Daddy
Relationships are not easy, that's for sure. Any successful relationship requires the active participation of BOTH persons. Today, I'm thinking about the relationship between parent and child. Children go through so many 'stages' as they mature -- they don't listen; they don't 'mind'; they rebel; they don't respect; they believe they can manuver through life forging their own path, and living the life they choose regardless of any 'advice'. Now, stay on that train of thought.... I'm talking about the 'child' - us, and the 'parent' - God. It has to hurt Him when we don't turn to Him, don't you think?
Exodus 34:14
"You must worship no other gods, for the Lord , whose very name is Jealous,
"You must worship no other gods, for the L
is a God who is jealous about His relationship with you."
Matthew 7:11
"So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children,
Matthew 7:11
how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him."
You've either HAD parents, or been a parent, or been 'like' a parent to someone, and truthfully, the latter two tell the tale the best. Only when we actually have to 'live the part' do we truly, most of the time, have a deeper understanding. The spectrum of emotions through which a parent travels is just about the hardest journey anyone can take. However, the rewards are the greatest. How many times did I say, as our sons grew, that they simply would not understand this 'range' until they, too, were parents. Ironically, though, that even then and our being grandparents, that deep, deep connection continues, and the desire to 'make it all better' continues, too. Now, don't get ahead of me. I'm not necessarily talking about 'our' parenting, or 'our' children, or 'our' grandchildren. I'm speaking in generalities, or in specifics, however you look at it.
Romans 5:18
"Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone,
but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God
and new life for everyone."
I'm certain that you've all heard the analogy of the 'Mama Bear', and the ferociousness with which she will fight, even to the death, to protect her cub. "How much more will your heavenly Father give" (taken from Matthew 7:11). Well, we know 'how much', don't we !!!
John 3:16
John 3:16
“For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son,
so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."
Do we trust, or WANT to trust our earthly parents? How much easier is it then to trust our Heavenly Father? If we are blessed with loving, Christian parents, who 'talk the talk and walk the walk', then it should be even easier to turn our eyes toward God, believing in Him and in His love. After all, if we do have loving parents here on earth - ones who support us and love us,
well, 'just because', then we need to know that our Lord is even greater with His love and His support, when we are truly trying to live the life He would have us live. If you don't have that 'earthly connection', then run to God even faster, and HE will take you into His protective arms.
Matthew 18:3
"Then He said, 'I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children,
you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven'."
John 1:12
"But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God."
Hope you have a safe, comfortable day, resting on the lap of our Heavenly Father with peace and reassurance. Maggie
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When the Pressure is On
When the Pressure is On
"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name." (Malachi 3:16)
Have you ever noticed that those who have the most exciting, faith-inspiring testimonies are those who've been under pressure at some time in their lives? They're the people who stayed faithful when the pressure was on. They're the people who believed God's promises of prosperity in the midst of desperate financial situations or trusted God for healing in the face of a terminal disease.
My friend, when you get into a hard spot, that's not the time to back out on God and begin to say, "Well, God, why did You let this happen to me?" It's not the time to step back and reevaluate His faithfulness.
What I'm saying to you is this: When tough times keep dragging on and the situations around you seem to refuse to get in line with the promises of God, don't reevaluate God! He's not missing it, and He's not failing.
If you're going to reevaluate anything, reevaluate yourself! Look and see where you may have failed. If you still can't find out what the problem is, just say, "God, I don't know what's wrong here, and I'm asking You to show me. But one thing I know, the problem's not with You, and I continue to be moved by Your Word and not by circumstances." Then, when He reveals something to you, be quick to make changes.
I want to encourage you to stand firm and to keep honoring God with your words. The Lord is listening to you when the pressure is on. What is He going to hear?
Have you ever noticed that those who have the most exciting, faith-inspiring testimonies are those who've been under pressure at some time in their lives? They're the people who stayed faithful when the pressure was on. They're the people who believed God's promises of prosperity in the midst of desperate financial situations or trusted God for healing in the face of a terminal disease.
My friend, when you get into a hard spot, that's not the time to back out on God and begin to say, "Well, God, why did You let this happen to me?" It's not the time to step back and reevaluate His faithfulness.
What I'm saying to you is this: When tough times keep dragging on and the situations around you seem to refuse to get in line with the promises of God, don't reevaluate God! He's not missing it, and He's not failing.
If you're going to reevaluate anything, reevaluate yourself! Look and see where you may have failed. If you still can't find out what the problem is, just say, "God, I don't know what's wrong here, and I'm asking You to show me. But one thing I know, the problem's not with You, and I continue to be moved by Your Word and not by circumstances." Then, when He reveals something to you, be quick to make changes.
I want to encourage you to stand firm and to keep honoring God with your words. The Lord is listening to you when the pressure is on. What is He going to hear?
Know Him as Daddy
"For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption--the Spirit producing sonship--in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba! [That is,] Father!"
(Romans 8:15, Amp)
One night after a worship service a friend of mine and I stepped outside and were suddenly awed by the beauty around us. It was one of those crisp, clear winter nights when the brilliance of the moon and stars nearly takes your breath away. I said to my friend, "Tommy, will you look at that!" Then he looked up with one of those Holy Ghost whole face smiles and with a voice full of tenderness said, "My Daddy made that!"
"My Daddy...." I'll never forget the way he said that.
Some people might think he shouldn't have been talking in such familiar terms about God, but they'd be wrong. It's scriptural to talk that way about Him. In the New Testament there's a Greek word for father-- Abba. The most accurate translation for that word in English is Daddy. It's a word that signifies closeness. It speaks of a relationship that's been developed through time spent together.
Father is one thing. Daddy is another.
Growing up, my father was sometimes my Father and sometimes my Daddy. When we were out duck hunting, he was Daddy. When he gave commands he meant to be obeyed instantly, he was Father.
God is like that too. He's your Father and He's your Daddy. There are times you'll be very serious and down to business with one another. Other times you'll be more lighthearted. But either way, once you fellowship with Him enough to get to know Him, I guarantee, you'll want to be close to Him all the time.
(Romans 8:15, Amp)
One night after a worship service a friend of mine and I stepped outside and were suddenly awed by the beauty around us. It was one of those crisp, clear winter nights when the brilliance of the moon and stars nearly takes your breath away. I said to my friend, "Tommy, will you look at that!" Then he looked up with one of those Holy Ghost whole face smiles and with a voice full of tenderness said, "My Daddy made that!"
"My Daddy...." I'll never forget the way he said that.
Some people might think he shouldn't have been talking in such familiar terms about God, but they'd be wrong. It's scriptural to talk that way about Him. In the New Testament there's a Greek word for father-- Abba. The most accurate translation for that word in English is Daddy. It's a word that signifies closeness. It speaks of a relationship that's been developed through time spent together.
Father is one thing. Daddy is another.
Growing up, my father was sometimes my Father and sometimes my Daddy. When we were out duck hunting, he was Daddy. When he gave commands he meant to be obeyed instantly, he was Father.
God is like that too. He's your Father and He's your Daddy. There are times you'll be very serious and down to business with one another. Other times you'll be more lighthearted. But either way, once you fellowship with Him enough to get to know Him, I guarantee, you'll want to be close to Him all the time.
- Kenneth Copeland
Scripture Study: Romans 8:14-18
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, “Abba, Father.”
For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are His children, we are His heirs.
In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later."
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