Our Father God is kind, generous and loving (1 John 4:8). Paul
called Him “Abba Father” (Romans
8:15), which means “Daddy”. We have this intimate relationship with God
that is sweeter than the best of human fathers. I grew up in an abusive home.
My bipolar father never got treatment and took his mood swings out on my
mother, brothers and me. I was afraid of Father God in my early days of faith.
I viewed Him as the terrifying, smoky vision presented as the wizard of Oz.
One day, as I entered God’s courts in praise and prayer,
God reminded me about the little man behind the curtain in Oz, who actually
controlled that smoking mask. God showed me that He is not a terrifying being,
or selfish ruler of the universe, but the caring God who actually helps us to
have faith and hope, and who provided our salvation through Christ. We enter
His throne room without fear, and with confidence that He hears our prayers and
works in our behalf (Hebrews
4:16; Ephesians 3:12; 1 John 5:14).
Our Father God gives us an effectual, abundant life now,
as well as later in heaven. He provides us with a myriad of blessings each and
every day. He does not lead us into temptation (Matthew 6:13); but with each temptations
presented to us by Satan or the world, God gives us a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). He
provides us with an abundant supply, safety and security as we look to Him to
provide (James 4:2;
Psalm 91). He gives us victory through Christ in us (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Satan accuses and torments us, but God gives every
authentic Born Again Believer our identity in Christ as His beloved child (Revelation 12:10; 2
Corinthians 5:17). We are free from sin, and we are raised in Christ to
live a new life, which is directed by God’s Spirit (Romans 6:4,10; Romans 8:14). We are God’s
children and we fix our hope on Him as He perfects us (1 John 3:2-3). Every good and perfect
gift in this life comes from Him (James 1:17). God abundantly meets all of our needs (Philippians 4:6,19).
Prayer:
Father God, Thank you for renewing our mind and for perfecting us in
holiness (Romans 12:2; 2
Corinthians 3:18). Remind us to walk in Your Spirit, so we do not
fulfill the desires of our flesh (Galatians 5:16-25), because our flesh is dead and buried with
Christ in baptism (Colossians
3:3; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12). Help us to shed Your light from
within us on all of humanity around us, because they are dying in darkness and
sin (Romans 5:8).
Thought for the Day:
What we do in the flesh does not make us who we are in the
Spirit. God will transform our flesh to walk in newness of life.
