The Character of Abba Father’s Heart – Waiting for His faithfulness

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The other day Patty and I were at a Christian worship concert. It was a beautiful venue with powerful worship. Towards evening Patty was getting hungry for nachos and apparently everyone else was as well. I finally inched toward the window and guess what? Two young girls were trying to cut the line and move in front of me. With Christian music playing in the background I blocked them out feeling justice must prevail. As I waited for my order to arrive I felt the nudge of the Spirit convict me of my impatience and my own struggle with waiting. Truth is deep down I struggle with waiting, be it in a long line for nachos, sitting in traffic, or on the promises of God. I have grown up in a culture that loves quick results and instant gratification.

Yet as I continue to ponder Romans 4-5:1-11 and the life of Abraham it is overwhelmingly clear that waiting is at the heart of a trust relationship with the Father. Abraham was 75 years old when God made His big promise to him about being the father of a “great nation” (Genesis 12:1-3). It was a 25 year long wait before Isaac, the promised son was born, talk about a long wait! The same story is repeated again and again in Scripture; the Father makes a promise and then the waiting begins. But why? What is His reasoning for making His children wait? Again in Romans God displays two important reasons for the wait. I will share one this week and have you wait until next week for the other reason.

Reason 1: “…..we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope..…”          (Romans 5:3-4). The Father uses the struggle of waiting to build into our character a passionate hope in Him alone. The wilderness of waiting strips us of self and creates a total dependency on the Father and His faithfulness. This is the place the Father desires His children to live from, a place where He is our only hope for this life and the next.

I wish I could say I’ve mastered this “waiting thing” but I haven’t He continues to shape His character within me. But as I learn to wait in line for His promises I also learn to cry out for the Spirit of the one who waited perfectly in His suffering. Jesus, the True Son, not only shows me how to wait on the Father, but has cleared the way through the cross, resurrection, and His present reign to wait with me. As I wait all I need to do is keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. He is my hope and He gives me hope! The Father sealed me with His precious blood; He has sealed you with His precious blood. AND this is a guarantee that every promise will be fulfilled in His perfect time.

Are you struggling today as you wait in a seemingly endless line for His promises? Gaze with me at the One who stands right next to us; keep your eyes glued to His beautiful face and trust that He will lead you into the presence and the promises of a loving Father. Join me in meditating on Hebrews 6:13-19 this week.

The Character of Abba Father’s Heart – Faith & Faithfulness

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As I write this blog I am already counting the days until my family departs for Grand Lake Colorado. Grand Lake is one of my favorite spots in all of Colorado. I am looking forward to spending time in God’s creation before all the activities in the fall begin. Whenever I picture what heaven will look like I imagine a cottage on the shore of this glacier formed lake.

You may be asking, “What does this have to do with the faithfulness of the Father?” Grand Lake is a tangible way to illustrate the importance of faith as it relates to the faithfulness of our Father God in both our past, present, and future situations.

Remember His Past Faithfulness: Even hearing the words Grand Lake brings back a flood of wonderful memories of past childhood days-boating, fishing, hiking, and simply enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. And, Grand Lake also makes me think of the countless ways in the past He has been faithful to my family!

As I have shared in a previous blog Romans 4-5:1-11 has been apart of my daily reading for the last month. Daily I read these words in Ch. 5:8 that remind me of His past faithfulness it states “God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” I praise God that He opened my eyes to my sin and revealed a perfect Savior in His Son Jesus. This amazing grace has been so evident in His past faithfulness and carries me forward into His loving arms in the present moment and the future.

Anticipating His Future Faithfulness: As I look forward to spending time at Grand Lake with my family, just the anticipation brings great joy. So too I look ahead with faith and joy to my Father fulfilling all His promises given for the future. Abraham is a great example of this because he believed God’s future promises even when it was deemed impossible (Romans 4:18-23). Yet, in faith he counted on God to keep His promise. Abraham knew that God was faithful in the past and would be faithful in his future. This gave him great joy for the present and great hope as he looked ahead to the future. Abraham claimed God’s promises in faith that he would have a son, and be the father of many nations.

What a blessing to be able to look back at God’s faithfulness and look forward with great joy to what my Father has in store for the future. Here is a powerful biblical promise that I have been holding on to as I look forward to what my Father has for me in the future: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and will help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand…”Isaiah 41:10. 

Claim these future promises with me today: Your Father “will strengthen you and will help you,” and His powerful “right hand” will never let you go no matter what you are going through! Oh and next time you are in Colorado make sure to check out Grand Lake.

The Character of Abba Father’s Heart – Faithful

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“Great is thy faithfulness oh God my Father…”

As a young boy I remember my Grandpa belting out these words from the well-known hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” This was one of my Grandfather’s favorite hymns and I must say it expressed so well his view of God the Father. My grandpa lived through so many peaks and valleys throughout his life, but there was one constant and that was a faithful God who stayed true to His promises no matter what.

