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Author Topic: Our REAL Heavenly Father  (Read 13837 times)
Janet Easson Martin
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« on: May 29, 2020, 12:42:55 pm »

Our REAL Heavenly Father


This last week I decided to list statements on WHO my Heavenly Father REALLY is.  If you were a member of a GCx church for awhile you likely were painted a VERY narrow and distorted picture of who God is by ‘generational GCx disciples’ of James Douglas McCotter or even McCotter himself. These pictures were shared not as personal opinions or ideas up for discussion, but indisputable fact.  In fact, Christianity itself from these “unarguable teachers” was gravely deformed.  Second Corinthians 11:4 describes this scheme well:

”You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.”

Many of us hearing thousands of these polluted messages for years need to bathe in the clear refreshing water of God’s own Word about who He is.  I pulled out my journal and opened the pages of the Psalms where I have found and reminded myself of so many comforting and assuring TRUE characteristics of my Heavenly Father, especially in his thinking and actions toward me.  I have begun at the end of Psalms and am going through them in reverse order.  I paraphrase each characteristic for myself as I list them in my journal, and underline one or two that really speak to me.  The best part comes when I look at them during the day and claim them for myself in how God REALLY acts toward me.  Their encouragement is over the top.  Especially during the Trouble in the world currently, they are a refuge to visualize and believe.  Doing this makes me WANT to love him back, to listen to him and trust him.  Praise Him forever!  

Here are just some I wrote down:


Psalm 149

I have been made by a stunning Creator.


Psalm 147

God understands me infinitely.


Psalm 146

God upholds my cause when I am oppressed.


Psalm 145

He is GRACIOUS and COMPASSIONATE.
He is FAITHFUL to ALL His PROMISES.
He fulfills the desires of those who trust Him.


Psalm 144

He is my LOVING God.
He reaches down his hand from on high to deliver and rescue me.


Psalm 143

He lifts us up in the morning with words of his UNFAILING love.
In His unfailing love he silences my enemies.


Psalm 142

He sets me free from my own prisons that I may praise him.




I pray you are enjoying your Heavenly Father’s comfort and joy he longs to give.


« Last Edit: August 02, 2020, 08:05:02 pm by Janet Easson Martin » Logged

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« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2020, 01:47:15 pm »

Hi, Janet,

I'm not sure how this is different from you learned in a GCC church.

But yes, those are great passages. Notice how they are all from a very Hebrew perspective.... I.e. not abstract..... You can close your eyes and envision each one of them.

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« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2020, 02:58:00 pm »

That's a good question, PWW. Of course I can't answer for Janet, but for me, Solid Rock (as the Columbus church was known back in my day) was a place of condemnation and conformity. There was more emphasis on following the elders than on following God, and excommunication was a constant threat. I don't want to go into more detail because this is posted in The Healing Forum, where I feel the emphasis should be more upbeat.

Perhaps things were better at your GCx church. I hope so.

It took a long period of recovery after Solid Rock to begin to feel that God loved me. My advice to people who've left GCx recently is to be patient with yourselves. Take some time to grieve. Find someone trustworthy to grieve with. Don't give up hope.

When I left Solid Rock, I thought I was abandoning God. What a gift to find that God was out here waiting for me all along.
« Last Edit: May 31, 2020, 05:23:54 pm by Huldah » Logged
Janet Easson Martin
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« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2020, 09:28:00 pm »

Thank you, Huldah.  Yes, under the influence of McCotter’s teachings, GCx was an environment of establishing unbiblical authority through taking away our own, condemning any independence of following Jesus on our own, and manipulating us to make choices and life decisions to conform to their organization’s plans.  Some cult groups do this with required uniforms, but ours was with required mindsets and tongues.  We were NOT free in Christ as the Word of God warns us to be.  

“In freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore
and do not be entangled again in a yoke of slavery!”
Galatians 5:1    Berean Literal Bible

We were entangled alright.  We were bound so much in our minds, we found it difficult to leave.  It was repeatedly implied or told to us that to remove ourselves from them was to separate ourselves from true Christianity or Christ himself.  

