Father of Heavenly Lights - Encouragement Café - November 15, 2017

Father of Heavenly Lights
By Beth Mabe Gianopulos
Wednesday, November 15, 2017

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.” James 1:17-18 NIV

Even as a young child, I had a very sensitive spirit.  I loved animals, and I had a soft spot for injured creatures.  One day, my dad came home from work with a stuffed bear.  The bear was brown and had the softest fur that I had ever felt.  He was beautiful, but he was missing an eye. 

My dad told me that when he saw the bear alone in the store, he knew that I would love that bear even though he was missing an eye.  My dad recognized my tender heart, and he knew that I would love that bear even more because he was missing an eye.

Today, that bear is 40 years old and has matted fur.  Despite his worn condition, I cannot part with him. 

I keep that bear because he reminds me that I have a father that sees me - a father that knows me.  That bear reminds me that even as a young child, my father loved me enough to intimately know my heart. 

Because my father knew me and loved me, my father was able to give me the perfect gift when he gave me the stuffed bear. 

Like my earthly father, God seeks to pour blessings upon his children.  James 1:17-18 reminds us that "every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights." 

God is the perfect father.  “He is the father to the fatherless...” Psalm 68:5, and He is "one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."  Ephesians 4:6 NIV. 

Paul also promises us that our “Father ... has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. 

In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.”  Ephesians 1:3-6 NIV

Our Heavenly Father has blessed us with every spiritual blessing, and He chose each of us before the creation of the world to be holy in His sight. 

Even if you do not know your earthly father, God has adopted you into His family.  You are a daughter of the Father of the heavenly lights. 

It is my prayer that you will fully feel the Father's love for you today and everyday.  It is my hope that you will feel the spiritual blessings that God is pouring upon you, and that you will rest in the Father's love. 

God, Thank You for being the perfect Father.  Thank You for loving us, blessing us, and caring for us.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

© 2017 by Beth Mabe Gianopulos.  All rights reserved.

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