Who’s Your Daddy?
WHO’S YOUR DADDY?
By Rev. Renee
I WILL BE A FATHER TO YOU, AND YOU SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS, SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY…..2 Corinthians 6:18 NKJV
AND BECAUSE YOU GENTILES HAVE BECOME HIS CHILDREN, GOD HAS SENT THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON INTO YOUR HEARTS, AND NOW YOU CAN CALL GOD YOUR DEAR FATHER. NOW YOU ARE NO LONGER A SLAVE, BUT GOD’S OWN CHILD. AND SINCE YOU ARE HIS CHILD, EVERYTHING HE HAS BELONGS TO YOU….Galatians 4:6-7 NLT
FOR YE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF BONDAGE AGAIN TO FEAR; BUT YE HAVE RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION, WHEREBY WE CRY, *ABBA, FATHER. THE SPIRIT ITSELF BEARETH WITNESS WITH OUR SPIRIT THAT WE ARE THE CHILDREN OF GOD….Romans 8:15-16 KJV
In the Gospel, we are encouraged to call Father God *“Abba”. “Abba” is an Aramaic word meaning “Father” which conveys a sense of warm intimacy and also respect for the father. It is equivalent to saying “Papa”. (NIV Nave’s Topical Bible). Many of us have been raised to think of our Father as fearsome and punishing. But to those who follow him and love him, he is our loving Papa- everything a wonderful parent should be- and more!
In this study, we will examine some of our Father’s characteristics- traits that would be evident in our ideal parent. As we think on each trait, let’s prayerfully ask our Father to make his vast love for us apparent in every aspect of our lives, so that we may have the full confidence of knowing that we are, indeed, children of God and daughters of the King.
These are the things that our loving Father does for us:
LOVES US: A good parent loves his child with an incredible, deep love that is difficult for someone who has not had children to understand. And yet, our Father’s love for us is so much greater than even the best human parent is capable of giving. Our Lord demonstrates his love for us every day in all his blessings and in all he does for us. His love is so great that we only have a limited capacity to comprehend it.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life….John 3:16 KJV
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us…..Romans 5:5 NIV
O Lord, the earth is full of your unfailing love….Psalm 119:64 NLT
And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him…..1 John 4:16 NKJV
PROTECTS US : A good parent protects his children and makes them feel secure. He soothes them and frees them to live without fear because they know he is protecting them. We are safe in our Father’s everlasting arms.
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety…Psalm 4:8NIV
Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble…Psalm 32:7 KJV
Therefore let everyone who is Godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him… Psalm 32:6 NIV
The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles…Psalm 34:17 KJV
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea….Psalm 46:1-2 NKJV
Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name-the name you gave me- so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them I protected them and kept them safe by the name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled…..John 17:11-12 NIV (Jesus’ prayer for us)
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one…..John 10: 27-30 KJV
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe… Proverbs 18:10 NKJV
PROVIDES FOR US: A good parent provides for all of their children’s needs, not only physical needs, but emotional and spiritual needs as well. And that is what our perfect Father does for us.
Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?…..Matthew 6: 25-26 NKJV
For your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him…Matthew 6:8KJV
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus…Philippians 4:19NIV
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment….1 Timothy 6:17 NIV
But he who trusts in the Lord will prosper…Proverbs 28:25 NASB
DISCIPLINES US: Parents who spoil their children do them no favor. Loving discipline prepares a child for the rest of his life. Our Father’s loving discipline prepares us for the rest of eternity.
For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth…Proverbs 3:12KJV
Blessed is the man you discipline, O Lord, the man you teach from your law; you grant him relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked….Psalm 94:12-13 NIV
My child, don’t ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children. As you endure this divine discipline; remember that God is treating you as his own children Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children after all. Since we respect our earthly fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always right and good for us because it means we will share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening- it is painful! But afterward there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way….Hebrews 12:5-11 NLT
TEACHES US: A good parent patiently teaches his child, both by example and by explanation. Jesus teaches us with parables which illustrate the points he wishes to make. He patiently explains the meanings of the parables if we don’t understand. He explains many of the mysteries of heaven, teaches us how to follow him and insure our salvation, and instructs us in the ways he wants us to think and behave. He also sets a good example of patience, kindness, righteousness, and love for us to follow.
