| A Father’s Day Wish
by Donnie Anderson
First of all, I'd like to wish fathers around the country a Happy Father’s Day. My wish is that all fathers would have the opportunity to spend quality time with their children on such a special day.
I cannot over emphasize the importance of the relationship between fathers and their children. My desire is to see more spiritually balanced relationships supported by a foundation of Godly love.
I'd like to encourage men to align themselves with God's Word to fully understand our roles as fathers. Our own heavenly father of course, is the very best role model we can have. He loves us, guides us, protects us and gives us discipline.
By following God's Word, we equip ourselves to be the kind of fathers God wants us to be. Our ultimate goal is to live our lives in a way that glorifies our Lord. If we do this as fathers, we will definitely be a blessing to our children and our children will in turn be a blessing to us.
About the Author
Donnie Anderson is the host of a local radio talk show on KTYM AM in Los Angeles.
God Is Your Father
by Pastor Cinda Herring
Scripture: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."
At this time of the year our thoughts may be directed to our fathers and you may or may not have warm thoughts surrounding your relationship with your father. There was a long phase in my life when I could not call God my Father and it wasn't until I began to study the attributes of God that I began to really understand Him to be my Father. For those who may be struggling with the concept of "father," I would like to share another view of "father."
What separates Christianity from any other religion is the emphasis on relationship. Our relationship with the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit and each other is the focus of God's Word. So many times we base our "spiritual" relationships on our "earthly" relationships. The nature and quality of our relationship with our earthly father will, in many cases, determine the quality of our relationship with our heavenly Father. For example, if we have a father that does not keep his promises, we will expect that Father God will not keep His promises. As a result, we will find it extremely difficult to trust Him or to rely upon Him for our needs whether they be spiritual, emotional or physical.
When one thinks of the ideal earthly father, he or she thinks of someone who is tender, loving, caring, and patient as well as being a provider and protector. Well…we have this and more in our heavenly Father. According to Hosea 11:1-4 God is tender, sensitive to our needs and a healer. God nurtures his children.
In addition, He loves us (I John 4:8-9, 16) and He is faithful (I Cor. 1:9, 10:13). Father God is also forgiving (Ps. 103:2-3). He excuses or pardons us in spite of our shortcomings, and errors. Mt. 6:26 reminds us that He is our provider. We are much more valuable that the birds He feeds, who neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns. Not only does He provide for our physical needs, but he provides comfort (II Cor. 1:3-4). He is the God of all comfort and He comforts us in all our tribulation. My Father is also rich in mercy (compassion, kindness). Eph. 2:4-5 says "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses He mad us alive together with Christ…"
As a loving, faithful Father, God also chastens us. Hebrews 12:5-7 tells us "do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
If you are a born again Christian who is led of the Spirit, you are adopted. God is your father. You are sons and daughters of God and you can cry out "Abba Father." God is your daddy!
About the Author
Cinda Herring is the Executive Pastor of Living Word Christian Center International in Torrance, California.
Fit for the Kingdom
by JoAnn Miller
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7
Paul was talking about doing and finishing what God had asked him to do. Hw many of us has the Lord asked to work on getting and keeping our bodies fit for His purpose and plans so we can finish our race?
To do all that God has for us to accomplish in these days, we will need to be healthy and strong. And that requires us to keep the faith and use our faith to stay fit. For some of us those doughnuts talk louder than the Word of God. For some it may be chips (or like me- bread!). As living sacrifices, we will have to fight to listen to the Spirit and not our bodies. With faith and prayer we can finish the race God has laid before us. Then 2 Timothy 4:8 says, “and receive our crown of righteousness from the Lord.” It won’t be all cookies and cream or bread! It will require getting up and moving our bodies and really looking at what we are putting into it for energy and strength. So let’s get off the couch together. Start today drinking more water (8-10 glasses) than soda. Walking a little further, taking the steps. Let’s feed the body for strength… fruits, veggies and lean meats. The difference it makes could mean years to your life and all the time you need to finish YOUR race.
About the Author
JoAnn Miller is a licensed Fitness Trainer and certified Massage Therapist based in Southern California. For more tips on fitness or speaking engagements you can contact her at (310) 953-1065 or email: touchuwell_massage_fitness@yahoo.com.
Live by Faith, Not
by Sight
by Daniel N. Brown
Do you feel like you are experiencing roadblocks to your dreams? Do you feel like you are striving for something but it just seems to elude you?
Maybe you are a little discouraged and confused about what God wants for you. Do you wonder if God has a plan for your life? And if He does, why does it remain unfulfilled?
There may be a multitude of thoughts running through your mind as you continue day in and day out, repeating the same mundane tasks over and over again, wondering if things will ever change.
You may be frustrated and wondering what your purpose is. Jesus said, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes," (Mark 9:23) and He also said, "According to your faith, be it done unto you" (Matt 9:29).
We must believe without a doubt that we will have good things in life, that we will be guided to the right situations at the right times, and that we really will see our dreams manifested. We will, if we believe because our faith can move mountains!
God has a wonderful plan for each of His children according to his or her own unique gifts and abilities (Jeremiah 29:11). Therefore, we must trust that God is working all things for our benefit according to His plan (Romans 8:28). It really is just a matter of faith.
The Bible says, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" (Heb 11:6).
I love the part where it says, "Believe that He is." Believe that He is what? Our Heavenly Father and God Almighty! The author of the entire universe. The greatest force that has ever existed. And, He knows right where you are. Every hair on your head is numbered (Luke 12:7). If you don't have any hair, don't worry, your fuzz is probably numbered.
Living the abundant and prosperous Christian life is really just a matter of getting out of God's way. Quit trying to always figure things out. Turn off the reasoning and let Him do His work in you, through you, and for you, making you perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Psalms 18:29 says, "In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall" (NLT).
Decide to have faith in any given situation. Believe everything will work out fine no matter what things may look like. As Christians, we live by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). After all, God is the final authority in any given situation and He knows exactly what He wants to do in your life.
About the Author
Daniel N. Brown is a teacher of biblical success principles. Get his FREE Report, "Christian Prosperity Secrets" when you sign up for his FREE newsletter... http://www.secretplaceonline.com
|
