The Father's Heart

The Father’s Love

All mankind find their origin in God the father. He created us (Psalm 139:13-18) and thinks about is more times than can be numbered. Zephaniah 3:17 declares that when God sees us, He rejoices over us, imagine God spinning around and dancing because of His love for you?!

What does the Father’s love look like? His love is unconditional! God is very proud of you, you can do nothing to impress God. He accepts you just the way you are! God loved you even before you loved Him and created you because He loves you. Christ died because He loves you and He has given us free will; He gives us the choice to serve Him because He loves us. The God that created the heavens and earth created you and loves you so very very much (Psalm 19:1). There are over 300 sextillion stars and God knows them by name (Psalm 147:4) and this is the same God that calls you and I to have an intimate relationship with Him.

The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-31)

In this story, the elder son had not embraced his father as father. He viewed his father as a boss. In the kingdom, it is possible to be serving God as if He is a boss rather than a father. We must remember that we are not working for God but working with Him. Each and every one of us has a place in God’s heart and everything the Father has, belongs to us.

The son didn’t have ownership and didn’t know who he was. Because of this he relied on others for his identity. Sometimes we see ourselves as strangers in the house of God. We must keep reminding ourselves that Jesus no longer calls us His servant and slave but a friend (John 15:15). A friend is someone who embraces you and loves you not orders you around. Sadly the elder son didn’t experience the fullness of being a son. People who do not know who they are will always feel like they have to work to please God. An example of this is the story of Martha and Mary; Mary was enjoying fellowship with Jesus whilst Martha was preparing a meal that Jesus never ordered.

The elder brother couldn’t celebrate the joy of his younger brother’s redemption when he finally returned home. Those who do not know who they are find it difficult to celebrate other people’s success. In God’s Kingdom, there are no favourites. The older brother had no sense of family. He was totally disconnected from the father and this is the characteristic of an orphan spirit. He referred to his brother as ‘this son of yours’ (Luke 15:30). He was very self absorbed and insecure. He had small expectations and limited dreams. YOU CAN ONLY DREAM AS BIG AS YOUR IDENTIY WILL ALLOW. Romans 8:32 God said that if He has freely given us His son, shall He not also give us all things? Its only in believing who the father says we are that we will be free to be the best we can be and live out our destiny.

He Is An Awesome Wonder

God knows exactly what we need but instead of begging Him to provide for us, we must rest in His love and change the way we think about Him. Remember you are precious to Him. If God clothes the leaves that are here today and gone tomorrow He will also provide for you so stop worrying! We must trust Him and enter into the realm of the supernatural. Ask and it shall be given, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened onto you- that’s God’s promise. 

Our God is generous- He has given you the most valued gift in the universe, His son. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6.

God is so merciful and faithful, His mercies endureth forever (Psalm 107:1). He will never leave nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). He is loving, kind and faithful (Psalm 117:2); even when you are in the wrong He will continue to stand by you (2 Timothy 2:13). He is abundant in goodness, faithful and full of strength (Psalm 18:1). What He says He will do, He does, He is true to His word and does not change His mind (Number 23:19). He is gracious and slow to anger (Psalm 103:8) He is the same yesterday today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). What lies have I believed about God?

Names of God

Yahweh-self exists-He is who He is, He doesn’t need anybody else to exist

El Shaddai-Almighty God

Adonai-authority

Jehovah Jirah-The Lord will provide

Jehovah Nissi-my banner

Jehovah Rophe-The Lord is my shepherd-all my needs are met!

Jehovah Maccaddeschem-the Lord my sanctifier

Jehovah Shalom-The Lord my peace

Jehovah Tsidkem-The Lord my righteousness

Jehovah Shamma-The Lord is here

Jehovah Sabaoth-The Lord of hosts, commander of the armies of heaven

Emmanuel-God is with me

He is the…

·      All sufficient God

·      Creator and sustainer of the universe

·      Almighty, the most high, the spring deity

·      Holy one, divine one, supreme one, eternal one

·      Omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent

·      He is our God and our heavenly Father

·      The ling of the kingdom, the Lord of all hosts

·      He is the Christ in Christianity and the Theo in theology

·      Alpha and Omega

·      Written and living word

As believers we are like a thermostat, we can determine the spiritual level and influence of a place. The words and language I speak make an influence. We are called to rule and dominate earth. In Genesis 1:26 God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26).

We were given the ruler ship to rule over the earth right from the beginning and as believers we need to take back our rightful inheritance. We must understand who we are in Christ and that the value of our worth is demonstrated through His death.  We are alive yet dead- we no longer live but Christ lives within us (Galatians 2:20). We deserve the best. We must look at ourselves the way God looks at us and believe that whatever we ask the Father in Jesus’ name will be given to us (John 15:7).

Your Identity In Christ

I am salt of the world-Matthew 5:13

I am the light of the world-Matthew 5:14

I am child of God –John 1:12

I am part of the vine, a channel of Christ’ life-John 15:1 & 5

I am Christ’s friend-John 15:5

I am chosen and anointed by Christ to bear his fruit-John 15:16

I am a slave of righteousness- Romans 6:18

I am a child of God; God is my spiritually father- Galatians 3:26, Galatians 4:6

I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with him-Romans 8:17

I am a temple, a dwelling place of God- 1 Corinthians 3:16

His spirit and His life dwells in me-1 Corinthians 6:19

I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with him-1 Corinthians 6:17

I am a member of Christ’s body-1 Corinthians 12:27, Ephesians 5:13

I am a new creation-2 Corinthians 5:17

I am reconciled to God an am a minister of reconciliation-2 Corinthians 5:18-19

I am a child of God and one in Christ-Galatians 3:26

I am righteous and holy-Ephesians 4:24

I am a citizen of heaven, seated in the heaven right now-Philippians 3:20

I am hidden with Christ in God-Colossians 3:3

I am an expression of the life of Christ because he is my life-Colossians 3:14

I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved-Colossians 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 1:4

I am a child of light and not of darkness-1 Thessalonians 5:5

I am a holy partaker of a heavenly calling-Hebrews 3:14

I am one of God’s living stones being built up in Christ as a spiritual house-1 Peter 2:5

I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of God’s own possession-1 peter 2:9-10