You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you….John 13:13-15 NKJV
You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them, Your manna You did not withhold from their mouth, and You gave them water for their thirst…..Nehemiah 9:10 NASB
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: Whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, Lest they come near unto thee. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: But he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about…..Psalm 32: 8-10 KJV
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: Thy spirit is good: lead me into the land of uprightness…..Psalm 143: 10 KJV
WATCHES OVER US: A child needs her parent to be watching over her in love. Even if she sometimes protests, it makes her feel secure. Our Father never takes his eyes off of us. We are never alone and unprotected, not even for a second.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry…Psalm 34:15NIV
Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands….Isaiah 49: 15-16 NIV
IS FAITHFUL: Our perfect Father can be trusted to never betray his children, and to keep all his promises to us.
For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds….Psalm 57:10 NLT
For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever…Psalm 117:2NIV
He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he….Deuteronomy 32:4NIV
It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord …Lamentations 3:22-26KJV
Thank you, Father, for speaking to us through your holy word.
WHO’S YOUR DADDY?
PART 2
In part one, we have seen how our Heavenly Father loves us, protects us, provides for us, disciplines us, watches over us, and teaches us. How glorious is our Lord! Here we will continue our discussion of the perfect-parent traits evident in our relationship with our Abba Father.
COMFORTS US: There is no such thing as a life without disappointment, pain, and sorrow. A loving parent is severely grieved when his child experiences heartache, and will do everything he can to comfort his child and to wipe away her tears. Our Father wants us to come to him in times of sorrow, so that he may comfort us.
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; Because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound: to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified….Isaiah 61:1-3 KJV
I, even I, am the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear?…..Isaiah 51: 12 NLT
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book…..Psalm 56:8 NLT
For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to the living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes….Revelation 7:17 NKJV
He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds…Psalm 147:3 KJV
For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me up…Psalm 27:10 NASB
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit…Psalm34:18NIV
As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you….Isaiah 66:13 NIV
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted….Matthew 5:4 KJV
IS TRUSTWORTHY: In a world that is sometimes difficult to understand, a child needs to know that she can trust her parent. While others may lie, deceive, or betray, a good parent is a refuge of honesty, trust, and security to a child. Our Father can always be trusted to be truthful and to keep all his promises.
The Lord has kept the promise he made; I have succeeded David my father and now I sit on the throne of Israel, just as the Lord promised….1 Kings 8:20 NIV
The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made….Psalm 145:13 NIV
In that day the people will proclaim,” This is our God. We trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!”…Isaiah 25:9 NLT
And the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame…..Romans 9:33 NIV
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in him…1 John 4:16 NLT
LISTENS TO US: A great parent always has time to listen to his child and to truly hear what is on that child’s heart. Our Father always hears us and pays attention to our needs and desires.
If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place….2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV
Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear…Isaiah 65:24 NIV
IS PATIENT WITH US: As a child grows, she stumbles many times and makes many mistakes, and a good parent is understanding. Our Father has infinite patience with us as we often commit the same sin again and again. Although we often hurt him and offend him by not recognizing or acknowledging him as our Lord and Father, he patiently waits for us to mature into this understanding of his nature. He understands how limited we are, and how slow to learn, and he gives us many chances to repent and turn to him.
Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O Lord….Psalm 25: 7 NIV
His anger lasts for a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may go on all night, but joy comes with the morning….Psalm 30:5 NLT
But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and did not destroy them. Yes, many a time He turned His anger away, and did not stir up all His wrath; For He remembered that they were but flesh, A breath that passes away and does not come again… Psalm 78:38 NKJV
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy…Psalm 103:8 NKJV
The Lord is gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy…Psalm 145:8KJV
I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity…Jonah 4:2 NIV
The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked ….Nahum 1:3 NKJV
COUNSELS US: How important the advice and counsel of a wise parent is to a maturing child. We are always growing in the Lord but can never be completely grown. What better counsel as we face life’s dilemmas and decisions than that of our all-knowing, all-loving Father? We could never depend on anyone else to give us such perfect advice.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace…..Isaiah 9:6 NKJV
But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the Lord.”…1 Kings 22:5NIV
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you….John 14: 16-17NIV
But when the Father send the Counselor as my representative- and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit- he will teach you everything and remind you of everything I myself have told you….John 14:26 NLT
IS TRUTHFUL AND NEVER LIES TO US: We can always, and with full confidence, completely believe the word of God. The devil is the author of lies and untruth. There is no deception at all in our Heavenly Father. His way is absolutely pure, and he wants us to walk in truth.
“I am the Lord,” he says, “and there is no other. I publicly proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner so no one can understand what I mean. And I did not tell the people of Israel to ask me for something I did not plan to give. I, the Lord, speak only what is true and right.”….Isaiah 45:18-19 NLT
“But when he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will only speak what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you….John 16:13-15 NIV
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word….John 17: 15-20 KJV (Jesus’ prayer for us and all his followers)
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”…..John 14:6NIV
IS ALWAYS FAIR: Our Father will always treat us fairly. His judgment is always righteous. We can be assured that evildoers will have their punishment, and that we will never fail to be rewarded, in this life, and the next, for our faith, as well as our good works. In the end, we know that both the wicked and the righteous will reap exactly what they each deserve.
He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice. The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you….Psalm 9:8-10 NIV
The Lord is known by his justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands….Psalm 9: 16 NIV
He is the Rock; his work is perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright is he!….Deuteronomy 32:4 NLT
God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice, for they will receive it in full….Matthew 5:6 NLT
Thank you, Lord, for making yourself known to us.
WHO’S YOUR DADDY?
Part 3
In Parts 1 & 2, we have seen how our Father loves us, protects us, provides for us, disciplines us, watches over us, teaches us, comforts us, is trustworthy, listens to us, is patient with us, counsels us, is truthful and never lies to us, and is always fair. Now we will complete our study on the heart of God, our loving Abba.
ENCOURAGES US: Every child needs encouragement from her parent- the one person she looks up to the most.
But one who prophecies is helping others grow in the Lord, encouraging and comforting them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally in the Lord, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church…..1 Corinthians14:3-4NLT
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope….Romans 15:4NIV
You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more…Psalm 10:17-18NIV
WILL NEVER ABANDON OR BETRAY US: There is no man or woman that we can trust 100% to stick with us through thick and thin, no matter what. Unfortunately for many of us, that includes our earthly parents and siblings. Only our Heavenly Father will never leave us. If we open our hearts to him, he will be with us from the moment we are born throughout the rest of eternity. We will never be alone.
I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread…Psalm 37:25KJV
No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you….Joshua 1:5 NIV
For the Lord will not abandon His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance. For judgment will again be righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it. Who will stand up for me against evildoers? Who will take his stand for me against those who do wickedness? If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have dwelt in the abode of silence. If I should say, “My foot has slipped,” Your lovingkindness, O Lord, will hold me up. When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul. Can a throne of destruction be allied withYou, one which devises mischief by decree? They band themselves together against the life of the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. But the Lord has been my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge. He has brought back their wickedness upon them and will destroy them in their evil; the Lord our God will destroy them….Psalm 94: 14:23NASB
Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”…John 14:23NIV
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you….John 14: 18-20NIV
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me…Hebrews 13:5-6KJV
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you….Deuteronomy 31:6NIV
HAS COMPASSION ON US: Many of us have earthly parents who expect far more of us than we are able to give. Perhaps they want us to solve their problems for them, or demand our time with no consideration for our other responsibilities to our children, husbands, or jobs. For some, even as children, we were expected to accomplish things far beyond our capabilities, and punished if we were unable to. In my case, I was taught to make coffee in a percolator on a gas stove that had to be lit with a match at the age of three, and was expected to do it without supervision before my parents got up in the morning. By five, I was cooking entire breakfasts-in bed for them from scratch, and have the scars up and down my arms from burns from the stove and oven to prove it. Others have been expected to excel at sports or academics, regardless of whether that was far beyond their capabilities at the time or not. Our relationship with our glorious Father has no such pressures or stresses. He understands our limitations and has compassion for us. He will never frustrate us or make us feel like failures. He never asks us to do more than we are able to. In fact, he asks very little of us in return for all he does for us.
For His anger is but for a moment, his favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning….Psalm 30:5NKJV
Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not stir up his full wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return…Psalm 78:38-39NIV
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower in the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children….Psalm 103: 13-17NIV
The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy…Psalm 145:8KJV
Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness…Lamentations 3:22-23NKJV
I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity….Jonah 4:2NIV
However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”…Mark 5:19NKJV
GIVES US GOOD GIFTS: Our Father doesn’t just give us “good” gifts- he gives us fabulous gifts, the likes of which we cannot even imagine. In this life, he blesses us with peace, wisdom, joy, and grace. He lavishes upon us many gifts, including the gifts and fruits of his Holy Spirit.
