Father God

Father’s day has not been the same for me since December 26, 2000. That is the day when my father went home to be with the Lord. Father’s day 2001 was the first time in my life when I did not have contact with my dad. I have a heart full of thanksgiving to God for the life that I had with my dad for 37 years.

Of the many funerals of dad’s that I’ve attended or performed, I’ve never heard a child say, “I’m so glad for all of the days my dad worked overtime” or “I’m so excited to spend the load of money my dad left me”. The things that come out are the moments of quality time, the hugs, and the legacy that he left behind.

Several years ago, I wrote a letter to my Heavenly Father on Father’s day. I invite you to sit in on the conversation that I had with Him.

“Father God, I want to first thank you for being who You are! You are so Awesome, loving and kind. You are always there and You never leave me or push me away. You woke me up this morning telling me in your Word that as I opened my eyes I would be met with new mercies that would remind me that Your faithfulness is great! Father, on this day when we honor our earthly fathers I want to thank You, for being the perfect Father.

Thank you for giving us an example in the way that you treat us how to be better father’s to our own children. Thank you, that when I don’t know what to do, I need only remember how you deal with me and/or look in Your Word and I have the perfect standard to make my decisions by. Father, thank you for the awesome joy and responsibility it is to be the one who will teach my children what You are like.

Don’t allow me to do anything in my relationship with my children that would destroy their view of You. May it be easy for them to enter a loving relationship with You because of the relationship that they have with me. Thank you, Father for knowing me so deeply, yet you love me so intimately. You are so good.

Lastly, thank you for the years you gave me with my earthly father. I can only imagine the time he is having in your presence, free from the physical chains that once held him captive. Please tell him that I miss and love him and look forward to seeing him again one day. Thank you for taking care of Him, I know he’s in good hands! Thank you for the way that I learned through watching him and Your work in his life that you always provide and that you are indeed, good all of the time!

Thankfully, Your son,
Mark”

My friend, take some time today, if you can and call or see your earthly father and thank him for something, if it’s only for being a part of bringing you into this world and giving you the life that had the opportunity to meet and have a relationship with your Heavenly Father.

Pastor MJ

You Can’t Out Give God

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38

Imagine this, you’re sitting in a large Mega Church sanctuary with a seating capacity of ten thousand. You are surrounded by about five thousand men and at least as many women and children. In all there are probably over ten thousand people present. It’s about lunch time and everyone is hungry, but the food court is closed.
The main speaker, having a compassionate heart, knowing that the people would listen better with a full stomach asks one of the twelve deacons present, “Where can we get food for all of these people?” The deacon replied, “Well it would take eight months salary to buy enough food to feed all of these people!” Right then another deacon brought a small boy over and said, “Excuse me, sir, this boy has some fish sticks and a loaf of sourdough bread, but it’s of no use in trying to feed a crowd this size.”

What you see next is nothing less than amazing. The speaker takes the boys lunch, blesses it and gives thanks to God for it and begins to reach in the container and distribute the fish and bread to the deacons who in turn begin to feed the massive crowd. When it’s all said and done, everyone is full and there is enough left over for all twelve of the deacons to take a huge box full home with them.

Read John 6:1-15 and see the real story. The person other than Jesus who really stands out in this story is the boy with the lunch. What if he had refused to give up his lunch and said, “It’s all I have and if I give it to you, Lord, I’ll have nothing left.” The boy would have missed out on receiving a miraculous blessing. He had first to be willing to give up, sacrifice something precious to him in order to receive something priceless.

What are you holding back because what you have to offer is “too small” or “insignificant” compared to the task ahead? My friend, your “little____” offered in faith and obedience in the Master’s hand can change the world forever. More than that, if can change you. Whatever it is, offer it to the Lord today and watch in amazement and awe.