Take It From Scripture -- Your Heavenly Father

                                                        When The Door Slams

When the time came to completion, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba, Father!"          Galatians 4:4-6

        The word father conjures up different images for everyone. To some it brings the picture of love, laughter, respect, and acceptance. Unfortunately others associate the term father with fear, rejection, and disappointment. That is why it is so important not to take your understanding of your heavenly Father from your experience. Take it from Scripture. 

        You undoubtedly had an imperfect earthy father, perhaps even one who brought you harm. But, as in all of your Christian life, the key is not to understand the Bible based on your experience, but to understand your experience in the light of the Bible. God is your model of a Father in the truest sense of the word. 

        Your heavenly Father was willing to pay any price in order to save you (Rom. 8:32). Your heavenly Father is always ready to meet your needs (Luke 11:11-13). Your heavenly Father loves you so much that He is willing to discipline you to bring you to Christian maturity (Prov. 3:11-12; Heb. 12:5-10). Even when you rebel against Him and reject His Love, your heavenly Father continues to do what is best for you (Rom. 5:8). He does not make His love for you conditional upon your love for Him. He loves you even when you are not loving Him (1 John 4:19). He has made you His heirs and reserves a home for you in heaven (Rom. 8:15-17). 

        Think about this: This is what a father is like biblically. If this has not been your experience, it can be be now. There is One who has adopted you and who wants to love you in a way you have never experienced. Take comfort and strength from Him--your heavenly Father. 

Jesus is Your beloved Son in whom You are well pleased (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who came into the world (John 11:27). Jesus is Your Son, whom You have chosen (Luke 9:35). The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand (John 3:35). 

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness. 

                                                                        Never Rest Ministries                                  

Faith Or Lip Service To Your Trust in God

                                                        When The Door Slams 

This is what the LORD Says:                                                                                                                                      "The man who trusts in mankind, who makes human flesh his                                                                        strength and turns his heart from the LORD is cursed."                                                                                                                                                                                         Jeremiah 17:5 

        The Israelites of Jeremiah's day believed they could trust in their army, the diplomacy of their king, and their foreign alliances to protect them from the powerful Babylonian empire. They gave lip service to their trust in God, but their actions showed where their faith really was: in their military and financial might. God spoke through Jeremiah to warn them that He would not bless those who trusted in anyone or  anything instead of Him. 

        Placing your ultimate trust in anything other than God is idolatry. How can you know if your faith is not truly trusting in God? Ask yourself these questions: Where do I turn when I experience a crisis? When I am hurting or afraid, what do I do? When I have a financial problem, who do I want to tell first? Where do I seek comfort when I am stressed or discouraged? 

        The Israelites were so stubbornly committed to trusting in man or human strength instead of God that, even as the Babylonian army approached Jerusalem, they continued to desperately seek for a person, or a nation, or an army that could rescue them. They realized too late that they had neglected to trust in the only One who could deliver them. 

        Think about this: Could it be that you are saying you trust in God, but your action indicate otherwise? God often uses other people as His method of providing for you. Be carful lest you inadvertently misdirect your faith toward His provision instead of toward the Provider. God may meet your need through your friends, but ultimately your faith and trust must be in God. 

        Don't make the same mistake as the Israelites. Go straight to the Lord when you have a need. He is the only One who can provide for you. 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil (Proverbs 3:5-7).   

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness. 

                                                                            Never Rest Ministries