The Challenge
Topic: God our Father
Spend a few minutes reading, praying, and meditating on the following verses:
Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
Challenge: Write a list in your journal (or here https://www.quiettime.today/journal) of the things a good father would do for his kids. Next, think about how God has (or has not) done these things to you. Then write a list of things that a good child should do to their father. Think about how you have done these to God.
Bonus verse:
Luke 11:13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
More information: https://www.quiettime.today/blog/challenge-4
More Information
Yesterday, we talked about the incredible privilege that we can pray to God, the almighty eternal Creator of the universe. Today we explore the notion that God is our Heavenly Father. This is even more mind-boggling.
In the Old Testament, we don’t see God being referred to as our heavenly father very often, but only occasionally. For example
Isaiah 63:16 You, O Lord, are our Father; Our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name.
Jesus on the other hand was talking about God the Father all the time. In the three chapters of the Sermon on the Mount alone (Matthew 5-7) Jesus refers to God as our heavenly Father 17 times. Jesus the Son showed us what our relationship with God our Father should be.
The challenge this day is to write down a list of things a good parent would do to their children, and then also a list of what a good child would do to their parents. Below is a list that may be helpful as you contemplate this.
1. Protect them.
2 Samuel 22:2 And he said: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
2. Feed and clothe and house them.
Matthew 6:31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
3. Show interest and spend time with them.
Jeremiah 29: 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
4. Teach them what is good and what is bad. Reward good and punish bad.
Hebrews 12:7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
5. Be aware of their vulnerable state compared to him, so treat them with kindness and gentleness. Comfort when needed.
Psalm 23: 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
6. Keeps his promises to them.
2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
7. Teach them wisdom, skills and knowledge.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
8. Do fun things together and show them different places.
Psalm 8:4 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?
9. Help them discover their talents and encourage their growth.
Isaiah 48:17 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go.
10. Help them develop a relationship with God.
Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
And then how should we respond to God our Father? What are some things good kids do to their parents?
1. Obey and not rebel against them.
1 Samuel 15:22 So Samuel said: “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.
2. Respect them.
Deuteronomy 10:12 “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
3. Make them look good in the eyes of others.
Psalm 86:12 I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore.
4. Have a positive and enthusiastic attitude around them.
Revelation 3:16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
5. Talk to them about their lives and decisions. Involve them in their lives.
Jeremiah 29:12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
6. Show gratitude for what they receive.
Psalm 26:7 That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works.
7. Give a genuine effort to please them.
Colossian 1:10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
8. Be sensitive of Dad's needs, for example, let him rest when he comes home tired from work.
(I could not find any verses about God's needs)
9. Contribute to the family by doing chores and helping out.
Deuteronomy 11:13 ‘And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul,
10. Develop a good relationship with God.
3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
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