A FATHER TO THE FATHERLESS

 

Monday, June 22, 2026

 

A FATHER TO THE FATHERLESS

 

Ps 68:5-6

5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

6 God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

 

          Fatherless has a hollow sound to it. It speaks of a significant void where something significant ought to be. Ah, but it isn’t empty at all. In my mind there are pictures of my father and memories, like short movies. He’s still there. Archived in the depths of – what – my heart? Yes, more than the mind, those images are in my heart.

 

          I remember his look, his laugh, and his tears. No one piece of advice stands out but a collage of wisdom follows me still whispering in my ear. He still reminds me of things that should be done and warns me of things that should definitely not be done. He has already travelled the roads of wisdom and folly and now marks them for me. Perhaps this is too much lavish praise. Perhaps not enough.

 

          My heavenly Father supersedes all others who are praiseworthy. He is consistent in His wisdom and stubbornly steadfast in His love. My foolishness does not cause Him to abandon His hope nor His plans for my success. He encourages me when I try and goads me when I do not. The aim is the same. I wobble on the high wire of endeavor with His safety net beneath. When I fall, I shall not be utterly cast down! (Psalm 37:24)

 

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for sheltering me and investing in me. AMEN

 

MEMORIES OF MY FATHER!

 

Sunday, June 21, 2026

A Fathers’ Day Classic

 

MEMORIES OF MY FATHER!

 

Eph 6:1-4

6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

 

          June is not only the month in which we find Father’s Day, it is the month in which my own father was both born and died. Dad was born on June 26, 1917, and died on June 21, 2001, just five days short of his 84^th birthday. I miss him.

 

It is a terrible thing to be “fatherless” even when you are fully grown with children and grandchildren of your own. There is a place deep inside where the memory of Dad still dwells. I can go there and review a photo album of memories. I can see how he dressed, how he walked and talked and even how he responded to troubling situations. I can see how he responded to the needs of those less fortunate while at the same time being disgusted at those who simply would not do for themselves. I can choose from the best of his character, sorting out the best of his nature and comparing it with my own. Every now and then I can see huge parts of him in the mirror. Sometimes I turn and stare, half expecting him to speak to me. 

 

          Since the commandment is to honor my father, I wonder how I might do that today. I can’t take him to dinner or go fishing with him. He never was one for receiving gifts. I think the best way to honor my father is to assemble a list of his best qualities and emulate them. Next, I think I should assemble a list of his worst qualities and forgive them and reject them.

 

Dear Lord, since my father is closer to you than me today, would you please give him a hug for me? Thanks!

 

BORN AGAIN

 

Saturday, June 20, 2026

 

BORN AGAIN

 

John 3:1-5

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

 

          The condition of Nicodemus is sad indeed. He was not one of the more sinful sinners but was a cultured and educated man. Educated in the best schools, he was knowledgeable in the arts as well as skilled in social graces. His name, Nicodemus, is a combination of the verb Nikao which means “to win” and the word demos or “people.” He was a winner with the people, but he was not converted. He was not born again.

 

          Nicodemus was not disrespectful when addressing Jesus. We live in a world where disrespect is the common attitude of man. Nicodemus addressed Jesus respectfully, noted his miraculous accomplishments, and was about to pose a few questions for clarification when Jesus challenged him with a simple fact. “Except a man is born again he can’t see the kingdom of God.”

 

          Try to imagine what Nicodemus was thinking. He had the best education, shopped the best clothier, lived in the best neighborhood, was active in his church and his community. He was a winner with the people, but he was a loser with God. Despite his education, he was not equipped to discuss the new birth with its designer. He was ignorant of the most important things.

 

1 Cor 2:14

14 But the natural [unsaved or unconverted] man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned [understood].

 

 

Although Jesus explained spiritual reality to Nicodemus that night, it is only after Jesus' death that we see proof that he actually did become His disciple (John 19:39). Nicodemus clearly points out that the wisdom of men falls painfully short of the kingdom of God. Only by total reliance upon the work of Christ can we hope to attain it. We likewise must be "born again" (John 3:3). (from New Testament Sermon Starters © 2001, Spiros Zodhiates.)

 

Dear Lord, let me not trust in the wisdom of this world. Let me not become blinded by the acclaim of men. Let me see with spiritual eyes and hear with the heart. AMEN