Author: Dr Glen

“Abba, Our Father”

Galatians 4:6 “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (KJV)

In Chapt. 6:9-13 in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus gives the disciples instructions on how to pray. When we take a more in depth, and closer look at this prayer, we can also see Jesus describing God as “Abba Father”.

Matthew 6:9-13 “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, forever.” Amen. (KJV)

·         He lives in heaven “which art in heaven”  

·         He is Holy “Hallowed be thy name”

·         He has a kingdom on earth and in heaven “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven”

·         He is a provider “Give us this day our daily bread”

·         He is forgiving “And forgive us our debts”

·         He is a deliverer “but deliver us from evil”

·         He is power and has glory “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory”

Acts 10:35 “But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.”

 He is not a respecter of person, He is a Father to all “Our Abba Father”

Romans 8:15 ^“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.” (NIV)

Dear God we come to you as little children with our arms lifted up to you crying out “Abba Father”. You are the Alpha and the Omega; we give your name the praise, the glory, and the honor that you so much deserve. Thank you for the example you have shown to the world of what a Father should be… Amen

Continuing in His service…Rev

1st Peter 1:15,16 “but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, Vs 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I Am holy” (NKJV)

One of the main attributes of God is His holiness.

One might ask the question “what is holy or holiness”?

The word holy or holiness can be described as that which is sanctified or set apart for divine service. Holy or holiness also describes one of God’s attributes as being righteous; having moral perfection and ethical wholeness.

One might also ask “what does someone have to do to be holy”?

God gives instructions to be “imitators” of Him (be holy, for I am holy). The definition of an “imitator” is; “a person who copies the behavior or actions of another.”

God has told His people in several scriptures to follow “the example” that He has set before them:

1st Peter 1:16 “Be holy, for I am holy”

Leviticus 11:45 “For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Leviticus 19:2 “Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.”

Scripture describes how God sees His people:

1st Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

Abstaining from sin can be the 1st step that can be taken in a believer’s conduct towards being holy. Having a constant watch over our gates will assist with not sinning;

Eye gate…not looking at any or everything that is put before us.

Ear gate...not listening to any or everything that we hear.

Taste gate…not consuming any or everything that is offered.

Touch gate…not touching someone or something inappropriately.

Nose gate...not smelling any or everything that has been put before us.

Roman’s 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”

Father in heaven, give your people the strength that is needed to have and live a life style that represents holiness, in Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in HIs service…Rev

Tug Of War

Romans 7:15- 20 ^“I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. ¹⁶ But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷ So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.

¹⁸ And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature I want to do what is right, but I can’t. ¹⁹ I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. ²⁰ But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.” [New living translation]

A “Tug of War” is a contest in which two teams pull at opposite ends of a rope, with a ribbon in the middle, until one team drags the other team over a central line. 

In a believers walk they can experience a “tug” to do what is right or a “tug” to do something that is wrong. Faith and hope will encourage a person to do what is right, fear and doubt will encourage a person to do something wrong.

Things can be going along real good, and all of a sudden trouble comes along. Or a person will experience trails and difficulties for an extended period of time, and then suddenly a peace comes to comfort.

Nahum 1:7 “The Lord is good, and a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in him.”

Stronghold—a place that has been fortified so as to protect it against an attack.

Trust–having a firm belief in the reliability, ability or strength of someone or something.

Galatians 6:7 tells us that “God is not mocked.” When a person truly puts their trust in God, they can look to God as being a stronghold.

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.“

Trouble represents difficulties or problems, but God is:

• Refuge – shelter
• Strength – strong
• Help – to assist with making things easier

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Peace – remaining calm when trouble, confusion, problems or difficulties are going on all around you.

Tribulation — a cause of great trouble or suffering

Overcome – to succeed or have success in dealing with problems or difficulties 

Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The peace of God guards our hearts and minds when we are experiencing a “Tug of War”.

1^st John 4:4 “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

Jesus is the greater force within a person, so you can depend on Jesus to help you win the “Tug of War”.

“Lord Jesus, thank you for being the greater strength that is within us that helps to win the “Tug of War” and live a victorious life, in Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

Jude 1:24,25 ^“To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy— ²⁵ to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!” 

On many occasions I have heard people make the comment “God can do anything but fail”, and there are numerous scriptures in the bible that refer to God “being able.”

Because we are human beings and are fallible, (meaning being capable of making mistakes or being erroneous) the choices or decisions we sometime make are not always in our best interest.

We may think that we are doing what is best for ourselves, but it doesn’t always turn out for our good or the way that we planned it.

When we first seek God for guidance and direction with a choice that we are making, “He is able” to keep us from stumbling or falling when the choice becomes a final decision.

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path.” (NKJV)

When a person is walking in the dark without a light, they increase the possibility of stumbling or falling. The word of God provides illumination for a person to be able to see clearly where they are going, thus minimizing the possibility of stumbling or falling.

Psalm 119:130 “The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” (NKJV)

God will make things very easy to understand when we trust Him. God is not complicated.

Psalm 119:66 “Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
For I believe Your commandments.” (NKJV)

When we seek God for direction, He will show us how to use good judgement.

Psalm 119:42 “So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word.” (NKJV)

We have to very careful about getting unwanted advice and listening to others. The Bible clearly instructs us to “seek wise counsel” when making choices and decisions. Proverbs 11:14: “Where there is no counsel, the people fall”

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us”

O God, you are truly the God who “is able.” Thank you for your grace, peace and mercy that You show your people. You alone are worthy of all the praise, all the glory, and all the honor...Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev