Dear Abba
A prayer letter to the Father.
September 13, 2010
Dear Abba,
I came across this devotional and was reminded what a loving
Father You are and was reassured of Your abiding presence in my life as I recall
that you have been my shield during the darkest times in my life. I love you
Lord and thank You for never leaving me or forsaking me. You are my strength and
trust, and to you I can freely call, Abba Father. I pray that this devotional
may be a blessing to others as it has been to me. Amen, Amen and Amen.
He Shall Cover You
"He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings
you shall take refuge;"
Psalm 91:4, NKJV
Parents instinctively want to cover their children, especially if they have
kicked their clothes off or become uncovered in some way. Perhaps, like me, you
remember your Mum or Dad saying when you were little, ‘go up to bed and I’ll
come and tuck you in’. It was such a comfort to feel the bedclothes being
tucked in and be cosy, secure and loved. Most children have duvets now, but they
can still be ‘tucked in’.
We all like to be covered up. But sometimes we become uncovered, because we’ve
sinned, done something thoughtless, or perhaps it’s through being ignorant.
The Lord longs to cover us when we become unprotected and vulnerable to danger.
The blood of Jesus covers our sin and protects us from the enemy. It’s the
most powerful covering there is. The power of the precious blood of Jesus comes
through everything that was accomplished by Jesus, the Son of God, on the cross
of Calvary. It’s our shield and refuge.
When we face the darkest evil, the hardest temptation or the fiercest battle, we
don’t need to be afraid. We can plead for the precious blood of Jesus to cover
us. This is the glorious covering that God provides for everyone who believes in
Him and receives forgiveness for their sins. So even if you’ve never had
anyone to cover you up or ‘tuck you in’ until now, there’s a Saviour. He
loves you so much that He’ll enfold you in His love. He’ll cover you
completely, so that you’re wonderfully secure, and forever safe beneath His
wings.
God provided a Passover lamb as a blood covering to protect His people Israel
when they came out of the land Egypt; ‘Now the blood shall be a sign for
you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you;
and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of
Egypt’ (Exodus 12:13). He was going to provide the future Passover Lamb,
Jesus Christ, to be a covering for all His people, and Jesus is described in the
book of Revelation as ‘the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world’.
Prayer: Lord, we worship and praise You for being our covering.
We can’t cover ourselves, but we know the comfort and freedom we have under
Your precious Blood. We thank You, Father, in Jesus’ Name.
Today's Writer : Pam Smith Pam Smith has a background in art and nursing,
has a son and two daughters and a 'ministry to grandchildren.' She has been a
friend and helper of Ellel Ministries since l992, and is involved with Healing
Through Creativity Courses. As writer of the Shepherd Love Series, she has a
passion for the comfort and encouragement that leads people towards enjoying
abundant Life in Jesus.
Please feel free to use this devotional to send
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The copyright for any commercial use of the material remains with Ellel
Ministries
August 5th, 2010
Dear Abba,
When a friend’s mother un-expectantly passed away this
week, thoughts of purpose, timing and destiny began to pervade my heart and
mind; not only for the Body Christ, but also for friends, family and even my own
life. I could likely entertain myself and You dear Abba with perusal and
concessions on these things for a lengthy time, but truly what is the sense?
When it’s all said and done, only a few things really matter most to You…
That we have lived our gift of time in such a manner that:
… Our purpose in life to know and commune with You, to be in active
relationship with You and to love others
the way You do. Deut 11:13, Jer 24:7, Jer 31:34, Matt
22:37-38, Luke 6:27, Luke 10:25-28, Luke 18:1, Jn 9:25, Jn17:3, 1 Cor14:15,
Rom 8:28-29, Eph 5:1-2, 1 Peter 4:8
… Our purpose in You always includes service to You for the benefit of
others and includes Your people.
