Father's Love Letter.....

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 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. Psalms 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

Love, Your Dad.


'Father's Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications Copyright 1999-2008 www.FathersLoveLetter.com'

How do you read the Bible?

I was thinking lately, about how I have interpreted Scripture over the years, and have been re-evaluating this practice. A friend of mine, from a Catholic background, asked me years ago, if I believe in the Bible and if I actually interpreted it literally. To which I answered "Yes!", and she looked at me with horror. I now am realizing that the Bible cannot be translated literally or at first glance..and to do so can be very harmful. Let me try to explain what I mean. First, as Christians we no longer are under the law, and are in a New Covenant with Christ. If you look at Scripture the New Covenant took place after Jesus death, so any teaching in the Bible prior does not literally "apply" to us. We really need to look at the context, and read who was speaking to whom, and evaluate the fact that there is a cultural aspect that may not "apply" to us in this day and age. Another reason I used to read the Bible literally is because I looked at it kind of as a rule book, or a how to live my life kind of book. However, I do not believe the Bible was intended to be a rulebook, I am more inclined to think of it like a story of God's amazing steadfast redeeming Love and grace towards mankind from the beginning. Or, like a love letter, to us. So, viewing it in this light helps me to read and interpret it with a lense of grace rather than law or legalistically. I think far too often as Christians we miss the point of Scripture, take it out of context and do damage to ourselves and others....I do not believe this is the Father's heart for us! Another thing I have struggled with, and this has manifested more recently over this past year...is messages that are preached on 1 or 2 verses of Scripture without the whole context of the text being brought in or any cross referencing of other Scriptures. Making a whole message out of one verse, you really can make it mean anything you might want.
Anyway, again these are just my thoughts on the subject, anyone have anything to add?
I truly just want to learn how to read and interpret the Bible as God intended. I essentially believe the Bible is the inspired word of God, in that sense I do take it literally, I am just seeking to properly interpret it.