As a father of teenagers, I have seen some of the stages of life my children will experience. I have seen how my priorities have evolved as they aged, from concern about their physical safety, to desire for academic success, or success with other activities, sports, music, etc. However, the most important hope and prayer, that is always underneath, but emerges as they age is the prayer that they find and build their own relationship and faith in Jesus Christ.

The Bible tells us, that the best way to do that is by building our own faith. Proverbs 14:26 says, “Those who fear the Lord are secure; he will be a refuge for their children.”

Today is my dad’s birthday, and I don’t know of any father who lives this example better than my dad. He has put is trust in the Lord and our family has weathered the storms of life in the refuge God has provided.

Proverbs 4:4 says, “The father of godly children has cause for joy.”

From all of us, your children and grandchildren, who you provided a refuge by your fear of the Lord, and put on the right path, Happy Birthday! Dad. We hope that you are filled with joy.

Dear Lord, Faith in you is what gives us our security, and most importantly our Salvation. Thank you for being our refuge and keeping us and our children in your care. Thank you for another year of blessing my dad and blessing us through him, we pray for many more. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

When you think of the word “courage,” what comes to mind? A soldier in battle? Performing on stage for the first time? Standing up to a bully?Skydiving?

Courage is doing something that we find frightening

1 Peter 2:19 says, “For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment.”

To consciously endure unjust treatment requires courage. Unjust treatment may be simple teasing when we skip participating in the gossip session, or dirty jokes, or the terrible treatment and murders of Christians by ISIS.

When we demonstrate this courage, God is pleased with us, and it strengthens our faith and confidence in God’s power and protection. Lord willing, none of us will have to endure physical pain and torture for our faith. Let us, however, have the courage to accept the challenge and endure those situations that we are given.

Dear Lord help us have the faith and confidence in you to be ready to endure the unjust treatment that may occur when we do the right thing, knowing that this pleases you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

In modern times we make a distinction between our brain and our heart as the separated places where we think rationally, our brains, and feel emotionally, our heart. In ancient times, they had a different understanding. The brain may have been where information was received and processed, but the heart was where it was considered, evaluated and put to use.

Proverbs 4:20-23 writes, “My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

St. Benedict expressed this text in a beautiful way, “Incline the ear of your heart, Receive willingly and carry out effectively your loving father’s advice.”

Dear Lord, it is difficult for us to open ourselves up fully to your advice. Our preconceptions, prejudices, pride, and fear fight against it. Help us open up the ears of our hearts to receive your wisdom and direction. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

The old testament law prescribed specific types of sacrifices to be made for different sins, burnt offerings,sin offerings, trespass offerings, different offerings for intentional and unintentional sins, and many other variations. In addition, it specified how each animal was to be prepared for the sacrifice, and what had to be done with all the parts. Many of the details are written in Numbers 15. I imagine the priests in the temple were constantly working on preparing and conducting sacrifices. This was very serious and important activity for people at the time, as they strived to follow the directions God had given them.

We can only imagine how dramatic a change it must have been for the Jews after Jesus’ resurrection. The disciples were preaching and teaching that these sacrifices were no longer necessary. Jesus’ had became the one and only sacrifice for all sins.

Hebrews 10:14-18 says, “For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.”

This text references back to prophesies of Jeremiah that there would come a time when the sacrifices would no longer be required. This prophesy was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, you are the sacrifice that takes away the sin of the world. We no longer are required to offer sacrifices, we only need to accept your sacrifice in order to be forgiven and made right with God. Work in our hearts to accept this gift with gratitude and confidence. In Your name we pray. Amen.

Here’s a question to ponder. Does God make bad things happen to people for their bad behavior?

Some people say, that bad things happen in life because sin exists, but don’t believe that specific things happen to specific people because of their bad behavior. Other people believe they disagree.

The bible is very clear in many stories, that God punishes people for their bad behavior.

For example, why did God destroy people during the flood. Genesis 6:5 says, “The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth..” verse 7, “I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth.”

Another example is the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19. God destroyed the city due to the people’s wickedness; And the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. They sold some property and told the disciples they were donating all the proceeds to the cause of the early Christians, but they actually did not give all the money but were lying. Both died on the spot.

My conclusion is that, yes, God sometimes does let or cause bad things to happen to people because of their un-repentant sin. This shouldn’t frighten believers, however, because as 1 John 1:9 says, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

As a result, we will try to do God’s will. The bible is also full of stories of people like Rahab, David, Paul, Matthew, and many others who trusted God ,turned from their sinful ways, and became important and blessed people.

Believers will have problems and difficulties “bad things” too. Often these are given to us to make us better, stronger and more faithful, rather than as punishment. However, if the problems draw us closer to Jesus, it is the right result.

Dear Lord, you are active in our world and lives, much more than most of us may realize. Help us acknowledge you in everything we do, thank you for our blessings, and draw near during our trials. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.