Seeing God as Our Father..... Craig Denison

 

Seeing God as Our Father

Craig Denison

Weekly Overview:

This life is marked by a single choice: who or what will we center our lives around? This choice takes each of us down a path of decisions that shape who we are, what we feel, who or what we value, and what we will have accomplished at the end of our days. To center our lives around ourselves or the things of this world leads only to destruction. But, to center our lives around meeting with God fills each moment with the glorious abundance of God’s love, provision, and transcendent peace. May your life be marked by union with your Creator as we explore what it means to center our lives around meeting with God this week.

Scripture:“Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.” 1 Corinthians 8:6

Devotional:           

If there’s one name for God that has the power to dramatically transform the lives of believers, it’s that we can call God “Abba” or “Father.” To see God as our Father changes everything. In Brennan Manning’s book, The Furious Longing of God, he asks a pertinent and powerful question:

Is your own personal prayer life characterized by the simplicity, childlike candor, boundless trust, and easy familiarity of a little one crawling up in Daddy’s lap? An assured knowing that the daddy doesn’t care if the child falls asleep, starts playing with toys, or even starts chatting with little friends, because the daddy knows the child has essentially chosen to be with him for that moment? Is that the spirit of your interior prayer life?

When I first read these questions I thought to myself, “Surely it can’t be this simple. Surely this can’t be all God expects of me.” We’ve missed the mark on what it truly means to be children of a good, near, and loving Father. We’ve projected our own insecurities, perspectives, and experiences on a God who is love embodied. There is nothing we can ever do to make God love us any more than he already does. And there is nothing we can ever do to make him love us any less. God loves us because he loves us. He enjoys us because he enjoys us. He wants to be with us because that’s how he is, not because we somehow earn his desire for us.

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Even while we were in sin and separation from God, he loved us enough to pay the highest price to have us. So great was his depth of love for us that Jesus laid down his own life as the atonement for our mistakes, failures, weaknesses, and frailty. If God loved us then unconditionally, he loves us now unconditionally. If God would choose us then, he chooses us now. If God desired us then, he desires us now.

If we’re going to center our lives around meeting with God, we must understand the nature of his love for us. We must begin to relate to him as our good and loving Father above all else. We must cast aside any notion that he is angry with us, far from us, or void of affection or desire for us. We will only be drawn to our heavenly Father to the degree that we take him at his word and trust in his love for us. Take time today to receive the overwhelming, unconditional love of God for you. Allow his love to reorient your perspectives and beliefs. And respond to his great love by opening your heart and having fellowship with your Creator, Sustainer, and all-loving heavenly Father.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on the goodness of God being your perfect Father. What does it mean for your relationship with him if you would truly see him this way? How are you to reorient your perspectives in light of his word?

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.” Matthew 23:9

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17

2. In what ways have you viewed God other than a loving Father? In what ways have you seen him as a taskmaster, distant Creator, or angry or passive Father?

“Is your own personal prayer life characterized by the simplicity, childlike candor, boundless trust, and easy familiarity of a little one crawling up in Daddy’s lap? An assured knowing that the daddy doesn’t care if the child falls asleep, starts playing with toys, or even starts chatting with little friends, because the daddy knows the child has essentially chosen to be with him for that moment? Is that the spirit of your interior prayer life?” Brennan Manning, The Furious Longing of God.

3. Ask God to help you encounter the depths of his love today. Take time to receive his presence and rest in his goodness. Open up any parts of your life that aren’t bearing the fruit of his unconditional love and receive all the affection he has to give.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 1:3

You are the child of a good, near, and loving Father. Seeing God as your Father not only impacts your perception of him, but also of yourself. You are loved. You are liked. You are enjoyed. The God who only thinks, feels, and says truth values relationship with you enough to send his only Son to die for you. Never let the world or the enemy shake the foundational love of your heavenly Father. No failure, weakness, or sin could ever change the fact that you are loved, accepted, and valued. May you find peace today where there has been only loneliness, pressure, and disatisfaction.

