puricare chronicles: God as Father

Showing posts with label God as Father. Show all posts

Thursday, January 28, 2021

FILL 'ER UP - We can’t spend our lives chasing pleasures, living by our own code of ethics, always putting ourselves first. That’s placing us before God — making little gods of ourselves. When we trust and obey God, we put Him in the rightful place as Lord of our lives. We align our wants with what He wants. We respect His authority in our lives as our Heavenly Father. Jesus Christ is the perfect example of the proper relationship to the Father. He sought time alone with Him, counsel from Him, and He totally surrendered to God’s plan. The Ten Commandments to Moses for His people was not so much a list of do’s and don’ts, as some might interpret - it was God’s plumb line for humanity. God wanted us to walk in abundant life, not death - days with purpose. "There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death." - You’ve got to know something’s wrong when you pass numerous broken down cars on your usually smooth commute. A delivery truck had pumped the wrong fuel in underground tanks at several gas stations. Many Virginia motorists who had filled their tanks with Regular gas got Diesel instead. Some cars sputtered down the highway and others seized up entirely. The pump was labeled Regular. Why would they expect anything else? King Solomon, one of Israel’s greatest leaders, revered for godly wisdom, wrote about assuming you're getting the right thing in Proverbs: "There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death."

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Fill 'Er Up

We can’t spend our lives chasing pleasures, living by our own code of ethics, always putting ourselves first. That’s placing us before God — making little gods of ourselves.

When we trust and obey God, we put Him in the rightful place as Lord of our lives. We align our wants with what He wants. We respect His authority in our lives as our Heavenly Father. Jesus Christ is the perfect example of the proper relationship to the Father. He sought time alone with Him, counsel from Him, and He totally surrendered to God’s plan.

The Ten Commandments to Moses for His people was not so much a list of do’s and don’ts, as some might interpret - it was God’s plumb line for humanity. God wanted us to walk in abundant life, not death - days with purpose.

Beth Patch - Senior Producer

"There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death." - Proverbs 14:12 (NLT)

You’ve got to know something’s wrong when you pass numerous broken down cars on your usually smooth commute.

In July 2018, a delivery truck had pumped the wrong fuel in underground tanks at several gas stations.

Many Virginia motorists who had filled their tanks with Regular gas got Diesel instead.

Some cars sputtered down the highway and others seized up entirely.

I’ve often thought about these drivers. It seemed so right filling their cars that day.

The pump was labeled Regular. Why would they expect anything else?

King Solomon, one of Israel’s greatest leaders, revered for godly wisdom, wrote about assuming you're getting the right thing in Proverbs:

"There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death." - Proverbs 14:12 (NLT)

I recognize that path. It’s the avenue society says is best for me, too.

The one where I figure out what makes me happy and how to get it — the all-about-me road.

I spend my time doing things I enjoy, buying things I like, and seeking a safe, comfortable life.

I decide what’s right and wrong, what’s fair and unfair.

It does seem right. It seems normal.

What could be wrong with it? I’m not hurting anyone else. We all think this way sometimes.

Problem is that kind of thinking can lead us down a dark path.

Solomon says it ends in death. Spiritual Death.

Sputtering away from the path God intended.

Dying, separated from the abundant life God planned for us.

The first commandment given to Moses says, “You must not have any other god but me.” Exodus 20:3 (NLT)

That includes us. We can’t spend our lives chasing pleasures, living by our own code of ethics, always putting ourselves first.

That’s placing us before God — making little gods of ourselves.

When we trust and obey God, we put Him in the rightful place as Lord of our lives. We align our wants with what He wants.

We respect His authority in our lives as our Heavenly Father.

Jesus Christ is the perfect example of the proper relationship to the Father.

He sought time alone with Him, counsel from Him, and He totally surrendered to God’s plan.

Even in the face of crucifixion, Jesus said,

"I want your will to be done, not mine." - Luke 22:42 (NLT)

When Jehovah God delivered the Ten Commandments to Moses for His people (Exodus 20:1-20), it was not so much a list of do’s and don’ts, as some might interpret.

It was God’s plumb line for humanity. He wanted us to walk in abundant life, not death. Days with purpose.

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” - Psalm 32:8 (NLT)

Oh Lord Jesus, please help us to know when we are fueling our earthly vessels with the emptiness of this world.

We need discernment from the Holy Spirit as we are prone to stray without even knowing it.

Accept our confession, oh merciful God. We are guilty of putting ourselves before You.

We don't want to have any other god but You.

Please forgive us, change us, and rescue us from ourselves — put us on Your pathway for our lives.

Thank you for your unending grace and faithfulness.

Amen.

Can God change your life?

God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life.

Discover how you can find peace with God. You can also send us your prayer requests.

Beth Patch

- Senior Producer

Beth Patch is a writer and CBN.com's Senior Spiritual Life Internet producer/editor.

