Identity - Knowing God 10

To become more aware of who God our Father really is, here are some suggestions:

First, write a short description of how you picture your earthly father from the eyes of a child. Was he gone much of the time? Your writing might describe him as absent or almost nonexistent. Was he cruel, hot-tempered, or did he verbally assassinate you?

No father is perfect. Don’t deny his weaknesses. Face them, not to blame him but to contrast his picture with what you may have of God. Write your view of your earthly father from the eyes of childhood.

Next, write your view of God. How do you picture Him? After you have completed this, compare the two fathers. Most people find there is a close relationship or correlation between how they see their earthy father and heavenly Father. Because no father is perfect, there is usually a flawed view of God. This view of God must be changed in our quest for building the security dimension of positive self estteem.

Changing our view of God involves two corrective measures. First we make sure we have completed the forgiveness process toward our earthy father, freeing us from any negative bonds with him.

Second we must reprogam our mental computer. We do this by studying Scripture with the goal in mind of knowing God. The book of Isaiah, especially chapters 40 to 60 and Joshua 1-11 are excellent places to start, along with 2 Chronicles 20.

I personally question if we can know God more deeply without spending at least 30 minutes with Him most days, reading the Word, praying, listening to His gentle whisper. I find that as I quote out loud from memory Psalm 91, 139 and 23 during my formal time with God, I have a greater sense of His presence.

Recall Paul writing to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:21 LB wrote, “They missed the most important thing – they didn’t know God.”

Identity - Knowing God 10

Men's small groups "rock."

WE left our last post with knowing God through his creation; knowing Him more deeply through the Word. Then allowing God to scrutinize us for cleansing, resulting in “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my firm, impenetrable rock and my redeemer.”

But He is more. He is a personal Father. ”To as many as received Christ, to those he gives the right to become children of God,” John.1:12.

Knowing God personally is great but even more profound, we’re known by God. 1 Corinthains.8:3 (Amplified) says, “But if one loves God truly, with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience and grateful recognition of His blessing, he is known by God, that is, recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by him.”

As a member of God’s family, I’m known by God. I’m a person of worth. I am so valuable to God that HE wants an intimate, loving relationship with me. Can anything beat that? Abba Papa is saying to me: “Ray, I love you so much. You are my treasure. I want to build a close bond with you. I want to be on the racketball court with you. Sit beside you at your computer. Relating with other people right beside you, loving them encouraging them with you. Stuttering with you. Hurting with you. Ray, I want to hang out with you all the time.”

We’re transitioning from a universal view of God as father of all creation, to the most intimate daddyhood of God. Christ set the stage at Gethsemane as seen in Mark 14:36 “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Sometimes God says “no” to our petitions because He knows a “yes” would not be the best for us. Sometimes He says “wait.” To Jesus, God said "no," for my sake and for yours.

"Abba PaPa, in Matthew:7-11 you tell me that as much as my earthly father wanted to give to me and do for me, how much more you as a perfect father will do for and give to me. Thank you Abba PaPa. I love you. I trust you even though at times it looks like you’re not listening to my pleas.”
Are we beginning to catch a glimpse of a personal loving and accepting PaPa God? He is more than that, but a God of Love is foundational to the Christian walk.