As I sit in contemplation, praying how to start this post, the reminder comes that everything we as children of the Kingdom do, starts with GOD. This is a reminder that my thoughts, my words, my actions all play off of this truth that only our heavenly Father can teach us.

This is how I have always taught, especially with my grandchildren for fourteen summers, with the premise, “In the beginning, GOD.” Add to this, the first petition in the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father …. Hallowed be Thy name,” In these, we learn where to start our thinking. From these, we witness to others who we are, and live what we believe.

What we learn from Him never changes because He never changes. “The world lies in wickedness” (1 John 5:19) “under the power of the evil one” (ESV). And we as His children are all prone to forget that He leads us in “the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” According to His will and the power of His light, He brings every generation through the darkness of this world, each heart, and each person to His designated end. From start to finish, it is and always will be, GOD

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us,
that we should be called children of God;
and so we are.
The reason why the world does not know us
is that it did not know him.”
1 John 3:1

The difference is in how we each relate to Him. GOD, to some people, is nothing; purely speculation. He may pass as a thought through the minds of others. But in His kingdom, we relate to GOD as our Father. There is a huge, magnitudinal difference in the minds, hearts, and lives of those who know Him as FATHER. The key word here is “know.”

“Knowing” in God’s Word denotes intimacy; being close enough to live in assurance, without doubt, with the one we know. A child who lives with a father who takes loving care, promises and fulfills his promises, can live content. We are living “with” God our Father. He is not just a supernatural being that has “set His throne above the heavens…His kingdom ruling over all.” He is transcendent so as to encompass all, but He is also, supernaturally, living in our hearts, our minds and our strength.He is always with us. He is GOD to His children when He is nothing to others. He is caring for us in the smallest detail, and the greater things. While the world lives in despair and hopelessness, He is able to supply every need, whether physical or spiritual. If we fail to know, trust and live in light of these truths, then we must set our minds on Him as GOD, in prayer and in meditation on His Word. He is able, “exceeding abundantly able” to “hold us by the hand and guide us with His counsel” to know Him as Father beyond what we can ask or think of Him by His power working in us (Ephesians 3:20-21).GOD Is Our Goal ~ GOD’S Plan For His People is our newest publication (next week). This book is a summary of what I taught my grandchildren and relates to God’s goal for us as His children. He, in His purpose for our creation and redemption before the beginning of time, planned how He would bring us through this wilderness to Himself. He has not, and will not fail, to be GOD and Father to us.

Are we His children? Has He ever failed in His promises? Are we content with Him as our GOD and Father? What more does He need to do for us? Let us draw near to Him; stay close to Him, and we will through all our trials and temptations, learn to be content with Him and all He has planned for us.

Gracious Father in heaven, you teach us in your Word what you want us to know about you. By your Spirit of Christ working in us, you bring us to yourself so that you may fill our minds and hearts with your love and grace. You are a Father like no other, who promises all that we need for this life and for eternity. Send out your Holy Spirit today; mark us as your own that we may be witnesses of your promises and the fulfillment in us of all that you have prepared for us. Make us to know you as Father in the middle of a world that does not hold this role sacred; a world that lives in the state of oppression. Thank you for leading us to keep our eyes on you, no matter the circumstances. In Jesus’ name, I pray.