I too have always loved this hymn, and the longer I journey through life the more I cherish the deeper meaning of this verse“…there is no shadow of turning with Thee; though changest not, Thy compassions they fail not; as Thou has been, Thou forever will be.” The author of this song was obviously inspired by the truths of Lamentations 3:22-23:

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,  for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” 

This past year our family launched Oceans Ministries, truly a step of faith, yet we can testify to the Father’s “great love” and His “compassion” that shows up in GREAT FAITHFULNESS! Even in times of fear or when our faith is small and shaky He shows up and shows off as a Father whom never stops loving. I wish I could share my journal entries with you from this past year, truly page after page testifies to a Father who provides in miraculous ways.

Whenever my faith starts to waver I read through my journal and find a Father who continues to give daily bread, who opens up ministry opportunities beyond understanding, and who has placed wonderful supportive people in our lives that show us Abba’s heart in a multitude of ways.

Those of you who know me, know I can’t sing, but our Good Father has given me every reason to belt out the words “Great is thy faithfulness oh God my Father…”

Spend some time today looking back at your past and identify times where His faithful hand has shown up and showed off in amazing, loving ways.  Then how about joining me in singing this famous hymn and declaring the great faithfulness of your Father God!

The Character of Abba Father’s Heart – Choosing Joy

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Have you ever had one of those weeks where it is a challenge to find joy? Ironically, blogging on this theme of joy for the last few weeks has put my joy to the test. Lately several of our good friends have been walking through a dark valley, experiencing marriage difficulties or a spiritual oppression that is hard to explain.

Last week one of the tipping points challenging my joy was a routine visit to the dentist. Typically, I walk in and out of the office with a great check up. Not this time, you know something’s up when the dentist brings the business manger in while you are still in the dental chair to explain payment plans. As I brought home the news about the discouraging dental report, the rest of the family also began sharing some of the storms they had been facing and to state the obvious we were all struggling with joy.

A good night of sleep did not bring relief and I awoke with a pit in my joyless soul. It seemed as if the pain of others and uncertainty of the future were all hitting me at once. As the sun broke through in the early hours of the morning I picked up my Bible and turned to Romans 4:1- 5:1-5. For the last month I have been reading this passage every morning in order to gleam what true faith and trust looks like from the Apostle Paul as he sees the life of father Abraham. This particular morning it was if the Holy Spirit took a highlighter to these words:

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us,” (5:3-5).

As I paused and digested the promises in this passage I found Patty and we spent some time praying about the Father’s promises. We proclaimed our trust in Him over darkness and spiritual battles in the heavenly realms that seemed to be a dark cloud over our family and others. That night during dinner the conversation led to how we all sensed a break through that day it was as if a heavy burden was lifted. About an hour later while I was working downstairs I heard my girls yelling with joy for me to come outside. As I ran upstairs and made it to the back yard I experienced an incredible rainbow. Oh the “joy unspeakable and full of glory” seeing a first hand picture of the faithfulness of God our Father!

Yes, I was reminded that joy has very little to do with circumstances, rather it is trusting the Father enough to rejoice when the dark clouds cover the soul and joy is hard to find. My dear friends keep choosing joy by trusting your Father no matter what your day may bring, He is faithful to His children!

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The Character of Abba Father’s Heart – Abba’s Joy

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How does your Abba Father feel about you? Last week Patty and I had the privilege of meeting a young lady named Emily. Emily is the daughter of a good friend of mine who tragically died in a motorcycle accident when Emily was four. Emily has very few memories of her father Ron and so she wanted to find out all that she could.

What a blessing it was to share stories about her father and the great friend he was in middle school and high school. In fact Ron was actually the one who asked Patty on our first date skiing, since I was too shy to ask her myself. It was a wonderful time-sharing story after story as she continued to probe about the heart of her father.

At the end of our time together I shared with Emily that her father would have been so proud at the godly woman she had become and how much she reflects him. We all had tears as we ended our time together, and quite honestly I have had a difficult time getting that meeting out of my mind.

As I thought about Emily’s desire to know what her earthly father was like it prompted me to think about the desire so many of us have to know the heart of our Heavenly Father. Deep within every created soul is a longing to know the Father in heaven. I believe ultimately everyone is searching to find Him and know Him because he created us to be with Him. As Augustine said, “our hearts have no rest until we find our rest in thee.”

Zephaniah the Prophet shared a vision with Israel about a day when those who trusted in God as their Father would “sing” and “shout aloud,” because: “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you he will quiet you with his love he will rejoices over you with singing” (Zeph. 3:17).

Zephaniah longed for the day when the Father would send His only Son Jesus to tell and show the world what He looks like. That heavenly Father is one who rescues orphan children like you and me, brings us back home into His arms of love, and “rejoices over you with singing.” I love the Hebrew word for “rejoice”, it means to spin around violently with great joy. You make your Father dance! I know Emily’s dad Ron would want to tell her how proud he is of her and how she brings him great joy. AND, I can share with Emily and with each of you who trust in your Abba Father, that He is crazy about you. So much so that He dances and sings over you with great joy. You are “Abba’s Joy!” and He is never going to let you go.

Our Father has left us His great Word to show us and tell us just how He feels about His children. Take some time this week and listen to some stories about your Father from His love letter to you. Spend time letting Zephaniah 3:17 capture your soul and remind you that YOU are “Abba’s Joy!”