Scripture: Matthew 6 v 9 - 15: "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
As this is Father's Day I would like to bless Our Father in Heaven as well as all the fathers who are a blessing to their children.
Our Heavenly Father is exalted on high while we long for His Kingdom to be fully established on this Earth. He provides for all our needs and forgives us when we are contrite and make peace with those we have offended.
He never tempts us but removes s out of harm's way when we get into difficulties because only He has full power over the evil forces when we call on His help with thankful hearts.
He is able to forgive our sins when we forgive others. If we refuse to forgive them, it blocks His ability to forgive us. He needs to see a demonstration of our mercy and compassion so He can release His own. When we realise how powerful His love is, only evil intent in our souls towards another prevents us from forgiving from the heart.
Our Father is a Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and in truth. This can only be achieved if you are born again as Jesus said in John 3 v 3 - 7: "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."
Our Father wants everyone to be in His Kingdom and He sent Jesus to show us how to get there. Jesus says that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no-one comes to the Father except through Him. If we doubt that Jesus could ever lie, then we can doubt the way of salvation.
John 3 v 16 - 17: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
There is no other way, no other path, person or name that can give us everlasting life with Our Father in Heaven than through Jesus Christ, His Son. John the Baptist said of Jesus, Behold the Lamb of God, who comes to take away the sin of the world. Sin is the only barrier between God and us and how clean we feel when the Blood Jesus shed washes it away.
We do not need priests and confessional, intermediaries like Mary and saints to pray for us now or at the hour of our death. We need a living relationship with Jesus here and now. When we finally stand before our Father, He is not going to ask Mary or the saints if you appealed to them, He is going to ask us, Do you know My Son?
If we say yes then He will ask Jesus if our names are in the Lamb's Book of Life. If He says yes then we hear the wonderful words, Enter into eternal peace and rest. If He says I never knew you, your name is not written in My book, then you will be forever lost.
We are spirit beings clothed with a soul and body. Our spirits are eternal and can never die. We have this one chance to make sure of where we spend eternity. If God was planning to pardon everyone then Jesus suffered and died in vain and the Bible is worthless.
Those who know Jesus know the truth and power of His death and resurrection and the nourishment we get from the Bible. Only those who are deceived through philosophy and worldly knowledge are in danger of eternal darkness. Our Father waits for, longs for, the prodigals to return. His love never ceases but He will not allow sin in any form to be found in Heaven.
He is full of grace and mercy for all who call upon Him for forgiveness. He loves His children with His whole heart. Be sure to follow Jesus into that love forever.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me for being a rebel and doing that which grieves You. I acknowledge Jesus as Your Son who died and rose again to justify me. Forgive very sin I every did as I forgive those who have hurt me. I take back every evil word of gossip, slander, lies and curses and release the guilty into Your hands. Please wash and cleanse me with the Blood of the Lamb and Jesus, please come into my heart and be my Lord and Saviour. Write my name in the Lamb's Book of Life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
