The Father’s Outrageous Love

Beloved…I want to invite you to find your Bible, open it and read with me, John 3.16 & 1 John 4.13-18.  Go ahead, I’ll wait!  Did you see it?  God, our God and Father, not only loves –“God is Love!”

I recall during one of my times of devotional prayer and sermon preparation, The Lord began to speak to my heart regarding The Father’s OUTRAGEOUS Love.  He told me to ask you, “Do YOU believe the Father loves you?”

Don’t rush past the question.  Let’s take time for deep reflection.  Do you REALLY BELIEVE The Father Loves YOU and wants to heal you…deliver you…restore you…revive you…bring increase and abundance into your life…set you free…Do you REALLY BELIEVE IT???

Listen…John 3.16 says, “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.”

Let’s examine it in the ancient Biblical Greek:

• God: Theos:  The Triune Godhead
• Loved: Agapao:  to Love, cherish, honor, prize, be devoted to. God’s unconditional covenant love revealed in Christ
• World: kosmos: His creation; Humanity, the people of the earth

God  gave…

• His one and only Son: monogenes:  unique, one of a kind, precious, beloved; refers to the relationship between the Father and the Son
• Whoever believes: pisteuo: to have faith in; to trust; have confidence in

In Him…

• Shall not Perish: apollymi:  to decimate, ravage; to be judicially sentenced to eternal death = exclusion from the Messianic Kingdom

BUT, BELIEVERS RECEIVE EVERLASTING LIFE (ZOE: ABUNDANT LIFE)!

In other words, receiving The Father’s OUTRAGEOUS love through faith in Christ results in Eternal Zoe Life! Hallelujah! Many people believe that Christ died for their sins.  Some will even take the next step and believe they need Him as their Lord and Savior.  BUT, many Christians think they have to WORK for their salvation! Deep down inside, many people believe that their ‘good deeds, their works’ will earn the Love of God, which they equate as granting them entry into heaven. This person becomes ‘self-reliant’; trusting in their own abilities, as opposed to trusting in the Father’s completed act of Love, through the sacrificial gift of Jesus our Christ!

Let me take you deeper into my prayer closet.  Hear my confession.  Try not to judge too harshly.  I was serving a church in the Blue Water Area and the parsonage I lived in had a beautiful, huge walk-in closet in the Master Bedroom that I converted into a ‘prayer closet.’  One day, I entered my ‘secret place’ and started my ‘ritual.’  I began kneeling, praying, doing what I thought was “pressing in.” All you pentecostal tongue-talking, charismatic types know what I mean, don’t you?   I was “re-tying my bow tie” in every imaginable posture; Being REAL HOLY!  Nothing seemed to be working.  I knelt on my kneeler.  Nothing.  I paced back and forth!  Nothing.  I turned my worship up a little louder, lifted my hands, even waved them around.  Nothing.  I decided I wasn’t suffering enough so I grabbed my Talith (Prayer Shawl) and my prayer blanket – spread it out and lay face down.  I figured that if I breathed in major carpet fibers in great distress and un-comfortability, His Presence and Glory would come and fill my closet!  And suddenly…He was there!  I could feel the Presence of the Lord and hear the gentle whisper of His Voice.  I was expecting deep revelation and waves of Glory to overtake me.  Instead, He said, “You think I come because of your discomfort, or that I come because you pray in tongues or ramble on with contrived passion as opposed to My coming simply because I love you and want to be with you!  You think like a Pharisee…you need to understand the Father’s Heart of Love!”

Wow!  Did you get that?  He came…simply because He loves me and wanted to be with me!

On the surface, we use “Christian lingo” WE COME TO RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS (CHRISTIAN SERVICES) and we know when to stand and when to sit and what to do in a “proper” worship service… But deep down inside, we mask (cover and hide—bury deep down inside) our hurt, and anger, and brokenness, and un-forgiveness; our bitterness, rage, insecurities, rejection, mental instability and FEARS! We hide our pain and feelings of abandonment and desperate need for HEALING AND DELIVERANCE!  We hide OUR DESPERATE NEED FOR GOD and we put on this mask of CHRISTIAN PERFECTION…all because we DO NOT BELIEVE — FOR REAL, THAT GOD — OUR FATHER  –REALLY REALLY LOVES US – OUTRAGEOUSLY!!!!

