Good morning...
Happy Fathers' Day to all the men in our lives who are Dads. May you and your families revere these men in your lives and make the day special for them. Today there are only two articles. The second writing is rather long, so I thought it was better to have just two writings.
Hope your Sunday is a good one filled with happy celebrations.
God bless from
Corinne
The Devotional component in the Sunday Writings of Women's Focus Ministries is titled, "Abba, Father" and was written by Jan Andersen. In this writing for Father's Day, she talks about what "Abba" means, and why everyone can use this term of endearment for God. She writes, "While not everyone has a trusting relationship with their earthly father, God encourages us to have faith in him as the perfect Father, one who CAN be trusted"
Happy Fathers' Day to all the men in our lives who are Dads. May you and your families revere these men in your lives and make the day special for them. Today there are only two articles. The second writing is rather long, so I thought it was better to have just two writings.
Hope your Sunday is a good one filled with happy celebrations.
God bless from
Corinne
The Devotional component in the Sunday Writings of Women's Focus Ministries is titled, "Abba, Father" and was written by Jan Andersen. In this writing for Father's Day, she talks about what "Abba" means, and why everyone can use this term of endearment for God. She writes, "While not everyone has a trusting relationship with their earthly father, God encourages us to have faith in him as the perfect Father, one who CAN be trusted"
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This is Father's Day, a day when we typically honor our fathers. For some people that is an easy thing to do. They may have (or had) fathers who love them and help them in whatever ways they can. Others have difficulty with this day of honoring fatherhood, perhaps because they didn't even know their actual fathers, or were abandoned or even abused by them. Still others are hurting from losing their fathers who have died, so this day brings reminders and heartaches. While not everyone has a trusting relationship with their earthly father, God encourages us to trust in him as the perfect Father, one who CAN be trusted. When we are told to honor our fathers, we can honor what fathers should be by being faithful to God and reflecting his glory. God is our adoptive Father who loves us so much he has chosen us to be his beloved children. He is our creator, our protector, our healer, our comforter, our encourager, our sure foundation, our refuge and strength, our provider of salvation... our Abba - daddy! Happy Father's Day, God!
Today's Devotional
"Abba, Father"
written by
Jan Andersen
Abba, not to be confused with a singing group from the '70's and '80's, is one of the names of God found in the Bible. It could be translated as "daddy" or "papa" and indicates a positive, close relationship between the child and dad. It is mentioned three different times from three different perspectives in the New Testament. The first time it is used is in Mark's Gospel, spoken by Jesus as he cries out to God the Father in the garden of Gethsemane to rescue him from being crucified as payment for all of our sins: Mark 14:36 (NIV) "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
The second time Abba is used is in Paul's letter to the Romans, where he says we call God "daddy" by the power of the Spirit: Romans 8:14-15 (NIV) For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."
The third time is in Paul's letter to the Galatians where it is the Spirit himself who calls out, "Abba, Father" from our hearts: Galatians 4:6 (NIV) Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."
This is Father's Day, a day when we typically honor our fathers. For some people that is an easy thing to do. They may have (or had) fathers who love them and help them in whatever ways they can. Others have difficulty with this day of honoring fatherhood, perhaps because they didn't even know their actual fathers, or were abandoned or even abused by them. Still others are hurting from losing their fathers who have died, so this day brings reminders and heartaches. While not everyone has a trusting relationship with their earthly father, God encourages us to trust in him as the perfect Father, one who CAN be trusted. When we are told to honor our fathers, we can honor what fathers should be by being faithful to God and reflecting his glory. God is our adoptive Father who loves us so much he has chosen us to be his beloved children. He is our creator, our protector, our healer, our comforter, our encourager, our sure foundation, our refuge and strength, our provider of salvation... our Abba - daddy! Happy Father's Day, God!
Dear Abba, Father: thank you for loving me so much that you chose to adopt me into your family. May your Spirit help me to be faithful and to trust you in all things. Help me to say, like Jesus did, "Not my will, but yours," when I make my requests known to you. I am grateful for your loving forgiveness when I do things that do not glorify you. May I reflect your love to others so that they, too, may come to know you as "daddy." In the name of your Son, Jesus, Amen.
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How to Live in Harmony With Each Other
~ Romans 12:16a, NLT
A very short scripture verse with a very strong
advice. It could be a tall order for many.
What is harmony? Some other synonyms for
“harmony” include:
·
Agreement…
People who are in agreement share an understanding that helps them
to get along
with each other.
·
Accord…
When you are in accord with others your thoughts and behaviors
show a consensus between you that helps you to get along with them.
show a consensus between you that helps you to get along with them.
·
Concord…
When two people share concord they have a friendship that is peaceful.
·
Synchronization…
This implies that two or more people are working and living in tandem.
·
Congruence.
When people are in congruence they show a similarity of thought and values.
·
Coordination…
Coordinated people are moving in the same direction in their lives and choices.
·
Coherence…
Moving with coherence means that behavior and thought has a
consistency between a person and her associates.
consistency between a person and her associates.
Yes this scripture may seem short, but it is powerful and filled with
concepts that shine light on the God approved way we should live. The world is
sadly lacking in these skills these days. Families are in discord over many
things. Adult children are estranged from their parents and siblings. No
agreement! Neighbors fight with neighbors over landscaping, parking
infringements and noise just to name a few things. No congruence! City
residents argue about the way the mayor and city council administer the city.
No accord! Citizens of our country disagree and dispute the correct style of
government…conservative or liberal. No congruence! Nations fight nations. No
commonality or compassion!
But God has instructed us how to live in many stories and lessons
we read about in the Bible.
And he He has summed it up in the scripture...Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up.
And he He has summed it up in the scripture...Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up.
Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.
~ Romans 12:16a, MSG
In AA there is a prayer that is a wonderful
prayer where God is asked to help keep the one who prays it on the straight
and narrow and to totally give all issues to Him.
“God,
I offer myself to Thee – to build with me and do with me as Thou wilt.
Remove me from the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will.
Take away my difficulties that victory over them may bear witness
to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life.
May I do Thy will always!”
To pray this prayer will put us in the position
to submit to God and to do as He wills. This will be in all things including
seeking harmony in all our relations with our fellow human beings.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for showing the way and teaching me how You want me to live. All I
have to do is strive to obey. Thank you for giving me strength when I am weak
and for loving me when I fall short. I am privileged to be your daughter. Help
me always to surrender to you, to do your will, and to fully rely on You.
Amen.
Written by
Corinne Mustafa
Corinne Mustafa
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Prayers are lifted up daily for
you by the Devotional Writers
and the Monthly Writing Staff
of Women's Focus Ministries.
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