Father's Love Letter

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God

 

Father's Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications
© 1999-2011 www.FathersLoveLetter.com

It's Your Choice

Obey: to comply with or follow the commands, restrictions, wishes, or instructions of. (dictionary.com)

Yes, the word a lot of us probably cringe at when we hear it! OBEDIENCE. It probably makes most of us feel like a pet, or some type of animal that should be in the zoo behind a cage. But... not quite. It's actually not that bad, depending on who your obedience is entrusted to. 

Let's start at the Genesis... Genesis 2: 15-17  ¹⁵ The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. ¹⁶ But the LORD God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— ¹⁷ except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” 

Now, I think we all know what happens after this, but just in case, here's what happens... Genesis 3:1  ¹ The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the LORD God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” Genesis 3:4-5  ⁴ “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. ⁵ “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” ⁶ The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. ⁷ At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. 

 

God made a command, that Adam and Eve were to obey. Though some would say that Eve didn't directly receive the command from God, she still had the conviction that she should not eat from the tree of knowledge. Immediately after disobeying the command of the Lord, guilt, shame and condemnation came upon Adam and Eve.  They felt the need to hide themselves as they discovered they were naked. They also tried to hide themselves from the presence of the LORD, who by the way is omnipresent -- meaning He is everywhere, all the time, so hiding from Him is... not very likely.

Thing is, we all know the right thing to do because it is written on our hearts. But we also have a choice to be obedient, or disobedient. We can choose life, or death. Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Obedience provides us with protection, less heart break, more direction and tons of understanding. Disobedience is your own way so you're pretty much on your own, making decisions in which there's no way to know the end until you get there. Please understand that God is not some angry tyrant who tells us not to do things so we can live dull and boring lives. NO! He instructs us with His wisdom, since He is omniscient -- meaning all-knowing. He advises/instructs us not to have sex outside of marriage because He KNOWS the consequences of that (emotional distress, disease, unexpected pregnancy etc). He instructs us not to get drunk because, He also knows the effects of that (Proverbs 23:29-35). I hope you understand where I'm going with this. Think about it like this, like a loving parent instructs their toddler away from danger, God does the same for us. Like the loving Father He is, He has given us guidelines/restrictions to ensure that we live healthy lives. He loves us too much! And because He loves us so much, He has also given us freedom to choose, please, choose life. PLEASE!

When Adam and Eve disobeyed the command of God, they were deceived by Satan. Satan started off by first contradicting and questioning God, and  consequently, Eve began to entertain his advances. Do not allow the enemy, who is cunning and conniving to have a field day in your mind! Lord knows I'm guilty of allowing him to do that. But that's really no excuse, because we can't blame everything on the enemy. Besides, that wouldn't stand in the court of law right? Just because I let someone -- through manipulative influence -- deceive me into thinking murdering someone is okay, once I commit that murder, I would still be guilty and would still be due justice. Now isn't that right? Listen friends, you have a choice, to either believe lies or the truth. To be deceived, or to be enlightened.

I believe God is calling us/has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light that you may proclaim the praises of Him! 1 Peter 2:9 The day you hear His voice, harden not your heart Psalm 95:7-8. Please, I BESEECH you, obey the voice of the Lord. I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, and His commands are NOT burdensome...

♥ Kamaria

True Gifts Are Absolutely Free!

Romans 4:4-5 "Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,..."

Christ's righteousness WAS and IS a gift. We don't get paid for "good works." Being a Christian is not a "job," but I think a lot of us treat our salvation as such. Jesus paid it ALL, therefore, anything we do cannot compare, add up, nor amount to what Jesus did on the cross, or what He did while He walked this earth in perfect love. If anything, we need to be paying Him... with our LIFE!

Being a good person has nothing to do with being a child of God. There are atheists that are "good people" who may feed the poor, donate to charities, and help an injured stranger on the side of the road. What makes a believer of Christ so different?
It is the inward change which becomes an outward display of HIS glory and affection for all mankind! It's not forced nor is it our own ideal that if we do good, then we may be accepted by man, and pay off any debt we owe to God.

Romans 9:30-33 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; ³¹but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. ³²Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, ³³as it is written,
 "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense;
  and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."

My dear friends =D we do not have to perform works to make ourselves right with God. Christ has already done a perfect finished work! And He expects nothing from you but your heart... your life. And He protects and nourishes your heart and life because it is apart of His heart and life! Please, rest in the salvation of Christ, and He will do all the "work" through and for you! And it will be a work that you'll enjoy and that pleases Him!


♥ Kamaria

Just Got Saved 101

John 8:31-32 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, ³²and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

People talk about how they want to stop living in sin. Sadly, they don't put forth any real effort aside form their own self will of trying not to do wrong. Jesus said himself, "if you abide in my word, you'll know the truth and the truth will set you free. 

The chapter goes on to talk about how anyone who sins is a slave to it. But if the Son (the Word (John 1:1)) sets you free, truly you are free indeed.


By abiding in His word, we renew our mind, by that regeneration we are set free from slaves of sin, to slaves of RIGHTEOUSNESS! 
  
♥ Mari

Anyone Thirsty?

