Our REAL Heavenly Father

Welcome to De-Commissioned, a place for former members of the Great Commission movement (aka GCM, GCC, GCAC, GCI, the Blitz) to discuss problems they've experienced in the association's practices and theology.

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[Janet Easson Martin]

JOY in GRACE

A good series on God’s True Attributes and Character is “GOD IS”. Watching a part of it I couldn’t help but think of people who attended GCx Churches who I believe were taught a wrong view of God.  One who was very harsh, very demanding, very impatient, mundane, uninterested and hard to please. Toward the end of my decade in GCx I was angry at God that I didn’t feel closer to Him after all the GCx-led sacrifices I followed, which we were “guaranteed” would produce no regret when we stayed.

I learned later and am confident that God understood when I was so mad at Him back then that it was because I had a wrong portrait painted of Him. I was so frustrated because I thought I could never do enough to please Him. What more could I do to get close to Him? He seemed so far away.

Did you know that God seeming far away is one symptom of being under false Christian teaching for a prolonged period?

My picture of my heavenly Father was skewed! God did hear my yelling at him (not necessarily recommending this tone) and had compassion on me. COMPASSION. Soon after he sent a Christian woman from outside my GCx world to me at work. After we went to lunch a few times, she shared about a book that she thought was amazingly good. It was Chuck Swindoll’s book, “Grace Awakening”. As I began to read that book, it felt like a very refreshing breeze swept into my life. I felt God again. He no longer seemed far away. I started conversing with him in prayer more openly and readily, and full of faith.

Since that time, the awakening of grace has been stirring and growing in me more and more. The more I’m aware of that precious blood bought gift, the more I want to honor my Heavenly Father and love him. Perhaps we need the Joy of Grace set before us in order to love and obey Him.

Jesus is Grace and Truth.

For the Law was given through Moses,
but grace [the unearned, undeserved favor of God]
and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Robert Morris stated in this series that having a wrong view of God effects how we (or whether we) worship Him. It effects our obedience toward him. He explained that we may have a wrong view because we have been wrongly taught. Below is the link for this series on who God really is. It is also found on YouTube. The part I watched today was titled “Enjoy the Ride”.

https://gatewaypeople.com/series/god-is

[Janet Easson Martin]

Awaken to Grace

From the “Grace Awakening” Series by Chuck Swindoll:

In this classic series, Chuck Swindoll exhorts us to embrace grace. The messages in this series have inspired thousands of Christians to draw upon the spiritual abundance lying dormant in their lives. Yet many believers still haven’t fully awakened to the freedom grace brings. Don’t miss this chance to explore how God’s amazing grace can release you from the pressure to measure up and allow you to live in freedom.


Link:
https://www.insight.org/classic-series/the-grace-awakening

[Janet Easson Martin]

His Unconditional Love

On the “Insight for Living” Website is a resource library of biblical truths explained. One section has short (3 minutes or less) clips of Conversations with Chuck. Here is one of those:


https://www.insight.org/resources/video-library/individual/115/who-measures-up-best

[Janet Easson Martin]

God is Not Mad at You

Here is an important but short clip many believers need to hear. This is paramount in drawing near to him, experiencing his love, and resting in all the good he has planned for you.


Link to Clip:
https://m.facebook.com/PsRobertMorris/videos/241070540909660/

[Janet Easson Martin]

Glide in His Grace

The lyrics to this song catch the motion of Grace lifting our hearts. They also point out some believers haven’t “got” it yet. We were sure far from understanding grace living under the “laws of godliness” created by GCx. Thank GOD, he has opened our eyes!


Here’s MercyMe with “Grace Got You”.

https://youtu.be/xtiUjNT_vAM

[Janet Easson Martin]

Our REAL Heavenly Father

Condemns Us No More

The following is from the “Conversations with Chuck” Video Library on Insight For Living (insight.org):


Chuck Swindoll says there's no one more miserable than the one he calls a "grace killer." This person can't allow room for others to be different, which always leads to condemnation.


Link to Unnecessary Comparisons Video:

https://insight.org/resources/video-library/individual/118/unnecessary-comparisons

[Janet Easson Martin]

Talking To A Loving Father

We really do have a relationship with a loving Father now and for eternity. He is so close that he is at our side, always there, always available (Psalm 121:5). If we offer our trust he will hold our hand to make us secure through the difficulties of life (Isaiah 41:13). Sometimes, if we are carrying an especially heavy burden, he tenderly carries us. Isaiah 41:10 is a powerful truth I need to remember and believe more often. When I do it invites me to talk to my affectionate heavenly Father about what it is I so need at that moment. Often, I see things happen that otherwise would not because of his divine help. I experience his sweet presence as a result.

‘Do not fear [anything], for I am with you;
Do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you;
I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand
 [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’

Isaiah 41:10   AMP

God speaks with tenderness; Fear thou not, for I am with thee: not only within call, but present with thee. Art thou weak? I will strengthen thee. Art thou in want of friends? I will help thee in the time of need. Art thou ready to fall? I will uphold thee with that right hand which is full of righteousness, dealing forth rewards and punishments.

-Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
    (on this verse)  [Emphasis mine]

[Janet Easson Martin]

Our REAL Heavenly Father

Wants to Share His Joy With Us

Watching especially what Beth Moore shared from the 7 minute mark for the next three or four minutes of the fourth part of a series called “The Vineyard” REALLY motivated me today to yearn for and go after the kind of Joy only God can give and very much desires for us to walk in. I asked Him afresh this morning to help me keep his divine commandments and he was sooo faithful. If you’re interested here’s the link:


Beth Moore - The Vineyard Part 4:  

https://youtu.be/7_8Qplar77Y

[Janet Easson Martin]

Reminding Ourselves of His Constant Love

One of the things that has stayed with me from the video above is what Beth Moore shared about talking to God. When she is moved to tell the LORD that she loves him she follows it with “too”. For example, “I love you, Lord, too”.

I did it a few times since and it does give me a sense of the reality of his affection toward me. It is a small but powerful thing in that it reminds ourselves that God first loves us. He is the one that initiates love, kindness and everything good in our lives. He always loves us. His love is constant and reliable.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God!
And that is what we are!

1 John 3:1

[Janet Easson Martin]

MARVELS PLANNED FROM LONG AGO

“I will exult you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things,
things planned long ago.”

Isaiah 25:1

I was taking inventory of some of the marvelous things God alone planned for my life, even before I was born. They never arrived ahead of time or late, but in His perfect timing. I haven’t always waited patiently in faith for them.

The marvelous relationships he has put in my life leave my jaw hanging. His loving faithfulness in knowing precisely what I need and when; and perfectly providing it beyond what I can count. Praise You for Your infinite love toward me. I love you… too.

[Janet Easson Martin]

Our REAL Heavenly Father

Embraces Us In Our Fear

Often when I see a little child going to his parent out of fear, I sense God wants me to realize I am just as much his child who can go to him when I’m fearing. He wants me to realize he cares even more for me than a doting Father. He is always there for me. But, I must go to him. I must tell him my fears. I must listen for his still small voice that comforts me. I must fully rely upon his promises to experience their fulfillment.

The verse I love and need the most is Isaiah 41:10. Here is a calming and comforting video to remind ourselves of his very reliable commitment to us as Our REAL Heavenly Father. Hope it meets your need.


I AM Here...Do Not Fear
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2BbrMziA93M

[Janet Easson Martin]

Our REAL Heavenly Father

Hope in His Love

How precious are your thoughts concerning me, O God!

How vast in number they are!

Psalm 139:17

[Janet Easson Martin]

I found this woman’s retelling of her discovery of God after much seeking with works in her Islamic religion to be a touching reminder of God’s REAL FATHERLY LOVE & TENDERNESS toward us. I hadn’t really thought about how disappointing and confusing other religions could be without that precious relationship. Sometimes I take for granted that God is so interested in my welfare and very much desires to help me in my struggles as a truly caring father would and so much more if I will ask and receive.

Below is the link to her short story in the first half.


In Islam God is not a father

https://youtu.be/JnZ2zQsVX90

[Janet Easson Martin]

What a perfect follow-up to the previous post.


Many of us start our prayers with “Heavenly Father,” but if you’re like me, we don’t often pause there long enough to realize the magnitude and the wonder and the glory of what we just said. We’ve already mentioned it several times throughout this book. But it’s so central, so vital, so critical, that I don’t want you to miss it: of all the titles that our sovereign, heavenly, holy God could command us to call him, it is not “Almighty One” or “Lord Conqueror” or “Exalted King” that he chooses. He says, “Call me Daddy.”

- J.D. Greear, “ Just Ask”

[Janet Easson Martin]

It seems if you don’t have this heartfelt understanding of Christianity, you will become quite weary and heavily burdened. No wonder our strength and endurance was zapped in GCx. This was sorely missing because the twisted image of God there had little room for it.

“Recognizing and reveling in the fatherhood of God
is the engine of the Christian life.”

- J.D. Greear

[Janet Easson Martin]

Between His Shoulders

Back in the early 90’s I saw a wonderful video that altered my view of God from harsh taskmaster (that I learned in GCx) to one of much compassion. It may have been based on the book, “The Father Heart of God.” Below is an excerpt from that book which I found a scanned copy of on the link that follows the excerpt. The book is also available on Amazon.


Moses once invoked a blessing on each of the tribes of Israel. To one he said, “The beloved of the Lord ... makes his dwelling between his shoulders” (Deuteronomy 33:12). That is where you dwell also. Whatever you become in the eyes of men —even a person of great authority, fame, or title —you will never cease to be more or less than a child in the arms of God.

- Floyd McClung, Jr., “The Father Heart of God,” (pgs 29-30)



https://archive.org/details/fatherheartofgod00mccl/page/32/mode/2up

[Janet Easson Martin]

Our REAL Heavenly Father

Gives Unceasing Love and Compassion

The focus of the old song of “Count Your Blessings” can be transcending. Realizing the endless things God is doing just for me because he infinitely loves me as his child. The heavens are infinitely high and that is how great his love is for me (and all who have submitted to him in faith.)

“As high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his lovingkindness toward those who fear him.”

Psalm 103:11

His Word says we cannot count the wonderful things he has done for us and the marvelous ones he still has planned for our future. We are securely hemmed in by his continual heartfelt blessings. Though there are so many we can’t possibly count them, we are definitely instructed all throughout the Bible to delightfully ponder them and even worship in return. The Israelites would stray from God when they forgot them. Psalm 103 tells us to forget none of these things. It seems recalling them is like feasting on a divine meal; giving us supernatural strength.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,
            And forget none of His benefits;

     3Who pardons all your iniquities;
            Who heals all your diseases;

     4Who redeems your life from the pit;
            Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;

     5Who satisfies your years with good things,
            So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

Psalm 103:2-5

I’ll be the first to admit, there are definitely occasions where I feel his love is nowhere in sight. Times where darkness seems to snuff out the light, but it is only our human perception. Since God knows we are human, he lovingly and emphatically tells us not to forget what he does for us -especially when we don’t feel them. Counting or recalling what we have seen and experienced infuses us with hope. As the Psalmist wisely says to his downcast soul in Psalm 42:11:

Why are you in despair, O my soul?
Why have you become restless and disquieted within me?
Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.

We will indeed praise him yet again because HE IS OUR HELP. He is Love. He lovingly wants to stretch our faith to trust him to bring light again into our darkness. We can depend on his ceaseless lovingkindnesses. Part of that includes pruning us, testing our faith. It feels like loss and grief, but the result is more gain and richer living with our Savior.

So hope in and depend on his unceasing love and compassion. He has not deserted you. He NEVER can.

[Janet Easson Martin]

When I was asking God to help me with something tonight, I thought for a fleeting moment, “But I don’t deserve his help. I haven’t been worthy enough.” God seemed to interrupt my thoughts with the song “Good Good Father”. The impression was that God was at least as caring and compassionate as a good earthly father and way much more. He doesn’t even ask us in Matthew 6 to address him as a Master or King in our need, but instead as “Our Father In Heaven.”

According to the scriptures, we are not use prayer as a show or a pretense of spirituality, but through faith approach him as in an intimate familial relationship, along with awe of his unmatchable power and glory.



“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites.
For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. ...
And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words
they will be heard. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

So, then, this is how you should pray:”

‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.”

Matthew 6:5-9



Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Matthew 7:9-11

Good Good Father

Oh, I've heard a thousand stories
Of what they think You're like
But I've heard the tender whisper
Of love in the dead of night
And You tell me that You're pleased
And that I'm never alone

You're a good good Father
It's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are
And I'm loved by You
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

Oh, and I've seen many searching
For answers far and wide
But I know we're all searching
For answers only You provide
‘Cause You know just what we need
Before we say a word

You're a good good Father
It's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are
And I'm loved by You
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

Cause You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us

You are perfect in all of Your ways
Oh, You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us

Oh, it's love so undeniable
I, I can hardly speak
Peace so unexplainable
I, I can hardly think
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still
Into love, love, love

You're a good good Father
It's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are
And I'm loved by You
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am

You're a good good Father
It's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are
And I'm loved by You
It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am
You're a good good Father

You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways

Publishing: ©2014 WorshipTogether.com Songs / sixsteps Music / Vamos Publishing / Housefires Sounds (ASCAP) / Capitol CMG Paragon / Common Hymnal Digital / Tony Brown BMI Designee (BMI) (admin. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com)

Writer(s): Pat Barrett and Tony Brown

[Janet Easson Martin]

I’ve Always Been Right Here

That is the final line of a new song by one of my favorite Christian bands. It also expresses God’s affection and longing toward each of us (who have become his children) regardless of our good or bad behavior. In fact, we actually need him and his empowerment to really do anything good.

“Apart from Me, you can do no good thing.”

John 15:5

The lyrics in this song remind me of my very present help in any trouble. They woo me to Him as I hear his heart’s cry to me, “I’m right here.” They bring tears of solace to my eyes. Pray you also are moved toward the Father as you listen to this song.




Love & The Outcome - I’ll Find You

https://youtu.be/RRUYhn43L_o

[Janet Easson Martin]

Someone may need His deep compassion tonight

I believe God wants us to stop striving. I believe he wants us to quit trying to control everything and make it all “perfect.” He’s there for us to lean our head against his chest and rest waiting on Him to rescue us. He’s there to hold our hand when things are crumbling in and around us. He IS love. His essence is love.

This song captures the essence of the heart of the Father. Sometimes it’s what others or circumstances have ruined. Sometimes it’s relationships or situations we have brought ruin to. Either way, God’s love is SO deep for us he wants to take the burden from us and make glorious gardens from wastelands. Places where there seems no hope. Listen to what he speaks to us in the passage below.


The Lord will surely comfort Zion
and will look with compassion on all her ruins;
he will make her deserts like Eden,
her wastelands like the garden of the Lord.
Joy and gladness will be found in her,
thanksgiving and the sound of singing.

Isaiah 51:3




Heart of God - Zach Williams

https://youtu.be/qbPxZPsjhbg