When you think about it, people relate differently to God...

Some people relate to God, as some giant, distant "force" in the Universe.

Other people relate to God simply as a "rule-setter," disciplinarian, or as a source of morality (what is right and wrong).


Yet others relate to God, only as someone they have to deal with when they die.


Many Christians relate to God, as an overbearing master who is very demanding of them. Who conspicuously critiques their daily lives.

Yet, for the person who has accepted Jesus Christ, God's Son, into their hearts and lives, how should they relate to God? As a loving, caring, Father; as demonstrated by how Christ Himself, related to the Father. It is why Christ instructed us to call God "Abba Father."


John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Romans 8:15 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.

Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Seated "With" Christ?

Ephesians 2:6

I don't know about most people, but whenever I have read this verse previously, I always thought the portion that says,

"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus" vs. 6

implied that "God raised us up (from the dead) with Christ..." etc.

BUT! If you read verse 5, it already covers the fact that we have BEEN made alive with Christ! So, what then does the word "raised" signify in verse 6?

I believe it means that, just as Christ ascended physically into Heaven, so God has likewise raised us up, lifted us up, so that, just as Christ has been seated at the right hand of God with authority, power, and right-standing, we are likewise seated WITH Christ!!!

What a powerful truth!

Why Wasn't Cain's Offering Accepted?

Background Text: Genesis 4:1-7

Why was Cain's offering rejected? Because it was of the fruit of the ground, the very ground that God had cursed (Genesis 3:17). Cain's offering represented man's efforts to achieve, to earn, right standing with God. Abel's offering of a choice, firstborn lamb, however, was met with God's approval. Why? Jesus Christ is symbolized throughout the Scriptures as "...the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1:29, Isaiah 53:7, etc. etc.). He is the Father's firstborn, His "...only begotten Son" (John 3:16). As the Scriptures tell us, without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sins, no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22, Lev. 17:11). This principle is likewise portrayed earlier in Genesis, shortly after man's original sin in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve tried to cover their sin and shame, by making for themselves garments of fig leaves, of the fruit of the ground. However, these garments, symbolic of man's own efforts, his good works, to try and earn right-standing with God and cover his sin, were absolutely unacceptable unto God. Afterward, Genesis tells us that God made clothes of the skins of animals, for Adam and Eve. Where did God get these animal skins from? The animals had to be killed, their blood shed, their lives given, for these clothes to be made. Likewise, only the righteousness that is in Christ Jesus, is truly acceptable to God. (Note: Righteousness in the New Testament is often referred to as a "Robe." Just an interesting thought). So many times throughout the Old Testament, this truth is made evident. From the Ram that God provided, which Abraham offered in place of the life of his son Isaac, to the numerous sacrificial offerings which God instituted, and numerous more examples.

Referring back to the original text, God gave Cain the opportunity to change his offering for one that would be accepted, but instead of obeying God, Cain became bitter, hateful, and ended up killing his own brother. We must not be like this, but rather, we must, with grateful hearts, freely accept the righteousness, the true righteousness, which is in Christ alone, by faith.

Don't Doubt God's Promises!

Genesis 16:1-2

God promised Abraham that he would bless him, and that he would be the father of a great nation. Sadly however, Sarai doubted. She looked at her situation, her barrenness, and couldn't SEE how God could fulfill His promise. So, instead of trusting God to keep His Word, she resorted to her own human efforts to try and bring about God's promise. When God promises us something, we need to trust Him. Even though a situation may look hopeless, remember, God keeps His promises! Trust Him, and, in His time, He WILL bring it to pass.

Note also, in verse 2, that Sarai said, "The Lord has kept me from having children..." Sarai seems to be blaming God for her situation. God was not the one causing her barrenness! If we have a preconceived idea of how God is going to fulfill His promise, and we don't see it happening it that way, it is very easy to blame God, and to become bitter against Him, and try to do things our way. However, this is not right. Remember: God is a GOOD God. He does not put sickness, disease, or evil upon His children! Don't blame God for your situation. Instead, trust Him to fulfill His promises toward you.

Romans 4:17
As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

Abraham didn't even have one son, and yet God had told him that his seed would be as numerous as the stars. That must have seemed impossible to Abraham. Yet, when we look back today, we see that God indeed kept His promise. How many times has God promised US things, and we think, "Oh, that's simply not possible, that's 'unrealistic' to expect," or something like that. We need to have Abrahamic faith! When Abraham looked around, his situation looked hopeless, and it seemed like an impossibility for God to fulfill His promise. But, God always comes through. He is faithful. See things today through the eyes of faith as Abraham did.

The "BAGS" Principle: 

Be
A
Good
Steward

Because all that we have, God has given to us.

‎"18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love." I John 4:16 NLT