"Into The Father's Arms"
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Christian Encouragement October 13, 2001
<b>Hello Everyone! </b>
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<u><b>Hebrews 4:16</b></u>
<b>--"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and
find grace to help in time of need." I thank God that, when I was growing up, I had
grandparents to run to! If I was scared ... called Grandma and Grandpa. If I forgot my
school lunch ... called Grandma and Grandpa. If I needed a ride to church ... called
Grandma and Grandpa. When I got older, if I needed help finding a scripture ... called
Grandma and Grandpa. Anytime I've needed a cheerleader in my court...I called Grandma and
Grandpa. Why? They were two people in my life who were ALWAYS available to me. I could be
assured I'd find comfort anytime ... day or night (literally). Thank you, Lord! I didn't
know what it was like to jump into my dad's lap, wrap my arms around his neck and say,
"Dad, I'm scared." There were no comforting words or big strong arms to wrap around me so
I could feel safe. We all make our own choices, and I harbor absolutely no grudge against
him. He is my father and I will honor him. Nor was my mother available for various
reasons. No grudge there either. Life is JUST LIFE when you're a kid, but thankfully, I
had grandparents to help fill in, and the Lord would some day make very real to me the
truth about Himself. When I was 9 years old and accepted Christ as my Savior, I didn't
fully comprehend all the truth about the Trinity. Father, Son and Holy Ghost was something
I had heard many times in church, but I was too young to understand and grasp it all. I
don't know if I have a total grasp of it now, but I know my understanding of them has
certainly matured since then. When I was about 25, all of the past seemed to catch up and
hit me like a ton of bricks! First brick? You guessed it. Does God love me and can I
REALLY trust Him? He helped me realize that for most of my life I had been afraid of God
the Father, but trusting of the Son, and not really sure about the job of the Holy Spirit.
Was I really saved? Of course! The Holy Spirit had convicted me of my sin when I was 9, I
confessed I was a sinner, and with all my being had asked Jesus to come into my heart. But
at 25, I found myself having to deal with a fear I had always had. Is God like my earthly
dad, or is God different? We, as parents, MUST understand that our children's original
idea of "what God must be like" comes from how they view their earthly fathers. I was
terrified of mine, therefore, terrified of God. So, can you be frightened of God and still
trust the Son? Yes, but your spiritual life stays pretty screwed-up until you are finally
able to understand that the love of the Father and the Son go together! They are indeed
one. Making peace with God ... Although my soul was saved, my spirit couldn't rest. I
sought the Lord's help in this. I asked Him to MAKE ME KNOW without a doubt that I could
trust Him and not be afraid that He would leave, or that I would be punished in some way.
Of course, I had read and memorized a lot of scriptures, but I still had this horrible
nagging doubt. After praying this prayer a couple of times, the Lord led me to the Book of
Ephesians. In the first chapter ... HE MADE ME KNOW. Now, some of you may be thinking,
"Well, I've read that same passage, so?" All I can say is that this was what the Lord used
to get through to me. Haven't you ever read a scripture or a chapter 72 times and then on
the 73rd reading, suddenly it all clicks? Voila! That's what I'm talking about. By the
way, when you finally find understanding in the scripture, that's the Holy Spirit working! </b>
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<b>So what does all this have to do with the opening scripture? Through Christ Jesus, we
have an "Abba, Father" relationship with God. He is God Almighty, Creator of the heavens
and the earth, has power over Heaven and Hell, and He is "Dad". </b>
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<u><b>Galatians 4:6</b></u>
<b>:--"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your
hearts, crying, Abba, Father." </b>
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<b>I don't know what any of you picture in your minds when you close your eyes to pray,
but I seek His face. There are times when I "walk" up the steps to His Throne of Grace.
There are other times when I "run" up and "jump" into His lap. Such was the case one
morning this week. Feeling bombarded by the media coverage of all the evil that's in this
old world, and feeling a bit overwhelmed by sadness for so many lost people, I crawled
back into bed, pulled the covers up to my neck and began to pray. </b>
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<b>I whispered, "Father, I'm running up to Your throne and I'm jumping into Your lap where
it's safe! Just wrap Your arms around me and let me rest my head on your shoulder like a
child and let me stay here for awhile. Just You and me. You are my God. You are my
Heavenly Father. Your "Dad". I know your plan is simply unfolding and I totally believe
You are in control of everything. I'm not afraid, I just want to sit here and be close to
You. It's so wonderful, I don't ever want to leave!" There's nothing better in all the
earth than the peace and calmness of those times with God. Mercy? I find it. Grace? I
always find that too. "Be still and know that I am God"--Psalm 46:10. </b>
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<b>Boldness is confidence, assurance, freely, openly and plainly according to Strong's
definitions. So if you've accepted Christ as your Savior, you are a child of the King. No
need to be afraid of Him. Respectful, yes. Scared, no. We can freely come to Him and find
rest, refreshment and strength. And, indeed, His lap is always available! </b>
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<b>With love to all of my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, </b>
Debbie Reed-Parman
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