APRIL 5

OUR PERSONAL PROMISES

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Matthew 10:29-31

“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.   Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

John 1:18

“No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.”

Hebrews 12:9

“Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?”

Matthew 5:48

“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

Matthew 6:14

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

Matthew 6:26

“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

Matthew 6:32

“For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”

Matthew 15:13

“But He answered and said, ‘Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.’”

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Our book for this month  is called “100 NAMES OF GOD”  written by Christopher D. Hudson.  Each day we’ll take one Hebrew name for God as given in the Bible to study and relate to.

ABBA

FATHER

Galatians 4:6

“Because you are His sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’”

Because bad dads get a lot of press these days, it’s difficult for many to view God as a father. In our society of fractured families, far too many grow up with weekend-only fathers – or no fathers at all.  Since even the best earthly dads have moments when they get impatient or preoccupied, the idea of God as “Father’ takes a good bit of imagination – and even more faith.  So it helps to remember that God is a PERFECT Father, a Father unaffected by human frailties.  He is 100 percent love and motivated by His glory and our good 100 percent of the time.

As the One who gave the world a thirty-year “show-and-tell” of who and what God is  Jesus made it clear that our heavenly Father fanatically cares about us.  He actually keeps up with the tiniest details of our lives.  He invites our conversation and is always eager to hear about our needs and concerns, both mundane and significant.  Unlike finite and flawed earthly fathers, our heavenly Father is never too busy, never stressed out, and never self-absorbed.

Like the best and wisest dads, He disciplines —that is He corrects, not punishes us when we need it.  He knows what we were created for, where we need to go, and where our character flaws are.  With all that in mind, He trains us in a way of living that will directly benefit us in the long run. 

God the Father is protective.  He wants to shield us from evil and keep us safe.  He is tender.  We can count on Him to make our hard situations better.  He is strong.  We can run to Him and hide in his arms, confident that everything will be all right.

Mostly, our heavenly Father wants to have an intimate relationship with His children.  He wants us to know and trust His heart.  He wants to celebrate the joys of life with us, and to hold us while we grieve.

If you grew up with a father who was consistently there for you, let that earthly dad point you to the Father who is beyond good.

If you grew up without a good father, let that experience drive you to ABBA, the One who perfectly meets the deepest needs and desires of our hearts.

How do you relate to God as a father?

PRAYER

 Father God, please help me work through any “daddy baggage” in my heart so I may see and embrace You as my perfect and loving heavenly Father.  Amen.

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