Setting: Sychar located in Samaria

Plot: Eternal Salvation

Star Players: Jesus, The woman at the well.

A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) ⁹The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" ( For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) ¹⁰Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." ¹¹The woman said to him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do You get that living water? ¹² Are You greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock." ¹³Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." ¹⁵The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water."¹⁶Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." ¹⁷The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; ¹⁸for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true." ¹⁹The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. ²⁰ Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship." ²¹Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. ²² You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. ²³But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. ²⁴God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." ²⁵The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things." ²⁶Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He." John 4:7-26 ESV

There are 3 things that count against the Samaritan woman:

1) She was a woman

2) She was Samaritan and NOT a "pure" Jew (Jews often avoided going throughSamaria)

3) She was immoral

How beautiful is it that our God is so humble! Jesus humbled Himself. Despite Him being a Jew and her a Samaritan, Jesus showed no bias. Instead, He gave this woman life, and truth. In an one on one setting, He related to her, called her out exposing her sin and showed her how important it is to have a personal, intimate, one on one relationship with God [Himself].

We can drink of the living water and never thirst again because the living water never dries up. Because of what Jesus has done, we can always commune with God. We can always sit by His still waters and drink of Him. We should be like trees, planted next to rivers of water [God], that produces [GOOD] fruit in its season Psalm 1:3 

God's love refreshes, restores and fills us up with our cups overflowing IF we let Him pour into us.

True worshipers can commune with God anywhere. True worshipers drink of His living water. We worship God through Jesus! There are no limitations on where we can worship! We can worship God in school, at work, on the sidewalk, wherever! Worship comes from the heart, and the truth is Jesus and His word! We worship in our actions, by our words, and through our lifestyle. The important question is, how and whom do you worship?

Jesus dealt with this woman personally. How is He dealing with you today? What has Jesus spoken into your heart? What has the Holy Spirit convicted you of?

Everyday, our hearts are thirsty for Him. Sit by the rivers of water today, drink of God, allow Him to water the ground of your heart. Let us, let God fill us up.

*Interesting fact: when Jesus said salvation is from the Jews in verse 22, He was hinting that the Messiah would come from the Jewish people, Himself!

♥Mari

Well done or Well... you're done

Just wanted to share this, courtesty of my brother Phil...

“God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clear...ly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other's bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen” Romans 1:18-25 NLT

Brothers and sisters, the fact of the matter is God is real and we were created to worship Him and Him alone. My prayer is that none of us get too wrapped up in things of this world. This isn't some religious thing man has mandated to us but the fact that we ALL have been saved by grace and a life lived with faith in Christ is the only salvation for our souls.

Now you may be saying you already know this but I just want to reiterate that we are in the LAST DAYS. Though we have been saved by grace this does not give us a license to sin. The more we continue to “play around” with things we KNOW does not glorify God….God forbid we are cut off from his free grace. I’m not trying to scare anybody or talk down or sound condescending, at any rate, I just want to implore us people who say we are Christians that Jesus Christ is coming back quickly for a holy and righteous people….not those who are lukewarm. I must say this because it matters enormously if I alienate anyone from the truth. Knowledge and understanding of these things without application is very dangerous. I’ve been going through my own trials and thank God I’m forgiven. None of us are perfect so let’s come running to the King of Kings who is faithful and just to make us as perfect as He is. Please, I beg of you in the name of the Lord, because I love you all and would like to see you in heaven. Don’t waste your life away on things that don’t matter. Repent from cussing, lying, fornication, wild parties, etc. Do you want to hear “Well done!” or do you want to be well done?…..


To those who may not believe I promise you that a relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important relationship you can ever have. Don’t let anybody tell you different. Life in Christ is better than you could ever imagine. I plead with you to not look to things of this world to gratify you. Christ is the ultimate satisfaction. Trust me.
I pray we all set our minds on things above.

 

-Phillip Shobo

Can't Box Him In

The Holy Spirit spoke to my heart one day and said, "STOP TRYING TO PUT GOD IN A BOX!"

I paused for a second and said, "wow, You're right." I began meditating on that and realized how much I WASN'T expecting because I was feeling like it was "too big" for God to handle. But, whenever I think something silly like that, I always go back to... "Wow, God of all the universe, the Maker of the Heavens and earth, the ULTIMATE Judge... can't handle my situation???? Really?" -___-

But ALL GLORY to GOD!!! 2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. Then again, Luke 1:37 For with God nothing will be impossible. And again, Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Mark 9:23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

This is what God has been speaking into my life, "Just have faith and trust Me." Simple as that. But to some, and even to myself sometimes, it doesn't seem "that simple." But didn't Jesus say Himself, "if you have faith the size of a mustard seed..." [Luke 17] Jesus said this after His disciples asked Him to INCREASE their faith.

I pray that God will continue to build us up in faith, may we not focus on the temporal or the things of this world, but place our thoughts on the things above. May God's thoughts toward us become our thoughts. May God's ways become our ways. May what He desires for us become so deeply rooted in our hearts that we will live that reality!


LORD, INCREASE OUR FAITH!!

♥ Mari