Earning one’s right to be valued in this church had everything to do with increasing their reputation, not Christ’s. Value did not come from our being God’s creation, and a member of his Kingdom, it came from being their unassertive disciples and a profitable member of their church organization.  

What God specifically wanted from us was dictated by the leaders using verses from scripture often twistedly applied to us.  This picture of God often came across as one who was nearly impossible to please, whose demands kept growing, and who was often disappointed with our performance.  He was painted as one whose atttention could rarely be earned, except by a choice few - the leaders.  Through these teachings, people’s initial joy in being unconditionally loved by God became stifled by worries of not doing enough to keep it.  

Today, in the beauty of nature and it’s refreshing breezes, the members of our church sat outside together (but still 6 feet apart) to hold our Sunday service to hear our pastor preach from Ephesians.  One particular verse stood out to me - “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how WIDE and LONG and HIGH and DEEP is the love of Christ, and to experience this love that surpasses knowledge - - that you may BE FILLED to the measure of all the fullness of God.”  To me, that LOVE part was unstoppable! If you stop being grounded in and feeding off of God’s deep, deep, deep well of unstoppable love for you, you will have no REAL power from which to be like him.  Being confident in and experiencing (abiding in) God’s personal love toward you is the beginning, the middle, and the eternal end of Christianity in my opinion.  As others have wisely said, serving God out of love way outlasts serving him out of duty.

Grasping and experiencing the HOLY and DEEPLY BELOVED people we already were was strangely missing from most of the teaching about God in GCx.  (There was one well-known teaching on “God’s love” by McCotter, but I suspect it came from a PR stunt to respond to a slew of outside criticisms that it was sorely missing.)


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« Reply #4 on: June 01, 2020, 08:47:33 am »

Our REAL Heavenly Father
Doesn’t Steal Our Freedom or Condtionally Love & Accept Us



There are many testimonies on here of Stolen Freedom by GCx Churches.  Here are just a few:


When I discussed with our local pastor (before leaving), that was exactly one of my points: you don't trust the Holy Spirit in the believers.  You tell them what to do in every single situation, and don't give them a chance to seek the Holy Spirit for themselves. ... The way he [GCx leader] tells people what to do, points out their sins, REMINDS THEM of past failures in order to 'keep them down', the list goes on.  Basically, he is being everyone's Holy Spirit. ... And if one didn't do what he said to do, one was labelled as "having trouble with authority."
-margaret    [left ~ 2005]


When I attended GC, I found myself at constant odds with my adopted, GC man prototype. However, I believed the problem was me. I wasn’t good enough. I wasn’t doing enough, I wasn’t a good enough leader, etc (I’m sure many are familiar with these thoughts). What I didn’t understand was that GCM was deeply flawed, always asked too much, had bizarre ideas about leadership, etc. Because I could never measure up to the ideal man, I had major issues with self hatred. A part of me was deeply “rebellious” and always at odds with what I thought was the right way to live. This part of me had serious questions about GC’s man prototype. I hated being told what to do, how to live, and how to dream. ... So I think that man or woman, there is a common battle between who GC wants you to be and who you really are. They want to steal your identity, individuality, and dreams and re-forge them into something they can use for the cause. If you’re in GC, guard yourself and fight their attempts to get in. Listen to what your heart tells you and ignore them [GCx leaders] when they say that its desires are corrupt.
-G_Prince



More than once I knew of people leaving by another route....escaping as if from a prison in the middle of the night with not a sign or clue as to where they had gone.  Not something you would find in most churches, or in most strict religious communities for that matter. ... The exclusivity, the confinement of mind and company and; sadly, the arrogance of the church made it clear to me that I had to leave.
-miserere



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« Reply #5 on: June 01, 2020, 12:02:18 pm »

Quote from: Janet Easson Martin link=topic=2107.msg221
When I discussed with our local pastor (before leaving), that was exactly one of my points: you don't trust the Holy Spirit in the believers.  You tell them what to do in every single situation, and don't give them a chance to seek the Holy Spirit for themselves. ...
-margaret    

They want to steal your identity, individuality, and dreams and re-forge them into something they can use for the cause.
-G Prince

[More than once I knew of people leaving by another route....escaping as if from a prison in the middle of the night with not a sign or clue as to where they had gone.
-miserere

All of this resonates with me! It's uncanny to hear my own thoughts and observations coming from so many others who had been part the movement. When I first came to the forum, it was such a relief to confirm that I wasn't alone and I hadn't just imagined all these things.
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« Reply #6 on: June 03, 2020, 11:31:58 am »

Our REAL Heavenly Father


Psalm 142

He listens to my complaints.
He wants me to tell him my troubles.
He cares for me.
He wants to be my refuge.
He hears my cry of despair.
He rescues me so that even others celebrate his goodness to me.


