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"How great is the love the
Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of
God!..." -1st John 3: 1
A Loving Father
Can you picture a loving father at the
birth of his children? The look of happiness on his face, the pride
in his voice, and the tears of joy in his eyes. Do you realize that
God looks at you in this way, as a loving Father? We are all children
of a loving God (see 1st John 3: 1 above). A father wants
what's best for his children (look at what are Heavenly Father gave
us in John 3: 16). A father wants his children to grow into
maturity, making good decisions, but will also be there for them
when they fail.
I think of my love for my three children. The joy I feel as I see
them grow and mature. The pain I feel for them when they hurt. How
my heart forgives them when they say, 'I'm sorry,' when they know
they have done wrong. How much more is God's love for us? Your Heavenly
Father is proud of you. He feels your pain when you hurt. His heart
forgives when He hears you say, 'Father, forgive me, I'm sorry.'
What a wonderful Father we have!
As a loving Father, God wants what's best for you. He knows the
pain caused by sin. In part 4 of Jabez's prayer (which we have studied
at Maple Grove), Jabez pleads with God to "keep me from
evil" (1st Chronicles 4: 9-10). Jesus taught us to pray,
"And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the
evil one" (Matthew 6: 13) Just as I try to protect my children
from danger, God, our loving Father, wants to keep us from harm's
way. I am so thankful that we have a loving Father who delights
in us, hurts for us, and who forgives us when we fail. Take some
time this week and thank God for being the loving Father He is to
us all. Then take some of His love and share it with someone else.
Amen!
I pray that all is well with you. Please let me know if you have
any prayer concerns or blessings. Have a great week and remember
to smile :), the Lord loves you!
In Christ,
Shan D. Hartsough
"The Spirit himself testifies
with our spirit that we are God's children."
-Romans 8: 16
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