Father's Heart

Each of us have had different experiences with the concept of a father in our lives. If we have had the experience of having a loving, steadfast parental figure, we are blessed. Human fathers are fallible beings, who for a plethora of reasons may not have been present in our lives, physically or emotionally. More often than not, their own emotional needs have gone unmet in their own childhood and the circle of emotional bankruptcy continues to the next generation, if not addressed.  This is not a situation that cannot be remedied, as God the Father is the answer for the healing of our pain and loss. This day, I would like to honor my Father. Please let me tell you about Him. He is merciful and kind; He is Graceful and forgiving. He is strong and valiant; He is beautiful and generous. You see my Father is the God of the universe. He created everything, including you and I and I am glad to tell you that He wants to be your Father too.

The scripture reveals many attributes of God. I would like to share seven of them with you today.

Love:  “But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.” Psalm 52:8

Patience:  “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  II Peter 3:9

Faithfulness:  “LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.” Isaiah 25:1

Goodness:  “Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food?” Job 38:41

Mercy:  “All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:3-5

Grace:  “To the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesians 1:6,7

Righteousness:  “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:17

His Desire

God's desire is for a covenant relationship with man.  Since the loss of fellowship at the Fall, God has made provision to restore man to the position that Adam and Eve once enjoyed.  The exclusive means by which one enters into relationship with God is acceptance of Jesus Christ as one's Lord and Savior.   God is Love and in that love, He desires a relationship with every human being as II Peter 3:9 proclaims, “God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

The Teleological Argument is a theory concerning the existence of God. Telios in the Greek, means “perfected.” This argument presents creation as akin to a mechanism, such as a watch. It asserts that in order for a watch to exist a watchmaker would also be necessary. The Word of God leaves no margin for logical error. Psalm 139:14 declares, “I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”

God, the Father is the impetus of all creation and the image in whom humans are made. John 4:24 reveals God's nature, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.” I John 4:8 further explains His nature, “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” The specific names of God reveal aspects of His personality. The name El denotes strength. El-Roi is the God who sees. El-Shaddai is our all-sufficient God, Jehovah-Shalom speaks of our peace. Jehovah-Nissi is our banner. Song of Solomon 2:4 assures us, “. . . His banner over me was love.”

Any attempt to describe God pales in comparison to His true Glory. Above all, God is merciful and just, as Ephesians 2:4 puts forth, “But God who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us.  Throughout the illness and death of my mother God sustained me and gave me the strength physically and emotionally to bear it. She passed away under Hospice care on December 15, 2003.  I was at her bedside when she drew her last breath at 2:55 am. She had given her heart to God in 2001 and, during her last days He gave me the Grace to help care for her.  I felt a peaceful calm during this very difficult time. God covered my heart and allowed me to do what was necessary. As I officiated her memorial service, He empowered me to minister to others in her death, even in my mourning.

God is real, God is love. He will do what He promises. If we could only completely set aside our human contrivances, we may truly see what this means. He is leading us, if we allow Him, and loving us in the duration. This is the meaning of life. . .being led by love to what Glory only He knows. I can categorically say that God loves you, no matter who you are, or where you have been. Whatever sin you may have committed, whatever vice you may be entangled in, God has forgiveness and healing for you. I pray that converse with Him, wherever you are, His arm is long enough to reach you. Please heed his call, it means eternity.

Patti

For more about my mother please read “Look Ma, No Hands” in my June archive.

God's Immutability

The unchanging nature of God gives me peace and assurance because I know that He is not erratic or given to emotional behavior.  He is forever the same (Hebrews 13:8).  I know that when I come to Him in repentance, He will hear me and honor His Word.  He will forgive me and restore me to fellowship with Him.  He will not be cranky one day and say, “I don’t feel like forgiving you today, or go away.”  I know that His Word stands forever and that He is no respecter of men as Romans 2:11 assures me.  Therefore, whatever station in life I am in He will perform His Word.  He is forever of old and His love and generosity, made manifest by the sacrifice of His Son, is ever available and ever new for all who come to Him.  As I am coming to know Him in relationship more and more, I have the confidence of knowing a dear friend, whom I can trust because He is ever the same.

Patti

Faithful Love 12/26/09

From the edges of creation
To the farthest expanse of time
You have written Your love in the heavens
And on this heart of mine

Creator of the lights of heaven
Creator of the lives of men
Out of Your heart
Awakes the seed
The mystery of life
The depth of my need

Faithful Love
You are the Faithful Love

The brightness of the firmament
The beautiful earthshine
A reflection of Your Glory
Your Gracious heart Divine

Creator of the lights of heaven
Creator of the lives of men
Out of Your heart
Awakes the seed
The mystery of life
The depth of my need

Faithful Love
You are the Faithful Love

Unchangeable Priesthood

Jesus minced no words in proclaiming His Deity. The New Testament records His direct claims to Deity, His indirect Claims to Deity and His titles of Deity.

At the Feast of the Dedication, Jesus answers the Jewish questioning of His Deity in John 10:36, “Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?” Jesus was not the conquering Messiah that the Jewish people expected. They were looking for the Messiah in earthly terms, a mighty warring king who would usher in the Kingdom, Jesus came in humility, not fulfilling their expectations.

In Luke 5:17-26 the Bible records the healing of the paralytic man lowered through the rooftop. In Luke 5:20 Jesus says, “. . . Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. At the scribes and Pharisees heart’s disdain Jesus replies in 5:23, “Whether it is easier to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?” Jesus implied His Deity in His forgiving of sins, as God only is able to absolve man's sins.

Jesus’ claim to Deity with the titles of the Son of Man and the Son of God speaks of the Hypostatic Union of His God nature and His human nature. This truth enables Him to be the sinless Lamb of God deserving to open the seals of Revelation. It qualifies Him to truly taste human suffering and temptation without sin and to be our Savior. In the Hypostatic Union Christ's Deity and humaness do not affect each other, so that He is truly sinless and sorely tempted. In this truth, Christ is able to serve as our High Priest and ever intercede for us.

Hebrews 7:24-26
"But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens"

No Man Knows. . .

Jesus said in Matthew 24:35, 36, "Sky and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But of that (exact) day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Amplified Bible) If Jesus doesn't know the time of His return, it is safe to say that the May 21, 2011 doomsdayer doesn't know either. God is calling all of us to His heart. . . He loves you!