OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL: MONDAY, APRIL 16TH 2018- 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.
Bible in one year: Judges 3-4, 1st Timothy 5

1. There are many names used to describe God in the Holy Scriptures.
2. While all His names are important in many ways, the name “Abba” is one of the most significant names of God in understanding how He relates with mankind.
3. 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 father.
4. This name shows the intimate relationship that exists between father and child, and it conveys the absolute trust children have in their fathers.
5. It is important to recognise that although all those who believe in the Almighty can call Him God, not all of them can call Him Abba.
7. Who then can refer to the Almighty as Abba? Only those who 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.”
8. Furthermore, only those who honour God as a child honours 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?”
9. 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.
10. You may want to ask: How can I honour God as Abba? You honour Him by keeping His commandments.
11. 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. 
12. Because He is almighty, He grants His children their requests and daily loads them with blessings (Psalm 3:4, Psalm 68:19).
13. 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.
14. You stand to lose a whole lot if you don’t have God as your Father.

Everyone who cannot boldly call God father has a lot to do. The paramount of these things is to surrender your all to Him. The father-son relationship is far better than any other relationship because access is without barrier. The good news is that there is room in Christ for all. Find your root in Him today. May God empower and strengthen Pastor E.A Adeboye for greater works in Jesus name.

Prayer Point
Abba, Father, transform my attitude towards You and draw me close to You in Jesus’ Name.
HYMN
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, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.
Though, like a 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, 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, 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, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee.

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