Extended Reading: John 17

How to Treat Those We Disagree With..... By: Anne Peterson

How to Treat Those We Disagree With (Philippians 2:3-4)
By: Anne Peterson

Today’s Bible Verse: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of the others. - Philippians 2:3-4

I walk every day in the cemetery. It was no different one day. I met someone there and we seemed to connect. I looked forward to seeing her and we found we had some similarities.

And then it happened.

She shared a view completely different than mine. I could feel the temptation to argue rising up in me. Eventually, I did voice my opinions. Then, on one particular day, I heard her words, “Listen, we are on opposite sides with this. I’m sure you won’t change your mind, and I know I won’t change my mind."

So there we were on opposite sides, left with a decision. What would we do?

Oh sure, we could decide to just not talk, to give friendly nods, or wave at each other. That surely was an option. And while that was feasible, I knew of another option. One that required help. God’s help.

We could remain friends with differing views.

We chose the 2nd option. And once I made that decision, I realized my world would be a lot bigger because of it. I could almost feel myself stretching.

When I limit my relationships to those I fully agree with, I limit my growth as well. And, instead of being like Christ, who befriended all people, I would control who would be in my circle.

Since that decision, I have had more opportunities to do so with other people. I smile faintly, wondering how many other relationships/friendships I could have experienced if I had adopted this philosophy before.

Look around. Right now, we don’t just disagree with others who hold opposing views, but many of us develop contempt for them. When we let our emotions run our ships, we can find ourselves shipwrecked.

When I read about how humble Jesus was, I see someone who knew the truth about everything, and yet kept himself open to relationships with all. He talked to and befriended sinners, tax collectors, the riffraff of society… and we should be so thankful he did.

I’m not saying we should not stand for what we believe. Jesus certainly did. I’m just saying we should still respect and treat kindly those who hold different views on important topics.

Right now, nations are divided into political and social groups. Many families are even divided by opposing views. This isn’t what God wants. God exhorts us to love one another (John 15:12). Actually, it’s not merely a suggestion. Love accepts the other person, remembering each person has value.

We cannot dismiss a person simply because we disagree. God tells us that we are to even love our enemies (Luke 6:27-36). How will others ever ask us about the hope that lies within us (1 Peter 3:15) if all they see when they look at us are our opposing views?

When I see my friend, I see a person God created. Not someone I’m supposed to convince. My deepest desire is not to plead my case, or somehow win her over to my way of thinking. God doesn’t want me to be headstrong. He wants me to be strong in Him (Ephesians 6:10). Like Jesus is.

Knots

I’m trying to untangle, Lord,
 these stubborn knots I see.
 But every single time I try,
 they’re getting worse for me.
 And then I see Him smiling
 as He takes them in His hands,
 and I just watch with wonder
 as He loosens every strand.   

- Anne Peterson © 2020

Seasons of Hope..... by Sarah Phillips

 Seasons of Hope

by Sarah Phillips

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…”
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

It’s the time of year when nature inspires a sense of awe in us. As leaves die, they give forth one final burst of color brighter than the paint on an artist’s palette. The sky takes on an unusually crisp blueness and the sun’s low, golden rays cast whimsical shadows. We feel energized as autumn breezes stir up the color around us and chase away the dense summer air.

For me, autumn has always been a “second spring.” A playful time, promising us that life, although soon to be hidden in the dead of winter, will only be invisible for a short while. When the days are gray, cold, and hard, I remember that only a few short weeks ago, the world was light and lively and in only a few weeks more, color will return.

As the author of Ecclesiastes reminds us, God designed life to run in cycles or seasons. Yet how often do we approach this life with expectations of perpetual summer, only to struggle with anxiety and disappointment when winter inevitably interrupts? I know I am guilty of this.

