Our God

Who owns God? Now that's a rediculous question! No one can own him.Just
the same, we are many different religions, and many different denominations within each
of them. We all seem to know that God is far beyond our understanding; but we're all sure
we have the real deal!
In the old testament, when it says "our God," it means Israel. God had chosen,
an elderly couple to be the parents of his chosen nation; and indeed he made his descendants like the stars--too many to count. Gen. 15:5 He chose from the descendants
of Abraham to make a nation, led by God in the way they should go. But did they follow
God? Nope. Read Isaiah 43. It speaks of all the blessings that are given to Israel for being
his chosen people.But they demonstrated they were no better at following God than the rest of us.In the Living Bible translation of Isaiah 43:26 "Oh, remind me of this promise of forgiveness, for we must talk about your sins. Plead your case for my forgiving you." God's plan is/was to bless all nations through this one story of man's failure to keep from sin and his constant love.See Micah 4 for God's promise to the rest of us. God chose
all of us to be his! See Isaiah 45:22&23 "Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God;there is no other. I have sworn by myself and I will never go back on my word, for it is true--that every knee in all the world shall bow to me, and every tongue shall swear allegiance to my name."
There is this one book, written over thousands of years, in a number of different languages, by of course many authors--the bible! It tells the story of how Our God Is an
Awesome God. Just read it and you'll be amazed.

In Honor of our Fathers

Well this one is different, as usual. Paul advised Timothy "Let no man despise your youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."1 Timothy 4:12
How do I put that together with honoring our fathers? It's all about love.Ideal fathers are patient and kind while they wait on us to learn to sit and walk and run along side them. They are amazed by us from birth, we have brought a special joy to their lives.They delight in our successes, not just their own. The ideal father is never selfish,rude or haughty; he is never a demanding bully.The ideal father is never irritable or touchy, doesn't hold grudges. He seems to understand I really didn't mean to ...(fill in your worst here) Our ideal father doesn't want us to be unfairly punished, but does seek justice. He believes in us always and hopes we will do our very best. Of course our ideal father is God, and the rest of the world falls far short. Every man when he becomes a father tries his best, but each of us starts with a flawed example--our own fathers. Only God is perfect! In using Paul's advice to Timothy as
our memory verse. I am saying do not despise the youthful mistakes of our fathers as they struggle to become more godlike. Also let us not forget mentors are fathers too as Paul was to Timothy. To become the best father/mentor ever just keep reading your bible. Readings for this month are 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon. See how Paul was a mentor to each of these men. Those of you who are well versed may catch, that the attributes of the ideal father are from 1 Corinthians 13. See you next month.