Sunday, January 24, 2010

Abba Father, He's My Dad!

Who wouldn't love to have a great relationship with our Dad? Many of us had great ones, while some of us really lacked the ability to have a wonderful father-child relationship. Some dads traveled, some dads weren't communicators, some dads had themselves been hurt as little children and couldn't show affection. Some were too harsh, others too lenient. Some were absent physically or emotionally. Some were even abusive. Then some of us were distant, too busy, or thoughtless. There are many reasons why we haven't had a perfect relationship with our earthly dads, but our Father in Heaven isn't like our earthly "Dad", no matter how wonderful he might be.



We as human parents love to give gifts to our children. Christmas, birthdays, sometimes even a "just because" gift, just to let them know we love them. Our Heavenly Father feels exactly the same about us. He wants to give us good things. He longs to bless His children.

Matthew 7:7-11
7. "Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. 8. "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. 9. "Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone? 10. "Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 11. "If you then, being evil, (by comparison) know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

Matthew 6:8
"Therefore do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him.

James 4:2
You lust and do not have; [so] you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain; [so] you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.

God knows what we need, yes. He's all knowing, but He still desires for us to ask. And then say "thank you, Father."
These first three scripture talk about our "asking" the Father for the things we need, but have you thought about asking Him for everything that HE would like to give you. There may be gifts and blessings that we haven't thought about, that He would like to bestow upon us.

We've probably heard the story about the man that arrived in heaven and was led to the large room filled with rows and rows of beautifully wrapped presents, each one tied with a bow and sitting on a shelf. He was amazed and asked his guide what they were. The guide replied. "These are all the gifts and blessings that God had for you, but you never thought to ask for."

A little simplistic, but wouldn't you want to receive each and every gift that God had prepared for you out of His great love? This goes for not only material things and blessings, but how about friendships, experiences, and spiritual gifts. Many people are afraid to ask for spiritual gifts because they think they are "scarey". God is good, He will prepare and nurture you for your giftings.


Psalm 103:1-5
1. [A Psalm of David]. Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, [bless] His holy name. 2. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; 3. Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases; 4. Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; 5. Who satisfies your years with good things, [So that] your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Here we see that God has gifts and "benefits". These come with our salvation "package", but sometimes we don't know or recognize it. Salvation, forgiveness of sin, health, love, spiritual optimism and hope. A satisfied life. Youth in body, mind, and spirit. These gifts are all available for us by "asking" for them.

Galatians 4:6
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.

Romans 8:15
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"


These last two verses talk about God refering to Himself not only as our Father, but as our Dad. How wonderful to know that God says "I love you so much, call me Dad!" Knowing God in this way enables us to go before Him to "ask" because we know He loves us, really loves us. This gives us the understanding that we have a loving dad who wants us to ask for the things we need, even though He knows these things in advance. He has a plan to give us all that He wants to give us, and so that we will come before Him with confidence, that we might have "effective prayer".

Hope you are having a great start to your week.
love,
Debra

16 comments:

  1. Love, love, love this...thank you. It is sinking in slowly...but I am hoping it will 'click' someday! I have a ton of proof in my life it is true! One day...it will sink in! Thnk you for a great reminder!

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  2. Each of these verses is so meaningful. When the concerns of this life are so daunting it is so wonderful to know we have a loving Father (Abba) who will give us what we need and even more than we ask for. His mercies are new every morning, great is his faithfulness. I am humbled by his great love and compassion even while I am yet in my sin. I dont have to earn his love. What a wonderful truth. I am going to rest well tonight thinking about the love of the Father.

    Thank you Debra, for sharing these precious words that give us strength for the journey.

    Rebecca

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  3. "Who Am I to be part of Your People
    The ones that are called by Your Name?
    Could I be Chosen as one of Your Own
    Could it be that our blood is the same?
    How can a stranger a remnant of nations
    Belong to this Royal Line?
    You showed Your grace when the
    Branches were broken and I grafted into the vine.

    Baruch Hashem Adonai
    Baruch Hashem Adonai
    Blessed be the Name of the Lord
    Baruch Hashem Adonai.

    How Could You show me such
    Bountiful mercy
    By taking the life of the lamb
    Your love is greater than I can imagine
    I bless You with all that I am
    Praise to You Jesus the Veil has been parted
    And what once was secret is known
    Now I can cry to You
    Abba my Father and praise You as
    One of Your Own.

    Baruch Hashem Adonai
    Baruch Hashem Adonai
    Blessed be the Name of the Lord
    Baruch Hashem Adonai.

    Blessed be the Name of the Lord
    Baruch Hashem Adonai."

    Knowing I've been grafted into "The Vine" is everything to me...

    Today...you blessed me. Beautiful writing.

    Love, Rebecca

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  4. Awesome post and much needed reminder!
    Hugs and blessings, andrea

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  5. Debra-
    I have prayed 'thy will be done-not mine',
    but I don't think I have asked God for all he has for me.

