Sunday Writing... 6-21-20... "FATHER FEAR"

Good morning readers!

Today is Father's Day and the writing is about "FATHER FEAR."  There are many different relationships with fathers, some healthy and some not.  Fearing a father can take many different forms as well.  Find out below why we should and should not fear God the Father.   May your day be blessed as you think on these things.

Blessings,
Jan

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Today's Devotional:

"FATHER FEAR"

by
Jan Andersen

Today is Father’s Day, a day set aside to honor fathers and paternal relationships, whether that be a biological father or some other father-figure in our lives.  Contemporary qualities of what people consider a “good dad” include one who is dependable and involved with the family, showing compassion and empathy for the children, and showing value and respect to their mother.  Traditionally they are also thought of as providers and protectors, as well as rule-makers and disciplinarians.  How many of us have ever heard or said, “Wait til your father gets home” as a threat?  That phrase illustrates how we can have some fear of one who is also loving and loved.  Then there are those who have fathers who are not loved or loving, who are abusive or absent emotionally or physically, and so forth.  Father fear takes on a whole lot of different meanings for different people. 

There is one type of father fear we all can share the same.  We are blessed to have a perfect all-loving Father-God.  We also speak of having a healthy fear of God.  That type of fear has some similarities with fearing a father who can discipline us.  In fact, we as sinners deserve nothing but death and being thrown into hell by God.  That can certainly strike fear in our hearts!  But thankfully we know that He is also a loving and forgiving Father, who sent his Son to die for us in our place.  Wrapped up in our Father fear of God is a tremendous amount of awe and wonder in what He does for us.  He cares for all the sparrows of the fields, and even knows how many hairs are on our heads (for some of us that’s more than others!)  He knows our hearts as well and loves us so much, Jesus says we are worth far more to Him than even those sparrows: 

Luke 12: 4-7   [Jesus said]: “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” 

Our “Father fear” of God is more about awe, respect and reverence than being afraid.  He is all-knowing and all-powerful, yet He forgives everything we have ever done or said that was not pleasing to Him, no matter how big or small we think those things are.  He even forgives us of the wrong things we don’t realize we’ve done.  He wants us by grace through faith to spend eternity with Him in heaven.  We don’t need to worry about or fear anything with a Father this wonderful watching over us every day!

Dear Father-God, we come to you today with humble hearts, not with trembling fear but with awe-filled Father fear, to thank you for your loving and merciful forgiveness.  Help us to share Your wondrous love with those we meet every day.  Happy Father’s Day God!  You are the most wonderful Father of all.  In Jesus’ name,  Amen.         

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Song:

SPARROWS

Jason Gray

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How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.

Psalm 31:19

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As a father is kind to his children,

So the Lord is kind to those who honor him.

Psalm 103:13

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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.

Blog Writers

 Sandy Billingham, Carol Steficek,   

Jody Ward,  Cathy Friberg, 

Jan Andersen and  Corinne Mustafa

Occasional Contributors
Kathy Bireley,  Terri Baker

Lynda Kinnard, Beverley Napier, 

 Amie Spruiell, Linda Garrett, and Lisabeth Lipp