Tag: father

Categories
. God's plan

Adopted into the Family

With all the benefits that go with it…

The Bible has several stories of adoption. Moses was adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter. Esther was adopted by Mordecai. Jesus was treated as a son by Joseph, even though Joseph was not his biological father.

Adoption is amazing. It turns strangers into family and turns orphans into sons and daughters. But the deepest, strongest, and most amazing act of adoption is not when people adopt children, but when God adopts people.

For it was always in his perfect plan to adopt us as his delightful children, through our union with Jesus, the Anointed One…and this unfolding plan brings him great pleasure!

Ephesians 1:5-6

We are more than just God’s creation. We are more than just his servants. And God is more than just our judge. He is our father. When we give our lives to Jesus, we become part of God’s family, with all the benefits and rights that come with being his adopted child. Our God-planned destiny from the beginning was to be adopted into his family.

It’s hard to believe, but it gives God great joy and pleasure to adopt us. We weren’t cute, cuddly, and captivating. On the contrary, we were a mess. We were all born with evil, selfish natures. Our lives expressed the depravity inside us, as we pursued any wicked thought springing from our selfish nature. We deserved God’s anger. Yet, when we were unlovable, he still loved us. God loved us so much that he adopted us. He made us his very own children.

What does that mean? When someone adopts a child, they make that child part of their family forever. They give that child their family name, invest their time in that child, bear the necessary costs to support that child, and make that child an heir of their estate. Adopting a child is a huge, weighty, life-altering decision.

God made that decision for us from the beginning. He knew how much trouble we would be and the price it would cost, but he never wavered. He adopted us and gave us the right to call him, “Daddy.” He didn’t do it out of obligation or pity. Our heavenly Father adopted us out of love. We are part of the family of God, dearly loved, forever.

If you are a Christian, you are a child of the living God, adopted into his family. Because you are his child, God loves you, protects you, and provides for you. He will never leave you. He will hear and answer your prayers. He will make a way for you. Always. That’s what a good father does…and God is a very good father.

Father, I am thankful to be adopted into your family. I’m overwhelmed that you loved me enough to adopt me and make me your child. I want to grow into your image. Thank you for your grace, your presence, and your overwhelming love. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Categories
Handling Life's Problems

Run to the Father

“Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?” (Romans 7:24)

I’ll never forget the first time I learned about leeches.

I was eight years old, happily playing in a creek near our campsite. When I came out, I noticed something horrible had attached itself to my leg. I couldn’t brush it off. I couldn’t pull it off. What was this terrible creature, and who could free me from it?

I may have been just a kid, but I knew what to do—I ran screaming to my father. He told me it was a leech, sucking blood out of my body—worse than I had imagined! Then my dad lit a match and touched the leech with it. The leech let go and I was delivered from its clutches.

When I couldn’t get myself free, I ran to my father. One touch, and I was delivered.

I was about eight years old when I learned I had a problem much more serious than a leech—I figured out I was a sinner. I knew I couldn’t fix this on my own. Who could free me from the consequences and bondage of sin and death?

I may have been just a kid, but I knew what to do. I ran to my heavenly Father. I knelt at an altar and poured my heart out to my Father. I found the forgiveness and deliverance I needed.

Running to God is always the right thing to do. Sometimes, as we grow up, we seem to get dumber instead of wiser. Sometimes, we run away from our Father.

Jonah ran away from God and ended up swallowed by a giant fish (Jonah 1:3). The prodigal son ran away from his father and ended up sleeping with the pigs (Luke 15:11-32).

We’re really no better than the prodigal son or Jonah. God says move. We want to stay where it’s comfortable. God says stay still. We want a change of scenery. We think our plans are better than God’s plans, and we find ourselves running away from God instead of running to him. Our sinful nature pushes us to want our own way and to turn away from the Father.

I knew what to do when I had a leech on my leg—I ran to my father. Do we know what to do about the sin in our lives? What do we do when we’re angry, unforgiving, selfish, or mean? Who can set us free from the bondage of sin? What in the world do we do? We must run to our Father!

Anytime you’re not sure what your next move should be, try running into the arms of your heavenly Father. Matthew 11:28 invites us to run to him: “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis.”  Running to your Father is never a bad choice. He will ease your burden and refresh your soul. He will forgive your sins. He will be your oasis in a dry, barren land.

Dear Father, you have given me so much. May I run to you often. When I run to you, I find forgiveness for my sin, a strong hand to carry my burdens, and refreshment for my soul. I love you. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Categories
prayer

How’s Your View?

What picture comes into your mind when you think of God?

“If any want to boast they should boast that they know and understand me…” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

Our understanding of God affects our actions, opinions, and decisions. It influences everything we do.

In his book, The Knowledge of the Holy, A. W. Tozer discussed the significance of our view of God. “What comes to our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” He went on to use the foundation of a building to explain the importance of having a correct view of God: “Where [the foundation] is inadequate or out of plumb, the whole structure must sooner or later collapse.”

So, how do we view God? Many people view God as a genie, who exists to grant wishes. Others see him as a judge, ready to mete out wrath and punishment for any wrongdoing. Still another view is that God is a distant cosmic force who doesn’t get involved in day-to-day events.

Our view of God is particularly important when we pray. How we approach God in prayer is largely shaped by our view of him. In Luke 11:2, Jesus presented a new view of God. When he taught his followers (that includes us) to pray, he said to address God as “our father in heaven.”

This was a new paradigm, a new view of who God is.

People in the Old Testament couldn’t see God’s goodness clearly because their vision was blocked by their sin. They had to continuously offer sacrifices and observe rituals to stay OK with God, but the sinful nature of their hearts never changed.

Thank God, things are different now. Now, because of the cross, our hearts can be changed and our spiritual eyes opened. We are able to see God’s grace, mercy, and love clearly. We are blessed to see the truth, that God is a loving and kind father who works for what is best for his children.

God isn’t angry with us, filled with wrath, eagerly anticipating an opportunity to punish someone. His wrath was poured out on the cross. It was directed at the sin that separated him from his children, whom he dearly loves. A. W. Tozer said it like this: “The Cross is the lightning rod of grace that short-circuited God’s wrath to Christ so that only the light of His love remains for believers.”

John 3:16 tells us the story in just a few words: “For God loved this world so much that he gave his only son…” He did that for us, when we were covered in sin and transgressions. He did it because he loves us as a perfect father loves his children. Earthly fathers vary greatly on how well or how poorly they love their children. God’s love isn’t like that. He loves each of us perfectly.

When you pray, remember you’re praying to a God who loves you dearly. He wrote you a love letter on a cross 2,000 years ago. He treasures you. You can approach him in prayer with confidence, knowing you are praying to your heavenly father…and he loves you like crazy!

Our father in heaven, reveal who you are. Set the world right. Do what’s best—as above, so below. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the devil. You’re in charge. You can do anything you want. You’re ablaze in beauty. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Categories
Kingdom of God

Royalty

“So, do not be afraid, little flock, for it gives the Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)

What do we think of when we hear the word, “kingdom?”

Some of us will immediately think of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. It enthralls millions of visitors each year with parades, fantasy, music, fireworks, and imaginative attractions like Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Jungle Cruise. They call it, “the happiest place on earth,” but it’s only good for as long as your ticket lasts.

Some of us might think of a country, such as the United Kingdom, home of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, and Prince William and Princess Kate. They have crowns and castles, tiaras and titles. Royalty undoubtedly has some pretty sweet perks, but to be royal in the UK, one must marry a royal or be born to royal parents.

Maybe, just maybe, we think of the Kingdom more amazing than any other—God’s Kingdom. Righteousness, peace, and joy overflow in God’s Kingdom (Romans 14:17). The Kingdom brings healing (Luke 10:9) and breaks demonic strongholds (Luke 11:20). Those who focus on the Kingdom find all their needs are supplied (Matthew 6:33).

In God’s Kingdom, we don’t have to be afraid in times of trouble because our Father offers us his presence, provision, and protection. We don’t have to fear sickness because healing flows in the Kingdom. We don’t have to fear death because citizens of the Kingdom have eternal life.

Unlike the Magic Kingdom, the Kingdom of God doesn’t require a ticket. And unlike the UK, we don’t have to be born a royal to be a citizen of God’s Kingdom. When we repented of our sins and accepted Jesus, God adopted us as his own. “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure” (Ephesians 1:5). Out of his love for us, God adopted us. We became children of the King and a citizen of the Kingdom, with all the privileges that come along with citizenship.

So, where’s our focus today? Are we troubled by our problems? Are we worried, stressed, or afraid of what we see happening in our world? Have we forgotten who we are…and whose we are?

“The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19).

It’s time to lift up our heads and look beyond our circumstances. We’re the chosen and cherished children of the King, and he rules over all. We’re dearly loved. Our heavenly Father rejoices to give us the Kingdom.

Dear God, it is a privilege to be able to call you, “Father.” I am thankful to be your child, and to be a citizen of your Kingdom. In every situation, every circumstance, and every part of my journey, I will remember who I am. Let the righteousness, peace, joy, and power of the Kingdom live in my heart. In Jesus’s name, amen.

What is different in your life because you are a child of God? Leave a comment in the “Reply” section below.