FATHER

Join me in meditating upon scriptures where Jesus calls God FATHER. Hear Jesus talk directly to FATHER. Hear Him share about FATHER with those around Him.

Jesus affirms God is His FATHER.
I and the Father are one.
John 10:30

Jesus reveals His closeness to FATHER.
But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.”
John 5:17 NLT

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray,
He began by saying they should call upon God as FATHER.
This, then, is how you should pray: “’Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, …”
Matthew 6:9

Jesus refers to a house as a dwelling place with FATHER.
(Jesus talking with His mother)
“Why were you searching for me?” He asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in My Father’s house?”
Luke 2:49
(Jesus talking with His disciples)
My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you
that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
John 14:2

Jesus talked with FATHER in the garden before He was arrested.
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me;
yet not my will, but yours be done.”
Luke 22:42

Jesus and FATHER share glory.
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.”
John 17:1
“And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with
the glory I had with You before the world began.”
John 17:5

Jesus calls His FATHER Abba, a Hebrew term of affection and intimacy – similar to Daddy.
“Abba, Father,” He said, “everything is possible for You. Take this cup from Me.
Yet not what I will, but what You will.”
Mark 14:36

Jesus cried out to FATHER while dying on the cross.
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Luke 23:34

Jesus’ last words were spoken to FATHER.
Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”
When He had said this, He breathed his last.
Luke 23:46

Jesus told Mary Magdalene He was going to FATHER.
Jesus said, “Do not hold on to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.
Go instead to My brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to My Father
and your Father, to My God and your God.’”
John 20:17

(Happy Father’s Day to all men who fulfill the role of father.)

Morning Glories Radiate Glory in the Morning

It is the beginning of June and morning glories are starting to bloom. Memories of morning glories fill my mind. My grandmother had them growing on the trellis of her front porch. Morning glories are described as trumpet-shaped flowers with heart-shaped leaves. Their buds unfold to reveal radiant blossoms proclaiming tranquility early in the morning sun. These blossoms also unfurl a spiritual message for me. They reveal the glory of God. Exodus 16:7 says, “in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord.” Isaiah 40:5 declares, “And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

A Hebrew word for glory is kabod. It refers to renown, visible splendor, honor, magnificence and dignity. It can be translated as weight, strength, power or ability. Glory in Greek is doxa. It is defined as majestic perfection resulting in praise and honor. It reveals magnificence, excellence, preeminence and dignity.

Isaiah 60:1 declares, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” Let’s visualize ourselves sitting under a trellis of morning glories meditating upon God’s glory as declared in a few scriptures.

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.
We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son,
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14

What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee (turning water into wine)
was the first of the signs through which He revealed His glory;
and His disciples believed in Him.
John 2:11

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation
of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.
After He had provided purification for sins,
He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Hebrews 1:3
For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things.
To Him be the glory forever! Amen.
Romans 11:36

Let’s continue our meditation in a little different direction. God’s glory can be revealed through us. Graham Cooke says in Qualities of a Spiritual Warrior, “On the other side of crisis, glory is ever-present.” Cooke continues, “Majesty reveals glory. When glory comes, extreme joy follows with it. Majesty provides the turning point in a potential disaster. If your mind is set on God’s splendor, then we will overcome…. Everything has a purpose, and the intention of God is that we are always in a position to understand His glory. Glory is about majesty, understanding and reveling in the supremacy of the Lord.”

A friend once told me that glory is man fully alive. Let’s continue with a few more scriptures.

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God
in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
I Corinthians 6:20 NKJV

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory,
are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory,
which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
II Corinthians 3:18

At the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:10-11

Let your light shine before others, that they may see
your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16

The following is from the blog I Hear His Whisper by Brian Simmons and Gretchen Rodriguez. “The empowering of My glory is not for you only. It is meant to be shared. It is designed to mature you and bring you into the beauty of our partnership—to teach you to love others, to remain strong, and to see beyond yourself.”

While surrounded by a floral array of morning glories, let us take time in the morning to mediate upon God’s glory. Trumpet-shaped flowers remind me of Bible verses trumpeting forth God’s glory. Heart-shaped leaves remind me of God’s love.

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”
Isaiah 6:3

May the glory of the LORD endure forever.
Psalm 104:31