Philp 2:13-16, Eph 2:10, 1Tim 2-7, 1 Tim Ch4, Heb 6:10,
Matt28:17-20, 1Cor 12:12-31
… We are not to condemn or judge others as there is no
condemnation in Christ Jesus and we are to hold out an
eternal light of Your love to those who struggle with sin, to those who have
hurt us and to those who do not
yet know You. We are to encourage in love and speak truth even if we risk being
misunderstood. Because the
soul can not see what one hasn’t experienced and may bite, but once
experienced, is able to cascade
showers of light and love on many in need along the path; freely and
unconditionally. Rom 8:1-3, 8:15-17, Rom 15:7,
Zech 8:16, 1Thes 5:9-11, 1Tim 4:12
… Although You are a just God, Your Word teaches and Your
Gospel demonstrates that You prefer mercy over
justice and You actively seek those who are willing to stand in the gap on
behalf of others that You may show
mercy instead of justice. Ezek 22:30, Matt 12:7, Heb4:16,
Jas 2:13, Rom 5:8
The bottom line focus is You Lord. I confess that although I
love You dearly and strive to work out my salvation daily, I think the focus has
been more on me than You. You know me and my life Lord. I’ve experienced more
difficulty than I thought possible during the course of life, as some do. From
the earliest I can remember, I’ve never been angry at those who hurt me, nor
is it common for me to hold grudges. Consequently though, I’ve spent much
energy in trying to protect myself that I’ve become a “living dead”…
dead already. Life has become about me and protecting self and not about You
dear Abba. I’ve permitted the enemy to have authority over strongholds in my
life for so many years. Forgive me.
Also, forgive me if I’ve offended or hurt any over the
years in my zest to pursue righteousness. My concern for the choices made by
those I care about is precisely because I care. The thought of hurting others
grieves me as much as not warning others about the risks of losing Your favour
in their lives. I pray for forgiveness from any offence made Lord. And I ask You
to forgive me also Lord. Help me be more discerning and prayerful for others and
focus more on the choices You would have me make for myself. Continue to refine
me Lord that I may be of good use for You and that I would not hurt Your
witness.
It is not Your desire that I be a “living” dead. Lord,
renew life back into me. Turn my life into something beautiful in Your eyes for
the remaining time I have left in this world. I’m sorry that I made it about
me. Continue to grow Your confidence in me and let me not listen to the enemy’s
lies. To some, I’m too spiritually minded that I’m no earthly good. Some
criticize that I think too deeply and to some I’m sensitive and repulsive for
showing emotion. Some fear relationship with the Holy Spirit and some criticize
my need for study and higher learning. Road blocks, road blocks, and more road
blocks.
Lord the only thing I desire is to be the person You created
me to be. If that is an offence to some, help me to persevere while loving them
in return. Deepen my humility, and help me to hold fast to who I am in You, to
know Who I believe and walk in it. Grant me courage and faith as I walk in
obedience. Help me to die to self in every way, that I may take great joy in
being a slave for Christ, who sets me free. Help me not weaken by heart desires
or by those who judge, criticize, condemn and set snares for me.
When I think of Ester, she had a choice. She faced her fear.
What is my fear, my greatest fears? What if they come to pass? Beth Moore’s
response is: then God! My worst case scenario is: “then God”… and how safe
is that!... Oh dearest Abba, no one has ever loved me the way You have, the way
You do. I owe You my life. I remember thinking once, how will I ever get to the
other side of my life? I recall how earnest I was in seeking that answer and
persisted until You did. You demonstrated that I was not to look to the left,
the right or behind. I was to look forward to the cross, eyes on Jesus. I see
the wisdom in that heavenly Father.
Take my life Lord and let it be consecrated to Thee. I ask
especially Father that You take my heart and hold it tenderly and safely,
because I come to You and give You all its contents, including all my wants,
desires, hopes and dreams; like Peter finally getting out of the boat. I die to
everything this world may offer, including my future… and I let it all go…
even the deepest part of my heart…..and my worst case scenario… and I can
stand secure knowing: “then God”. My eyes fastened, You will hold me fast. I
trust You Abba. I do this because I care so much, and I care about me, and I
care about You dearest Lord. Let my life be about You. Help me Lord, like times
past when I found myself walking alone down the road to the train, help me to
board without looking back. Never let me look back Father… Never let me look
back.
You have called me to a life of hope, healing and
restoration. Thank You Abba for allowing me to witness Your grace in so many
ways. Strengthen and develop my gifts that I may serve You for the rest of my
life. Help me always to be mindful of the wisdom in Francis of Assisi’s prayer
for peace.
“Lord make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is
hatred let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is
despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much as seek to be consoled as to
console;
To be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love; For it is in giving
that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we receive
eternal life.”
Take my hand Lord and walk with me into a new day.
We can do this because You are with me Lord, and for that, I will be okay.
I trust You and I love You Lord.
