Read
Luke 4:31-37 
They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority. Verse 32 (NIV) 

Reflect 
When I am part of a gathering where a meal is part of the event, it seems inevitable that I am the one who is chosen to say grace before the meal. It is as if my prayers are more meaningful or I have a better connection to God than others. Recently, I have taken to joking that it must be that I am a “professional prayer.” Of course, the reality is that I have no more authority because I am a pastor than anyone else who has a relationship with our Heavenly Father.  

I am very aware that Jesus is the true authority and power. Without Jesus I can accomplish nothing of spiritual value. Without him I would simply be a carpenter going about my tasks and using my own acquired skills to try and accomplish something beneficial. To be a pastor, to lead a church, to share the truth of the Good News of Jesus, to have insight into God’s word all require the power of the Holy Spirit to be actively at work in my life. 

I think we all need this reminder in our lives. Any time we begin to think we have all the answers, we need to be reminded that ultimately it all comes from God. 

At the end of Jesus’ ministry, he told his disciples that all authority had been given to him. Then he sent them into the world as his representatives (Matthew 28:18-20.) Prior to his ascension into heaven he told the disciples they would receive power from on high (Acts 1:8). By his authority and by the power of the Holy Spirit we are sent to bring the Good News of grace and love to the world as well.  

Our faith isn’t built on our own abilities and strength. It is built on Jesus’ power and authority. 

Pray 
Jesus, remind us every day that you are in charge. Your power and authority are supreme, and we are your people. Help us Lord to live in this world and show who you are to people every day. Amen. 

Read
Romans 8:28-39
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
1 Peter 1:1-2 (NIV) 

Reflect 
Consider what joy we ought to enjoy for today. God knows our sins, our thoughts, and what we hide from others. He also knows our tendency to disobey and hurt him again and again. Still, because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, God always welcomes us back into his presence. No wonder John declares: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1). God wants us to have the joy of fellowship with him forever. 

Now, consider our confidence for tomorrow. Scripture says that God made us, saved us, and teaches us. He also guides our paths each day and promises to lead us to his eternal home. What an awesome God.  

Do you ever wonder if we are good enough for God? Well that is the whole point of his amazing grace. We are not good enough – not even close. Despite our failure and inability, we are simply invited to love him who first loved us, and to look forward to the time when he will call us to himself! What an incredible privilege! What an incredible God! 

Pray 
Dear Lord, please create a deep sense of our joy in your grace and give us confidence to face the future. Establish us in your love and lead us in your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Read
Ephesians 2:14-18 
His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.Verses 15b – 16 (NIV) 

Reflect 
All of us at some point have some kind of prejudice. Most often it is due to ignorance about those who we see as different. Those who know our family might wonder what prejudice we have. Via adoption our six children represent ten different ethnicities or heritages. I discovered some years ago that I still had a prejudice about a particular cultural/religious group. I was actually surprised at myself. 

This is how one author described prejudice: Prejudice can be pictured as a circle that separates “us” from “them.” The people inside the circle are “normal” people, who are most like us – similar skin color, ethnicity, values, abilities, language, gender identity, and so on. Because “we” inside the circle are “normal,” everyone outside the circle is “abnormal” – people different from “us” in ethnicity, abilities, and so on.  

That is a good way to describe prejudice. As I write this there are many places around the world where demonstrations are being held due to prejudice being used against others simply due to the colour of their skin.  

The ancient Israelites thought of themselves as normal people and everyone else as abnormal. In fact, they thought that they alone were selected to receive God’s favor. They were actually pretty smug about their special place in the world. 

Through the prophet Isaiah God told them that the promised Savior was coming for all people. “I will . . . make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6). One day in our future prejudice will all be gone: “… and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:9; Read Revelation 7 as well). 

Praise God that Jesus came to destroy the sinful distinction we make between “normal” and “abnormal” humans. He is creating a new humanity. Jesus came to put to death the hostility of prejudice and to create a new community of mutual love – no normal or abnormal people, no “us” and “them.” Just us in all our diversity. Hallelujah! 

Pray 
Oh Lord, teach us to revel in the wonderful diversity you have created among us. Make our love reflect your love for all the people of the world.  In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Read 

Psalm 68:5-6a  A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, ….  

Matthew 9:36 - When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.   

Reflect 

I have mentioned my dad on a few occasions. He was a good role model and he dropped bits of wisdom into my life that helped to shape my thinking and my attitudes. One thing my dad did not do was being very affectionate. I don’t believe I ever heard my dad say, “I love you” to any of us boys. I am certain that he did, and he showed it by his care for us, we just did not hear it. Every day is imperfections and strengths.   

Our heavenly Father is compassionate, kind and loving, especially of those who are alienated & alone (Ps.68:5-6a). He also disciplines, corrects and directs us through the scriptures and the person of the Holy Spirit. One thing that he is not: Is absent.    

Matthew allows us to look into the heart of Jesus and see that he cares for us the way a father would do for a wandering and aimless child. I have encountered many young people during my years of ministry who were harassed & helpless. Two teenaged brothers who found their mother hanged in the basement when they were children, and an absent father, never allowed them to adjust properly to life as adults. A teenaged girl rebelling in every possible way because her father was an authoritarian and ruled with an iron fist, devoid of love. A good father is not something we should take for granted.  

As Christian families we have the added benefit of our dads having the example of a Heavenly Father filled with all the traits that help us to walk a path that blesses our families. As Christian dads we have the empowering Holy Spirit within us to help us be the kind of dads we need to be for our family and as an example in our community.  

Pray 

Our Heavenly Father help our dads to be the best they can be and thank you for the dads you have blessed us with. Above all thank you for being our perfect heavenly Father. Amen  

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY