I had a pastor's wife say to me one time she did not know God as Father. Her dad died when she was very young, was going through a rough time and said, “I just need a daddy.” Being with my granddaughter, Reghan the past few days has inspired me to write about the incredible love of our Father!
This pastor's wife was not alone. No matter what kind of father you have or had, no father is perfect. What I mean is that there is a “father-need” in every one of us. We all need a father. We need someone strong, who is there, wise, faithful. Someone who will love, help, instruct, encourage, guide, counsel, and discipline us. We all need a father.
Jesus shocked his disciples when He introduced God to them as “Father.” Back then as it is all too often today, people see God as an Unfelt Presence, not as a “Father.” For my spiritual sons and daughters, I hope you really feel loved by the time your done reading this. Here’s some thoughts as I sit here and watch Reghan play:
● A PAPA ENCOURAGES HIS CHILDREN
If you have the blues. If you feel down. Heavy. Depressed. Isolated. Rejected. Forgotten. Ignored. Know our Papa God specializes in encouragement. You don’t have to ‘do life alone.’ You don’t have to live in a dark tunnel. You don’t have to spend your life in an emotional wilderness. You are Papa’s child. And Papa offers encouragement to see you through!
If you are discouraged, hurt, depressed, ticked or whatever—would you please spend some time with Papa God--experience His presence--talk to him--complain to him--fellowship with him--listen to him. And He will encourage you.
● A PAPA COMFORTS HIS CHILDREN
Peace is Papa’s gift to me. Papa’s peace drives out stress. His presence quiets the negative emotions that attack my soul.
► Papa’s presence replaces the winds of worry with whispers of assurance.
► Papa’s presence allows me to rest in the middle of trouble.
► Papa’s peace gets me out of the “Martha mode”—that tells me I’ve got to do something to fix things—and gets me into the “Mary mode”—that rests at Papa’s feet and watches him fix it!!!
Peace is Papa’s gift to me. Papa comforts and encourages his children.
● A PAPA INFLUENCES HIS CHILDREN
Papa God won’t bully you. But He will discipline you. He wants you and me to be a reflection of His nature. He wants me to be like Him. And when I don’t, He loves me enough to let me fail.
Papa influences me through His Word, our wonderful community of believers here at Stone Creek Church and softens my heart in times of worship and praise. His presence gets my attention and melts stress and frustration from my life. His presence clears the cobwebs from my soul.
When I worship, even when I don’t feel like it, His presence restores my exhausted soul. It mends my bruised heart. When I praise Him it attaches me to Papa’s heart. I need to praise Him more and complain less. Maybe we all need to.
● A PAPA WANTS TO BE TRUSTED
Any parent who has ever had their child jump into their arms understands trust. Standing on a chair you tell them to trust you and they jump. Dad could have dropped him. Let him down. But dad loved his child more than life itself. Dad caught them.
Will Papa God do any less for you? You may need to close your eyes and clinch your fists, but go ahead—jump. Papa God is there! He will catch you. I went through a very painful time a few years ago and the Lord reminded me to just trust him. In simple devotions one day during that tough time this verse came alive and gave me strength.
Jer. 17:7 But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.
It is pretty plain--genuine, plain ole vanilla trust is absolutely necessary. Trust is indispensable. Without trust we live independent of Papa. Trust keeps us dependent upon him and humble.
Bonnie says I am a nutty grandpa (well she’s a nutty grandma) because whenever our grandkids call or I’m with them I am never too busy—I drop everything to give them my full attention. So, Papa God will never turn you away. Nor will He bully you into obedience. You have the freedom to trust Him.
In Papa’s embrace, life’s problems seem to work out. Enjoy Papa God. Rest in him. Laugh with him. Cry with him. Listen to him. Be honest with him. Confess to him. Talk to him. Appreciate him.
I don’t care how hurt you feel. How discouraged you may be. You may feel unappreciated—unloved—unnoticed. Listen: You have a Papa who loves you! Papa God loves you!
And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!”
By the way, I can’t tell you how great it makes me feel when Reghan calls me “Papa.” I think God feels the same. I love being Papa Grogan but only Papa God can take care of your deepest needs. Love you, PG
*Some of these thoughts come from an old brochure by Charles Brown that was given to me years ago at an Illinois Discipleship Camp.
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