Today's Godly Reminder - Ephesians 6:4

This verse is not just focused only on fathers, but also to the mothers, as well. Since the father is the head of the family, it is emphasized to them. But the point is to not provoke your children to anger. Do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive. Nor, by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them. But instead, bring them up tenderly, with lovingkindness in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Then, the Lord will bless your family and your children will produce good fruit as they grow up. Happy Father's Day!

The Daily Grace - Meet Shrek

Shrek was a renegade sheep. He went missing from his flock and remained lost for 6 years. The person who found him living in a cave on a high and rugged place in New Zealand didn't recognize him as a sheep. "He looked like some biblical creature", he said. In a way, he was. Shrek was a picture of what happens to sheep who become separated from their shepherd.

Shrek had to be carried down the mountain because his fleece was so heavy (60 lbs or 27 kg) that he couldn't walk down on his own. To relieve Shrek of the weight of his waywardness, he was turned upside down so that he would remain still and not be harmed when the shearer removed his heavy fleece. Shrek's story illustrates the metaphor Jesus used when He called Himself the Good Shepherd (John 10:11), and when God referred to His people as His flock (Eze. 34:31). Like Shrek, we do not make good choices when we're on our own, and we become weighed down with the consequences (Ezek. 33:10). To relieve us of the weight, we may have to be on our backs for a time. When we end up in this position, it is good to remain still and trust the Good Shepherd to do His work without hurting us. God's training is designed to grow us in faith.

Today We Pray

Dear God, Jesus is calling me to a new beginning; to a fresh call to discipleship. You are asking me to deny myself, take up my cross and follow You. It was at my baptism that You claimed me as Your child.

Today, I affirm that I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. I surrender my will, my desires and my life to You, O God. I commit myself to Your call to discipleship: to pray, study Your Word, worship You, invite other people to a life of discipleship, encourage Christians in their life of faith, serve those in need, and give joyfully of the gifts that You first gave me.

I bind myself to You this day, oh Christ, in Your truth and in Your sacrifice. I give to You my anxiety and my fear, my depression and my doubt, for You have promised to take them if we only ask; and I take upon myself Your burden, for it is light and Your way is gentle. May I keep this in my heart and mind all this day.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - 1 Corinthians 11:1

"Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ."

This is Paul's words to the Corinth. Since Paul is a good and perfect example of a follower of Christ, he instructed them that they should imitate him like Paul imitated Jesus. We, Christians, should do godly things in this world. We should be the role models to the people of this world. 

Let our lives be a blessing to others. Let others see Jesus in you. Let us follow His ways and His examples on how He relate to the people. Be a blessing today by imitating Christ.

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, through Your works, have revealed the everlasting structure of the world. You, Lord, created the earth. You are faithful throughout all generations, righteous in Your judgments, marvelous in strength and majesty, wise in creating and prudent in establishing what exists, good in all that is observed and faithful to those who trust in You, merciful and compassionate; forgive us our sins and our injustices, our transgressions and our shortcomings.

I ask You to inspire me to encourage others by what I say and do today. God and Father of all people, never let me look down on others or make anyone feel inferior. Show me how to live today with genuine concern for others. 

Give harmony and peace to us and to all who dwell on the earth throughout the day to come, just as You did to our fathers when they reverently “called upon You in faith and trust,” that we may be saved, while we render obedience to Your almighty and most excellent name, and give harmony and peace to our rulers and governors on earth. I humbly pray You so to guide and govern me by Your Holy Spirit, that in all the joys, occupations, and cares of this day I may never forget You, but remember that I am ever walking in your sight. In Christ’s name, I pray.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Ezekiel 34:11

The Lord is indeed a good shepherd. Just as a shepherd looks for lost sheep, we, His flock, have been lost since that dark and miserable day when we were scattered throughout the nations. But, He will rescue us and bring us back from the foreign nations where we now live. He will be our shepherd and will let us graze on mountains and in the valleys and fertile fields.

We will also be safe as He will feed us on grassy meadows and green hills. He promised to take care of us and keep us safe, to look for those that are lost and bring back the ones that wander off in His presence. And also, to bandage those that are hurt and protect the ones that are weak. The Lord God is an amazing God, indeed!

The Daily Grace - The Good Story

People tend to remember negative images more than they do positive ones, according to an experiment conducted at the University of Chicago. While people claim that they want to turn away from the barrage of bad news in the media - reports on tragedies, diseases, economic downturns - this study suggest that their minds are drawn to the stories. 

Catherine Hankey (1834 - 1911) was more interested in the "good news". She had a great desire to see young women come to know Christ. In 1866, she became very ill. As she lay in bed, she thought about all those with whom she had shared the story of Jesus' redemption, and she wished that someone would visit and comfort her with "the old, old story". That's when she wrote the poem that later became a hymn, "Tell Me the Old, Old Story": 

Tell me the story slowly, that I may take it in -

That wonderful redemption, God's remedy for sin.

Tell me the story often, for I forget so soon;

The early dew of morning has passed away at noon.

We never tire of hearing the story that because of His great love God sent His one and only Son to this earth (John 3:16). He lived a perfect life, took our sin upon Himself when He was crucified, and 3 days later rose again (Luke 23:44-24:3). When we receive Him as our Savior, we are given eternal life and become His children (John 1:12). Tell someone the old, old story of Jesus and His love. They need some good news. The good news of Christ is the best news in the world