We
celebrated Father's Day today and, because of this, I have been
thinking
a lot about my dad. He passed away about two and a half years
ago and
although I miss him every day, holidays and special occasions
always have
me missing him more than usual. He was very sick for the
last few years of
his life, and I know that he is so much better off now
than he was here on
earth, but the selfish part of me still wishes he
was here sometimes. The g
ood news is that my dad was a Christian and I
know where he is spending
his eternity. I also know that I will one day
see him again.
"For
the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the
voice
of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in
Christ
will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught
up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And
thus,
we shall always be with the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
For
those of us who know Christ as their Savior, there is always the hope
of
an eternity spent with Him, as well as our loved ones who have gone
on
before us. There may be days on this earth that we miss them, but we
can
know without a shadow of a doubt that we will be reunited with them
one
day. Knowing this won't take away all of the pain or sadness, but
it can help
us through on days like today.
A Blessing for Fathers on Father’s Day
BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord; that walketh in His ways. For
hou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and
it shall
be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the
sides of thine
house: thy children like olive plants round about thy
table. Behold, that
thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the Lord.
The Lord shall bless
thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good of
Jerusalem all the days of
thy life. Yea, and thou shalt see thy
children’s children, and peace upon
Jerusalem.” Psalm 128
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: I am convinced that America’s families will not be changed until the dads in
America are changed. The key is the father. God has given us a
survival
manual, and it begins with the father. He is to be a
God-fearing, hard-
working, worshipping man of God. He is to be bold, but
he must also truly
fear God.
What is the fear of God? Not a cringing dread of God, but love on its knees.
And I am convinced that the man who fears God the most loves God
the
best.
Dads, your children need to see the fear of God in your life. I’ve made an
observation of fathers. Do you know what makes a good dad? He is a
man
who is both strong and tender at the same time. Strong, but not
afraid to
hug, to kiss, to love, to speak softly and gently to the
children.
ACTION POINT: These children of yours are like olive plants round about your table. Dads,
if you will do this, if you will put the emphasis upon your
family, we are going
to see good in this nation again.
Devotions taken from the messages of Adrian Rogers.
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Overboard on Church Technology
Today's Bible Verse...
Sing to God, sing praise to his
name, extol him who rides on the clouds — his name is the Lord — and
rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is
God in his holy dwelling.
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
I
can't help but think of what James, Jesus' brother said: "Pure religion,
undefiled before God the Father is this: keep oneself undefiled and
care for orphans and widows in their distress." Jesus showed clearly
this was the Father's heart in his ministry. Now it is up to us to
continue it!
My Prayer...
Father, may my life, my compassion and my ministry reflect your heart for those who need care and protection and love. Give me eyes to see this need more clearly and a heart to responded more certainly so that your love may be demonstrated through me. In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.
Today's Verse Illustrated
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