Take time today to meditate on this week’s scripture verses.
Philippians 4:11-13 NIV – l am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.
Matthew 3:3 NIV — This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
Ecclesiastes 3:8 NIV — a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
John 3:16-17 NIV —For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 14:27 NIV — “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Join us on our YouTube Channel as we wrap up our week on Father’s day.
John 14:15-17 NIV — “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.”
Can you think back to a time before you knew Christ Jesus as your personal savior? Or when you were new to having a relationship with your Heavenly Father? I grew up in a divided home. As my mom grew in her faith, she would take us to church. Meanwhile, my dad didn’t get saved until after I was married. It wasn’t until my junior year of high school that I chose to ask Jesus into my heart as my personal savior. This was a radical life experience for me. Not long after I was married my Dad asked Jesus to live in his heart and be his personal savior.
Non-believers want the peace that we have as Christians. This doesn’t mean that we have to be perfect and always have it all together, but people notice how we respond and react to times of crisis, trouble, or confusion. We don’t always have a billboard to give us answers and show us the way we should go. We do have a Holy Spirit that dwells in us. He will give us peace in our direction. A peace that transcends all understanding as we read John 14:27 NIV — “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
We also read in today’s Gospel that God gives us the Holy Spirit as our advocate. As parents, we are advocates for our children. It is comforting to know that as children and adults, we always have our Heavenly Father advocating on our behalf.
Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your son, Christ Jesus to save a sinner like me. Thank You for being my advocate. Help me to shine Your light so that others want to experience Your perfect peace. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
Today’s writing was done by Deborah’s daughter, Briley.
My dad is someone who can always make me smile no matter what is going on. He is so smart and can always help me with anything that I need. Not only is he the smartest man I know but he also lives by faith. He plays the organ and also sings at our church and that is such an important part of a worship service. I have the same love of music as him and I love when we sing together in the car. I can’t imagine what life would be like without him. He has helped shape me into who I am today.
Today’s writing was done by Julie’s daughter, Kendal.
Abraham laid his son on the altar and raised the knife.
Willing to sacrifice the one thing he prayed for all his life.
A burnt offering to God. A testament of his faith. Isacc’s recognition when he saw his father’s face.
Yet Isacc’s life was saved by his father’s belief. I can only imagine the extent of Abraham’s relief.
The debt of human sin remained unpaid. Whose life would this debt claim?
But God himself would provide the Lamb for the burnt offering. For He gave His son. The debt was paid, and the war was won.
Maybe God spared Isacc because He too knew the pain of a father. For He also sacrificed His only son at the altar.
I wrote this poem with the intention of portraying the love of a father. Not just the love that Abraham had for his son, but also the love that our Heavenly Father has for each of us. If you read my Mother’s Day poem, then you probably noticed that it also mentioned sacrifice. I did this unintentionally but, upon reflection, I realized I could think of no greater word to describe a parent than sacrifice. To be a parent is to sacrifice. I would like to think that sacrifice and love go hand in hand. I would even argue that you cannot have love without sacrifice and vice versa. To love is to sacrifice and to sacrifice is to love. To be a parent is to love.
