MONDAY

Family Discussion Follow Gods example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2

June 20

TUESDAY June 21 Single moment reflective meditation

WEDNESDAY Time with your children

June 22

A dad is a person Who's loving and kind, And often he knows What you have on your mind. He's someone who listens, Suggest and defends... A dad can be one Of your very best friends! He's proud of your triumphs, But when things go wrong, A dad can be patient And helpful and strong. In all that you do A dad's love plays a part There's always a place for him Deep in your heart And each year that passes, You're even more glad, More grateful and proud Just to call him your dad!
He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. Clarence Budington Kelland In what ways do you like to follow your dads example? What is Gods example for us to follow? How do we know we are Gods dearly loved children?

Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. Proverbs 23:22-24
I remember that when I was a little girl, I always wanted to make my daddy happy. If I disappointed him, I was crushed. It happened a few times, and every time it did it was because of something that I did wrong. My father was wonderful gentle, caring, available, and open to my tender little heart, but he was also firm in discipline and instruction, so I knew that if he was disappointed, it wasnt him having a bad day, but it was because of something I did. I am also sure that my dad has great joy in all his children, not because of what we do, but because we all know that we belong to Christ and that our lives are His. Thats what brings him true joy (along with grandchildren, of course). Are you pursuing the truth that can be found only in the Word of God? Does your life show that you belong to Jesus Christ, as one of the righteous that a father can delight in? Do you know for certain that whether or not your earthly father delights in you, your heavenly Father always does? Let His truth and everlasting love be a constant in your life as you dig into His Word, so that you get wisdom, discipline, and understanding in ever-increasing measure.

My child, dont reject the Lords discipline, and dont be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:11-12
Raise your hand if you like being disciplined when you do something wrong! Nobody really likes being disciplined. Its not fun. Do you think that it is a good thing? The Bible tells us that it is. God corrects, or disciplines, those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. So, even though it may not seem like it when youre being disciplined, you can be sure that when Mom or Dad does it, they love you. Ask your Mom and Dad whether or not that is true do they discipline because they love you? When we are disciplined, we see what we did wrong and learn not to do it again. More importantly, when we are disciplined, we should also learn from our parents what the right thing is to do. Discipline isnt just punishment. Its part of a caring relationship where our parents help us know and do the godly thing. God disciplines children through parents, and He disciplines parents when they need it, too, because He loves us!

Thank God for your Dad.

Father, You delight in me, and I ask that I would always delight in Your Word of truth.

God, thank you for disciplining us because You love us.

THURSDAY

Marriage Matters

June 24

FRIDAY

Mission Minded

June 25

FAMILY DEVOTIONS June 20-25, 2011 Read together: Lord, help us ever to retain The Catechisms doctrine plain As Luther taught the Word of truth In simple style to tender youth. Help us Your holy Law to learn, To mourn our sin and from it turn In faith to You and to Your Son And Holy Spirit, Three in One. Hear us, dear Father, when we pray For needed help from day to day That as Your children we may live, Whom You baptized and so received. Lord, when we fall or go astray, Absolve and lift us up, we pray; And through the Sacrament increase Our faith till we depart in peace.
LSB 865, Public Domain

I know, my God that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. 1 Chronicles 29:17a
Integrity: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. Living with full integrity is not easy in this day. In fact, it never has been easy, as David, who wrote these words, knows very well. He was not always a man of integrity he killed a mans wife and took her as his own, becoming an adulterer. But David repented and was known as a man after Gods own heart. He knows that God is pleased with integrity. Integrity involves complete honesty, and doing the right thing in any situation. Ladies, does your man show integrity at home, at work, among his friends, in how he uses media, or any or all other ways? If so, verbally praise you husbands godly integrity in an immoral world. If he refused to do something his boss wanted him to do but he felt was wrong, thank him for his integrity. When he puts his family before his work, pray aloud that God would bless him. When he brings something before you out of honesty, even though it might make you upset or angry with him, praise him for his honesty. As wives, we can uplift and encourage our husbands in the challenge to live lives that are honest and which hold firm to the strong moral principles that God has set before us. Its not easy. Your hubby could always use the encouragement. We all could.

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. 1 Timothy 6:3-4a
In the LCMS, there are over 2300 early childhood centers and preschools, 945 elementary schools, and 130 high schools that are focused on providing quality Christian education that is centered on the Gospel. Teachers in these schools are committed to high academic standards, but also model the Gospel through servant leadership, share the Gospel with their students and their families, and develop personal relationships with their students that often go beyond the traditional studentteacher role and become an important part of a childs spiritual growth (I speak from experience). Our Lutheran Schools are an important part of our church body. Many of these schools, and child care centers in particular, draw people from the community who may not otherwise go near a church building. You may not wish to send your children to one, or support one financially, but each one of us can pray for the students who spend 3/4ths of their year in those schools, that they would hear and receive the Gospel while also learning about math and science. We can support these schools by praying for the committed teachers who care for the minds and souls of their students.

Continue with the daily devotion and prayer. Conclude with the Family Response. Family Response: Be imitators of God.

Father, help my husband to have integrity in all things, and show me where he is so that I can affirm him.

Pray for the growth and support of our Lutheran schools, and that they, like their churches, would stay committed to proclaiming the Gospel.