The Love of the Father Scripture Reading – 1 John 3:1 - 2  (NLT)

"See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.” 

As I reflect back on my childhood and life living under the roof of my dad, I have so much for which I am thankful for: he was a hard and honest worker, he was a loving husband and father, he was gracious, kind and generous to others, he always took time for his family and we enjoyed many summer and other holidays together, he was supportive and encouraging of my sister and I, he demonstrated a deep love for my mother over their 62 years of marriage, he always attended church every Sunday with his family,  he was overjoyed and loving to each one of his grand-children, and he was a forgiving and inclusive man towards others.

Today is a rather odd Father’s day for me as a son, because, it is the first time that I will not be able to speak to my dad and send him my love and greetings with a, ‘Happy Father’s Day, dad – we love you so much.’ The reason for that of course is that on March 7th of this year in the evening Jesus called my father home to heaven.

Perhaps the greatest thing that I must give thanks for today is for, ‘The Love of the Father’, in heaven, who gave of His one and only Son that we may know the gift of life eternal. I remember the day when my dad responded to Jesus and gave his life to Christ. And twice before he slipped into eternity this year, dad calmly prayed audibly, ‘Jesus take me home’.

This is the message my friends that you and I have to share on this Father’s Day with those who still need to receive the riches of God’s grace and mercy through Jesus Christ our Lord. So by faith today dad I want to once again say, ‘Happy Father’s Day’, and I will see you soon. 

Prayer Heavenly Father thank-You for the riches of your mercy, grace and love. Use me I pray to share the message of Jesus with many that they may come to know the forgiveness and life eternal that only come through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   

Memory Verse:  Philippians 4:5 NLT "Let __________ see that ____ are considerate in all you do.”