Carla had today off, but was called in to cover for an ill co-worker.  Not sure what she had planned for today, but she will still have time.

She is helping Deed’s friend with her wedding.  She is doing the flower arrangements, bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages from artificial flowers – that is a lot easier, it can be done over a period of time rather than the rushed and stressful dealing with fresh flowers that goes well into the wee hours and little sleep before completion.’

As I looked in the stove it appears we will be having pine cones for dinner as there is a cookie sheet full of them – I asked her how they taste – she doesn’t know, but no worry, she is drying them for use in the wedding.

Well, guess I will get to my puttering around now that my devotions are finished.  Will start with my daily half-hour walk.  

1 Chronicles 29:11 Wherefore David blessed the Lord before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.

Isaiah 63:16  Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O Lord, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.

Isaiah 64:8 But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.

What is in a name?  In the Old Testament there were many names for God:  Jehovah, YHWH, El Shaddai  to name just a few.

Some of these names described who God was to them:

Jehovah-Rapha  --  The Lord who heals

Jehovah-Rohi  --  The Lord is my Shephard

Jehovah-Tsidkenu – The Lord our righteousness

This is the same God, different names, but the ONE and ONLY God.  The Hebrews were the followers of One God.  He told them there was but ONE God and to worship only Him. 

From what I can understand to the Jews He was ‘the Father’ not MY father.  They addressed Him by many names, but My Father was a name that was not used.  Possibly because it was personal, meaning a direct descendant; such as Father Abraham.

Jesus changed all that, He said when you look at me you see God:    John 14:9   Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?  

And He taught us to pray:  Mathew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 

He had the audacity to call Himself God – since He claimed to be His Son:   John 10:30-31   I and my Father are one.  ³¹ Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

These kinds of statements were part of the ‘proofs’ to the Jews that He claimed He was God and therefore a heretic and worthy of death.

There is no question that Jesus proclaimed He was God.  There also is no doubt that the Jews understood He meant the term “Father” as being God.

Acts 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

A few days ago I came across information that said the term “Father” was not a name that the Jewish people called God.  However, I have learned that no matter the source, it is best to try and verify information, especially when it comes to what we say the Bible says.

As I researched I found there were verses where He was called Father.  Perplexing, and disturbing if I had taken the information I had they did not use the term, as factual or at least without qualifications.

From what I can tell Father was not used to address God as we do today – and I think that is what was being said by the information given me. 

Most Christians start our prayer addressing Him in that manner in one way or another.  I have a friend that when he prays inserts Father at the beginning of almost every sentence.

Father is a term of respect and endearment for God; it is recognition that having accepted Christ as our Savior we are joint heirs with Him.  It demonstrated our relationship with Him is more than just a follower to a ‘god,’ He cares for us as a father cares for his children.

To the Jewish people Jesus was saying He was calling Himself equal with God and in effect was God.  AND He was. 

While we do not fully understand the concept, God is three people, God the Father, who we pray to, God the Son, who we pray through, and God the Holy Spirit, who comforts and teaches us.

As Jesus called God, Father, so can we.  Through Christ we have the assurance that our lives are intricately entwined with Christ and therefor with God.  He indeed is our Father – yes spiritual – but our Father none-the-less.

It is a unique relationship that only Christians have.

My prayer today is that I remember to be thankful for that special relationship with God through Christ.  He has taken great pains to show us His Love and Compassion for us, as a Father to His children.

Later, Art :-)

From the ColumbiaRiverGorgeous
May Our Good Lord Bless and Keep YOU....’til we meet again