My Heavenly Father

“It doesn't matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was.” — Anne Sexton

 

Often people build their view of God on their view of whomever they call father in this life. We need to take a quick step backwards before we move forward, because when I say, “Father”, your mind is forming a mental picture based on how you see your own dad. Sometimes this picture is a mosaic of all the fathers you see around you. But are earthly fathers a good picture of your heavenly Father? Is God like them.

It depends:

For some of us, “father” brings up feelings of comfort and security. For others, just hearing the sound of footsteps in the hall outside our bedroom door raises an instinct to try to hide from abuse or violation. You might look back at your father and say, "If God’s anything like my old man, I don't want to have anything to do with Him!"

 

So when we talk about “God the Father,” our minds, not our emotions, must dominate. We need to make a clear distinction between our earthly father and our heavenly Father. The Holy Spirit will use the Bible, not our feelings or earthly experiences, to be our guide when we try to figure out what we mean by “God the 

Father.”

 

Throughout the Bible we find the perfect picture of a perfect father. Moses’ request in Exodus was a sincere one:

 

“If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you." —Exodus 33:13 (emphasis).

 

In the passages following this request, God reveals no less than fourteen fatherly traits about Himself, each of which is amplified in many other places throughout the Bible. These traits also make a decent model for those who are fathers on earth, but they aren’t intended to be a guilt trip to try to make us perform better. Instead, they should encourage us all, as God’s children, with the wonderful news of our perfect parent who cherishes, values, and adores us.

Prayer:

 

Father, I pray that any misconceptions I have about You will be swept away by the truth of Your Word. I want to know You and want to learn about You in a relational way that is free from misleading emotions. Please help me clear my mind so Your Spirit can lead me to truth. Amen.

God bless you all.

Question The Calamities Of Life?

According to Isaiah 45:7“I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.” 

For most people, when we have economic downturns and other challenges, if we are spiritually oriented people we cannot help but ask ourselves the question: “Where is God in all this?”  Most people  then, have no doubts about God being the source of a prosperous living, good health, stable economy and a happy social life etc. But when hard times happens, very few of us consider the hard reality that God could be the Source of our challenging circumstances.

God tells us through the Prophet Isaiah that He is the Source of our calamities at times. A man who was considered in his day to be the wisest man who ever lived wrote: 

“When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.” - (Ecclesiastes 7:14).

There are many Scriptures that tell us God does His most effective mentoring when we are challenged by hard times. My favorite is in chapter fifteen of the Gospel of John where Jesus tells us He is a Vine and we are His branches. When we are fruitful branches because we are aligned with Him, His Father, Who is the divine Vine Dresser, cuts us back, or prunes us, that we might bring forth better quality and quantity of fruit.

Therefore, what often seems like a setback is the cutback of a loving heavenly Father who is pruning us so we will be more fruitful. Jesus told the apostles in the Upper Room that He wanted them to be more fruitful so their joy would be full (John 15:11). More fruit, ultimately more joy. That can be why God is the Source of our calamities at times.

God Bless you in Jesus' name.

Let Your Lifestyle Honor God

Despite many technological advancements, the twenty-first century has entered frighteningly dark waters. Just look at the headlines, the threat of global terrorism, the chaos of unthinkable criminal activity, the defilement of pornography, the confusion of gender roles, the future of the economy, the "lostness" of our children, etc., etc. People are helplessly buckled up, strapped in, and holding on to a world careening out of control into a future of even greater fear, confusion, frustration, uncertainty, and isolation.

As a Christian, a true Christians, you are quite a contrast. Anchored in Jesus Christ, you are immoveable, steadfast, and strong. Your eyes are fixed on the Word of God, a beacon that stands out like a "lamp shining in a dark place" (2 Peter 1:19). As you move toward that light, God changes your life by the power of the Holy Spirit. The message you proclaim and the life you live guarantees you will stand out in the culture.

Holy, righteous lives are the backbone of the gospel we preach. The apostle Paul understood that. In the midst of a pagan society that did all it could to persecute Christians and discredit the Christian faith, he wrote to Titus telling him how to instruct the Cretans "to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age" (Titus 2:12).

As I've reflected on what Paul told Titus, I can see three compelling reasons we ought to live holy lives. And each reason has little to do with benefits that come from godly living, though there are benefits (cf. 1 Timothy 6:6). Rather, Paul sets forth evangelism as the motive for holy living.

God bless you all.

