Seeing God as Our Father.. Craig Denison Ministries

 

Seeing God as Our Father

Craig Denison Ministries

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

The Power of Sharing Our Messy Stories..ASHERITAH CIUCIU

 The Power of Sharing Our Messy Stories

ASHERITAH CIUCIU

“We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.” Psalm 78:4 (NIV) 

“Tell us a story, Mommy!” My children bounce on the mattress, their shining faces matching their singsong voices.

“Which one?” I ask, unable to hide the smile tugging at my lips.

What follows is a jumble of animated requests:

“The time you were looking for mushrooms and got lost in the woods!”
“The time you hid in the backyard and ate all the canned whipped cream!”
“The time you met Daddy at summer camp and he chased you, but you thought he had cooties!”

So many stories. Such fond memories. And I love sharing them with my kids, even if most of the stories involve me getting into some kind of trouble. Because what kid doesn’t enjoy hearing how her parents got into a scrape when they were young, just like her?

But lately, I’ve been weaving a different kind of story into our bedtime routine.

“… Have I told you the story of how I met Jesus in the back of my parents’ Subaru one cold autumn night?” “… Want to hear how God miraculously provided exactly how much money I needed for school?” “… Did I ever tell you how I was almost separated from my mom at birth, but God protected us both?”

These are more than bedtime stories, more than funny anecdotes of mom getting into trouble. These are stories that showcase God’s glory in our messy, human need. But we sometimes convince ourselves to leave them untold, and we hide a blazing light under a flimsy bushel. (Matthew 5:14-16)

When my children were babies, I didn’t feel the urge to tell them these God-sized stories because I didn’t think they’d grasp the miracle in the mundane. But as they grow, I’m aware of just how quickly time passes and just how few storytelling evenings we still have together.

I still don't do it perfectly, but there’s an urgency now, a passion to make sure I pass on these stories to my children so they know the God of Joseph, David and Esther is just as alive and active in our lives today.

You see, we all suffer from soul amnesia, forgetting who God is and what He’s done from one day to the next and from one generation to the next. God knows this human tendency. That's why He commanded His people, starting in ancient Israel, not just to teach their children His laws but also to tell their God-stories — true tales of the dangerous exodus out of Egypt; the miraculous Red Sea crossing at night; the unexplainable manna and quail in the wilderness; and many more stories of the God who sees, who hears and who provides for His people.

In fact, the Israelites chronicled this commitment in one of their worship songs:

“We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.” (Psalm 78:4)

We live in a story-driven world, and it’s not just children who want to hear stories — it’s all of us, co-workers, neighbors, roommates. Most everyone we meet is immediately hooked by the words “Want to hear a great story?”

And these stories are not just from the past: We’re living God-sized stories every day, if only we open our eyes to see Him working in our lives. Because the One who writes our stories still holds the pen in His hands, and He’s not finished with us yet.

So … what’s your story?

Master Story-Weaver, thank You for inviting us into Your Big Story. Even when we’re living through a painful chapter or feel worried about what might happen next, You’re still in control. So we trust You with our stories. Teach us how to share Your work in our lives with the next generation too. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Your Life Is Your Time..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Your Life Is Your Time

Dr. Charles Stanley

Ephesians 5:14-17

Our lives are governed by time. That's why we're surrounded by clocks and calendars that dictate our activities. As the minutes tick by, we wonder where the day went. When responsibilities and pressures mount, we complain, "I just don't have time to get it all done!" But the reality is that God has given us enough time to do exactly what He's planned for our lives. Perhaps the bigger issue is whether we are using our time to do our will or the Lord's.

Time is a gift from God, and He has allotted each of us a measure in which to live and accomplish His purposes. We have only two options—to spend it temporally on our own interests or invest it eternally. Since time can never be retrieved or reversed, it's critical that we make the most of every opportunity the Lord provides.

The key to investing in eternity is following God's plan for your life, not just filling your days with activities. Jesus was allocated just thirty-three years of life on earth, but only the last three were spent in fulfilling His Messianic ministry. To us that seems like a waste of time. Yet Christ accomplished everything His Father gave Him to do. That's why on the cross He could say, "It is finished" (John 19:30).

Scripture compares earthly life to "a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14), but eternal life never ends. It's foolish to spend your life on a vapor when you can reap everlasting benefits by following God's will for your time here. Each day is an opportunity to choose.

A Prayer for Provision..Emma Danzey

 A Prayer for Provision 

By Emma Danzey

Matthew 6:11 says, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

Smack dab in the middle of the Lord’s prayer found in Matthew 6 and Luke 11, Jesus is teaching his followers how to pray. After He has blessed the name of God the Father and shared his desire for the Lord’s kingdom to come and will to be done, we find a few short yet powerful words: give us this day our daily bread. What about those with gluten allergies? No, this is not literal bread but spiritual bread from heaven. It is a phrase that is emphasizing relying on God’s provision each day.

