Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "A New Traditon" for Saturday, 14 June 2014 - Read Matthew 7:7-12

Nashville, Tennessee, United States - The Upper Room Daily Devotional "A New Traditon" for Saturday, 14 June 2014 - Read Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. 8 For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or who is there among you, who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being 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! 12 Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.(Psalm 118:24 (NRSV))
Shortly after returning from church, my wife and I were greeted by our children and grandchildren. On a day of warm summer breezes, bright sunshine, and a few lazy clouds, we were celebrating Father’s Day. We enjoyed a beautiful day together filled with the sounds of children’s laughter. What a delight to watch the family enjoy the simple pleasures that God has given us! After everyone went home, I reflected on the day. I realized that over the years, I had never thought of making our heavenly Father part of our f amily celebration. Next year, I will suggest a new tradition — that we attend church together as part of our celebration. What a gift that would be for our Father in heaven and for our entire family!
The Author: Bob Beaudoin (Connecticut, USA)
Thought for the Day: How can I invite God into my family celebrations?
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, guide us throughout our lives. Help us to recognize the ways you have blessed us so that we can praise you every day, as we pray, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever” (Matt. 6:9-13, kjv). Amen.

Prayer focus: Fathers
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