I spent time with my twin sister over this beautiful Fall weekend, and in the course of conversation, she revealed to me how approaching life as a series of seasons gives her perspective as a young wife and mom. “I’ve seen couples apply much pressure to their family life, expecting every week to live to the standard of the last, just as happy or productive, just as evenly paced. I think it takes a lot of burden off when you accept that this week will not necessarily look like last week, and that some seasons of life will be better than others.”

Knowing there is a natural rhythm, a “time to weep and a time to laugh,” gives us permission to let go of perfectionist expectations of our lives. It lightens our burdens by giving us hope for the future in the midst of trial and prepares us for times of struggle – until the day comes when there will be no more winter and no more tears.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Are you currently experiencing a scorching summer or a frigid winter? How can you embrace this time as a fruitful season even if it’s not your ideal? Are you reveling in a season of joy right now? Give thanks to God for His outpouring of blessings, knowing all goodness comes from His extravagant love.

Further Reading

Psalm 30:4-5,
Revelation 21:1-4

A Prayer for God to Search and Know Your Heart..... By: Victoria Riollano

 A Prayer for God to Search and Know Your Heart

By: Victoria Riollano

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” - Psalm 139:23-24

“Can you please take out the trash?”

“There are dishes in the sink…who’s turn, is it?

As a mother of multiple teens and tweens, my days are lately filled reminder after reminder for them to complete the tasks needed to help our house feel like a home. Yet, if I am honest, having a cozy home is not my only motivation for having them to work around the house. As my mother used to say, “Always keep your house clean so that if someone comes over unannounced, you won’t be embarrassed.” Although we don’t get regular visitors, etched in the back of my mind is the reality that an unexpected visitor could walk in to see the bursting trash can or the dishes stacked to the roof. The idea of being ashamed keeps me on my toes.

Over the last few weeks, I started to think about how much effort I make to not let others see “my mess.” Truthfully, this level of trying to “cover the trash” is not just pertaining to my home. In public, I try to keep myself from getting angry. Many times, I hide my emotions to not be seen in a negative way. Even more so, my secret thoughts would put me to shame if brought to light. How could one recover from the shame of their own jealousy, fury, disgust, and selfishness were ever aired out like dirty laundry? Much like the way I seek to hide away the trash in my home, the same happens in my own soul. Day after day, I think we all work hard to ensure no one is exposed to our “messy situations.” 

In Psalm 139, we see David’s heart cry as he says, “Search me Lord.” David had a life full of messy moments. From adultery and deception to murder, his fleshly desires had caused him much inner turmoil. Yet, instead of allowing these moments to define him, we see in the Psalms a humility to run to God with his turmoil.

The Lord is not only David’s refuge, his place to share his heart, but also his guide to deliver him from future temptation. David doesn’t resolve to simply hide his thoughts for fear of embarrassment. Instead, he faces them head-on and asks the Lord for help to experience true change.

I believe his heart cry for God to “point out anything that is offensive” is why David is called the man after God’s own heart. Rather than settle in the mess, he decides to get things right with the Lord.

The truth is, without a conscience effort we will find that sinful thoughts and actions will overtake our lives. Much like I need to remind my children to clean dishes or take out the trash, if enough time goes by without purposeful action the entire home will suffer. Until we acknowledge the areas of our lives that need change, we will continue to allow it to build and become a heavy burden.

Today, I want to encourage you to pray for God to do a thorough cleaning of your heart and mind. Yet, instead of doing so for everyone else and what they would say or think, do it for your growth. It’s time to ask the Lord to search you and your thoughts so you can live a more peaceful and joyful life.

Dear Lord,

I ask that you search me today. Lord, I know there are areas of my life that require a complete cleanse. There are thoughts and actions that I have done that I would hope no one knows. Lord, I thank you for your forgiveness in those areas. I ask that you teach me your ways and how to run from the things that keep me bound. Lead me along the path of righteousness and bring your conviction when I need to do better. I give you full permission to transform me from the inside out. Thank you, Lord, for your grace and love towards me.

In Jesus' name, 

Amen.