    I keep going to God with the SAME things- things that may not be on HIS list.

    Laura

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  6. I've always been better able to relate to God in the second person of the Trinity, and this is due to the really horrible relationship I had with my earthly father while growing up. We have since made amends, but it was a struggle for me to see God as anything but a stern, disinterested, sometimes abusive figure.

    Jesus was approachable, and welcoming, and loving.

    What my head knows often times arrives at my heart years later, ya know? I know that God is not stern, disinterested or abusive, but still...it takes time.

    Love,
    Me

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  7. Hi Debra. What a wonderful reminder that we have a father that loves us so much more then we could possibly imagine. Being a parent I can't imagine anyone loving anyone more than that, yet he loves us more than we can comprehend.

    I am like Laura. I pray for his will and am now just learning how to ask. I always thought it would be selfish of me. Always thinking he knows what I'm going through or need but it's true he wants us to submit to him and ask him so he can provide and then we know exactly who to thank and where it came from.

    Thank you Debra for all the time you spend preparing and sharing with us. You're in my prayers. The Lord provided you to me at one of my lowest times and now I've found so many wonderful friends though you and blogging. God's grace is wonderful because of ya'll I feel extremely blessed.

    Hugs...Tracy :)

    I'm grinning ear to ear because I just love knowing that each day I can look forward to this bible study and all of you.

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  8. Hey Debra!
    I wanted to stop for a visit that thank you for joining Fresh Oil Today!

    I am so blessed by this post.....It always encourages my heart to be reminded that my Daddy Father loves each of beyond description and longs to lovingly pour His perfect gifts upon His kids!!! What a wonderful God we serve!!

    I've joined to follow your site and look forward the "hearing" what the Lord stirs within your heart!!

    Sweet Blessings!
    Jackie

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  9. Oh, don't I know it. How many times did I muddle my way without even asking for God's help, much less the hidden treasures that He was so longing to give. Thanks Debra!

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  10. What a wonderful post and I love all the scripture! I pray that God opens my eyes to all the gifts He has for me!

    Thank you for the encouragement!!!

    -Alisa Hope

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  11. Hi Katie, this was such a tough concept for me to "get". It has taken many years, and still even now I forget sometimes when things and situaltions are hard.

    Rebecca S. You and I are so grateful for His unbounding love and mercy. Thank you Lord, that it is indeed, new each day!

    Rebecca, I am overwhelmed with your amazing outpouring of praise. My words cannot adaquately reply. Thank you for sharing this with us.

    Andrea, thank you and I need to be reminded frequently.

    Laura, that was a new thought for me, and sometimes I forget to ask for this. I get caught up in the "what about me" merry-go-round and I forget God may have something on HIS mind.

    Anne, I'm so glad you can share this, our earthly fathers play such a big part in how we relate to God. Heart to head is a long journey!

    Thank you Tracy, I have received so many blessings because of this Bible Study. Each one of you are amazing and I'm so thankful that YOU ALL are here.

    Hi Jackie, Deborah, and Alisa, I'm so glad you all have joined in! You all have wonderful blogs and I'm honored that all you gals with amazing and insightful Christian blogs, take the time to come by and be a part of this. Thank you!

    Tomorrow I'm finishing up this study on foundational prayer and Wed. I'll be introducing our next topic. I'm excited!
    love,
    Debra

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  12. Hi Debra
    I know that sometimes it is easier to relate to Jesus because He was a man than it is to the Father, especially if you had a stern father. But the fact is the Jesus said if you have seen me you have seen the Father. That it was God (the Father) so loved the world that He gave His only begotton son...it was God (the Father) in Christ reconciling the world unto himself. It was Christ sent here to do the will of the Father and to finish the Fathers work, "the Father that dwells in He doeth works, all His miracles were done by God the Father. If you know Jesus you know the Father. How wonderful is our Heavenly Father!
    Blessings

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  13. Good Evening Debra!
    Only addition I have to what everyone else has been saying would be that what makes me feel more confident in my prayers is the thanks I give at the time of the prayers I am sending up to the Father. I always thank Him for any and all that I might be asking for at the time of the asking because he is faithful and I know I will receive the answer when He is ready. There is that patience word again. We always or should always thank someone for a gift and so I feel if I give thanks at the time of the request my confidence does not waver later. I do not need to wait for the answer because he has received my gratitude and I am confident the gift is on its way.

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  14. Hi Brenda, I so agree. When I pray I tell the Lord I believe He is at work on my behalf. Remembering to thank Him in advance is something I know He appreciates and yes, it confirms our confidence in prayer. Thanks for adding that great concept!

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  15. After I came back and read again some of the verses you've posted, I shared them with my husband and he revealed to me that (without seeing your post) he had been praying on those very passages from Matthew 7!

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