OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL MONDAY 16TH APRIL 2018

THEME: ABBA, FATHER.

MEMORISE:
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Romans 8:15

READ:  Romans 8:14-17
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

MESSAGE:
There are many names to describe God in the Holy Scriptures. While all His names are important in many ways, the name “Abba” is ne of the most significant names of God in understanding how He relates with mankind.

The word “Abba” is an Aramaic word that means “Daddy” in common parlance. It is a loving name that young children use to address their fathers. This name shows the intimate relationship that exists between father and child, and it conveys the absolute trust children have in their father.

It s important to recognize that although all those who believe in the Almighty can call Him God, not all of them can call Him Abba. Who then can refer to the Almighty as Abba? Only those who have enjoyed the grace of the adoption into the family of God have the boldness to call Him “Daddy”.

These are people who believe in Jesus, the Son of the Living God and in the work of atonement He has accomplished for all mankind (John 1:12-13).

Galatians 4:6 says,

“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”

Furthermore, only those who honor God as a child honors his or her daddy can call the Almighty Abba. Malachi 1:6a says,

“A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour?”

Your attitude towards God as a Father will determine whether you can call Him Abba, because Abba is an appellation that confirms your intimate relationship with the Almighty. You may want to ask: How can I honor God as Abba? You honor Him by keeping His commandments.

Some so-called children of God erroneously believe that grace means lawlessness. They couldn’t be further from the truth (Romans 6:1-2)! There are many blessings we receive when we are true children of the Great Abba. In Genesis 17:1, Abba Father declared Himself as the Almighty God.

Because He is Almighty, He grants His children their request and daily loads them with His blessings (Psalm 3:4, Psalm 68:19). Beloved, do you belong to this loving Daddy? I congratulate you if indeed the Almighty God is also your Abba.

However, if your attitude towards Him is that of total disregard for His person or blatant disobedience to His commandments, then you need to change your ways today. You stand to lose a whole lot if you don’t have God as your Father.

PRAYER POINT:
Abba, Father, transform my attitude towards You and draw me close to You in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Judges 3-4; 1Timothy 5.

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE


HYMN 15: NEARER MY GOD TO THEE.

Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness comes over me, my rest a stone;
Yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!

There let me see the sight, an open Heaven;
All that Thou sendest me, in mercy given;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!

Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise;
So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee!