to do as Christians – “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”- Matthew 22:37-39. Paul elaborates on that with the Philippians – Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. … put it into practice. – Philippians 4:8-9. What one focuses on and thinks about, one does. As God said to Cain, sin is always crouching at your door. It desires to have you but you must rule over it. Cain’s focus was on himself and his status with God. His value was tied to his status and being better than his brother. Abel’s focus was on honoring God. Cain failed to rule over his anger and sin knocked down the door. Dads today must rule over sin and do what is right.

Tips to Do What is Right:

• Always honor God and glorify Him;
• Speak an encouraging word;
• Build others up, equip them as practical;
• Rule over selfish anger, move forward with selfless motivation;
• Keep your heart and eyes focused on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

Prayer guide: Thank You Lord for Your word and the example of Cain. I confess that I thought intimidation through anger was the way to father. It seemed to work for my dad and that is all I knew. Forgive me. It is time for me to accept responsibility under the example You provide in Scripture as our perfect Father. I want to rule over the sin that is crouching at the door. I do love You and am learning to love better today than yesterday. Help me focus on the right stuff – Your truth, whatever is noble, right, pure, lovely or admirable. Grant me strength to do what is right in order to lead my family by example. That is the dad You call me to be and that’s the dad my kids need to see. Amen.

A faithful father rules over sin and does what is right.