God THE FATHER..

 God THE FATHER..

Not everyone can relate to having grown up with a father, nor even having a father who acted like one.  Unfortunately that's the truth for most.  But the fact that some people have never experienced snow doesn't mean that snow doesn't exist.  Thank God that HE didn't leave one of the most influential human roles to chance.  HE himself decided to be our perfect example to compare all others to.  So if we ever are curious about what fatherhood entails we just have to look to how God has demonstrated HIS attributes to us.  Here are a few of those:

1. Source - a father is a source.  He provides the seed for an embryo to be developed.

2. Provider - he works so that his family's needs are met economically.

3. Protector -  his wife and children depend on him for security from danger.

4. Patriarch - he leaves a legacy for his children and other generations that follow.

5. Positive - he is driven by finding solutions to familial problems.

6. Support - even when he disagrees with your actions, he will always support your positive growth and development.

7.Resourceful - he always has ideas and solutions to problems that you could never imagine.  

8. Safe - you can always rest in his presence.

Genesis 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  Man was the last thing God created.  2 Peter 1 HE made sure that everything that we would need for life and godliness were prepared for us in advance of our arrival.  John 1 All things that were made were made by HIM, and without HIM wasn't anything made that was made.

Psalm 23 Because God is our Creator, HE knows exactly what we need for sustenance and development.  HE has created each of us with a unique purpose and destiny; and equipped us with all that we will need to accomplish both. Jeremiah 1  HIS plans for each of us is to give us a hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29

Life comes with many challenges.  Each season has its own list of obstacles and ditches of all sorts. Sometimes it's like a complete maize, and we need the guidance of an expert to help us navigate the best path.  God is consistent in HIS protection of HIS people.  2 Samuel 22  Sometimes our enemies are disguised as our friends and we need help to know the difference between the two.  Sometimes God has to rescue us from ourselves. Proverbs 14  Ever since Adam and Eve sinned God promised mankind that HE would send a Saviour Genesis 3.  From Abraham all the way to Malachi God has been faithful to HIS promises to HIS people. Deuteronomy 28.  HE has led them through history to a point when they could be reconciled to HIS original plan of peace, joy, love and unity with HIM.  Isaiah 53

Inspite of their continual disobedience and worship of foreign gods, etc... God's attitude has been one of forgiveness and blessings. 2 Chronicles 7  Abram was human just like us, and got it wrong a couple of times.  God remained on his side and goaded him to do the right thing of eventually trusting HIS Word. Genesis 12 God was patient with HIM up until the very end.  When he lied about his wife, obeyed his wife and slept with his helper etc...  But in the end we saw growth and transformation when he was willing to sacrifice Isaac.  He trusted God to provide a sacrifice instead of his son. Genesis 22 God's ulterior motive is reconciliation to a people who trust in HIS Word. HE is always faithful.

Everything that we have and have access to come from God.  Job 38 God doesn't consult us when HE'S making HIS laws or precepts, or whatever. Psalm 135  HIS ways and thoughts are far much higher than ours. Isaiah 55  Eyes have not seen nor ears heard, nor has it entered into the hearts of man what God has prepared for those that love HIM. 1 Corinthians 2 HIS love for us is everlasting.  HE is eternal and HE exists outside of space and time.  God created time. What HE has said to one man applies to all of mankind.  Our carnal mind cannot comprehend nor interpret HIS ways except by the help of the Holy Spirit which Jesus introduced to us. John 15 

Now God demonstrates HIS love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  

Romans 5 We can rest assured that God cares about everything about us.  When we are weak, HE is strong. Psalm 46 There is absolutely nothing that can separate us from HIS love except our rejection of HIM. Romans 8 Even then, as our creator HE understands our frailty.  HE makes provision for us and leads us to repentance via the tutorship of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is our spiritual teachers who helps us to embrace and appreciate the loving nature of a God who needs nothing, yet gives us everything, even HIS only son.  HE trust us with HIS most prized possession, the Messiah - Jesus Christ. John 3 We are the apple of HIS eyes.  And when we are able to confide in and surrender to HIM like David did, then we will truly experience the love of a father, Our Father the Almighty God. Psalm 17

TESTIMONY: What do Reagan, Billy Graham, and this Jew have in common?

WORSHIP: Our Father (LIVE) - Bethel Music & Jenn Johnson | For the Sake of the World

Find rest in HIM!

The Kingdom of God(pt.3)....The Gospel for who?

The Kingdom(pt.3)The Gospel for who?