This Psalm reminds me of the complaints, longings, and even seeming unanswered prayer I experienced in desiring a husband.  From the time I was 21 until I was nearly 34 I tried to seek God’s hand in this.  Of course, from the teachings I heard in GCx I was also trying to earn a husband, which frustrated me even more.  There were quite a few times when I was mad at God for not answering when I felt I was doing what I was told was required of a “good” Christian.  He patiently listened to my complaints.  He understood my thinking infinitely.  I admit I put my hope in my visible circumstances way too much and too often.  But, I would get back on track and trust him again.  Because he cared for me he did not answer until the right person and the right time came along.  Then 13 years later, at my bridal shower, those who loved me and prayed LONG for me in this could not contain their joy.  My aunt described their feelings well saying, “I feel like dancing”.

My husband has been the perfect man for me in that his faith runs deep in his soul more than mere “religious words”. Because of his solid foundation in God’s love, his faith is pretty unmovable.  He reminds me of my Heavenly Father’s UNCONDITIONAL LOVE toward me a LOT.  His encouragement often lifts me out of legalistic performance traps I still slip into.  

Thus, the need to remind myself of the TRUE picture of our Heavenly Father and His great compassion.  Hope you find encouragement in these truths from the Psalms.


Psalm 140

Rescues me from men whose tongues are like serpents and whose lips speak with the
   poison of vipers.
Stops the success of the plans of the wicked as I beseech him.


Psalm 139

Knows all my movements even to the smallest.
Understands my behavior.
Is quite familiar with all my ways.
Thinks PRECIOUS thoughts concerning me.
His thoughts about me are so many they cannot be counted.





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« Reply #7 on: June 03, 2020, 12:10:37 pm »

Here are some others you may relate to who had similar frustration in being taught a distorted view of God in GCx churches:



I left a GCAC/GCM church in 2005 after several years of involvement. ...The "culture" was beginning to grip me in a very subtle way. ...Slowly, though, the longer I was at GC, the more the pressure to "go to everything" became pressure to justify my Christianity. ...
The resulting guilt I frequently felt is hard to describe. It would keep me returning to GC, cycling between highs and lows. This legalistic thinking tortured me. I never felt good enough for God. There were always more meetings I could have attended, or more ways I could be involved in the church that I wasn't. I never felt joy anymore, like I used to feel at past churches where sermons focused on God's love for me, and doing things for God out of love.  With works-based thinking, there were only brief periods of happiness when I "overcame my flesh" and went to a meeting I didn't want to go to. Many of my close friends, most who are still in the movement, went through these kinds of cycles as well. I watched in horror as an attitude of legalism drained people of their joy. Even marriage seemed to be set up this way in GC. You were to prove yourself "good enough" for a long enough period of time, and then a leader would "approve" you for marriage. As if your good works had earned you your spouse!
-puff of purple smoke    [left ~ 2005]



...For a very long time, though, I blamed myself for not being godly enough to live up to their demands. It took a long time to understand that it was the demands that were all wrong.
-Huldah


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« Reply #8 on: June 07, 2020, 04:23:31 pm »

Our REAL Heavenly Father



Psalm 138

He delivers me from all my many troubles.
His love & faithfulness toward me is great.
He stretches out his hand against the anger of my foes to save me.
He WILL fulfill his purpose for me.


Psalm 136

ALONE does great wonders.  
His love ENDURES forever.
Leads me through the deserts.
Gives me my portion.


Psalm 135

Has chosen me to be his own.
TREASURES me as his.
Vindicates me.
Has compassion on me.


