Truth & Righteousness
Tim Hewitt 18th February
Ephesians 6 v 14
We know that God is truth, but think about it slightly differently for a moment. Truth is reality which is what we see around us right now. Many things around us are not real, we all see things slightly differently.
Many people are very disillusioned or angry with God or church, but that disillusionment is still an illusion. There is another way, truth will set them free. The enemy puts a filter over peoples eyes which makes them see the illusion rather than the reality. So what they're angry about isn't even real.
Righteousness: it’s about doing right, the right thing. Not about not sinning, King David did the right thing after he'd done the wrong thing. Do the right thing in our wrong-ness. Changing our values and thoughts.
God always does what is right and we're supposed to be imitators of God. We have flaws and can't always do the right thing, but we can do the right thing after doing the wrong thing.
We get close to God and understand his heart and he encourages us to do the right thing.
God wants to remind you who you are by remembering who he is.
Tim has a theory that children's stories are actually written for adults. Anna read a story to us about a little man in a brown suit man who lived with his old mother who thought she was a pirate. She wanted him to take her to see the sea. When they got there he was amazed and captivated by it. He and his mother both became part of a crew of a ship and went off sailing.
Who are you? A little brown man or a sailor? Is the sea calling you. Have you forgotten your name. God knows who we are and what we're called to. We sometimes lose who we are. God created us. The enemy will try to define you by who you're not. God said about Jesus that he was his son, that's how he defined him. The devil tried to define him by something he wasn't when he tempted him in the desert.
Satan is the father of lies, the accuser. Remember that he is a fallen angel, not on the same level as God, not equal with God. When we pray, we pray to God who is God, who can do more than we ask or imagine.
God talked to Tim about how he's a sinner, and accepting that helped him to see God for who he is, what he's done for us, he's so big and we're so small, but in God's eyes we are big, and loved. If we've forgotten our name and who we are, we need to get back to realising who we are and who God is.
The little untruths of each day, the little lies, niggle away at us. Get back to the truth.
Tim played a CD which read out biblical statements which together make up the Father’s love letter (words below). Let the words wash over you, find some space with God, pray with someone about it.
My Child
You may not know me, but I know everything about you Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise upPsalm 139: 2
I am familiar with all your ways Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore Psalm 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is?Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you Luke 15:11-32
Used by permission Father Heart Communications ,Copyright 1999 www.FathersLoveLetter.com
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