Today's Verse - Ephesians 6:4

Fathers, do not exasperate your children, instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

—Ephesians 6:4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

It seems that many mothers have an inside track with their children because of the bonding that occurs in a child's earliest days and weeks of life with her, both in the womb as they hear her voice and feel her comfort, and after delivery, as she nurses and suckles her child. So, I find it interesting that God commands fathers to be about the work of spiritual nurture with their children, yet they are to do it without exasperating the child with overly harsh discipline. I don't believe Paul means to exclude mothers, but he emphasizes the importance of a strong, gentle guiding hand from a man who is not overly harsh, but still has expectations. No, I think Paul assumes most moms will do their part in training and instructing children. However, the father's influence and intentional training of each child are also essential for the child to know the father's love and see that both parents support the proper direction the child should take in behavior, faith, and life. Dads, we have the awesome opportunity to help our child know a father's love so they can come to know the love of our Father in heaven.

My Prayer...

Abba Father, may my children come to find your love in the way that I instruct, nurture, discipline, and train them. Thank you for providing your church family, which can offer support, love, nurture, and help when a child does not have the blessing of two loving and godly parents. No matter who is raising a child, we pray that they can lead them and love them in the way that points them to you, our Father. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Psalm 68:4-5

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.

—Psalm 68:4-5

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

I can't help but think of what James, Jesus' brother, said:

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world (James 1:27).

Jesus demonstrated the Father's heart for the marginalized in his ministry by making time to love, serve, heal, welcome, and bless widows (Luke 21:1-4), lepers (Mark 1:40-45), children (Matthew 19:13-15), the afflicted (John 5:3-8), and the oppressed (Matthew 4:24). Now it is up to us, his people, his disciples, to continue the work of Jesus as his people, his bodily presence in our world today.

My Prayer...

Father, may our lives, our compassion, and our ministries reflect your heart for those who need care, protection, and love. Give us eyes to see these needs more clearly and hearts that respond more certainly so that we can demonstrate your love to people more fully. We pray that as we respond, the Spirit will lead us to do things that bless others, and we ask that you give us wisdom to know how best to demonstrate your love to all people. In the precious name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Psalm 103:13

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

—Psalm 103:13

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Compassion!
Not pity, not anger, not shame, not impatience, not intolerance, not rejection, none of this is what God, our Father, longs to share with us. We know this because today's verse declares it. We know it even more by the way Jesus treated children in his busy and overly-scrutinized ministry:

• He welcomed them and placed his hands on them to bless them (Matthew 19:13-15).
• He took the children into His arms, placed His hands upon them, and blessed them (Mark 10:13-16).
• He welcomed little children, and held them up as examples for us to follow (Luke 18:15-17)

God cares for our pain, loneliness, emptiness, abandonment, and mistreatment. God cares for us when we are overlooked, neglected, minimized, and pushed aside. God loves us and longs to share his compassion with us. He chose to enter our world and demonstrate his love for us in Jesus.

My Prayer...

Father of mercies and God of all compassion, we thank you not only for knowing and caring about our struggles, but also for sending Jesus to us and for living in us through the Holy Spirit. Because of your mercies, we know your love, grace, and forgiveness. Because of your compassion, we know your might and power released to us and in us through your gentle presence. May your Spirit of compassion be found in our relationships so others can recognize that this grace comes from you. Through the intercession of the Holy Spirit, and through Jesus our Savior, we pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.