Topic: ABBA, FATHER [Open Heavens 16 April 2018, Monday]
Memorise: “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” – Romans 8:15
Read: Romans 8:14-17 (KJV)
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Bible in One Year: Judges 3-4, 1 Timothy 5.
MESSAGE:
There are many names to describe God in the Holy Scriptures. While all His names are important in many ways, the name “Abba” is one of the most significant names of God in understanding how He relates with mankind. The word “Abba” is an Aramaic word that means “Daddy” in common parlance. It is a loving name that young children use to address their fathers. This name shows the intimate relationship that exists between father and child, and it conveys the absolute trust children have in their father.
It is important to recognize that although all those who believe in the Almighty can call Him God, not all of them can call Him Abba. Who then can refer to the Almighty as Abba? Only those who have enjoyed the grace of the adoption into the family of God have the boldness to call Him “Daddy”. These are people who believe in Jesus, the Son of the Living God and in the work of atonement He has accomplished for all mankind (John 1:12-13).
Galatians 4:6 says,
“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
Furthermore, only those who honor God as a child honors his or her daddy can call the Almighty Abba. Malachi 1:6a says,
“A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour?”
Your attitude towards God as a Father will determine whether you can call Him Abba, because Abba is an appellation that confirms your intimate relationship with the Almighty. You may want to ask: How can I honor God as Abba? You honor Him by keeping His commandments. Some so-called children of God erroneously believe that grace means lawlessness. They couldn’t be further from the truth (Romans 6:1-2)! There are many blessings we receive when we are true children of the Great Abba. In Genesis 17:1, Abba Father declared Himself as the Almighty God. Because He is Almighty, He grants His children their request and daily loads them with His blessings (Psalm 3:4, Psalm 68:19). Beloved, do you belong to this loving Daddy? I congratulate you if indeed the Almighty God is also your Abba. However, if your attitude towards Him is that of total disregard for His person or blatant disobedience to His commandments, then you need to change your ways today. You stand to lose a whole lot if you don’t have God as your Father.
Prayer Point: Abba, Father, transform my attitude towards You and draw me close to You in Jesus’ Name.
If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Open Heavens 15th April 2018 Sunday — Touch Not My Anointed”
Hymn 15: Nearer My God To Thee
1. Nearer, my God to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross
That raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be.
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!
2. Though like the wanderer,
The sun gone down.
Darkness be over me,
My rest a stone.
Yet in my dreams I’d be
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!
3. There let the way appear
Steps unto heaven;
All that Thou send’st to me
In mercy given:
Angels to beckon me
Nearer, my God, to Thee!
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!
4. Then, with my waking thoughts
Bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs
Bethel I’ll raise
So by my woes to be
Nearer, my God, to Thee!
Nearer, my God to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!
Open Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
Flatimes’ Notice Board: Please do not prolong your salvation if you have not repented. Many are going home daily and tomorrow maybe too late…There is still hope, JESUS LOVES YOU!
The post Open Heavens 16th April 2018 Monday — ABBA, FATHER appeared first on Flatimes.