Troubles Don't Last Forever

2 Corinthians 4:17– “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,”

God's  pruning may not always the kind that we expect to experience as we go through life. During this pruning procedures it doesn't feel endearing or lovable in any way, thus, many have lost faith in the process. On the contrary though, God's pruning is his care and love to us ward for growth, experience and strength in him. 

There have been problems in our past and there will be problems in our future. There are all kinds of problems, many of the problems we encounter today are likely brought on ourselves by responding to adversities in life the wrong way. While some problems are definitely engineered by God himself to make us more like Jesus Christ. 

Please note, however, whether the problems were brought on by ourselves, by others or by God---God will in deed use the same to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ.  If we can only see these issues from God's perspective, then we will most likely respond according to the guideline set out in the scriptures for answers. 

For example: Phillipians. 4:6

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

 In fact, as humans,  we tend to want to fix our problems the way we think best but unfortunately, we don't always get it right on our own. And yes, it does get hard at times on this earthly journey but compared to eternity, what we are experiencing now is just a moment in time.

The truth is however, as horrible as we may think our problems and circumstances may be, God will use those things to make us more like his son Jesus Christ., hence our light affliction here, cannot compare to the things he has prepared for those who love, trust and obey him. This glory awaiting us is incomparable to anything earthly.

Prayer:

1. O' God my father, send your divie solution to all my problems in Jesus' name amen.

 2.  Holy ghost bulldozer, clear away ever stubborn problems in my life now in the name of Jesus amen.

Blessings upon you all.

You Can Be Successful

"This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth,but you shall meditate on it day and night,that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous,and then you will have good success. " (Joshua 1:8)

Life is filled with challenges, assignments, necessities, routine work, and surprises. And I think it's safe to say how easy and natural it is to become anxious, afraid, and inadequate, at times and evidently like Joshua did! If you read the story carefully, It appears that Joshua felt these emotions and hesitance as well. 

 Furthermore, he was very young compared to Moses (who was 120 when he died and Joshua took leadership). And he was fearful as he thought about going to war against giants and foes with a band of untrained former-slaves. He may have even been tired before he began. Perhaps he wondered, "But how, how am I going to lead these people Lord? How am I going to do all this?  How am I going to fulfill your commands? I want to follow you with all my heart...but how?"  He may have asked.

It is possible you like me, have had these same thoughts, questions, and fears. As you stand and gaze at your to-do list from God, at some task He’s given you, at the multitude of responsibilities that seem to fall on your shoulders to carry and bear, at the work involved in what God expects you to do, at increasing pain as you face physical challenges, you’ve probably asked, "But how, Lord? How can I successfully follow You and fulfill this your will?" 

Let's look at the word of God for you in your situation. this word was spoken first to Joshua to give him confidence as he faced a seemingly impossible situation:

"This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night so that you may observe to do it".

These instructions contain a simple charge—know God’s Word and do it. If we choose to follow God’s advice here, He assures us of "good success" or "prosperity."  In other words, there will be a successful outcome due to the courage, confidence, hope of victory, and wisdom that comes only from focusing fully on God’s Word and promises. As we obediently and unwaveringly believe and follow God’s promises refusing to succumb to our fears, doubts, inabilities, and tiredness His blessing and success are  guaranteed!

God gave Joshua directions and hope in these words  and certainly, the same directions and hope are yours today. It is success made simple: If you know God’s Word and do God’s Word, you will be successful in all your endeavors, in meeting and fulfilling your job assignments from God, in pleasing Him as you move forward in confidence.

God bless you all.

You Are Chosen By God

 For Many, Mother's Day has never been a happy day for them for various reasons that's not very easy to talk about. But what happens when you long for your mother’s love, but your sister is the only one loved? What happens when you long for a gift, but your sister is the only one given a gift? What happens when you long to be held on your mother’s lap, but your sister is the only one held on your mother’s lap? Ask Millie Camp. Millie would personally tell you that repeated rejection is the breeding ground for low self-worth. Because she was not wanted by her mother, in the eyes of her mother, she was always ugly.

Millie never received the love and affection her heart so deeply craved. However, what a comfort for Millie (and for all the male and female Millies in the world) to come to know this truth . . .

“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

As a child did Millie have any concept of “self-worth”? How could she? As a continually rejected child, how could she personally feel any sense of significance . . . of value . . . of worth? Even more basic than that, how do you determine the worth of something or someone? How do you know your own worth? Do you look to yourself or others in order to grasp your value? If you look anywhere other than to God—the God who created you with a purpose and a plan, your view of your own value is in grave danger of being distorted. Before you were ever born, God established your real worth by creating you! Even you were worth God’s creating you and more so: God chose you!

