Month: June 2014

A Love Letter to My Heavenly Father

by markjemilbooth, posted in Christian Worship, Love, Prayer, Uncategorized

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Dear Heavenly Father,

I am sorry that I couldn’t find a card for you for Father’s Day, but there are none available  here on earth. As you know, my earthly father is no longer here; so I thought it would be proper to write you a love letter of appreciation on this Father’s Day.

First of all, I would like to thank you for adopting me into your family. I know that it was at a great cost for you because your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ died in my place. The amazing thing about this adoption is that there was absolutely nothing in me that made me desirable to you. After all these years, I still can’t believe that I have the privilege to call you Abba, Father!

As my Heavenly Father, you have blessed my life in so many ways that it is impossible to express all that you have done in one letter. You have been so very patient with me throughout the years. Yes, I have failed you many times, and yet you continue to show me love and mercy through your forgiveness. Not only do you forgive me, but you also choose to forget every sin that I have done against you.

One of the greatest gifts that you have given to me is your Word in order to teach me more about yourself. I have enjoyed learning all about you. Your Word has revealed your beauty which is evidenced in your love, faithfulness, mercy, holiness, and grace. Your Word has revealed your great power, wisdom, and majesty. In the Word, you have taught me the way that I should I go. Even when I depart from that way, you redirect me and place me back on the right path.

Dear Father, thank you for being with me at all times. You have always fulfilled your promise that you will never leave me nor forsake me. In the good times, you are with me. In the difficult times you are with me. Your presence has given me strength to continue on in spite of times when I felt like quitting. I find no greater joy than taking a walk and being aware of the fact that you are walking with me.

There are many times when I need to cry out to you and you always listen to me. You listen to my cries of desperation, but you also listen when I just want to say thank you for the many blessings which you have given to me. I am grateful that your ears are always open and you recognize my voice.

Father, when no one else understands, you do! You know everything about me. You know my thoughts, my actions, my desires, and my attitudes. You know when I get up in the morning and you know when I go to bed. As the Psalmist writes, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me”!

For this Father’s Day, I really don’t have anything to give to you, except I want to say once again, “I love you!” Yes, it is an imperfect love, but it is all that I have to give. Again, thank you for being my Father who loves me with an everlasting love! I don’t know where I would be in this life without you.

From Your Loving Child,

Mark

Restoring the Wonder in Our Spiritual Lives

by markjemilbooth, posted in Bible Study, Christian Life, Christian Worship, Uncategorized

His Name is Wonderful

Do you remember when you first became a Christian? Everything was new. The Bible was like an open book filled with treasures. Prayer was an exciting experience as we spoke to the Living God. Singing in church and hearing the Word of God was a fresh new blessing. Everything about God, the Word and the Christian life produced great wonder in our hearts.

As the years have passed, have we lost the wonder? Do we now read the Word; so we won’t feel guilty? Is prayer a habit without any fervency? Has church become a bore? We know that we are saved, but have we lost the wonder of God? Without the wonder, our Christian life loses its excitement, joy and delight.

Have we lost the wonder of His person? “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God,The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) His name is called “Wonderful”. There are several ways that His very person should naturally create wonder in our hearts.

  1. The Wonder of His Deity
  2. The Wonder of His Incarnation
  3. The Wonder of His Names
  4. The Wonder of His Love

Have we lost the wonder of His Word? “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” (119:18) The Psalmist understood how easy it is to take the Word of God for granted. His prayer was that he would once again approach the Word of God with great wonder. We find it easy to casually read the Word. We approach the Word like a textbook instead of retaining the wonder that God is actually speaking to me! Here are some ways that the Word of God creates wonder in our hearts.

  1. The Wonder of His Truth
  2. The Wonder of His Promises
  3. The Wonder of His Commands
  4. The Wonder of His People.

Have we lost the wonder of His works? “For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.” (Psalm  86:10) Many of us have heard the Bible stories since we were children. When we read about God’s works in the Bible, we no longer view them with childlike wonder. This lack of wonder causes our faith to diminish. When we look at God’s works from a fresh perspective the wonder will be restored. Here are some of His works that we can view with renewed wonder.

  1. The Wonder of His Creation
  2. The Wonder of His Salvation
  3. The Wonder of His Miracles
  4. The Wonder of His Judgment
  5. The Wonder of His Providence

“Dear Lord, I find it easy to lose the wonder in my spiritual walk with you. I have lost the wonder of your person, your Word and your works. Please forgive me for this. I need to restore this wonder. Help me to view all that you are with great wonder once again. Please restore the thrill of my spiritual walk with you. Amen”