OUR DAILY BREAD : ONGOING ENCOURAGEMENT

[cimi]

June 15
Monday


ONGOING
ENCOURAGEMENT

READ:
Colossians 3:14-25
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Fathers, do not provoke
your children, lest they
become discouraged.
__Colossians 3:21
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Father's Day is celebrated in many countries worldwide. Although the origins, activities, and actual day of observance differ widely, they all share the common thread of honoring fathers for their role as parents.
This year for Father's Day, I've decided to do something different. Instead of waiting to receive a card or phone call from my children, I'm sending words of appreciation to them and to my wife. After all, without them, I wouldn't be a dad.

Paul instructed fathers to be a positive part of their children's development rather than a source of anger and discouragement. He wrote, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4). "Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged" (Col. 3:21). Both of these verses are embedded in passages about loving and honoring each other in family relationships.

The role of a father changes as children grow, but it doesn't end. Praise and encouragement are welcomed whether a child is 4 or 40. Prayer is always powerful. And it's never too soon to mend a broken relationship with a son or daughter.

Fathers, now is a good time to tell your children how much you love and appreciate them. __David McCasland
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``````````````````Our children need encouragement,``````````````
``````````````````Expressions of our love and care;```````````````
```````````````````Appreciation, when expressed,````````````````
`````````````````Accentuates the bond we share. __Sper``````````
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The greatest gift a father can give
to his children is himself.

*************Todays' Bible Reading __ Colossians 3:14-25**********

14 But above all these
things put on love, which is
the bond of perfection.

15 And let the peace of
God rule in your hearts, to
which also you were called
in one body; and be
thankful. 16 Let the word of
Christ dwell in you richly
in all wisdom, teaching and
admonishing one another in
psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing with
grace in your hearts to the
Lord. 17 And whatever you
do in word or deed, do all
in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God
the Father through Him.

18 Wives, submit to your
own husbands, as is fitting
in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your
wives and do not be bitter
toward them.

20 Children, obey your
parents in all things, for this
is well pleasing to the Lord.

21 Fathers, do not provoke
your children, lest they
become discouraged.

22 Bondservants, obey in
all things your masters
according to the flesh, not
with eye service, as men-
pleasers, but in sincerity of
heart, fearing God. 23 And
whatever you do, do it
heartily, as to the Lord and
not to men, 24 knowing that
from the Lord you will
receive the reward of the
inheritance; for you serve
the Lord Christ. 25 But he
who does wrong will be
repaid for what he has
done, and there is no
partiality.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

It is interesting to note that Paul placed the priority of "husbands,
love your wives" before he mentioned the admonition "children,
obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord"
(vv.19-20). An example of love between spouses sets the stage for
their children to obey them. __Dennis Fisher

[realtmg]

Amen