What God Says

“He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” Ephesians 1:4

"Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Luke 12:6,7

"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

"The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit." Psalm 34:18

"Listen, my beloved : Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?" James 2:5

Yes, today is 'Mother's Day' and if for any reason you feel unloved by your mother throughout your life, hence, finding it very difficult to love her, take courage and go ahead loving her.  Keeping in mind that whether she loves you back or not, you are doing the right thing because you are chosen by God. Your self-worth is in him and your love is very secured in him.

Prayer: Thou power of God, ignite my love by fire so that i can please you by loving the unlovable in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

God Bless you all.

Grow In Grace

Study the word of God daily, meditate on it, pray always and you will grow spiritually.

Do You Doubt When Your Night Seem Long?

There has always been the lingering question to believers in Christ such as, "why doubting God if you are a believer?" I think that's where the challenge partially lies.

I think Doubts in many cases, increase when things I believe should happen, never occur (the other side of the coin). When I expected God to say yes but He said no. Numerous parents of young men and women have said good-bye and sent their children away to war, convinced God would bring them home again. But sometimes He says no.

Many world changers as believers trust confidently for awhile that their paralytic disease of any kind will go away and that God will say, "Yes, I'll heal, deliver and get you through this. May have also thought, after being taught some deep lessons, and then God will use them with full health in days to come as He heals them completely." But God ultimately says no. When we expect Him to say yes and He says no, doubts, many times multiply.

Another situation in which doubts grow takes place when things that I believe should happen now, occur much, much later. Of all the doubts which creep into our souls perhaps few are more devastating than those that happen when we are told by God, in effect. "Wait, wait, wait and wait more!" All of us have wrestled greatly at some point in time during our christian journey with God's timing.

These "pressure points" provide a perfect introduction to the verses in Hebrews 6. This is that great chapter that begins with a strong warning, continues with words of affirmation, and closes with words of reassurance and profound confidence. It addresses the Christian hanging on by his fingers as he feels himself sliding down the hill. It shouts: 

"keep hanging in there! Hold on! Don't let go! Be strong! Don't quit!" Keep trusting even when God says no and you expected yes. Even when He says yes, and you anticipated no. And especially when He says to wait, and you expected it now.

If you're in that doubtful space right now, not knowing when your day of glory will appear and your sorrows calmed, my word for you is: persevere! Though the night seem long and the clouds hang low, the morning will appear and the sun will shine again. Hope in God, your day of joy will overtake you.

Prayer:

1.Powers of doubt and unbelief, you are a lier, I choose to believe the report of the Lord in Jesus' name.

2.The report of the Lord says, i must cast my cares upon the Lord for He cares for me. I cast my cares/burden now upon you my Father, in Jesus' mighty name amen. 

3. The report of the Lord says, I am blessed in my going out and in my coming in, i am blessed in the streets and i am blessed in the fields. Everything i touch is blessed, I am blessed, blessed and more blessed in Jesus' name we pray amen.

God bless you all.

Be Strong Even In Weakness

Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

Joshua Was Encouraged By God While David Encouraged Himself In God:

Joshua was told, "be strong and very courageous."  Can you imagine that four times these words are repeated in the first chapter of Joshua?  Well, that can only mean one thing, Joshua may have been scared of something in that, he needed the encouragement. But if you think about it keenly, one might say, how strange because if anybody could be expected to show courage, it would have been Joshua. 

Keep in mind that during all this discouraged state, he was the youngest general in the Israelite army, which says it all right there. In fact, Joshua and Caleb were the only spies who came back with a positive report after their expedition to the Promised Land. While the other ten spies were full of fear and partly negative, Joshua and Caleb were full of faith and courage.

Unfortunately, fear seems to have caught up with Joshua. Yet it is not fear of man that bothers him. Neither is it fear of danger, or fear to enter into battle. Joshua is frightened by the enormous spiritual responsibility which rests upon his shoulders, to take the people of Israel to the Promised Land is not a small thing. Joshua saw first-hand the task of Moses' unforgettable leadership.

This responsibility no doubt intimidates Joshua, such a task possibly frightens him. That is why the Lord encourages him over and over again by telling him, "The Lord your God will be with you!"

With this knowledge then, no wall proves to be too high and no giant too strong.

Are you experiencing similar walls and giants in your life? Do you feel discouraged and weak like Joshua did? The Lord is saying to you today, "be strong and courageous, for I, the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go, even to the end of time."

But what about King David being discouraged a few times in his life?  Strength is certainly guaranteed! 

Prayer:  Any power that wants me to be discouraged, hear the word of the Lord, I am strong and courageous in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Be blessed.