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UNDERSTANDING GOD AS FATHER GIVES US THE–7 STEPS TO SURVIVE THE END OF DAYS. The total instability of things counted upon as stable is an earthquake. Life is filled with earthquakes. In a non-geological way, we could say, our lives have tremors, quakes and shocks and aftershocks, don’t they?
How do we prepare for the quakes of life? First of all, what are they?
Here are just a few: a job loss, a cancer diagnosis, an affair discovered in the mate to whom you have always been faithful, a divorce notice, an unwed but pregnant daughter, a crippling accident, lost savings, a pension failure, canceled health insurance, and need we add the loss of parents, children or marriage partners to death. There are these and countless other quakes in life. They will come, every day to someone. Does God give us any earthquake preparedness? Yes!
Open your Bibles to “Earthquake Preparedness Training First Thessalonians 3:11-13 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones. (NIV)
I. How do we trust God as our True Father?
A. ACCEPT YOUR CARING FATHER: Father of Fatherless & Judge of the Widows: Psalm 68:5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. (NIV); Psalm 146:9 The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. (NIV)
B. HOLD ONTO YOUR UNCHANGING FATHER: Everlasting Father: Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (NIV)
C. CONSTANTLY NOTICE YOUR SEEING FATHER: Mt. 6:4,6,18: Our Father in secret = He is watching; He “knows everything and still loves because He is on your side. the regularity of seeing God determines your greatness for eternity.
D. GET TO KNOW HOW BIG IS YOUR FATHER LORD OF HEAVEN & EARTH: Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. (NIV)
E. MAGNIFY YOUR LIVING FATHER: John 6:57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. (NIV)
F. YIELD TO YOUR HOLY FATHER: John 17:11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name — the name you gave me — so that they may be one as we are one. (NIV)
G. DRAW UPON YOUR SUPPLYING FATHER: Second Cor. 1:3: Father of mercy = He loves – “on your side”
H. TALK TO YOUR FATHER OF GLORY: Ephesians 1:17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. (NIV) Remember what Jesus said? Luke 11:10-13 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (NIV)
I. TRUST IN YOUR STRONG FATHER: Heb. 12:9: Father of spirits = He is strong – “big enough for anything” Hebrews 12:9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! (NIV)
J. HOPE IN YOUR SECURE FATHER: Js. 1:17: Father of lights = He is changeless/ unfailing, “never let down” James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (NIV)