The Lord, told me in prayer that morning…

Fear — triggers doubt!

He said, “When we walk in genuine love, (the Love of the Father for us) there is no place for fear because, “Perfect love cast out fear.”

I asked Him — “How do I walk in Your Love?”

He answered, “My abiding Presence is the place of My love and I have poured it into Your heart.”

I said, “Show me Lord, how to access that love — how to dwell in it — how to rejoice in Your Love — how to rejoice in You — and how to pour that Love — the Father’s love, out to others.”

I asked, “What constrains it?”

He answered, “FEAR constrains it!”

I asked, “What is the root of fear?  What is the structure upon which fear is built — what holds fear in place in our lives?”

He answered, “Self reliance and pride; when at the core, most people know they are essentially unreliable, having let themselves and others down numerous times.”

In other words…self-reliance, pride, self-sufficiency; all are facades with really mask deep seated fears, doubt and a lack of trust in God’s Word; which is the same as — not really believing God loves us!  In fact — 1 John 4 tells us that GOD IS LOVE!

Let’s make it more personal…

Most folk know what stress and worry are!!!

Worry — implies that we don’t quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take are of what’s happening in our lives

Stress — says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace towards others, or our tight grip of control.

Stress Facts

• Two thirds of Americans say they are likely to seek help for stress.
• Fifty-four percent of Americans are concerned about the level of stress in their everyday lives.
• 75% of the general population experiences at least “some stress” every two weeks (National Health Interview Survey).
• Half of those experience moderate or high levels of stress during the same two-week period.
• Millions of Americans suffer from unhealthy levels of stress at work. (A study several years ago estimated the number to be 11 million. Given events since that time, this number has certainly more than tripled. Studies in Sweden, Canada, and other Westernized countries show similar trends.)
• Worker’s compensation claims for “mental stress” in California rose 200-700% in the 1980s (whereas all other claim causes remained stable or declined!)
• Stress contributes to heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes, and other illnesses in many individuals.
• Stress also affects the immune system, which protects us from many serious diseases.
• Tranquilizers, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications account for one fourth of all prescriptions written in the U.S. each year.
• Stress also contributes to the development of alcoholism, obesity, suicide, drug addiction, cigarette addiction, and other harmful behaviors.

Basically worry, anxiety and stress communicate that it’s okay to “sin” by not trusting God because the stuff in my life is somehow exceptional! When in reality worry and stress reek of pride, fear and arrogance!  Fear triggers doubt and it constrains us from receiving the FATHER’S LOVE!  WORRY AND STRESS declare our tendency to forget that we’ve been forgiven, that our lives are brief, that we are headed to a place where we won’t be sick, lonely, afraid, or hurt ever again! In the context of God’s strength, and in consideration of the Father’s vast OUTRAGEOUS LOVE for us and His Present Kingdom Promises, our problems are minuscule indeed! MINUSCULE INDEED!

Let me return to the initial question the Lord told me to ask you…

DO YOU BELIEVE THE FATHER LOVES YOU?

DO YOU BELIEVE THE FATHER LOVES YOU OUTRAGEOUSLY AND ACTUALLY ENJOYS YOUR COMPANY?  LISTENS FOR YOUR VOICE?  DELIGHTS IN YOU?

Let me leave you with these words that blessed my soul.  I pray they do the same for YOU!! Drink them in.  Soak in them.  Listen.  Receive….

My Child…

You may not know me, but I know everything about you…Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up…Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways …Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered …Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image …Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being …Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring …Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived …Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation …Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake …Psalm 139:15-16

For all your days are written in my book …Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live …Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made …Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother’s womb …Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born …Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me…John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love …1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you …1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father …1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could…Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect Father…Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand …James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs …Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope …Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love…Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore …Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing …Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you …Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession …Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul …Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things …Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me …Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart …Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires…Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine …Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager …2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles …2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you …Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart …Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes …Revelation 21:3-4

And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth …Revelation 21:4

I am your Father and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus …John 17:23

For in Jesus my love for you is revealed …John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being …Hebrews 1:3

And He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you …Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins …2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled …2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you …1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love …Romans 8:32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me …1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again …Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen …Luke 15:7

I have always been Father and will always be Father …Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…Will you be my child?…John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you …Luke 15:11-32

 

Love,

Your Dad

Almighty God

A Sure Foundation

A Sure Foundation

Nothing secures a person like outrageous love does. When I feel absolutely and unconditionally loved by someone, it both frees and secures me. I don’t have to do anything to constantly make sure they are for me. Love produces a solid foundation from which I can move forward. I don’t constantly look over my shoulder doubting and wondering. I move forward in life without insecurities.