She holds a MA in Journalism from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia and a BA in Mass Communications from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. She also holds a Virginia Real Estate Salesperson license. After 17 years in a professional real estate career, Beth had what she calls a mid-life calling (as opposed to a mid-life crisis), to step away from real estate and follow God's leading into Christian media, where she serves in her current position.

She has a passion to present inspirational writings and media content to a global audience. She represents CBN as an acquisitions editor and leads workshops at several Christian Writers Conferences.

https://www1.cbn.com/devotions/fill-er-up

You might also like:

What Gasoline Does to a Diesel Engine

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . .

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2018/07/diesel-engines-gasoline-in-older.html

God has given us the Ten Commandments

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . .

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2020/06/you-shall-have-no-other-gods-before-me.html

Crude Oil Products

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . .

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2020/01/difference-between-gasoline-kerosene.html

You Shall Not Make For Yourself Any Graven Image
CLICK HERE . . . to view . . .

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2020/06/you-shall-have-no-other-gods-before-me.html

Plumb Line

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . .

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2020/11/plumb-line-plumb-line-applies-law-of.html

You Shall Not Worship Idols

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . .

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2019/11/worship-danger-of-breaking-second.html

Thursday, December 17, 2020

GOD IS FUN! THIS CHRISTMAS … AND ALWAYS - The essential work of Christ delivering us from sin and death, reconciling us to God, and healing our broken lives and relationships comes with a playful, happy spirit. When you read the Gospels and see Jesus blessing children, don’t imagine he’s doing something solemn in a religious way — He’s smiling, laughing, hugging, and playing with them! He’s glad to be with them! They’re having fun together! Fun is an important way that Jesus shows us his Father’s love. - The Christmas Gospel shows us how very fun God is. Appreciating the Lord’s fun-natured personality can have a huge positive impact on our life and ministry to others. We expect God to be a judge, holy, all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere present, eternal, and totally loving. That sounds nice, but it seems to diminish the Divine Being. Sometimes we who are Bible teachers or pastors are stuffy and wrong! The truly serious and urgent nature of our work weighs us down. But if we read the Gospels soulfully, we see that Jesus, the eternal God in human flesh, not only fulfills the standard list of divine traits, he is also happy, affectionate, surprising, playful, funny, and fun! The holy Son of God is truly fun — not just as an infant, but all through his life. The essential work of Christ delivering us from sin and death, reconciling us to God, and healing our broken lives and relationships comes with a playful, happy spirit.

God is Fun!

This Christmas … and Always

The essential work of Christ delivering us from sin and death, reconciling us to God, and healing our broken lives and relationships comes with a playful, happy spirit. When you read the Gospels and see Jesus blessing children, don’t imagine he’s doing something solemn in a religious way — He’s smiling, laughing, hugging, and playing with them! He’s glad to be with them! They’re having fun together! Fun is an important way that Jesus shows us his Father’s love.

by Bill Gaultiere

The Christmas Gospel shows us how very fun God is.

Appreciating the Lord’s fun-natured personality can have a huge positive impact on our life and ministry to others.

We expect God to be a judge, holy, all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere present, eternal, and totally loving.

But is God really fun?

That sounds nice, but it seems to diminish the Divine Being.

We’ve read theology books on the attributes of God and fun does not make the list!

Sometimes we who are Bible teachers or pastors are stuffy and wrong! The truly serious and urgent nature of our work weighs us down.

But if we read the Gospels soulfully, we see that Jesus, the eternal God in human flesh, not only fulfills the standard list of divine traits, he is also happy, affectionate, surprising, playful, funny, and fun!

New Life, New Excitement

As new grandparents, Kristi and I have a fresh excitement for Christmas.

Eight-month-old Juliet reminds us that the child Jesus is a special source of bonding and fun for us.

You can hardly know and love a child if you don’t play with them.

They’re all about sharing smiles, cuddles, wet kisses, made up games, funny faces and sounds, friendly teasing and tickling, imaginative stories, and surprise gifts.

When we greet little Juliet we show her that we’re really happy to see her and ready to play and so her face lights up!

We’re bonding with her by entering her world and using her language.

It’s also true in our adult relationships that we feel most loved when someone is happy to see us.

Our best friends are people we enjoy being with.

Our most productive work has a playfulness about it.

Sermons that are enjoyable have way more impact than those that aren’t.

Even in times of grief, we need to share a sense of humor with each other to lighten our load of sadness.

Not Just an Infant

The holy Son of God is truly fun — not just as an infant, but all through his life.

The essential work of Christ delivering us from sin and death, reconciling us to God, and healing our broken lives and relationships comes with a playful, happy spirit.

There are so many stories of the Lord Jesus being fun-natured.

My favorite is when the religious authorities came to collect the temple tax from him.

He tells Peter to go fishing and then he directs a fish to swallow a coin and bite the worm on Peter’s hook! That is so funny! (Matthew 17:24-27)

When you read the Gospels and see Jesus blessing children, don’t imagine he’s doing something solemn in a religious way — He’s smiling, laughing, hugging, and playing with them!

