Father of fathers

Psalm 103:17 (NIV)
But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children--

God is like a Father to us; He is a Father to us. We might have memories of an earthly father who made us sad; a flawed father who did not know how to love because he was never loved properly. But our Heavenly Father is Love. He is walking at our side to help us up and to help us out, of any situation we find ourselves trapped in.

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Romans 5:5 NIV)

If this day you are remembering a father who was not a kind, loving or forgiving person, know this. Listen close to what God is speaking into your heart and perhaps you will hear the words I heard one day as I was sensing God tell me to get over it already.

"I am your Father."

Psalm 103:11-22

Don’t Ever Give Up!

To summarize this week in Nehemiah………………………………………

“We lose our way, we get back up again.

It’s never too late to get back up again.

Get up! Get up! You’re gonna shine again.

You may be knocked down, but not out forever.”

Listen to Get Back Up by: Toby Mac

Nehemiah never gave up. Time and time again he corrected, rebuked, and redirected the people in Jerusalem. He was insistent that “we will not neglect the house of our God.” Chapter 10.

As we remember we are just as human as those people in Jerusalem, and just as sinful, we must also be reminded that God is still the same as well. He is all forgiving, and that is very good news for us!

We are always in need of repentance, reform, and re-commitment. Change is possible, yet difficult. We tend to revert back to what has been the norm for us in the past even when we are the right track. It’s tiring to keep getting back up on that horse, and it’s exhausting to hang on for dear life and begin again with a humble heart, but it is always worth it.

We have an open invitation to turn to the Lord, trust in Him and try again. He will always welcome us back with open arms once we pry our heads out of the mouth of our predator!

Read/Listen to:  Nehemiah 13:6-12      Nehemiah 13:15-18   Nehemiah 13:22-27