Psalm 133

Gives me PLEASURE in being united with brothers and sisters in Christ.




As I trust and contemplate these distinctions I share as a redeemed child of God, I am made confident of his love for me.  Troubles appear smaller and don’t overwhelm me.  Taking refuge in his love and promises reminds me of Jesus telling us to ABIDE in Him.  He even says ABIDE in HIS LOVE.  Living in his love gives me his active compassion and care toward others, making me like him.  Otherwise, I am likely distracted about my own concerns.  Then, when I am doing my own thing I find myself more efficient because my heart isn’t weighed down by my many burdens.  



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« Reply #9 on: June 07, 2020, 04:46:24 pm »

My Heavenly DADDY



Psalm 132

Allows me hardships to endure them in Him.
His will is for me to have so much joy in my forgiven estate that I will sing.
He makes Zion his eternal dwelling place where he RESTS and rules.
He blesses me with abundant provisions.
He clothes my enemies with shame, but honors me resplendently.


Psalm 131

He desires for me to be happy by stilling and quieting my soul through knowing HE will do
   marvelous things.
He desires for me to be CALM, trusting he has the best for me.
He emotionally and passionately ENTREATS ME TO PUT MY HOPE IN HIM, now and forevermore.



Twice in Psalm 131 he says “like a weaned child” (not worried how and when he will meet my needs).  I ask God to teach me again what that’s like.  That PEACE.  This personal instruction to me is to help me out of anxiety.  I wrote in my journal, “Your tenderness and love bring tears to me.  Your love is REAL and faithful and AVAILABLE.”  Praise you for this Psalm.


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« Reply #10 on: June 11, 2020, 06:18:47 pm »

My Heavenly DADDY



The Word tells us we can visualize Our Father in Heaven as “Abba”, an endearing Jewish term for what young children would call their father - daddy.  Wow!  He is often closer than we think.  


Psalm 130

In the worst trouble I can cry out to him and he will listen.  
   (Perhaps some of our real fathers hardly listened to us.)
He doesn’t keep a record of my sins, but instead forgives them.
   (He never holds a grudge against us.)
He yearns for us to put our hope in His Word more than anything or anyone else
   (because it won’t disappoint us - though it may take a little longer than we imagined).
He wants me look forward to it’s fulfillment.  
   (‘Trouble May last for a night, but hope comes in the morning.’)
He longs for me to trust in his UNFAILING LOVE.
He himself redeems me from ALL my sins.



Sometimes from preaching and teaching in GCx, I did feel God held a grudge against me until I was perfected in this or that area.  Who was the judge of when that happened?  In GCx, mere men (and women) took that place rather presumptuously.  Actually, our true perfection is only in a new body that will be given at Jesus’ return for us.

Praise you, Lord, for your infinitely trustworthy thoughts of love and understanding toward me.  Your thoughts and actions are way more wonderful than mans. They are founded in real knowledge of us.  Thank you for this Psalmist’ glimpse of them so we might carry them in our hearts.



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« Reply #11 on: July 30, 2020, 08:13:05 pm »

Our Restoring and Attentive Heavenly Father


As we focus on our faithful Father through his promises, we come to realize he is very much focused on us.  He sees our trouble and understands our weaknesses. He draws us to rely fully on his strength and protection, and we are thrilled beyond measure as a result.

Psalm 126
Brings back those in captivity who mourn and grieve.
Replaces their mourning with with laughter and song.
Does such great things for us that we are filled with delight.
Restores fortunes stolen from us.
Answers prayers of tears with miracles of great joy.

Psalm 125
Makes us unshakeable as we trust in him.
Surrounds us with protection (including angels ministering to us).
Does good toward us.

Psalm 123
Seated in the highest authority from which he is in calm control.
Wants us to look to Him (not circumstances) until He shows us mercy.

Psalm 121
Watches over us all the time - he doesn’t sleep so he can intervene.
Watches, watches, watches over us.
He gives attention to all our movements and thoughts.


This last Psalm reminds me of a timeless song which has brought comfort to many, “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” by Civilla D. Martin.  Here are the lyrics.

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain:
I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.




