god as father

John's gospel introduces Jesus as the one and only Son of God, the unique glory of the Father. He's not just a son of God being born into the world, but the Son, and there is none like Him. Full of grace and truth, He is the embodiment of the Father's character, and the truth of God's covenant faithfulness is revealed and fulfilled in Christ. Through Jesus, we are able to know God as He really is.

It's been said, "We have no control over our ancestors, but we do have influence for our descendants." With that in mind, what kind of legacy would you like to leave for those who follow in your footsteps? In Ezra 8:1-20 we find Ezra recruiting Levites to return to Jerusalem, Levites whose ancestors had served the house of God, and now it's their turn. Ezra's own heart had been stirred by God, and now he is stirring up the hearts of others. What longings and stirrings is God stirring in our hearts today? The longing to know God as Father? The longing to be known by our Father God, and to know His delight over us? The longing for significance? Just as God knew the names of each and every returning exile, God knows us too, inside and out, and as we follow His ways, He's the one who is helping to shape the legacy we will leave.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

      creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

      who was conceived by the Holy Spirit

      and born of the virgin Mary.

      He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

      was crucified, died, and was buried;

      he descended to hell.

      The third day he rose again from the dead.

      He ascended to heaven

      and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

      From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

      the holy catholic* church,

      the communion of saints,

      the forgiveness of sins,

      the resurrection of the body,

      and the life everlasting. Amen.

In this episode, Dr. Steven Roby, Noah Shaffer and Rodney Buse kick around answers to five viewer questions.  See time stamps below.

1.  What does Christian dating look like?

2.  What are some best practices as a new Christian to become more habitual with building a relationship with God? What kind of things do you do in your households that are God-centered?

3.  How do we, as Christians, view respect? Should we expect respect from everyone and when they don't respect us, then what? I am constantly torn between two reactions to disrespect. 1. Take the blow, be willing to stay regardless how difficult  2. Draw boundaries, in love?  Or is it both? How might a situation look like practically speaking?
 
4.  All my life I have been taught to think of God as a father (in the earthly sense...loving, supportive, guiding, caring, etc.).  I'm confused as to why there are so many Bible verses about fearing the Lord.  Why do we have to fear Him?  What does that mean?

5.  Is "reckless" an accurate description of God's love?

Great Links

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Water’s Edge Church

Faith Bible College

In this episode, Neal and Jacqueline reflect on two pillars of Unbound Ministry through their own stories of how the Holy Spirit has revealed to them the hidden love of God. First, knowing God’s delight—when we encounter the Lord we encounter His love. He desires deep fellowship with us but His heart breaks when we step away from Him. Whether we have always known His love for us or we struggle to feel worthy, Unbound focuses on removing the obstacles to knowing God’s love for us. 

The second pillar is the necessity of the Holy Spirit to experience God’s love. Neal shares his own personal revelations of who the Holy Spirit is as a companion. St. Paul encourages us to have companionship with the Holy Spirit. The mission of the Holy Spirit is to reveal the love of God through Jesus Christ for the glory of God. When we lean into that and receive it, we can experience deep fellowship with the Spirit.

Experience the Love of God and go DEEPER in your walk with Him!

Mark 1:11 “And a voice came from Heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.’” 

2 Corinthians 13:14 “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

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Release: October 2022
Music by Christian Harper.
Artwork by Rosemary Strohm at Command-S.

Paul's greeting to the Ephesians is absolutely loaded with wonderful promise and truth. In this introduction to his letter to the church in Ephesus, we discover the power of being commissioned by God, the joy of being called a holy people, and the security of being a people to whom God has extended his unmerited favor, divine enablement, and total reconciliation. And to top it all off, we are included among those who can call God "Father." All of this is ours because of Jesus Christ.

Happy Father's Day, from Clyde Christian Bible Church!  David hasn't proven himself to be a very good dad.  But today's story of David and his estranged son Absalom reminds us of a couple stories about our heavenly Father, Who longs for reconciliation rather than wrath, and Who protects every hair on our head.

Try not to get to distracted by the description of Absalom.  Or our friend Jelle.

You can find more Breath Prayers like, Jesus embraces me in Abba’s love Breath Prayer in our Soul Shepherding Store.

Join us at our next webinar! On June 30th at 3 pm PDT we will be hosting our next webinar, Group Soul Shepherding. 

You can also purchase our previously broadcasted webinar, Healing Father Wounds. 

We have a new resource for you! We have Sr. Spiritual Directors waiting and ready to listen to you with empathy and confidentiality! On the Soul Shepherding Network page, you can find out more and book an appointment.  

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Bring Journey of the Soul to your small group with a supporting Leader Guide, Spotify playlist, and video curriculum.

In the Soul Shepherding Institute, we’ll show you how to make space to hear God’s voice, be renewed spiritually, and engage in soul training that will equip you to thrive with Jesus in all you do as a pastor or ministry leader.

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