Amen, Amen and Amen
July 14, 2010
Dear Abba,
I read something profound today that has the
potential to motivate desire to transform human behaviour; profound to me
because it seems so simplistically tangible and yet at the same time facilitates
deeper intimacy with You.
Stormie Omartian writes in Greater Health God’s
Way, “There is an obvious relationship between the word “disciple”
and the word “discipline”. God calls us to be disciples and prepares us for
His magnificent plans and purposes. One of the ways He does this is through
discipline. A simple discipline like regular exercise helps to establish
discipline in other areas of our lives. Physical discipline can lead the way
to spiritual discipline. Each influences the other. And spiritual discipline has
in its end full service to the Lord. We were created to serve a caring,
loving, perfect God. It is a great calling, and we can do it best in a strong
healthy body. (Notice I didn’t say a skinny body that looks great in a
bikini.) The reason you need to exercise is for your health. The reason you need
to discipline yourself is for the purpose of godliness.” “You
must have His mind to keep you balanced, motivated, disciplined, free from pride
and consistent. As you seek to have His mind, He will speak to you about
changing your way of living. When He speaks to you about something you are doing
wrong, or not doing at all, do not ignore Him. He calls us all to
obedience and obedience is healthy. Believe me when I say you’ll feel
better in every way if you obey. Be active for the purpose of godliness.
God is preparing you for something good, so don’t settle for anything less
than He intends. Don’t underestimate your potential, for potential is in
you in the name of Jesus. Give yourself totally to Him and be willing to pay
the price of discipline and obedience. It’s a small price to pay for great
rewards.”
“He who heeds discipline shows
the way to life.” Proverbs
10:17 NIV
Dear Abba, help us in all ways to
become more disciplined with the goal of becoming godly children. Not just
because You desire it in us, but because it’s healthy and wholesome. It’s
wholesome because it enables us to live in complete harmony with You and Your
Spirit. So please dearest Abba, strengthen Your children. Some need to be
disciplined with diet and exercise, others with sarcastic humour, some complain
much or have loose tongues, for some its use of language and other’s a
wandering eye. Some are shopaholics while others drink. The list goes on.
Stormie Omartian speaks truth when
she states, “the enemy doesn’t ever want you disciplined. He sees the
spiritual implication of what you are doing and will try to undermine all your
efforts by flooding you with temptation to fall back into old habits that are
more in line with his plans.” So dear Abba, I pray for Your children and ask
that You strengthen their inner man. On our own we are powerless, but in You we
are strong, we breathe and have our being. Help Your children Lord to reclaim
the authority they have in You because of what Your Son did on the cross; that
same authority we handed over to the enemy every time we made wrong choices
whether through fear, pride, a lack of faith, lack of trust, out of a sense of
hopelessness or because we believed the enemies lies about our personhood.
Forgive us, Your people Lord. Help
to transform our lives so that we become the godly fragrance that pleases and
embodies You and Your nature; that we may have true fellowship with You dearest
Abba; that we may be ready to serve You as You intend. May we embrace the sacred
wisdom of discipline, and apply it daily so that we may grow deeper spiritually.
We love You Lord. Come close and
abide with us. May we please You Abba and may our transformed hearts and
behaviours be a pleasing aroma to You. The choice is ours. May Your people
choose and Live, today Lord.
In the precious name of Your Son
Jesus,
Amen, Amen and Amen!
April 14, 2010
Dear Abba,
You restore favour to Your land, O
Lord;
You restore the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of Your people and covered all their sins.
You set aside all Your wrath and turned from Your fierce anger.
Thank You dear Abba for restoring us
again and putting away Your displeasure towards us. You will not be angry
forever and I’m eternally grateful. You love us dearly, this depraved people
of Yours. Your patience is long suffering; and is as long, deep, high and wide
as Your love. You take pleasure in reviving us again because You care deeply for
Your people, and we rejoice in You. And although we do not deserve it, You have
shown us Your unfailing love and You grant us salvation. Thank You Lord.
I will listen to what You say dear
Abba;
You promise peace to Your people, Your saints - Let us not return to folly.
Surely salvation is close to those who fear You dearest Abba.
May Your glory dwell in our land.
Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Faithfulness springs forth from the earth and righteousness looks down from
heaven.
The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest.
Righteousness goes before Him and prepares the way for His steps.
May Your people likewise follow, dear Abba.
In Your Son’s redeeming name,
Amen, Amen and Amen!
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