The Love Of Our Heavenly Father
1. Happy Father’s Day
2. What Manner Of Love!
3. God Wants To Walk And Talk With Us
4. “What Is Man, That Thou Art Mindful Of Him?”
5. Our Heavenly Father Watches Over Us
6. Our Heavenly Father Hears Our Prayers
7. Our Heavenly Father Gives Us Strength
8. God Is The Only God
9. Our Heavenly Father Provides Our Needs
10. God Is Faithful
11. God Our Father Gives Us Forgiveness
12. God Gives Us Time
13. God Gives Us Water
14. God’s Love Reaches Out To All
15. Nothing Can Separate Us From God’s Love
1. Happy Father’s Day
I am thankful that I had a Christian Dad who loved the Lord and brought me up in church. I know that one day I will see him again in heaven. I am even more thankful for a Heavenly Father who loved me enough to give His only begotten Son to die in my place. God’s love is so amazing! “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
2. What Manner Of Love!
We can’t even comprehend the great love of God. God, the Creator of the world, the Ruler of all nations, looked down from heaven and chose to give us a way of salvation. And He loves us so much we can ask Him to forgive us and put our trust in Jesus and become a child of God. Oh how wonderful! “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (I John 3:1-2)
3. God Wants To Walk And Talk With Us
Pastor Rick Byerly recently preached a sermon about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and how God walked and talked with them. The garden was a place of perfect beauty where all their needs were met. But the most unique thing in the garden was not the beauty and perfection of the place. The most unique thing about the garden was their uninterrupted walk with God. In the presence of God they had true wonder, true worship, and true wisdom. They had sweet communion with their Creator. We need sweet communion with our Creator. God wants to walk and talk with us. When Adam and Eve sinned against God it broke that sweet communion. “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.” (Genesis 3:8) It is wonderful to walk and talk with God but when we sin that communion is broken. We can restore our fellowship when we confess to Him.
Enoch also walked and talked with God. “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” (Genesis 5:24) Enoch walked so close to God that one day God saw that Enoch was close enough to Him to just walk on over into heaven. We may think that it’s harder to walk close to God in this wicked world. But, the world was wicked continually in the days of Noah, and Noah walked with God.
“5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” (Genesis 6:5-9)
God wants to walk and talk with us! “Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.” (Psalm 140)
4. “What Is Man, That Thou Art Mindful Of Him?”
The closer we walk with God, the more we see His greatness. And the more we see how big and awesome God is, the smaller we become in our own eyes. David says this very well in Psalm 8. “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psalm 8:3-4) This is one of my favorite Psalms. May we ever continue to grow closer to God and see His glory!
“1 <<To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David.>> O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;
8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8)
5. Our Heavenly Father Watches Over Us
I remember one time when I was young my Dad had already taken off his boots and he asked me to go get something out of the car for him. It was dark and I was scared to go. He told me that he would stand at the door and watch over me. That was enough to take away my fear and I went to the car and got what he wanted. That memory has stayed with me all these years and the Lord uses it to remind me that my Heavenly Father watches over me. Over and over in the Bible we read, “Fear not” and “Be not afraid”. Even when we are afraid, we can trust in God to watch over us. “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” (Psalm 56:3) David tells us that God sees when we are sitting, and He sees when we get up. God understands our thoughts and He is acquainted with all our ways. It is so comforting to know that God watches over me.
“1 <<To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.>> O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.” (Psalm 139:1-6)
6. Our Heavenly Father Hears Our Prayers
Not only does God know us and see us, but He also hears our prayer. “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” (Psalm 34:15) The Lord hears our prayer of salvation. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13) God hears when we cry out to Him in times of trouble. “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” (Jeremiah 33:3) God doesn’t get tired of hearing our prayers. “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” (Psalm 55:17) God hears our praise, worship, thanksgiving, and singing.
“1 <<A Psalm of praise.>> Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” (Psalm 100)
God hears our thoughts and understands our heart when we don’t know what to pray. We also need to remember that God hears our murmuring and complaining. He hears when we talk about others. I can remember part of this little song I learned as a child. “Oh, be careful little mouth what you say. Oh, be careful little mouth what you say. For the Father’s up above, and He’s looking down in love. So be careful little mouth what you say.”
7. Our Heavenly Father Gives Us Strength
There have been a few times in my life when I was totally and completely without strength. When I had Covid in 2020 I came to the point that I could not go on because the pain in my chest was so heavy. Michael called 911 and I spent several days in the hospital with Covid Pneumonia and Sepsis. I prayed and asked God to heal me and give me strength, and He did. Last year, the pain and weakness was much longer as I went through cancer surgery and chemotherapy. There were days that I could not walk from one room to another in my house without the help from Michael, or with the aid of a walker. Even in my lowest condition I still thanked God every morning and asked Him to help me through another day, and every night I thanked Him for His strength in helping me through another day. I know that my strength comes from my God and Creator. And I praise Him for helping me when I am weary and worn.
“28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:28-31)
8. God Is The Only God
I have heard some people complain that Christians are narrow-minded and intolerant to the religions of other people. They often view Christians as being prejudiced against those who have different beliefs. I put my beliefs in the Word of God and His Word tells me that there are no other gods but Him. We are adamant about believing in The God, The Creator, because He provided the only way of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. There is no other God, and no other way to escape the torments of hell. Every knee shall bow to Almighty God. “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” (Romans 14:11)
“6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.
7 And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them.
8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.” (Isaiah 44:6-8)
“5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.
7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.
9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
10 Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?
11 Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.
12 I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts.
14 Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.
15 Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.
16 They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols.
17 But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
19 I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
20 Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.
21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
24 Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
25 In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.” (Isaiah 45:5-25)
9. Our Heavenly Father Provides Our Needs
The Apostle Paul commended the Philippian church for their generosity. He explained that they had provided his needs, and God would supply all their need. “But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:18-19) Jesus also tells us that when we first seek the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, all the other things would be added to us. I am thankful that God provides our needs.
“25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:25-33)
10. God Is Faithful
I looked up a definition of “Faithful”. The first stated that faithful is “remaining loyal and steadfast.” That’s our God! He is always with us, “for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5) He is the great “I Am”. He is the same God today as He was in the past, and will be the same God forever! The next definition said, “true to the facts or original.” In Malachi 3:6 we read, “For I am the LORD, I change not;…” God’s Word is true and never changes. The people of the world change their ideas about sin but God’s Word will never change. As we continue thinking about the love of our Heavenly Father, I want to thank God that He is faithful in His love towards us. He loved us so much that He gave us His Son to die in our place. And His love never fails. God is faithful!
“Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;” (Deuteronomy 7:9)
“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” (I Corinthians 1:9)
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (I Corinthians 10:13)
11. God Our Father Gives Us Forgiveness
I have watched children playing, and one will accidentally knock over the toys or something, and say, "I'm sorry." When the other child replies, "It’s okay" then they can keep on playing. If the child screams and yells then their peaceful playtime is over. We get older. Someone does something that we don't like, and they say, "I'm sorry." How we react can influence our relationship for the future. When we don't forgive, we grow cold and hard, and bitter. It can affect our relationships with many around us. It is so much better when we forgive. When Jesus taught the disciples to pray He told them that if they didn't forgive others, then God would not forgive them.
"12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:12-15)
Forgiveness is a wonderful gift of God. Without forgiveness we would have no joy or peace. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9) As Jesus hung on the cross He prayed for forgiveness for others. "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots." (Luke 23:34) He gave His life for my sins also! If Jesus could forgive me for all I have done, then I should be willing to forgive others in love. What a wonderful gift from the Father... the gift of forgiveness.