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« Reply #12 on: August 02, 2020, 06:02:34 pm »

My Heavenly Father is Very Interested My Happiness


Some may teach that God is only interested in your sacrifice, what you deny yourself.  Those who follow this lifestyle are quite focused on DO NOTS.  They tend to view others through their lense of man-made parameters.  They self-righteously judge themselves “godly” and others “ungodly”.  They forget that God’s Word says, “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it” (James 4:11).

I believe this is the environment that we painfully experienced in GCx churches, and tended to adopt if we stayed any length of time. Judging others became the ladder for upward movement in the group.  Imitating this self-righteousness that we thought was holy was likely more of a stench in God’s nostrils.

Instead keeping the law is ultimately summed up in the first two commandments and would be what (1st) John refers to when he says in chapter 3:
 
We should love one another. (vs.11).  And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. (vs.16).  Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (vs.18)

I believe obedience to these commands comes out of being confident in God’s love - that he is crazy about us.  Seeking to be loved more by God if we give up more just earns us frustration because WITHOUT FAITH it is impossible to please him.  We must first relish in the truth of who we now are, and rely on his promises of who we will be.  Then, out of deep gratitude, give to him whatever he directs us in - not men directing our sacrifice.  Living a life of man-made denial depressed and disappointed us, but whoever BELIEVES in Him will not be disappointed.  Like Psalm 119 says over and over again, HE WANTS TO DELIGHT US as we meditate and put our hope in all God assures us of in the abundance of his word. He very much wants me to be happy. Below are my own paraphrases.


Psalm 120
Saves me from lying lips and deceitful tongues,
   from those who slander me.


Psalm 119
Causes me to rejoice in following your truth as much as someone does
  over great riches.
OPENS my eyes to SEE WONDEFUL things in his law so that I would
  embrace his promises close to my heart and make them my counselor
    and my delight!

Sets my heart free through his forgiveness.
Directs me in his path for there I find perfect happiness.
Reminds me he is my portion and satisfaction.
In great faithfulness allows affliction in my life.
Sends His unfailing love to comfort me in his promises.

Causes me to love his word through which he makes me wiser than my
  enemies.
Gives me much insight by meditating on his words.
Teaches me personally!
His words give me light for the day and keep me from sin in the dark.
His truth is my eternal heritage; it brings JOY to my heart.

Is my refuge and protection as I put MY HOPE IN YOUR WORD.
Sustains me according to his promises to LIVE ABUNDANTLY!
Teaches me that deceitfulness is vanity.
Causes me to love his word more than riches.
HAS MERCY UPON ME ALWAYS!!!

Makes the glory of his face to shine on me.
His commands are to be my delight when trouble & distress
  come upon me.
Desires for me to be elated by his promises like someone who finds
  something of extreme value.

Though I sometimes stray like a lost sheep, he always seeks me.


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« Reply #13 on: August 15, 2020, 10:06:54 am »

My Heavenly Father’s Compassions Are Unlimited


Having the confidence of a child to take his troubles to his daddy is the kind of reliance God adores from us.  He instructs us to come to him with childlike trust.  He is not fed up and distant with our failings.  He instead sympathizes with our weaknesses.  His blood has made his forgiveness and compassion toward us unending. But like good earthly fathers, we must go to him to be comforted and embraced.


Psalm 117
His love and faithfulness toward me are GREAT.
He never gives up on me.

Psalm 116
He hears my voice and my cry for mercy.
He is FULL of compassion toward me.
He delivers my eyes from tears.
He frees me from my chains.

Psalm 114
He turns rocks into springs of refreshment.

Psalm 113
He raises the poor from the dust and the needy from the ash heap, and seats them among princes.
He makes the barren content and happy.

Psalm 112
He makes light dawn in the darkness.




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« Reply #14 on: February 28, 2021, 09:32:02 pm »

Sons Not Servants

When I was in GCx I saw myself more as a pawn in the hand of God than his daughter (or son).  Since then, I have slowly regained my initial confidence as his BELOVED CHILD.  If you are looking for some online truth from the Bible to strengthen your understanding of this, I really like this series by Robert Morris of Gateway Church.  It is VERY encouraging and empowering!

