Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
Luke 15:20
"And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him."

Reflection:
This verse from the parable of the Prodigal Son vividly portrays the depth of God's love and compassion for us. The father’s response to his returning son is a powerful reminder of how our Heavenly Father reacts when we turn back to Him after straying.

The father saw his son while he was still a long way off, indicating that he had been eagerly waiting and watching for his return. This reflects God’s heart for us. He is always looking out for us, ready to welcome us back with open arms, no matter how far we have wandered. Our Father knows our hearts and our struggles, and His compassion is boundless.

The father's actions—running to his son, embracing him, and kissing him—demonstrate unconditional love and forgiveness. God’s love for us is not contingent on our past mistakes or failures. When we decide to return to Him, He meets us with joy and acceptance. This teaches us about the grace and mercy of God, who is always ready to forgive and restore us.

This parable encourages us to approach God with confidence and humility, knowing that He will not reject us. It also reminds us to reflect His love and compassion in our interactions with others, extending forgiveness and grace just as we have received it from our Heavenly Father.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your incredible love and compassion. Thank You for always watching over us and being ready to welcome us back with open arms. Help us to turn to You with confidence, knowing that You are eager to forgive and restore us. May we reflect Your love and grace in our lives, embracing others with the same compassion You show us. Amen.

Thought for the Day:
No matter how far you have wandered, your Heavenly Father is always ready to welcome you back with open arms. Trust in His unconditional love and forgiveness, and let His compassion guide you in your interactions with others.

Daily Devotional:  Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
Psalm 145:18-19
"The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their c and saves them."

Reflection:
Psalm 145:18-19 offers a profound reassurance of God’s closeness and responsiveness to His people. Our Father is always near to those who seek Him sincerely, and He delights in fulfilling the desires of those who revere Him. These verses highlight the intimacy and care that characterize our relationship with God.

When we call on the Lord in truth, we approach Him with honesty, openness, and faith. This genuine seeking of God aligns our hearts with His, opening the door to a deeper relationship. Our Father knows our needs, hopes, and desires, and He is eager to respond to our earnest prayers.

The promise that God fulfills the desires of those who fear Him reminds us of the importance of reverence and respect for God. When we live in awe of His majesty and submit to His will, we position ourselves to receive His blessings and guidance. Our Father knows what is best for us, and His answers to our prayers are always rooted in His perfect wisdom and love.

God’s promise to hear our cries and save us is a testament to His compassion and faithfulness. In times of trouble, we can confidently turn to Him, knowing that He is attentive to our pleas and ready to deliver us. This assurance gives us hope and strength, reminding us that we are never alone in our struggles.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your nearness and Your promise to hear our prayers. Help us to seek You in truth and to live in reverence of Your majesty. Thank You for fulfilling our desires and for being our Savior in times of need. Strengthen our faith and remind us of Your unfailing love and wisdom. Amen.

Thought for the Day:
Call on the Lord with a sincere heart, knowing that our Father is near and ready to respond. Trust in His wisdom and love, and take comfort in His promise to hear your cries and fulfill your desires.

Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Verse of the Day
Matthew 6:18
"so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

Reflection
In our spiritual journey, the acts of devotion and worship we perform in private hold a special significance. This verse from Matthew highlights the importance of sincerity and humility in our relationshiwith God. When we engage in practices like fasting, praying, or giving, it is not for the recognition or praise of others but to deepen our connection with our Heavenly Father, who sees and values our heart's true intentions.

Devotional Thought
True devotion is characterized by actions done in secrecy, known only to God. Our Father, who sees everything, including the hidden corners of our hearts, values these private acts of faith. When we fast or pray in secret, we are expressing our dependence on Him and our desire to draw closer to Him without seeking the approval of others. This genuine devotion is what God rewards, for He knows and appreciates our sincere efforts.

Prayer
Dear Lord,
Grant us the grace to seek You in the quiet moments, away from the eyes of the world. Help us to practice our faith with sincerity and humility, knowing that You see our hearts and our secret devotions. May our actions be a true reflection of our love and reverence for You. Reward us with Your presence and blessings as we seek to honor You in all that we do.
Amen.

Application
Today, find a moment to engage in a private act of devotion, such as prayer, fasting, or giving. Do it with a heart fully focused on God, without seeking recognition from others. Trust that your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you in ways that are far beyond human praise.

Thought for the Day
Our Father knows best and values the sincerity of our hearts. When we practice our faith in secret, we honor God and open ourselves to His divine rewards. Let our acts of devotion be for His eyes alone, reflecting our true love and commitment to Him.

Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
1 Timothy 4:12
"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."

Reflection:
Paul’s words to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12 are a powerful reminder that our age does not define our ability to make a significant impact for God’s kingdom. Timothy, a young leader in the early church, is encouraged to lead by example in various aspects of his life. This call to exemplary living is relevant to all believers, regardless of age.

Our Father knows best the potential He has placed within each of us. He calls us to rise above societal expectations and to live out our faith with integrity and conviction. Setting an example in speech means using our words to build up, encourage, and speak truth. In conduct, we are called to act in ways that reflect Christ’s character, demonstrating kindness, humility, and righteousness.

In love, we are to embody the selfless, sacrificial love that Jesus showed, extending grace and compassion to others. In faith, we should display unwavering trust in God, standing firm in our beliefs and relying on His promises. In purity, we are to maintain moral integrity, resisting the temptations that can lead us astray.

Living out these principles not only strengthens our own faith but also inspires and encourages those around us. It shows that our Father’s wisdom and guidance are sufficient for us to lead impactful, godly lives, no matter our age or circumstances.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Timothy and the reminder that age does not limit our ability to serve You. Help us to set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Empower us to live lives that reflect Your character and inspire others to follow You. Thank You for Your wisdom and guidance, knowing that You always know what is best for us. Amen.

Thought for the Day:
Live as an example of Christ in every aspect of your life. Trust that our Father knows best and has equipped you to make a meaningful impact, regardless of your age or circumstances.

Daily Devotional:Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
Matthew 6:33-34
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Reflection:
In these verses from the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us to prioritize our relationship with God above all else. By seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, we are placing our trust in our Father’s perfect wisdom and provision. He knows what we need and promises to provide for us when we put Him first in our lives.

Seeking God’s kingdom means aligning our desires, actions, and thoughts with His will. It involves pursuing a life that reflects His values of love, justice, mercy, and truth. When we focus on God and His righteousness, we cultivate a deeper relationship with Him, and our lives begin to reflect His character and priorities.

Jesus also addresses the common human tendency to worry about the future. He reassures us that our Father knows best and is aware of our needs. By encouraging us not to be anxious about tomorrow, Jesus invites us to live in the present, trusting that God will take care of our future. Worrying about tomorrow distracts us from the opportunities and blessings of today.

Living one day at a time, with our hearts set on God’s kingdom, allows us to experience His peace and provision. It frees us from the burden of anxiety and enables us to focus on what truly matters—our relationship with God and the fulfillment of His purposes in our lives.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise to provide for us when we seek Your kingdom and righteousness first. Help us to prioritize our relationship with You above all else and to trust in Your perfect wisdom and provision. Teach us to live one day at a time, free from anxiety about the future, knowing that You hold our tomorrows in Your hands. Amen.

Thought for the Day:
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and trust that our Father knows best. Live in the present, free from anxiety about tomorrow, and experience the peace and provision that come from placing your trust in Him.

Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture:
Isaiah 55:7
"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

Reflection:
Isaiah 55:7 presents a powerful message of repentance and forgiveness. It calls us to turn away from our sinful ways and thoughts and to return to the Lord. This verse highlights the boundless compassion and abundant pardon that God offers to those who seek Him.

Our Father knows the depths of our hearts and understands our struggles with sin. He invites us to forsake our wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts, not to condemn us, but to restore us. God’s desire is for us to experience His compassion and forgiveness, which are far greater than any of our shortcomings.

Returning to the Lord requires humility and a genuine desire to change. It means acknowledging our sins and choosing to follow His ways instead. When we do this, we open ourselves to His grace and mercy. Our Father knows best how to heal and transform us, leading us to a life of righteousness and peace.

The promise of abundant pardon is a testament to God’s infinite love and mercy. No matter how far we have strayed, He is always ready to forgive and restore us. This assurance encourages us to approach Him with confidence, knowing that He is compassionate and eager to welcome us back.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your boundless compassion and abundant pardon. Help us to forsake our sinful ways and thoughts and to return to You with humble hearts. Thank You for Your forgiveness and for the transformation You bring into our lives. Guide us in Your ways and help us to trust in Your perfect wisdom. Amen.

Thought for the Day:
Trust in God's infinite compassion and abundant pardon. Forsake your sinful ways and return to the Lord, knowing that our Father knows best and is eager to forgive and restore you.