Morning Moments

Today I am in Atlanta, awaiting my flight to India. PLEASE PRAY for our safety and succes in ministry there.

I want to focus on two words of the "Lord's Prayer - "Our Father"

These words, simple as they are fill my mind with so many thoughts, but for now let's look at the first - "Our"

There were three children in our household as I grew up, so regardless of the pros and cons of being an only child, I leanred quickly to understand the meaning of "our." One of the most important things I learned was that "our" meant that no one got his/her own way all the time. "Our" meant that we had to consider one another's time, feelings, differences, etc..

So, when I read the "Our" in this prayer, it reminds me that there are others of us to be considered if we are to maintain a happy home and a peaceful "togetherness." If one does something to bring embarrassment to the others, it had to be made right. No one lived to himself/herself if we were to honor father and mother.

It is the same in the family of God, we are to rejoice with "others" and "weep" with others. We hurt when they hurt. We are happy when they are happy. Can you understand why Satan might want to change our thinking about "the family?" Everyone wants his/her own way today at the expense of others. So, let's remember to be considerate of one another.

The other word is - "Father."

When mama said, "Just wait till your father gets home it could only mean one of two things: You are in big trouble or you are in for quite a treat." When dad went away on business, he always brought us a special gift.

I understand that some of today's dads are deadbeats. I understand that some are abusive and mean, but that gives us all the more reason to have holy and healthy and happy homes. Everyone wanted to come to our house when our kids were growing up.

The point is that God IS OUR FATHER through our personal faith in Jesus Christ, and as His children, we should want more than ANYTHING else to please Him, obey Him, love Him. Don't judge our Heavenly Father by the bad ones. Understand that He loves us more than anyone, and wants best for us more than we want for ourselves.

Today, think about it! HE, the creator and sustainer of all things is OUR FATHER! He is never away, never too busy, never unconcerned, but always near, loving us and cheering us on to greater heights. Hallelujah!

PRAYER: I love You, Father.