Go to content

Biweekly Devotional 6-16-2026

Skip menu
The United Methodist Church

Biweekly Devotional 6-16-2026

New Richmond United Methodist Church
Published by Pastor Harry Zuraski in Biweekly Devotional · Tuesday 16 Jun 2026 · Read time 2 minutes
Tags: BiweeklyDevotional6162026
๐„๐ฉ๐ก๐ž๐ฌ๐ข๐š๐ง๐ฌ ๐Ÿ”:๐Ÿ’

๐…๐š๐ญ๐ก๐ž๐ซ๐ฌ, ๐๐จ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฏ๐จ๐ค๐ž ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐œ๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐ž๐ง ๐ญ๐จ ๐š๐ง๐ ๐ž๐ซ, ๐›๐ฎ๐ญ ๐›๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐  ๐ญ๐ก๐ž๐ฆ ๐ฎ๐ฉ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐œ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ž ๐š๐ง๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ฎ๐œ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐‹๐จ๐ซ๐.

Reflections on Parenting and Godโ€™s Guidance
As we approach Fatherโ€™s Day, I am reminded of the significant challenges parents face today. The world is filled with many pitfalls that can lead our children away from Godโ€™s vision of hope, love, and peace for everyone. However, instead of dwelling on the negative influences that seek to draw us into darkness, let us turn our attention to the goodness that God has placed in this world. By focusing on what is positive and God-given, we can guide our children toward the light and encouragement that comes from faith.

The scripture chosen for today begins with the instruction: โ€œdo not provoke.โ€ When any of us make mistakes, it is difficult to admit our faults, and it can be even more challenging when others continuously point out our shortcomings. This is why it is important to make a clear distinction between discipline and punishment. Punishment focuses on the mistake that was made and the consequences that follow. While acknowledging errors and consequences is necessary, if we stop there, the opportunity for positive growth is lost.

Instead, we should use discipline as a form of instruction. Through discipline, a young person can learn from their errors and gain the tools and understanding needed to avoid making similar mistakes in the future. Discipline rooted in love and guidance encourages growth and transformation, rather than resentment or shame.


True learning never happens without mistakes. Even Jesus understood this as he taught his disciples, and the Spirit of God continues to work in each of us in this way today. Recognizing the inevitability of mistakes allows us to lead with grace and forgiveness. Godโ€™s grace and forgiveness are the foundation for how we should guide all of Godโ€™s children, helping them move toward the light and love of God. By modeling forgiveness and grace, we foster an environment where growth, healing, and deepened faith are possible for everyone.


New Richmond United Methodist Church
29776 PA-77
Guys Mills, PA.  16327
Menu
Skip menu
Back to content
Application icon
New Richmond United Methodist Church Install this application on your home screen for a better experience
Tap Installation button on iOS then "Add to your screen"