Skip to main content

knowing God as abba Father


This last couple weeks has been crazy for many reasons.  It has been busy with youth camp, preparation for outreach and other ministry and family stuff as well as lots of blessings.  They came from different kinds of directions.

This past Sunday was Father’s Day that reminded us of where we came from.  I am a blessed son.  My dad is an incredible human and a great father.  He has been for years, 45 to be exact.  As I wrote last Friday my dad has been my friend, counselor, trusted advisor, and so much more.  Maybe your father isn’t like mine, but the fact is we have a heavenly father that loves us and is all those things for us.

Turn for a moment to the events of the Sunday before last in Orlanda.  It was early on the East Coast, way south of where we live, deep in the heart of Florida where a lone gunman entered a nightclub and ended the lives of 49 people and injured many more.  It was a horrible scene on the news.  It must have been so shocking to all who were there.

There has been talk of the shooter being Muslim, of the club being for people who have chosen to be a part of the LGBT community, others have spoken about mental illness or gun control.  I submit to you and to me that every one of the people touched by that horrific event were human.  Each has or had a father.  Each of them needs our Heavenly Father that is incredible.

We have a Father who loves us, he is for us, he is watching and cares and so much more.  If we could just get that truth, life would be different.  We would look at ourselves much different.  We would respond to others differently.  We would undoubtedly make a difference and use our resources differently. 

Luke 11:13  NASB
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

Our God is beginning of everything.  Thus, He is the Father and what holds it all together.  This is another truth that will help us follow His leading and to know His love.

Ephesians 3:14-15 NASB
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name,

There is more to knowing God than knowing about it.  It is much like any relationship.  Some people we have met.  Some people we know.  We know the sound of their voice or even what they smell like.  Being around these people feels right because we know and love them.  Our relationship with God should be much the same.

Romans 8:15  NASB
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

I am grateful for our earthly father who has shown me some of what my heavenly Father is like.  To be close to God makes life so much better.

NOTE: tomorrow’s e-devotion will be the last for this month.  They will begin again on July 5th.  Thank you for allowing me to share with you and for allowing my father to be away
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!
10 comments
Read more

wash feet, sharing hope

  John 13:4-5,14 NLT  So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow.  He served.  He valued and gave value to others.  That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet.  It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives.  Jesus said we should do this.  See the verse above.  Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....
Post a Comment
Read more

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns.  One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns.  When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her.  Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns.  Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved.  Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?"  Beverly said, "Why yes I do."  Edith said, "Well, what do you ...
Post a Comment
Read more