We are still called to this lifestyle of a follower of Jesus today. We are to be reliant on the Lord to meet our daily needs. We praise Him, we do our part in being faithful in our work, and we trust in Him to care for us. One of Jesus’ I Am statements found in John 6:35 is when Jesus claimed to be the Bread of Life. In fact, the town of Bethlehem (Where Jesus was born) literally translates to mean “House of Bread.” Jesus is the fulfillment of our greatest need for salvation and hope. He has already met every need. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Let's Pray:

Jesus,
Thank you for being the Bread of Life. Every day we need you. We need to know Your will, Your nearness, and Your love. We cannot spiritually survive without You. Thank You for saving us from the darkness and eternal death. Thank You for giving us eternal life. We never have to worry about the provision of salvation when we have accepted You as Savior. Thank You for the peace that comes with the way You care for us.

Today, I need you to help me remember you are my Provider in certain areas. Although I know that I am Yours forever, there are physical and emotional needs that I have today. Would You please meet me where I feel in need and hungry for You? I need Your care and protection. I need Your strength and endurance. Just as bread gives life, energy, and happiness, You, Jesus, do that for me more so.

Help me to hunger for Your righteousness. Give me a hunger for reading Your Word and understanding more of who You are. Forgive me for the times when I go to temporary fulfillment in worldly things and people who never fully satisfy. Remind me to keep You first in my life and depend upon You and not others. Thank You for the kindness and care that You have shown me in life.

God, I pray that You would provide for my loved ones today. Help my family and friends to fully lean on You and see You actively at work in their lives. Remind them to cling to You and trust in You. Help me to encourage them that You will care for their every need. Lord, I pray for those who are at a loss, who do not have good health, are struggling financially, or are dealing with loss. In these moments of brokenness, would you open their eyes to ways that You are providing for them even if they cannot physically see how? Give them hope that You are their Rock and firm foundation.

God, thank You for the many ways in which You have already provided for me. There have been so many times when You cared for me, and I did not even realize it or take the time to recognize You. Thank you for your continual presence, steadfast love, and guidance. Thank You for the ways You have provided people in my life in the right seasons to grow, for the ways you have provided community, and for the provision of the gift of being Your child. You have taken away my sins and made me white as snow. I am no longer a slave to my sin but a child of God, co-heir with Christ, and I am eternally free. I am grateful for Your sacrifice on the cross for me and the beautiful gift of provision. Amen.

The Ability to Yield..Meg Bucher

 The Ability to Yield

By Meg Bucher

“And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Ephesians 5:21 NLT

In this part of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he is writing to them about living by the power of the Holy Spirit and how that affects their relationships. He said: 

“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:15-20 NLT)

This is a laundry list full of things Paul wants the Ephesians to address. To follow Christ isn’t a burden, but these adjustments to our everyday lives can be hard to incorporate! The process of breaking bad habits doesn’t feel light, but the consequence of allowing them to continue in our lives is too heavy not to address them. One by one, Paul is guiding the Ephesians in the way to live a holy life. But there is one key component they, and we today, need in order to become more like Jesus each day. We need the Holy Spirit and His power in our lives. 

Making good choices, unfortunately, doesn’t come naturally. It takes effort to steer our hearts toward what is good and right in the world. “Submit to one another,” Paul encouraged the Ephesians. But first, we must submit our lives to the One who created us. James wrote, “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 NLT) Submission means to yield control to a more powerful authority. The author of Hebrews wrote: 

“Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.” - Hebrews 13:17 NLT

Submission removes us from the center of every situation. When we submit our lives to Christ, we give Him authority over us. Submission to the Holy Spirit means to pause and pray into the space He occupies in our hearts and allow Him to move and motivate us in the right direction. In our relationships, when we submit to each other, we are putting that person before ourselves. As a result, we grow closer to Christ and more like Him. 

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Parents, caregivers, and teachers recognize the struggle humans have for authority over their own lives on the daily. Little kids don’t understand why they can’t be in charge of themselves. It starts with yanking them from stepping into the street or touching the hot stove and matures into lessons on what happens when we speak without thinking or fail to do homework. The lessons in life are endless. Though we eventually grow and mature to a capacity that allows us to live independently in our society, we never outgrow the basic human need to seek the Lord’s guidance in our lives. 

We were created to bring glory and honor to Him and Him alone. God created each of us with a specific purpose and plan to bring glory and honor to Him. His plan for us is a full life, and to reach it, we follow His will for us. To know which way to go requires daily submission to the Lord and to the wise people He has placed in our lives. We don’t do this with selfish motives but out of reverence for Christ. Micah 6:8 reads: 

“No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (NLT)

In order to accomplish this way of life, the Lord did not leave us alone but gave us His Holy Spirit, who is always with us. The VOICE paraphrase says: 

“No. He has told you, mortals, what is good in His sight. What else does the Eternal ask of you but to live justly and to love kindness and to walk with your True God in all humility?”

Further Reading:

• Jeremiah 17:10
• 1 Peter 5:6
• Romans 8:7