12. God Gives Us Time
One of the most precious gifts that God gives to us, and one that is often taken for granted, is time. Each morning that we wake up we are given time. We all have the same amount in a day, unless our day is cut short, but some seem to have more time than others. Part of the difference is in the obligations that we have. Those who work full time at a job don't have much time to get the things done at home. Parents with young children also struggle to fit everything into the scheduled time slots. Sometimes we over-extend with sports, or extra-curriculum activities for our children and it takes time. How well we use our time also makes a difference in the amount of time we seem to have. With the extreme heat and dry weather we are experiencing, we are going to the garden early in the mornings and it seems to give us more time in the afternoons. Spending time with family and at church is a priority for me and I relish those moments. Teachers in school often tell the students to use their time wisely. That's good advice for all ages. God gives us time, until our time is done, and we should use it wisely. Spending time with the Lord in prayer, Bible reading, worship, and serving Him by serving others should also be a priority. Our time is short... "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." (James 4:14) Make the best of it.
"1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
13. God Gives Us Water
Some of our grandchildren helped me make scarecrows for my garden using children’s clothing. It looks like there are 5 of my grandchildren standing guard trying to keep the deer and squirrels away from my plants. But, I found out that they do not scare away the rabbits. I have a rabbit with at least two baby bunnies living under the shade of the watermelon vines. I have seen them several times and a little one came out to eat clover while we were watering the garden one morning. As I was searching for something to put water in for them, Michael asked me why I don’t chase them away. I feel sorry for anything out in this heat trying to find water. As we experience day after day with temperatures in the mid to upper 90’s it makes me really appreciate water. I carry water with me to drink if I am going to be working long in the garden and I keep a cup of cold water with me all day long. I even take a cup of cold water in the car when we go places. And it feels wonderful to be able to take a cool shower after working outside in the heat. I thank the Lord for clean water. My grandparents had a well in the front yard and it was fun to draw the bucket up and drink the cold water from the dipper. But, I am thankful that I can turn on the faucet and have cold or hot water for cooking, drinking, or washing dishes. I have water in the bathrooms and pipes that run it into my washing machine. I can put water into the ice trays, and in a short while I can take ice out of the freezer. Yes, I am thankful for water. We find water in the first few verses of the Bible... "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." (Genesis 1:1-2) And the Bible speaks of water in the last chapter... "And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely... And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:6 & 17) I like the story of the woman at the well in John 4. Let's begin with verse 4, "And he must needs go through Samaria." Jesus needed to go through Samaria to give living water to the woman at the well. I am so glad that one day Jesus came to me and let me drink from the living water! If you are thirsting for something more from life, ask Jesus to save you and drink of the living water.
"4 And he must needs go through Samaria.
5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:4-14)
14. God’s Love Reaches Out To All
Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” This means that every single person needs to be saved from sin. There is no one that can rightfully say that his or her sin is too small to need the Lord Jesus to save them, as we read in Romans 3:12, “… there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” We have all sinned. And nobody can rightfully say that his or her sin is too great for God to forgive them. God’s love reaches out to all. Jesus gave His life to die for the sins of the whole world. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) God doesn’t want anyone to perish. You can be saved if you understand that Jesus is the only way of salvation and you believe that Jesus died to pay for your sin. You can ask Jesus to forgive you and He will save you when you put your trust in Him. God’s love is reaching out to you. Please don’t wait until it is too late. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” (II Peter 3:9-10) Please accept God’s gift of love today.
15. Nothing Can Separate Us From God’s Love
Separation can be hard. Grief can last a long time when someone we love dies or moves away from us. Even short separations can bring tears. When my children started school there were times when they cried as I walked away. There were even times when I sat in the car and cried as I drove away from the school. When we really, truly, love someone, good-byes are hard.
“35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39)
We are safe and secure in God’s hand.
“27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.” (John 10:27-29)
And our Lord is preparing us a place in heaven where we shall live forever.