If the gospel is necessary, that implies that whatever was it's substitute was not suffice to accomplish the purposes for which it was intended.  The gospel is good news.  The Gospel is good news from God to HIS people.  This begs the question, what was the bad news?  What were God's people believing that wasn't true?  What was wrong?

What was God's intent towards HIS people?

Genesis 1 - 3

When God created mankind HE gave them dominion over the earth and access to a personal relationship with HIM.  Adam and Eve knew what God looked like, what HE sounded like and had access to eternity.  But when they disobeyed God's command HE banished them from access to HIS presence.  God had so many good plans for man's dominion of HIS Kingdom on earth.  HE wanted man to replicate HIS order and power in the earth all along.  But in order for this to be sustained man would have to remain in constant communication with heaven; to get directives and resources for continued success. 

What happened?

After Adam disobeyed God and was banished from God's presence, sin grew to dominate the earth, so much so that God decided to destroy the entire earth. Genesis 7 God told Noah to build an ark for himself, his family and the animals because all the other people displeased HIM.  HE reiterates HIS plan and purpose for mankind on earth to Noah. Something about the human nature why we keep reverting to sin; because even after the flood, Noah's offspring decided to build the tower of Babel.  Men did what they thought without asking God's opinion, nor paying attention to HIS decrees. Constantly men are drawn to pagan worship instead of acknowledging God as the only supreme God worth worshiping.  God is merciful.  Inspite of our shortfall, HE remains faithful to HIS word. HE promised Noah HE would never destroy the earth again completely.  Genesis 8: 20-22 So from time to time HE pulls the obedient people away from the disobedient ones to start over again. 
Constantly HE reiterates HIS plan and purpose for mankind on earth.

Genesis 9: 1-6

9 God said to Noah and his sons:

I am giving you my blessing. Have a lot of children and grandchildren, so people will live everywhere on this earth. 2 All animals, birds, reptiles, and fish will be afraid of you. I have placed them under your control, 3 and I have given them to you for food. From now on, you may eat them, as well as the green plants that you have always eaten. 4 But life is in the blood, and you must not eat any meat that still has blood in it. 5-6 I created humans to be like me, and I will punish any animal or person that takes a human life. If an animal kills someone, that animal must die. And if a person takes the life of another, that person must be put to death.

Not long after Noah, HE pulls Abraham.

Genesis 12: 1-3

12 The Lord said to Abram:Leave your country, your family, and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will bless you and make your descendants into a great nation. You will become famous and be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless anyone who blesses you, but I will put a curse on anyone who puts a curse on you. Everyone on earth will be blessed because of you.

Genesis 17 God's one condition to Abraham was that he should remain obedient to God.  Nevertheless, God promises to be their God no matter what.  Over and over throughout the different generations God keeps pulling away HIS righteous people to start over on a new slate.  So it was with Moses and the Israelites. Finally, God promised to send someone, a part of himself to fix the problem.

Isaiah 9: 6-8

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.

Jesus changed the  Jewish paradigm

Jesus brought the government of heaven to earth to  help us to finally get it right.  Now we can do things the right way with all the right resources in abundance.  The great news is that 'of the increase of HIS government there will be no end, meaning: once HE brought it, we have all we need and this government will never be overthrown. God fulfilled HIS promise to the Jews by sending HIS son Jesus Christ as the solution of reconciling mankind back to a right relationship with HIM as well as to a rightful position as rulers in the Kingdom of heaven on earth. 2 Corinthians 5: 11-21

Initially, the Jews did not accept Jesus as the Messiah.  They didn't believe HE was from God nor even God himself.  As a result, Jesus invited other 'non-jews', i.e. gentiles, to benefit from HIS actions. St. John 1  Jesus brought truth and grace for all peoples.  Reconciliation to the Father and HIS Kingdom is for anyone who will accept by faith what God promised.  This is the parable of the King who had a great feast with specially invited guests.  But when he sent his servants to get the invitees they were pre-occupied and refused to attend.  So he told the servants to go back out and invite the 'forbidden'.  The Jews and the Gentiles did not mix. Gentiles were considered forbidden and unclean. Luke 14 The gospel is for anyone who will believe Jesus and obey HIS commands of reconciliation to God.  There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit.  God gave Peter this confirmation in a dream about no longer calling different animals unclean.  Acts 10 This is the good news for the gentiles.  The centurion though gentile was now entitled to partake of God's promises according to his faith. Today, our only pre-condition to God is faith in Jesus.

TESTIMONY: Son of Imam starts preaching the Gospel on the streets of GAZA!! - Pod for Israel - Arabic Ministry

WORSHIP: JJ Hairston & Mercy Chinwo : EXCESS LOVE REMIX (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

No one is excluded!