He’s glad to be with them! They’re having fun together! (Mark 10:13-16)

Fun is an important way that Jesus shows us his Father’s love.

It’s part of Jesus’ message that the Omni God is our Abba, our dear Papa. (Mark 14:36, Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6)

(Just writing “Papa” makes me smile because that’s what my little granddaughter calls me!)

If you’re not enjoying God’s fun side, you need to rediscover your “inner child.”

Find a child to play with and read the Gospels in a children’s Bible.

If you still feel stiff and serious, or like God is distant and ecclesiastical, then you need to receive the playful and enthusiastic care of a friend as God’s grace to you.

Pray this prayer: “Holy Spirit, this Christmas show us the fun nature of Jesus and help us to receive this as God being our Abba. Amen.”

As doctors of psychology and spiritual directors, Bill and Kristi Gaultiere have developed a unique model of ministry called Soul Shepherding, that cultivates intimacy with Jesus, emotionally healthy relationships, and fruitful ministry. They minister to pastors, leaders, staff teams, and churches, helping believers to thrive with Jesus in life and leadership. Learn more about Bill and Kristi Gaultiere at SoulShepherding.org.

https://inspiration.org/christian-articles/god-is-fun-this-christmas-and-always/

You might also like:

A King Is Born

Don Moen

CLICK HERE . . . to view complete playlist . . .

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2018/12/a-king-is-born-don-moen-king-is-born.html

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

MORE TO FOLLOW - GRACE UPON GRACE - There is no need in our life, however great or small, that God does not know and which He will not fill if it were necessary for our temporal and eternal happiness.

More to follow . . . grace upon grace . . . .

puricarefiles

At the end of the day, a weary child is cradled comfortably at the lap of his loving father.

The thrills and cares of the day spin off from his mind as he fights his heavy eyelids. He runs his tender fingers at the face of his father, gathers himself together and draws his lips closer to his father’s right ear.

Then he smiles as he whispers almost inaudibly, his hands feeling the sturdy arms and shoulders of his father. The father smiles and nods repeatedly, responding with that usual reassuring voice.

The child’s voice faded into silence as he drifts off to a peaceful sleep.

He had his fill of today’s delights – but he has his cares and desires for tomorrow. His sleep is undisturbed as he had confided everything in his heart to his father. It is enough that his father knows! It is enough that he is in the arms of his father.

It is enough that those strong hands embrace his fragile and weary body. The child believes that his father’s love will find a way to satisfy tomorrow’s needs.

As Father, God is moved by love to provide for all of the necessities of His children.

At times, fatherly love may find it necessary to withhold some physical blessings from His children.

But the hand that withholds is also the hand attached to the heart that loves - and that is all we need to know.

One of the most beautiful Bible passages is that section of the Sermon the Mount where Jesus speaks movingly to His disciples about the tender care of His Father for all His children.

“Take no thought for your life,” He says, “what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body more than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? … Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin. And yet I say unto you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take not thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? …Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

“Your Father!” What a tender, reassuring touch these words give. “Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”

Our heavenly Father does know our every want, desires and needs. He is abundantly able and willing to provide. “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).

There is no need in our life, however great or small, that God does not know and which He will not fill if it were necessary for our temporal and eternal happiness.

“My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

How can I be sure that each succeeding day will find a sufficient measure of His grace and goodness to see me and my loved ones through?

John speaks of the heavenly glory of Jesus: “Of His fullness have all we received – and grace for grace.” Literally, “grace upon grace.”

Christ’s goodness pours in upon us as the waves of the sea. As one wave comes crashing to shore, there is always another wave close behind.

As the next waves comes frothing in, there is another wave closely following, and another … and another.

Christ’s capacity and willingness to provide are like the unending waves of the sea …unlimited, inexhaustible - and eternal.

A well-to-do man died and left instructions to his wife to give a sizable portion of his wealth to a poor pastor who had ministered to the family throughout the years.

The widow thought it would be best to turn the money over to the pastor in regular installments. So she mailed him a check for P5,000.00 as a start. Inside the envelop she placed a slip of paper upon which was written: “MORE TO FOLLOW.”

Every two weeks, without fail, the elderly pastor would receive a check with the identical message: “MORE TO FOLLOW.”

“MORE TO FOLLOW!” That is Christ’s unbreakable pledge to all that believe in Him.

THE BLESSINGS THAT WE RECEIVE TODAY ARE BUT A PLEDGE FOR THOSE THAT WE SHALL RECEIVE TOMORROW;

And those we receive tomorrow will bear the pledge of heaven: “MORE TO FOLLOW.”

”… His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).

¹⁰And in Him you have been made complete [achieving spiritual stature through Christ], and He is the head over all rule and authority [of every angelic and earthly power]. Colossians 2:10 Amplified Bible (AMP) .

You might also like: