A Daily Devotion for Friday, August 21
Luke 18:15-17
People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Matthew 7:11
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
Today I am also preoccupied with thoughts of my children, but they are all grown. Our youngest son is getting married tomorrow! I remember those days when each of our three children was a tiny baby. It was, indeed, exhausting at times. But the love!!! It felt too big to handle. But that same love only grew larger and richer over the years. I have trouble imagining God’s love for me sometimes. Not because I feel deprived, or lack anything, but because God is a very different parent than I could ever hope to be. His powerful love is on a supernatural level. Now that I think of it, though, there is a similarity: I would lay down my life for any one of my children. I would have laid down my life at any point in time since my first child was born. God laid down His life for me, with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Obviously, this is a very different thing, but God gave up a part of himself, to save all of his children, past present and future. I believe in Jesus Christ, and I know this to be true.
Holy Lord, I am thankful for your love and your sacrifice for me. May I do your will always, and fight to remove any hold on me which pulls me away from you. Bless our family, I pray, and bless Nora’s family, as we come together for a beautiful wedding weekend. Amen
Becky, transforming
Luke 18:15-17
I have three grandchildren and each one has been an example of the message today.
Asher - at 4 asking for all to pray in a busy restaurant with people he had just met that day. Why can’t I easily put my faith on display among relative strangers?
Evelyn - at 2 1/2 holding out her hands at the table, waiting for our mealtime grace while everyone else is rushing around getting their drinks situated, getting the butter passed, reaching for the salt and pepper, etc. Why can’t I more often slow down to embrace the moments we praise and thank God.
Shepherd – at 1 1/2 after meal time grace, throwing up his hands and saying “hallelujah”!…
Luke 18:15-17. Matthew 7:11. The perfect parent
There is a song from a Cantata I was part of that speaks to the reason Jesus wanted to see the children and to tell us that we needed to have the faith of a child. It begins with these words “The Faith of a child is the faith I am seeking. Later in the song, Jesus sings Eagerly come with the faith of a child and Trustingly come with the faith of a child. There is no need for pretense or fear when approaching God. Just come and speak to him as a parent or friend. That is what all parents and God wants from their children.
Prayer: Gracious God, I a…
Friday, August 21st, 2026
The Perfect Parent
(Focus): New Parents
Today’s Reading Luke 18:15-17
Matthew 7:11
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
These verses remind us as parents how we should bless and raise our children. There is much more that God longs to give to us when we who seek and ask for his guidance. We don’t have to beg or wonder, just ask with confidence and we will receive his goodness. Was I able to give early guidance, good habits, and moral teachings to shape them for the rest of their…
Luke 18:15-17/Matthew 7:11
These images of God’s love for His children fall very close to home today as our whole family is coming together for Kenny and Nora’s wedding tomorrow. Even as he steps up to “leave his mother and father and become one flesh” with his beloved, Becky and I remain all in for him and now a new daughter. All three of our children, with their every success and failure, are fiercely loved, but when I fail as a parent they still have the love of God and this is a great comfort and blessing to me.
Prayer - Thank you, Lord, for Your steadfast, everlasting and unconditional love for me and my children, especially at times when…