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Romans 5:5, 14:17, 15:13, Galatians 5:22-23) And when we go home to glory we will inherit the kingdom of heaven! Nothing can compare to the things our Father gives us. Thank you, Lord!
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him- but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit….1 Corinthians 2:9-10NIV
Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing…Psalm 34:9-10NIV
Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart…Psalm 37:4NABS
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes…A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace…Psalm 37: 7, 10-11NIV
Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!…Luke 11: 13NIV
As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who believes in him will not be disappointed.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They all have the same Lord, who generously gives his riches to all who ask for them…Romans 10:11-12NLT
In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also…John 14: 2-3KJV
Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world…Matthew 25:34NIV
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap…Luke 6:38NIV
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty,” and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it…Malachi 3:10NIV
ALWAYS ANSWERS US WHEN WE CRY OUT TO HIM OR ASK HIM : Our Father never ignores us. Whenever we come to him in prayer, faithfully believing that he will answer us, he is faithful to give us our answer and our heart’s desires. Our Father desires to have fellowship with us, to have us ask him for what we desire, and to converse him through prayer. No matter what trial or problem we are facing, we need to turn it over to God, and then step back and let him take care of it, in his own time, and according to his perfect will. If we trust our Father, we will never be disappointed in the outcome.
But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;(for the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them….Deuteronomy 4:29-31KJV
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him…Psalm 34:15-22NIV
I prayed to the Lord and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. I cried out to the Lord in my suffering and he heard me. He set me free from all my fears. For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear him, and he rescues them…. Psalm 34: 4-7NLT
I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete…John 16:23-24NIV
So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened…Luke 11:9-10NIV
FORGIVES US: Some of us have earthly parents who never let us forget anything we might have done, real or imagined, that they consider wrong, even if we were children when we committed the supposed offense. They use our failings and shortcomings against us, to keep us beholden to them for the rest of our lives. Our Heavenly Father never holds a grudge or tries to make us feel guilty for some long ago offense for which we have already apologized. He understands that we are not perfect. When we come to him and repent, we are assured of his loving forgiveness. From the moment of our repentance, he completely relieves us of any burden of guilt and tells us that he will not even remember our sin anymore. Thank You, Father!
For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more…Jeremiah 31:34KJV
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea….Micah 7:18-19NIV
I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins….Isaiah 43:25NKJV
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon, for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts….Isaiah 55: 7-9KJV
He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities…Psalm 103:9-10NIV
Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins…Acts 10:43NASB
For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more…Hebrews 8:12NIV
IS ALWAYS CARING FOR US: It’s hard to believe that, with all Father God must have on his mind, he never forgets us, not even for a minute. He is always watching over us, thinking about us, deciding what is best for us, and blessing us. Little children need to be in the care of their parent 24 hours a day. We have our Abba Father’s blessed assurance that we are always in his care.
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s…Psalm 103:1-5NKJV
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms…Deuteronomy 33:27KJV
The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but his blessing is on the home of the upright….Proverbs 3:33NLT
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter,” Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”…John 21: 15-17NIV
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them , and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one….John 10:25-30NIV
Sister, what more could we ask for in a parent? Our Father is an awesome God. No one will ever care for us and love us like he does. Most amazing is that we are all unworthy sinners, who have offended and disappointed him again and again, and yet he calls us his children and lavishes his love upon us. What earthly parent could be like our Lord? When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visiteth him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour….Psalms 8:3-5 KJV.
The definition of grace is undeserved or unmerited favor. By his grace are we his beloved children. How can we ever hope to repay him- to express our profound gratitude for his incredible mercy? Can a man be of benefit to God? Can even a wise man benefit him? What pleasure would it give the Almighty if you were righteous? What would he gain if your ways were blameless?….Job 22:2-3 NIV
Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me”…John 14:23-24NIV
Jesus said unto him, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”…Matthew 22:37-38KJV
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God….Micah 6:8 NIV
Thank you, Abba Father, for your love, and for welcoming us as your daughters. We worship you, Lord, and give thanks for all your blessings. Praise be to your glorious name. Help us to serve you and to be pleasing to you in whatever humble way we can. You are awesome and wonderful! We love you, Father God, with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds. Glory to our God! Amen.