My Father and Your Father

When Jesus came he demonstrated a new way of relating to God.  He came calling God his Father and our Father.  He allowed us a glimpse into that close intimate relationship between Father and Son.  He opened the door for us to experience that same intimate relationship.


Jesus came to reveal the Father and he is full of joy when he sees his children experiencing that close relationship that he had with the Father.  As we come to understand more of the loving nature of our Father we will be drawn ever closer to him.

Turn our hearts, Lord, to know more of you so that we will be drawn into a closer and closer intimate relationship. 

Jesus said, Go to my brothers and tell them,

'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"

John 20:17 (NIV)

I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

John 17:26 (NLT)

 

Arms

God is the best kind of Father.  Strong and yet tender and compassionate.His strength and power are coupled with his comforting arms.His arm is used in strength against the things that will harm us but, his arms bring soothing comfort toward us as his children.  See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and his arm rules for him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

Isaiah 40:10-11 (NIV)

There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor. The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you.

Deut 33:26-27 (NLT)

Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.  Mark 10:16 (NLT)

Honor

 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Psalm 111.10) 

Fear of the Lord is the place to begin.  What does it mean to "fear the Lord"?

At the giving of the Ten Commandments the people were filled with fear when they saw the lightning and heard the thunder on the mountain. (Exodus 20:18-20)  Moses told them not to be afraid, but, in the same sentence, he also told them to fear the Lord. What's the difference?  They were not to be in dread of God keeping their distance, but to draw near honoring and acknowledging him.  

The simple act of acknowledging God, recognizing him as our powerful creator and Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It puts everything in perspective. It brings our life into proper alignment. Without this perspective our thinking becomes useless and unproductive (Romans 1:21,22).  Honoring God is a powerful thing. By recognizing who he is, all of his resources become available to us - his love, mercy, protection and guidance.  He is a great and powerful God for those who acknowledge him.

 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

Psalms 33:18 (NIV)

 He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.Luke 1:50 (NLT)

Tenderhearted

Dr. Larry Day, in his book Self-esteem: By God's Design gives a wonderful meditation exercise. He asks us who are parents to think back to those first days with our tiny infant;  how we would tiptoe into their room and look with awe at that serene sleeping creature with such feelings of love and warmth and care.  Those deep tender feelings of warmth and care are the same feelings God, our Father has towards us.  We know that the innocent looking sleeping child will soon awaken crying and our tender feelings may go away for a while, but the tender feelings that God has towards us never change. Those deep warm feelings of love continue whether we are innocently sleeping or facing our daily struggles. The deeply felt emotion of His unfailing love towards us never changes. 

The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

Psalms 103:13 (NLT)

Thoughts

Our apartment here in Arizona backs right up to Sonoran desert open space so we see lots of birds flying around outside our window.  The other day a bird flew in the open window and began flying around inside the apartment.  It is unsettling and frightening to have a wild bird flying around where it doesn't belong.  I was afraid that the bird would fly into my face or bang into the walls or windows and get hurt. And, you know how messy birds can be!

Just as wild birds don't belong in apartments, so negative thoughts don't belong in our heads. If we let them, thoughts of bitterness, resentment, anger, complaint or ingratitude can bounce around in our heads causing havoc. Someone is sure to get hurt.  We can let the thought take up residence or we can reach up and grab it taking it captive and returning it to the air where it belongs.

So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. 

But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

Romans 8:6 (NLT)

We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Cor 10:5 (NIV)

Heavenly Minded

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Supreme Court Justice in the early 20th century said "Some people are so heavenly minded that they are no earthy good."  I know that this refers to those who are so "otherworldly"  that they don't take care of practical things here on earth, but for me, setting my mind on heavenly things fits me better for life here.

Jesus taught us to pray "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."  (Matt. 6:10).  This is a powerful request.  The culture and language of the kingdom of heaven are just the things we need here on the earth.   Love and Power, Peace and Joy are the substance of heaven.  If we possess these qualities our lives are useful here on earth.

It reminds me of the prayer in that old song, "Higher Ground."  When my husband and I served at Teen Challenge in 1968, the men who were there recovering from drug & alcohol abuse just loved to sing with all their hearts,

Lord, lift me up and let me stand

By faith on heavens tableland

A higher plane than I have found

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

Let us make this our prayer. As we focus on the things of heaven let us become representatives of heaven here on earth.  

Let heaven fill your thoughts.

Col. 3:2

Listen to the whole song at www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKgUyjeKMLk

Joy in Trials

Joy & Trouble are two words not usually used in the same sentence.  But, the writers of the New Testament often connect the two. James tells us to consider it pure joy when we face trials (James 1:2).  Peter says that even though we have to endure all kinds of trials for a little while, there is wonderful joy ahead (1 Peter 1:6,7 & 4:12,13).  Paul reminds us of the temporary nature of our troubles and the everlasting nature of joy. (2 Cor. 4:16-18).  Paul's letter to the Philippians written while he was enduring the trial of a Roman prison is a letter of joy.

There is great hope in trials because they produce great things in us.  They produce a character that lasts forever.  Happiness is temporary and based on our outward circumstances.  Joy is eternal and based on inward strength. The great thing to know is that the problems and trials we face are actually producing joy within us.  The trials are doing their perfect work creating in us joy that will last forever.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. For the troubles we see will soon be over,

but the joys to come will last forever. 

2 Cor 4:16-18 (NIV & NLT)

Shelter

One of the most wonderful things I like to think about is the protection and shelter of God like the wings of an eagle spread over me. As I face the cares and responsibilities of daily life and face the fears that may stalk me at night, I find comfort and freedom in his sheltering wings.

 He will cover you with his feathers.He will shelter you with his wings.His faithful promises are your armor and protection.5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,nor the arrow that flies in the day.

Psalms 91:4-5 (NLT)

The Lord is For Me

The basis of all my hope is the knowledge that the Lord is for me.  He is always moving towards me with unfailing love and mercy, desiring to create within me that peace and joy that are the hallmark of his kingdom.  Jesus warned us that we would have trouble in this life but he also told us to be cheerful in the midst of that trouble because he knows how to handle it. (John 16:33)

In my distress I prayed to the Lord, and the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me.                  Psalms 118:5-7 (NLT)

Beginning

I like to write. How exciting to have a place to express my thoughts and words of encouragement with friends and family.  As a person prone to fear and anxiety, a daily word of encouragement that refocuses my mind on the positive is invaluable.  We are all faced with daily struggles.  Keeping a positive attitude and perspective makes all the difference.  My hope is that by writing and sharing these meditations these positive thoughts will become reinforced in my own life and be a blessing to you too.

Love to all,
Cathy