The word foundation is filled with meaning. It is an establishment; the substance on which something is built; support, base layer, underpinning, footing, substance, basis or grounds.

Paul talked about it this way in Ephesians 3:17-19, “being rooted and grounded in love.” To be rooted means that all growth springs forth from a common source which is the genetic basis of that growths being. For instance an oak tree grows out of an oak root. And to be grounded means that everything is established on a specific foundation.

That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19

Love is the foundation from which God our Father creates, moves, decides, evaluates, weighs, and acts. Because God loves us outrageously, one of the love things He did was to provide a foundation of beliefs, which would secure us on a trajectory of developing solid maturity as well as a life of integrity and wholeness. Everything God did, He literally did for our ultimate freedom. Love frees.

Recently the Supreme Court decided to change the order, behavior and nature in which God created man, male and female; marriage between a biological man and a biological woman. On one hand it’s a great freedom we have in America, freedom to be and do within the framework of certain moral values. God also created a moral code of ethics that is not meant to restrict but to ultimately provide the greatest degree of freedom. God’s laws protect us from interpersonal strife and conflict, from sicknesses and disease, provide for growth and development, ultimately a trajectory of freedom and prosperity in our soul and spirit as well as physical body.

The Supreme Court grossly deviated from the guidelines originated by God by ruling in favor of same sex marriage. Scripturally it is called homosexuality. Though there was great celebration on the day of the Supreme Court ruling, there should have been great grief. Why? Because God had a reason for how He made us and created us to be in relationship with one another.

There are consequences to deviation. Sodomy, that is oral or rectal sex, originated from homosexuality. There are physical ramifications from this deviation resulting in sickness and disease. There is an alarming increase of throat cancer in men that results from oral sex. They have been contaminated orally with the herpes virus which greatly increases the chance of developing cancer, be it cervical in women or throat cancer in men. Michael Douglas the actor spoke publicly about this and why he developed throat cancer. This is only one of the consequences. Sexual identity confusion as well as diseases are just two things resulting from homosexuality. Now our nation’s highest court has legitimized same sex marriage.

This does not make it legal spiritually for you or I. The Bible is quite clear about it. God did not set up these guidelines to frustrate or undermine us. He set them up because He loves us and made plans to prosper us in spirit, soul and body.

Mark 10:6-9 ESV: But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Leviticus 20:13 ESV says that: If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them. (In the New Testament, they are not put to death)

Romans 1:26-28 ESV: For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 ESV: Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Jude 1:7 ESV: Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.

Revelation 21:8 ESV: But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

God hasn’t changed His mind about homosexuality and marriage. Some say that the Bible as it was written is not culturally or contemporarily relevant for this age. They say that Jonathan and David had a homosexual relationship. Books have been written defending the legitimacy of homosexuality and same sex marriage. None of these including the recent Supreme Court ruling change the Bible, God’s written heart for His people.

The changing of the laws and free fall into debauchery is not just the devil. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 NKJ says that God sent a strong delusion because men loved unrighteousness more than His truth. 

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

God is crazy about us. His heart is that we flourish, prosper. He knows what brings us into confusion, disorder, conflict, sickness and disease etc. So He established a sure foundation for us, one that would cause us to soar in spirit, soul and body because He loves us. He recorded His guidelines in the Bible, the Word of God. And Peter said that His Word would stand forever. That means His love stands forever.

Nothing has changed for you and I. Marriage between a biological born male and female is still the bottom line. Sexual relations are to be between a biologically born male and female, but within the marriage covenant. Anything less falls short of His love and the glory of God. We are to be people of glory, like our Father. We are to be outrageous lovers like our Father. That means we will love what He loves and hate what He hates.

He has created a sure foundation. He has rooted and grounded us in His love. Now we must move into the fullness of truth, loving the truth not unrighteousness, that sure foundation He created because of His outrageous love for us.