Hi Folks,
I hope everyone had a relaxing weekend celebrating Father's Day.
In a world that 'dumbs down' the role of a father, the vital role a godly man (of any age) can play in the life of his or any child, God still thinks fatherhood is something to be honored, respected, held in high esteem, embraced as the first devot. shares.
Now, as I've said many times through the years, I understand and am sympathetic to those who may not have had a father, or a godly father in their lives growing up. I have friends who did not have the role of a stable, godly dad in their lives. And yet, they have said to me that when they came to faith in Christ, they came to realize that God became their Heavenly Father when they put their faith and trust in Him-and that made a life changing, permanent difference in their life, thinking and in moving forward through adulthood.
Galatians 3:26 states, "For we are the children of God (and then here is the stipulation) through faith in Jesus Christ." This is the picture of spiritual adoption which mirror physical adoption: The common misconception is that everyone is automatically God's kids. We are all His creations, He made every human life-born or unborn (as Psalm 139 shares), but specifically those who have trusted Jesus as their Savior can claim the title of God's child "through faith in Jesus Christ."
I pray that the devots. below are a refreshing comfort to your heart this week!
Below the last devot. from ICR is the release of a new children's book on fathers. A friend passed on the details to me. It gives the Biblical insight into who a godly dad should be, but also ties in some history and has the kids go back in time to WW2 and also meet Abraham Lincoln. The book is new and the series itself interesting and it's new. So for those of you with young kids and grandkids, please check out the details below the last devot.
Have a blessed weekend!
What the Father Says About Fathers:
| | | | | June 19, 2022
The Prodigal Father
“But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry.” (Luke 15:22-23)
As a number of commentators have noted, the familiar parable of the “prodigal son” is really about the “prodigal father,” for the word “prodigal” does not mean wayward or rebellious, as many think, but rather lavishly generous. The central theme of the story is not that of the return of a lost son but rather the undying love of a forgiving father.
The human father was intended by the Lord Jesus to be a picture of our heavenly Father, whose righteousness requires judgment on sin but who is always ready to forgive and receive back into joyous fellowship any who return to Him in repentant faith. Even to rebellious Israel He could say, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3). It was the memory of his father’s lovingkindness as much as anything else that finally gave the lost son courage to return home in repentance.
And when he returned, there were no recriminations from his father but only love and then a prodigal outpouring of blessing, with the robe and ring and shoes all symbolizing his full restoration as the son of his father.
So it is with us. Though utterly undeserving of such honor, we are made “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities....Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him” (Psalm 103:10,13). “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate,...And [I] will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18). HMM | |
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Dear PragerU Supporter,
American society continues to cheat children by downplaying the unique importance of fathers in our children’s lives – by way of teen-targeted ‘toxic masculinity’ campaigns and ongoing event cancellations of once-innocent traditions like “Donuts with Dad” at schools. Instead of celebrating men, woke culture seeks to erase the irreplaceable gift of a father’s guidance for his children.
At PragerU Kids, we are committed to honoring our traditional American Judeo-Christian values, as they enrich our parenting experience and children’s precious upbringing.
The next edition in our #1 Amazon best-selling Otto’s Tales book series is now here… just in time to reject the left’s attack on fatherhood.
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Otto’s Tales: Today is Father’s Day teaches our children the distinct gift of what fatherhood entails – from living a life that follows God, to sacrificing for the greater good, to providing for family. Young readers will time-travel with Otto the bulldog and his best friend, young Dennis Prager, to meet Abraham from the Bible as well as Dennis’s own father while he served in World War II!
We are depending on your help to pass on our inherent American values to as many children as possible. In addition to ordering your own book, please share the Otto’s Tales series with your family, friends, and local schools and libraries!
Keep an eye out for new Otto’s Tales books and companion storytime shows every month – this special Father’s Day episode is narrated by PragerU’s very own Chief Marketing Officer and dad-of-three, Craig Strazzeri! And, be sure to go to PragerU.com/kids to check out all of our original, free PragerU Kids content – educational magazines, animated videos, a new wild and fun game show, and more! |
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