My Fathers

My Fathers

‘AWord from the Pastor’ By Clayton Adams

Over 300 times the phrase “Father” or “my Father” is used in the letters of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the Bible. Jesus used these expressions as He speaks about His Father, God. For instance, in John 17 we read; “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You…” with these words Jesus begins his prayer asking the Father in Heaven to “glorify” His Son on earth.

In Romans 8:15 we read; “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!' In Galatians 4:6 it states; “Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba!

Father!' Because of what Christ accomplished on the Cross you and I may call out to Jesus and His Father as our Father. “Abba” carries a more personal and deep heart-felt reverence as a trusted authority.

My earthly father is a man I love and admire. I love my father because he is a living example of a man who is humble, kind, very generous, hard working, funny, honorable and always striving to improve himself and he lives his life to serve and benefit others.

My earthly father is eighty-six years of age and continues to teach me.

Recently, I was visiting with my father and he was sharing with me some of his early recollections of his mother. He had a very difficult childhood as many did in large families, living through the Great Depression. His mother died when he was only seven years old. While he was sharing his memories he began to weep. As my father was wiping his eyes, he said; “I don't understand why I get so emotional talking about this.” The older I get I've noticed the more sensitive I become and the easier tears flow.

Weeping is not a weakness rather it is a great outpouring of emotion, honor, respect and often times it is the acknowledgment of a great loss or the release of a heavy burden.

Jesus wept too. While He was in the Garden praying, He wept. While He was being beaten, He wept.

While He was on the Cross He wept. Jesus wept over his friend Lazarus dying.

(John 11:35) The writer of the letter to the Hebrews states Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses and understands the temptations we face because He dealt with these things too.

My heavenly Father is one I can trust even though I do not understand all of the circumstances and events surrounding my life — this is the substance of faith. My earthly father is a man I respect and admire. I am thankful my heavenly Father sent His Son to pay the penalty for sin that I could not pay. Because of Christ, I am made right and am reconciled with God. Because of my earthly Father's example of living for others I am encouraged and determined to do the same. I am so thankful for my Fathers.

Clayton Adams is pastor at Earle First Assembly of God. You can e- mail him at cpalaa@ yahoo. com, or find Earle First Assembly on Facebook.