My Heavenly Father

Three boys in the schoolyard were bragging about who had the highest paid father.
The first boy said, “My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, and they give him $100.”
The second boy said, “That’s nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, and they give him $1000.”
The third boy said, “My Dad is ever better than that. He scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, calls it a sermon, and it takes 6 or 8 men just to collect all the money!”

Young boys have a way of thinking that their dad is nine feet tall and bullet proof. They are filled with the belief that dad can do anything. They have a very high view of their dad. As we age our view of our dad may wax and wane, rise and fall. Maturity, perspective, and life experience can affect the way we view our earthly fathers. I want you to ponder another question though. What do you think of your Heavenly Father? Do you have a high view of Him?

Jesus gave us a framework of relating to God as Father. He taught us to pray by saying, “Our Father which art in heaven” (Matthew 6:9). You may not have had a perfect earthly father, but you have a perfect Heavenly Father. He is someone that you can look up to. His power is beyond imagination. His words are lifegiving. His grace is free. His promises are true. His mercies are new every morning and His love is transformative.

When was the last time you pondered and dreamt about how truly amazing your Heavenly Father is? Take the demeanor of a young child and believe in Him today. Open your Bible, set your gaze on Him, and soak in who He is today.

The Singing Sun

"The Sun is playing a secret melody, hidden inside itself, that produces a widespread throbbing motion of its surface. The sounds are coursing through the Sun's interior, causing the entire globe, or parts of it, to move in and out, slowly and rhythmically like the regular rise and fall of tides in a bay or of a beating heart." -Kenneth R. Lang

The Sun is 93,000,000 miles from Earth. Now sound won't travel through the vacuum that is created in space. But with the right instrument, scientists can "hear" pulsations from the Sun (solar-center.standford.edu). The sun as well as other stars throughout the universe are producing sound. Our sun vibrates from acoustical waves much like a bell. Let that sink in for a moment. We have a singing sun. With that in mind consider what the Bible says in Psalm 19:1-4 (ESV),

1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
in them he has set a tent for the sun,

We have a universe that attests to the fact that our God is real and glorious. The vast expanse of the universe reminds us that there is a great, big God who started it all. More than that, these stars throughout the universe are literally singing as their acoustics are sent out. Their words may not be heard but the message is clear: GOD IS WORTHY OF OUR WORSHIP.

So how about you? Are you worshiping God? Are you thankful for all that He has done? Are you singing His praises to anyone who will listen? Take time to slow down and honor God today. He is worthy. May your life be a melody that glorifies God each and every day.

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. -Colossians 2:6-7

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither; whatever they do prospers. -Psalm 1:3

Scripture compares believers to trees. If a tree has shallow roots, it won’t be able to withstand a windstorm, but will be uprooted. In times of drought, it will wither and die. On the other hand, if that tree has deep roots, it will withstand the strong winds. In arid times, it will find refreshment in the moist soil deep beneath the surface.

Similarly, if we want to withstand storms and dry times, we need to make sure we are deeply rooted in God. To continue bearing fruit, we must develop our root system by spending time alone with God in prayer and the scriptures.

No one who sees a tree says, “Those are some good-looking roots.” No, they see the leaves, branches, and the fruit. In the same way, people won’t see you deepening your relationship with Christ through time alone with Him, but they will see the results. They will see you standing strong through stormy times. They will see your love, joy, and peace. They will see your good works and glorify God because they know you are rooted in Christ.

The phrase, “whatever they do prospers”, does not mean immunity from failure or difficulties. It doesn’t guarantee health, wealth, and happiness. What the Bible means by prosperity is this; when we apply God’s wisdom, the fruit we bear will be good and will receive God’s approval. How will you deepen your roots in Jesus today? What storms have you faced, or might you be facing soon?

Prayer for today: God, thank you for nourishing me every day. Help me to be rooted and built up in you and established in the faith. Amen.

Protecting Yourself Against the Lion

Not everybody in life wants the best for us. As a matter of fact, there are some who work to see our demise. This is true both of the physical and spiritual realm. There are real spiritual forces at work that do not have our best interests at heart. The Apostle Peter describes it this way,

“Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (-1 Peter 5:8b).”

How is it that we protect ourselves from this lion who would like to devour us?

1. Stay Humble.
The devil has taken out many people who were too proud to ask for help. We need help and the Lord is our Helper. Don’t go at it alone.

2. Trust that God is Going to Work It Out.
We all will have troubles, suffer, and experience downtimes in life. In these times the devil tempts us not to trust God and offers up alternative solutions that only end in regret and self-destruction. Trust that God will strengthen, exalt, and restore you at the proper time.

3. Know You’re Not Alone.
Those who wander off by themselves are easy prey. The devil will try to isolate you and make you think you are the only one facing struggles, but you are not alone. Don’t keep your burdens and heartaches to yourself. Cast them on God. Let Him lighten the load you carry. Also, know that others are facing similar things and encourage one another in the faith.

4. Be on Guard.
If we knew someone was laying a trap, the wise choice would be to lookout for that trap. Keep your mind clear. Stay focused. Know what is at stake and act accordingly.

5. Have Some Grit to Your Faith.
When you are tempted, or your faith is tested, stand firm. Resist the devil. Faith is more than an intellectual belief. It is also, heartfelt conviction and active obedience. Have some grit and hold up that shield of faith.

6. Be Intimately Acquainted with God’s Character.
God is love. He is mighty, glorious, and has dominion over all creation. He is full of grace and mercy. So much of overcoming the devil’s tactics has to do with holding onto God. Don’t let the devil paint a false narrative about God and cause you to loosen your grip.

Spend some time today prayerfully reflecting on 1 Peter 5:6-11 (ESV),

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.