Ya Abba Bapa ini aku anakmu

...lines from an Indonesian song our language teacher taught us last night....literally "Here I am Father, your child."

Father’s Day was a few days ago…I got to talk with my Dad! He called me right before heading to Atlanta for a national church conference. Our phone connection was bad, but my heart was so thankful for just the opportunity to tell him I love him -just a taste of the fullness of love of our Heavenly Father, the Almighty yet so-close God who loves us. I was listening to a recording from IHOP’s Bob Hartley with a few friends here in Aceh the other week, and here’s what I heard …and am enjoying praying …

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Approachable God, who redeems situations;
Passionate, pursuing, loving God.

You see the multitudes and have compassion; pluck me out in my wrong guiding of my life (when I say “Yes” to my potential and “No” to your presence. You let me be alone, silent and draw near to you; You are so thoughtful; You’ve been a friend and you loved me first; You are abundantly available in your love.

Psalm 56 This I know, this God is for me. I turned away from Him, but nothing can separate me from the love of my God!

You look past my faults (I Cor 13). Ps. 149 says you are for us, not against us. Song of Solomon exclaims how your heart dances at a glimpse of me. Areas, buildings are redeemed for your purposes. Beyond my ability or wisdom, you bring opportunities from your heart for me. You are graciously compassionate, the forgiving, drawing near God.
Peter denied you 3 times and you pursued him and made him the Rock of your people. When I’ve hoarded resources, acted out of fear, your generosity and benevolence continued to flow. You are quick to restore, you’re the loving, reconciling God.

You’ve forgiven us when we’ve said we’re not enough. When we stare at our condition (broken and sinful) rather than our position (in Christ as your redeemed children), when we’re more impressed by our sin than your rich love. You more intimately know us than we know ourselves, and we want to know you intimately. We want to love you.

There is nothing we could do to remove your love. Life habits-addictions: you reconcile and restore. I always thought those things were my plight, but I said “I’m sorry” and you promise that as I hold to you, you make things beautiful in your time. You are the Very Near God in your love; Show us your face. Shepherding God, who brings contentment (Ps. 23:1). YOU satisfy; there’s nothing else that satisfies.

My house, my pilgrimage ~ I love them because they are an intimate pathway into your presence. You have been drawing me the whole time. I am waiting on you; you make things beautiful JUST IN TIME. You teach us that we can trust your perfect leadership. You guide us uniquely to enlarge our hearts. You guide us. You’re the Protector. You protect our interest and our dreams.

Ex. 15:13 In your strength you will guide us. Your sheep hear your voice. You guide us in our priorities. You meet us where we live and in our various needs. You’ve guided us in dealing with people to grow our hearts. You are the nurturer feeder of life with hope. You don’t treat us in our depravity. You lift my head and nurture me when I feel broken….healing, refreshing…bringing fresh faith. We don’t have to carry our burdens; we cast them on you, the Burden-bearing God. Not out of debt, but by your character do you act. You deliver- take us out and set us in fresh fields to prosper.

You are my best friend. You are generous in all your ways; better than life. You treat us better than we deserve. You’re the Building God; You’re the Miracle-working God who loves to bring something out of nothing. You are perfectly competent. Awesome, Beautiful, Comforting, Dad, Vivacious, Full of Zeal, Living and Active. Your mercies are new every morning. You move the boundaries of nations so that Christ will be All in All. You are perfect. Mt. 14 describes you as the Wounded Healer. In John 7 you declare yourself as the Living Water. You knew your life would be taken. When we denied you, you loved us.

By the Light of YOUR Presence, in the nearness of You, I live. You see in to my deepest parts. You give me the most precious gift of all – Yourself. You give an invitation to intimacy so I can commune with you. They will know your love by our worship, for your presence is upon us. We are anointed in the Spirit (Eph. 2:10).
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We can claim these realities in Jesus, which are guaranteed by the character of God revealed in His Word. What a powerful language of connection with our God, fit for Father’s Day– every day is Father’s Day with our God!