Fathers'
Day is this coming Sunday, and many people are planning to
honor their dad with something special. Some are planning
special meals. Others are planning fun events with lots of
excitement. Still others are finding the perfect card which
expresses how important he is to them. None the less, most
will make an effort to show their loving regard for their
earthly father. However, how many are planning to honor
their Heavenly Father? Interestingly enough, Jesus ALWAYS
honored His Heavenly Father. As a matter of fact, He even
taught the disciples how to pray in regard to the Heavenly
Father. In Matthew 6:6-13,
He said, "But you, when you pray, go into your
room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father
who is in the secret place; and your Father
who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7
And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the
heathen do. For they think that they will be heard
for their many words. 8 “Therefore
do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you
have need of before you ask Him. 9
In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in Heaven,
hallowed be Your name.10
Your kingdom come, Your will be done
On 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
do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil
one.
For Yours is the Kingdom
and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
What
loving dad doesn't desire alone time with his children? God
Himself desires alone time with us! God the Father wants to
be loved, respected, and acknowledged as our Provider,
Restorer, Deliverer, and permanent dad! He knows us. He
knows our hopes and fears. He wants us to realize that He
understands. His desire is to be our solution to everything!
Strange...but that's how I want my sons to feel in regard to
me, with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit taking
precedent, of course! I want my sons to be blessed by me,
because I have been blessed by my earthly dad, and most
importantly...my Heavenly Father. The Father's heart for us
is blessing! It is fulfillment! It is the BEST! As we
prepare to honor our earthly fathers this Sunday, may we
remember to honor our Heavenly Father FIRST! Some reading
this article do not have a reliable, loving earthly father.
Some may have been neglected, or even abused by their
earthly dads. You may be one who has always struggled with
the thought of relating to your Heavenly Father, because
your relationship with your earthly father is virtually
non-existent. Perhaps you find it difficult to trust your
Heavenly Father. Maybe He seems too distant. Whatever the
case may be, He is as close as the mention of His name! Like
the prodigal son's father, He is waiting for you to run into
His loving arms. He is waiting to restore you to the place
His authority affords. He is ready to elevate you above your
highest expectations. To experience the Heavenly Father's
heart, it takes a humble, contrite heart. Yes, a heart that
acknowledges He is the MOST AWESOME FATHER in the universe!
A heart that is contented to serve in the Father's house
will undoubtedly enjoy the blessings that accompany being a
true son. Willingness to yield to His plans will inevitably
unlock the Father Heart of God. May we never take the
Father's love for granted. May we never waste what He has
given us on riotous living! Our Heavenly Father has a heart
to KEEP US OUT of trouble. His heart is to DELIVER us from
evil. His heart is to show us more love and acceptance than
we could ever hope for! He is not willing that any should
perish, although many will. I pray we will wish Him a happy
Father's Day this Sunday, and EVERYDAY! May we not allow our
earthly dads to set the tone for how we celebrate Father's
Day. Because no matter how great our earthly dads may
be...or not be...God the Father deserves the highest honor
and praise! Honor your earthly dad...but declare with your
LIFE that God is the universal Father of eternity Who will
never be outdone by any earthly dad. As we honor them, may
we honor HIM. Until next time, be blessed with His BEST!
Your
Partner In Ministry,
Greg McCowen
Covenant Life Fellowship - Lubbock
Church - (806) 771-4244
