…the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father. Romans 8:15, NIV
I never considered God as my Father even though the reference is used throughout scripture. To explore this concept, I once purchased a book titled, “In My Father’s House: Women Relating to God as Father” by Mary A. Kassian. While reading the book, I felt utterly lost. I had no Father model, no point of reference with which to compare God’s Fatherhood. I had no idea what a father was supposed to be or do. So, I closed the book after three days of trying to relate.
After becoming engrossed in learning of and wanting to embrace all the benefits of Jesus’ finished work on the cross, I began to understand that Jesus sacrificed His life for me so that I might have the right to cry “Abba, Father.” Jesus wanted me to know the Father and to receive the Father’s love. (John 17:26) As a result, almost 20 years later, I opened the book again. This time, however, it was not just to explore a concept; I was longing to know God as my Father. I instinctively knew that this would bring me into a deeper, more intimate relationship with God.
As I began introducing myself to my Father, one thing that pierced my heart was defining God as my Father. When I first purchased “In My Father’s House,” I looked up the definition of Father: To make one self the author, founder or producer of; to take responsibility for. But, it was not until 20 years later when I reopened the book that I understood and could receive that God is the author, founder and producer of my life! God takes responsibility for me! God is my Father! This brought a huge, permanent smile to my face and heart!
That day, I redefined who I was. I was no longer a “fatherless child” or a “daddy-less daughter.” I ceased searching myself to find hidden scars left by a man I never knew. I began to fully embrace my identity and origin in my Father God. God alone takes care of me and protects me. He loves me with a relentless love. He guides me and He teaches me by His Spirit; and He even chastises me. God is my Father, my Daddy!
So I say to all of you today, on this Father’s Day, whether your biological father is a good dad or whether he’s a bad dad, or perhaps, he is an indifferent dad, or he is no longer living; Father God’s arms are open to you. He longs to be your Father and lavish you with His great love. “His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by sending Jesus Christ to die for us. And He did this because He wanted to!” Ephesians 1:4-5, TLB
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 good gifts to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11, NIV
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Praise God! What an amazing concept that can so easily be lost. Thank you Sis for bringing this message! There is no greater Father! Happy Father’s Day! Thank you for loving me, saving me and taking care of me.
Once I wondered aimlessly crossing lines that I should have never walked up to; however, every time my Father (GOD) saved me even though I didn’t deserve it. One day He revealed Himself to me through the Holy Spirit. I grew up without a father in my life so I did not understand the importance of having one. Not just someone who bore a seed, but someone who does just what Dearencourager says: loves you inspite of yourself and takes responsibility for you. My Father (God) taught me what that means and who I am. When I mentor a young person, the first thing I ask them is “Do you know who you are?” Then, afterwards I explain to them that “you are a child of God” as it was explained to me and what it means to be that. God wants us to know who we are just as He wants us to know who He is if we are to share in the inheritance that Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior died and rose from the dead to secure for us. Accepting God as our Father also means accepting our role and place as His children and choosing to follow Him through His Word. It starts with a declaration: “I love my Heavenly Father and commit to following His word and accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior” then have the Attitude and Willingness to follow through. I (integrity) D(dedication) A (accountable) R (responsible) E (excellence). I DARE you to follow your Heavenly Father and not achieve Enteral Life. Happy Father’s Day God, my Father, my God, my Friend and thank you for choosing and calling me and especially for saving me. 4LIFE4EVER. Thank you Dearencourager for helping us see and helping us to be AWARE (attitude, willingness, accountable, responsible, encouraging). We love you and need your continued gift of encouragement to help us realize our own gifts that we were born with that help us to also do our part for the Kingdom. 4LIFE4EVER
Wow?! ‘God takes responsibility for me, He is my Father’ what a profound but so easily forgotten statement. Thank you Kathy. God bless you!