Knowing God My Father

Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org

Monday, December 7, 2015

Today's Scripture

"So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, 'On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.'" (Genesis 22:14 NIV)

Thoughts for Today

God cares and provides for his children. He is our heavenly Father and has promised to provide all our needs. In today's scripture, Abraham called God Jehovah-jireh, which means "The Lord Will Provide."

We all have needs. Emotional needs. Relationship needs. Financial needs. Needs in every area of our life. God is our loving Father who will provide every need as we place our faith in him.

Consider this …

Some people have a distorted view of God because of an earthly father who did not provide for them. There can be any number of reason an earthly father may not provide—illness, absence, abusive behaviors . . . and on and on. People may not view God as consistent because their earthly father was inconsistent. They may not grasp the constant presence of God because their earthly father was absent from home so much. People who lived with an abusive or alcoholic father may not trust the constant love of their heavenly Father. Although an earthly father may fail as a provider, God our Father always provides for his children.

Many had a good father who did his best to provide his presence, love, consistency, and care . . . but no earthly father is perfect. And often circumstances prevent a father from doing all he wants to do for his son or daughter.

But our heavenly Father is perfect. Always available. Always loving. Always able. Always our Provider.

Prayer

Father, thank you that I can count on you no matter what. When I am dealing with challenging circumstances, help me remember that you are there. Always loving me. Always able. Always my Provider. In Jesus' name . . .

These thoughts were drawn from …

The Ten Commandments: Applying the Foundations of Living to My Personal Life by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. Knowing that there are absolutes that define moral conduct and ethical decisions is essential for believers surrounded by relativistic values. This guide helps us understand God's boundaries. It shows how the Ten Commandments apply today. It also discusses the biblical laws on which the legal codes of every civilized society are based. This guide is written in a way that helps people see the Ten Commandments in light of today's problems. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.

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Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Today's Scripture

"Abraham answered, 'God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.'" (Genesis 22:8 NIV)

Thoughts for Today

In Genesis 22, Abraham was faced with a crisis and the supreme test of his life. God asked him to take his deeply loved son, Isaac, to the land of Moriah and offer him as a sacrifice.

Abraham prepared an altar, arranged the wood, bound Isaac, and laid him on the top of the wood on the altar. When he had a knife in hand and was preparing to slay his son, the angel of the Lord appeared and told him not to harm the boy. God provided a ram as a substitute. "So Abraham called that place 'The Lord Will Provide'" [Jehovah-jireh] (Genesis 22:14).

Consider this …

Abraham believed God would provide. When he and Isaac left the servants a distance away from where he would build the altar, these were his parting words:

He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.” (Genesis 22:5 NIV)

Not "I will come back." He declared, "We will come back." No matter what the circumstances, Abraham knew God had promised a multitude of descendants would come through Isaac. Though God was asking Abraham to do something that didn't make sense, he trusted God's provision. "We will come back."

As they left the servants, Isaac questioned Abraham.

Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” (Genesis 22:7-8 NIV)

Abraham was living by faith, not by sight. He knew God would provide.

No matter what circumstances you may be facing, follow Abraham's example. Keep your eyes on your heavenly Father. Instead of being overwhelmed by what you see, place your faith in him. In his love. In his plan. In his provision.

Prayer

Father, thank you for your love. Help me hear your voice and obey you, always trusting in your provision no matter what the circumstances. In Jesus' name . . .

These thoughts were drawn from …

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Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Today's Scripture

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33 NIV; suggested reading Matthew 6:25-34)

Thoughts for Today

What needs do you have today? Relationship needs? Health needs? Family needs? Financial needs? Day-to-day living brings needs. And the turmoil and uncertainty of today's world intensifies those needs.

Who or what are you trusting to meet your needs? So often we try everything we can think of—and then when all else fails, we turn to God.

Our heavenly Father loves us more than we can comprehend. His power and riches are beyond our imagination. And he wants to meet our needs. He wants us to turn to him not as a last resort but first. He wants our dependence on him to be as natural as breathing. Why? Because he loves us. Because only he is perfect. Because only he is able.

Consider this …

Our focus needs to be on Jesus. On seeking God's will above all else. On growing in our relationship with him. And then it will become natural to turn to him for every need.

The Lord Will Provide. Jehovah-jireh. Keep your eyes on him. Walk with him. And trust him.

Prayer

Father, forgive me for sometimes turning to other people and other things to have my needs met. I know you sometimes work through others to meet my needs, but you alone are my Provider. Help me to focus on you. To know you better. To trust you more. In Jesus' name . . .

These thoughts were drawn from …

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Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Today's Scripture

"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32 NIV)

Thoughts for Today

Yesterday we read about God providing a substitute sacrifice. He provided a ram to substitute for Abraham's son Isaac. This was a foreshadow of God's ultimate provision. Years later, God would offer his only son, Jesus, as a substitute for each of us.

God wants each of us to live with him in heaven for all eternity, but there is a problem. He is holy and there can be no sin in his presence—and the Bible tells us we have all sinned. We all deserve to die because of that sin. But God's son, Jesus, is perfect. He died in our place and rose again on the third day. When we trust him as Lord and Savior, our sins are forgiven and the door opens for us to spend eternity in heaven.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NIV)

Consider this …

Think about it. God gave his only son to die for us. The ultimate sacrifice. How can we ever doubt his provision in every area of our life? As today's scripture says, "How will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"

If you have never received God's ultimate provision, you can do that now. Believe that Jesus died on the cross for you. Talk to him. Ask for his forgiveness and follow him.

In your day-to-day walk with him, remember what he has already done for you, and trust him to meet every need. He is Jehovah-jireh. The Lord Will Provide.

Prayer

Father, forgive me for ever doubting your love and provision. Thank you for your ultimate gift, Jesus. Help me never again to doubt you. Help me trust you for my every need. In Jesus' name . . .

These thoughts were drawn from …

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Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org

Friday, December 11, 2015

Today's Scripture

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19 NLT)

Thoughts for Today

God provides for us in so many ways. Our first thoughts may turn to his physical provision. Food. Clothes. Shelter. Income. And to other blessings like health, family, relationships. He does provide in all those ways . . . but he gives so much more.

Consider this …

Today, let's consider just a few of the many ways he provides for us.

Forgiveness and eternal life.

God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. (1 John 4:9-10 NLT)

Friendship with God.

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. (Romans 5:8-11 NLT)

Refuge.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! (Psalm 34:8 NLT)

Comfort.

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. (2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT)

Strength and help.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NLT)

Unconditional love.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 NLT)

Courage.

"This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9-10 NLT)

Direction.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT)

Peace of mind.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid." (John 14:27 NLT)

Prayer

Father, thank you for being Jehovah-jireh, my Lord who will provide. May I show my gratitude by trusting you more . . . by seeking to know you better through prayer and your Word . . . by growing to be more like Christ. In Jesus' name . . .

These thoughts were drawn from …

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