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Our Father

By Vanessa Horabuena

Exodus 20:12

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.”

Ultimately The Lord is our true Father

While our earthly parents are a blessing, just as children are as well...there is nothing quite like the revelation of the truth that we are children of the living God. And that we, the entire race of mankind, were created in His image, and are all His children. We are sons and daughters of the Most High God. The Great I AM. Jesus referred to God being our Father over 150 times. Here are some of the ways that the Word of God describes what kind of a Father He is.

All-knowing

All-powerful

Defender

Faithful and true

Father of lights

Father of mercies

Father to the fatherless

First and the last

Giver of every good gift

Giver of life

God of deliverances

God of glory

God of hope

Good shepherd

Healer

Help and helper

King eternal

Never-failing

Vindicator

God of all comfort

God of all grace

Refining fire

Refuge

Tower of strength

Patient

Prince of peace

Protector

Provider

Pure and purifier

I don't know about you but, for me, reading those, sets a fire in my Spirit! He is our God, and He is our Father. Our earthly fathers do the best that they can do to raise us up, teach us and love us in life. It is their calling and destiny to father us to the best of their ability. But as we grow, and as we mature, that handoff couldn't be more sweet. Because, the Lord is every good thing of our earthly fathers and so much more.

Our very hearts, minds, and souls were made for Him. We were created with the purpose of connecting, communing, and worshiping the Living God. Not as a distant mystery, but as an intimate Father. He is always near, He is always present and always available for us. We are never too much for Him.

3 Tips to growing closer to the Father

Write down the different attributes of God listed above, or other names found in scripture. Each morning start your day off by reciting His attributes and thanking Him for what a good Father He is! I am going to begin doing this as well and I can't wait to see how it changes my whole day as I declare the goodness of His ways!
Take to the Lord your needs, your struggles and your desires. He already knows, but bringing Him into those areas of your life allows for Him to be your best friend and comforter. It is in your open-heartedness that He can begin to move on your behalf.
Speak to Him each day about someone that needs His help. Talk to the Lord as your Father, for all that He is, and request His goodness on the behalf of another. In this way, we bless the heart of God. When we pray on other people's behalf...We are acting as true children in His image. He is good, giving, and caring. The biggest blessing we could bring Him is our hearts renewed.