Who is sitting on your throne?

Exodus 6:2-3 God also said to Moses, "I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord, I did not make myself known to them."

Do you know God as Father? Last week, I helped contribute to a memorial service for a friend who is now in heaven with the Lord. At one point in our friendship several years ago, pressed by the Holy Spirit, I was led to minister to him and ask him this question: Do you know God as Father? It was a new concept to his spirit.

Many years ago, I, too, was convicted in my heart to begin praying to the Father. The words conveyed to me were straightforward: 'Molly, you need to start praying to God the Father through Jesus the Son." Without understanding much of anything spiritual at that time except Jesus this and Jesus that and Jesus saves, and Jesus heals, I honestly did not quite comprehend the nature of "God, the Father." Still, I knew that God was the Father due to years in Sunday school. So, I was just obedient to follow my instructions in the way I think, believe, and process.

How would I make God the Father of my heart? How would He take that position? What took place, though, was miraculous. You see, I had not allowed God to take the role of Father in my heart. You know, the one who disciplines or provides or cares for you without any measure. My faith in Jesus Christ began the journey of God taking His rightful position in my heart. Without realizing it, I needed God to sit on my throne. I was tired of being in control and doing a poor job of my life.

I continued doing what I knew to do:

• My studies in the Word of God

• Praying

• Learning from those the Holy Spirit placed in my path

I tried to consecrate myself unto Him (without joining a nunnery!), and somehow, He began to take the position in my heart of more than I had thought possible. It took time, diligence, and grace (I have always needed an abundance of grace, it seems!), but little by little, God became my Father on earth, and I do what I am told, for the most part. Do I slip? Yep. Do I still sin at times? Yep. But I have learned that repentance (turning from sin and going in another direction) sets me free from guilt and shame.

I will leave you with the intentions of Jesus concerning the Father. While preparing to go to the Cross, He asked the Father to come and dwell with those He had given to him so that they would be one as he and the Father are one (John 17: 21-23). On the Cross, Jesus asked God, the Father, to forgive them (Luke 23:24). It has always been my goal to "follow" Jesus. If Jesus does it, Molly does it, but I can testify from experience that many times I followed "the father of lies" (John 8: 42-47-eye-opening). I ask you today: Has God, the Father, taken his rightful position in your heart? Ponder this concept to mature into God the Father.

Rev. Molly