“In the Gospel of Luke, something remarkable in the Gospel of Luke, something remarkable is recorded — a story from Jesus we now refer to as “the parable of the prodigal son.” In Sons not Servants, you’ll see this story from an entirely new perspective as Pastor Robert explains how, as sons and daughters, we’ve each been given a robe of righteousness, a ring of authority...”


https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcvtxCTYiflVnd2B-nipShnCz-6pO5w43


Enjoy!!!
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« Reply #15 on: March 01, 2021, 07:50:14 pm »

A Compassionate Father


In thinking about what a compassionate and caring father does for his children, one thing that stands out is that they sense their children’s fear and distress and strongly desire to comfort them.  They don’t want them to panic or even worry.  They often hold their hand securing them with their very near and able presence.  God does this for us as we release our trouble into his hand and wait assuredly in his presence for him to secure or rescue us. Here are some verses below that are especially encouraging in grasping onto our Divine Daddy’s help:



“Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.”
                                           Psalm 55:22


“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence.”
                                             Psalm 42:5    


“For I am the LORD your God, who takes hold of your right hand and tells you: Do not fear, I will help you.”
                                             Isaiah 41:13



Hold onto to them firmly as your Heavenly Father takes hold of your hand to endearingly comfort you.






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« Reply #16 on: March 14, 2021, 08:32:07 pm »

A Close Father


What struck me today when I read Matthew 6:7-9 was how close God is to his children.  He is really there.  He’s never mentally absent, disinterested, or unavailable.  The two phrases “your Father” and “Our Father” in this passage seemed to be calling for my attention.  You know how a close friend knows what you’re going to say before you say it.  Not only does our heavenly Father know that, but he also knows exactly what we need even when we’re not sure.  I believe I am supposed to mull over the close caring relationship of my heavenly Father which I as his child really do possess, so that I might more often draw upon the warmth, confidence and security that he so endearingly offers.

I like how the scripture says we don’t have to worry about saying enough words to convince him to listen and act; but remember what relationship we have with him, so all we have to do is - ask.



And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans,
 for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“ ‘Our Father in heaven...

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« Reply #17 on: March 21, 2021, 06:14:45 pm »




DON’T fear, because i AM with you.


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« Reply #18 on: March 22, 2021, 09:24:17 pm »

An EVER PRESENT Father


Thinking about God’s description of himself as “I AM” in view of the many needs we have.  If I may more humorously put them - desperations sometimes rather than needs.  

I found myself in unfamiliar territory which I really don’t like.  I may even feel a little shaken sometimes with so many unknowns. The very thing I dislike is the thing God seems to sometimes employ to draw me closer, and become more presently dependent upon Him.  Otherwise, it’s avoidance or possible panic.  

I thought about how He incredibly provides when we need help. He doesn’t say, “Just a minute, I’m a little busy. You’re next in line.” Instead, he assures all his children NOT to fear because He is there, right now.  His Word literally says he is a VERY PRESENT help in trouble.  Isaiah 41:10 promises, “I AM with you.”  I mulled over some of His I AM’s this morning.  


I AM your help.  
I AM your deliverer.
I AM your refuge.
I AM your peace.  
I AM your sound mind.
I AM your strength.  
I AM your power.  
I AM your abundant and eternal life.  
I AM your joy.  
I AM your shield.  
I AM your song.  
I AM the lover of your soul.
I AM your bridegroom.
I AM your brother.
I AM the light, in whom there is no darkness.
I AM The Beginning and The End.


Just to name a few...  
God is THE fulfillment of our needs and our deliverance in desperation.



“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear... The Lord Almighty is with us...
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God...”

Psalm 46



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« Reply #19 on: April 09, 2021, 08:54:17 pm »



Take my yoke upon you   and   learn from me,

for I am gentle  and  humble   in heart,

and you will find   rest   for your souls.


For my yoke  is   easy

and  my burden  is   light.



Matthew 11:29-30


« Last Edit: April 09, 2021, 08:59:37 pm by Janet Easson Martin » Logged

For grace is given not because we have done good works, but in order that we may be able to do them.        - Saint Augustine
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