Long Haul

JUN 18  / Sunday – Read Joshua 1:9

Overview:“What do you call a fake noodle? An Impasta!” We love dad jokes, but being a dad is no joke. Thankfully, our ultimate parent, God, is with us wherever we go!

 19 / Mon – More than one father  |  Read Psalm 27:10 / 2 Corinthians 6:18

Father’s Day can bring mixed feelings. Some people had great dads, others have or had a difficult relationship with theirs, and some grew up without a dad in their lives. Which category do you fall into? No matter how imperfect or absent your dad was, you have a Father in heaven who is crazy about you. He is with you. He is for you. He keeps His promises. That’s something to celebrate! Note: this is also National Forgiveness Week. If you’ve had issues with your dad in the past, maybe this is a good time to bring those hurts to Jesus for healing and then offer forgiveness.

20 / Tue – A good father disciplines wisely  |  Read Hebrews 12:4-11

One thing a good father does is discipline his children. He does not let them run wild and do foolish or dangerous things because he knows the consequences. He also knows that, in time, they will mature and learn to make wiser decisions. How did you feel about discipline when you were young? Do you see things differently now? Can you recognize when your Father disciplines you spiritually? What is His goal for you, according to Heb 12:11? He always deals with you in love.

21 / Wed – A good father has compassion  |  Read Psalm 103:13-14 / Luke 15:11-24

Remember a time when you rebelled against your parents? Then you can relate to the young man in Jesus’ story. He wanted what he wanted, when he wanted it, and had the audacity to demand it of his father. How did that turn out for him? Have you ever ‘demanded’ something from your heavenly Father and He let you have your way, knowing it was not in your best interest? Did you later regret it? If so, were you too ashamed to admit it? Maybe you felt He would hold it against you? Jesus told this story to show how greatly you are loved, no matter how badly you mess up.

22 / Thu – A good father is always available to talk  |  Read Matthew 6:6

Relationships grow through frequent conversations. You may have experienced how the people you talk to the most are often the ones you feel closest to. When you parent children, frequent conversions are vital. You ask questions, you listen, you respond. It draws you closer together. Apply that to your Father in heaven. How often do you talk? Are you intentional about listening to what He says through His word and in your heart? There is never a time when He is unavailable.

23 / Fri – A good father gives good gifts  |  Read Matt 7:9-11 / Romans 8:32 / James 1:17

Some people have the view that God is stingy, that they have to beg Him constantly for the things they need or they won’t get them. That is a warped, but all too common, view of your Heavenly Father and one that must be corrected. Read Jesus’ words in Matthew’s gospel. See what Paul writes to the Roman believers. And James emphasizes that every good gift – not just what you need or ask for – comes from your Father in heaven who loves to bless you. Wow!

24 / Sat – A good father continues to support his ‘adult’ children   |  Read 1 Tim 6:6-11, 20-21

You may not have had a ‘good’ father but may have had father figures in your life who loved and watched over and taught you. That is the relationship Timothy had with Paul, a father and son relationship between two people not biologically related. It is the way God wants us to be for each other in the body of Christ, a spiritual family that can fill in the gaps. Timothy was now grown and beginning his own ministry. What good advice does Paul give him? What good advice has your Father in heaven given you over the years? How have you passed it on?