Our Heavenly Father
THEME: OUR HEAVENLY FATHER
MEMORISE: Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2
READ: Matthew 6:9-13
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
MESSAGE:
The prayer outlined in today's Bible text, popularly called "The Lord's Prayer", is of great value to us as believers. Through it, our Lord Jesus Christ introduced God to us as our Heavenly Father (Matthew 6:9). In so doing, He used the known to teach us about the unknown. Everyone is familiar with the relationship that exists between a father and his child. Our Lord used this prayer to open our eyes to the nature of relationship that exists between God and us after we become born again. I came to understand this truth when I gave my life to Christ. I therefore began to call my Heavenly Father "Daddy", because I knew He surpasses all earthly fathers. This same sentiment is present in the writings of John the Beloved. Carefully meditate on what he wrote in 1 John 3:1-2:
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
It is indeed amazing to be called children of God. If you are wondering how a mortal being can become a child of the Immortal and Eternal God, I refer you to John 1:11-12, which says:
“He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
Jesus Christ revealed the secret behind this mystery to Nicodemus in John 3:5-6, where He said:
“…Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
God is Spirit, and once you are born of the Spirit by giving your life to Christ, you become a child of the Spirit and a spiritual being. Having received this endowment, there is an obligation that follows it. 1 John 3:3 tells us what this obligation is:
“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
Purity makes us resemble our Heavenly Father, and it is a compulsory virtue for us to manifest. The good news is that when you are empowered by God to become His child, He also implants His seed into you to enable you live like Him in this wicked world. The Holy Spirit tells us in 1 John 3:9:
“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”
A glorious transformation occurs in us when we become born again! Believe in this transformation and determine to exhibit its character by faith.
ACTION POINT:
Outline the transformation that occurs in a life that is born again and weigh yourself against it. Apply your faith to areas where you are not yet manifesting who you really are.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY:
• The enemy doesn't have any new strategy. It is going to be the same thing year after year.
• But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. - Luke 10:42
• To enter your next level, you must be prepared to sacrifice your Isaac.
• Everyone wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die.
• Overshadow me, with the comfort and peace that no one can take away, in the name of Jesus.
MEMORISE: Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2
READ: Matthew 6:9-13
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
MESSAGE:
The prayer outlined in today's Bible text, popularly called "The Lord's Prayer", is of great value to us as believers. Through it, our Lord Jesus Christ introduced God to us as our Heavenly Father (Matthew 6:9). In so doing, He used the known to teach us about the unknown. Everyone is familiar with the relationship that exists between a father and his child. Our Lord used this prayer to open our eyes to the nature of relationship that exists between God and us after we become born again. I came to understand this truth when I gave my life to Christ. I therefore began to call my Heavenly Father "Daddy", because I knew He surpasses all earthly fathers. This same sentiment is present in the writings of John the Beloved. Carefully meditate on what he wrote in 1 John 3:1-2:
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”
It is indeed amazing to be called children of God. If you are wondering how a mortal being can become a child of the Immortal and Eternal God, I refer you to John 1:11-12, which says:
“He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”
Jesus Christ revealed the secret behind this mystery to Nicodemus in John 3:5-6, where He said:
“…Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
God is Spirit, and once you are born of the Spirit by giving your life to Christ, you become a child of the Spirit and a spiritual being. Having received this endowment, there is an obligation that follows it. 1 John 3:3 tells us what this obligation is:
“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
Purity makes us resemble our Heavenly Father, and it is a compulsory virtue for us to manifest. The good news is that when you are empowered by God to become His child, He also implants His seed into you to enable you live like Him in this wicked world. The Holy Spirit tells us in 1 John 3:9:
“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”
A glorious transformation occurs in us when we become born again! Believe in this transformation and determine to exhibit its character by faith.
ACTION POINT:
Outline the transformation that occurs in a life that is born again and weigh yourself against it. Apply your faith to areas where you are not yet manifesting who you really are.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY:
• The enemy doesn't have any new strategy. It is going to be the same thing year after year.
• But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. - Luke 10:42
• To enter your next level, you must be prepared to sacrifice your Isaac.
• Everyone wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die.
• Overshadow me, with the comfort and peace that no one can take away, in the name of Jesus.
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