Monday, June 30, 2014

ABBA, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN - PART 2: ATTRIBUTES OF HEAVENLY FATHER

When we look at the attributes of an earthly father (from Part 1), it is obvious that God ordained parents (and dads especially) to represent Him to His creation. There is a reason the first commandment with a promise - "Honor Your Father and Your Mother, your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you". This commandment appears as the transition from the Commandments which are vertical and dealing solely with our relationship with Holy God, to the horizontal - re: our relationships with our fellow human beings.


The plan and purpose of God is for His created ones to obey their parents in reverence, so that we will reverence our Heavenly Father, in the same way. We know this has never been the case for most of humanity, even though it has been commanded. This does not change "conditions on the ground", so to speak. The self-existent always alive Creator of the Universe is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow!

The great Illinois preacher A.W. Tozer is well known as the foremost expounder of the Attributes of God. In his phenomenal Classic Book - "THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY", Tozer presented 18 Attributes of God. Some of them are presented here with the link to continue reading the rest of those eighteen.  Tozer's work is highlighted here because they are the best known and acknowledged as complete and inspired:



Attributes of God – The Basis
Jesus came to reveal the God of the Bible. And God has revealed Himself in His book. Any deviation from that insight from Him is a made-up god. Tozer in Knowledge of the Holy finds 18 characteristics of God in the Bible. They are repeated here, although not in the same order. Tozer’s definitions, when used, will appear in quotes. 

Attributes of God – The Characteristics
Wisdom: “Wisdom is the ability to devise perfect ends and to achieve these ends by the most perfect means.” In other words, God makes no mistakes. He is the Father who truly knows best, as Paul explains in Romans 11:33: “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways!” 

Infinitude: God knows no boundaries. He is without measure. This attribute by definition impacts all of the others. Since God is infinite, everything else about Him must also be infinite. 

Sovereignty: This is “the attribute by which He rules His entire creation.” It is the application of His other attributes of being all-knowing and all-powerful. It makes Him absolutely free to do what He knows to be best. God is in control of everything that happens. Man still has a free will, and is responsible for his choices in life. 

Holiness: This is the attribute that sets God apart from all created beings. It refers to His majesty and His perfect moral purity. There is absolutely no sin or evil thought in God at all. His holiness is the definition of that which is pure and righteous in all the universe. Wherever God has appeared, such as to Moses at the burning bush, that place becomes holy just for God having been there.


The following is a part of a teaching I did on one of the TV shows I appeared on in the recent past which include more clarification on the Attributes of Our Great God in Heaven - Abba Father:

Thursday, June 26, 2014

TODAY ON THE RIGHT ANGLE - FEAR NOT!

Sunday, June 22, 2014

ABBA, OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN - Part 1 (ATTRIBUTES OF AN EARTHLY FATHER)


To the majority of people out there, ABBA is the Swedish pop group from the 1970’s. To the believer, ABBA is so much more than that.  Abba is the Aramaic term of endearment for Father God, the Father of Everything and the Father of Lights in Whim there is no variation nor shfting shadow.

God is the Ultimate Father. He is Lord over all, the Great God of Heaven and our Father Who really art in Heaven, hallowed be His Name.  While the term “Father” used more in the New Testament for obvious reasons – the Son came to Earth to be born, minister and die on a Cross to save all mankind), the Father was present in Scripture almost a thousand years before.  The prophet Isaiah was taken up (raptured) into heaven in Chapter 6 and saw the LORD Face to face. Isaiah not only saw the Holiness and the Power Worship in Heaven, but he got to hear the dialogue between all three individual Members of the Holy Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Isaiah heard Jesus say “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?”

Hundreds of years before, the LORD Himself revealed through Scripture in Proverbs 30:4 when the Word says “Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His Fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His Garments? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His Name or His Son’s Name? Surely you know!”

Well, we, who are saved by His Son Jesus Christ/Adonai/The Lord of Heaven’s Armies, know exactly what His Name is – Abba! How do we know this? Well,  the Holy Scriptures gives us this tremendous revelation of truth here "For you have not received a spirit leading to fear again, but you have received the spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out “ABBA, FATHER” (Romans 8:15)

That’s it right there! God –our Father, Abba – did NOT give us a spirit of fear but one of power, love and a sound mind. It is a mind full of self-control; self-discipline. Think about the attributes of an earthly father and I am sure you can add to this list from "FAMILY SHARE", which has a brief list of such wonderful qualities:

Provider

He is a steady provider and works to see that his family has the necessities of life.

Protector

He does everything in his power to keep the family safe from that which would injure or harm the family members physically, emotionally or spiritually.

Teacher

He shares his knowledge and principles to help family members grow and develop.

Friend

He shows kindness, compassion and interest in the family members.

Exemplar

He shows by the way he lives an example of what the family stands for.

Patriarch

He is honored because of his moral character and actions.

Disciplinarian

He helps the children learn proper boundaries and consequences.

Spiritual leader

He does his part to help establish faith in God and belief in principles of accountability to him.

Treats his wife like a queen (faithful husband)

He shows love and respect and lives totally faithful to his wife. He shares the workload as a partner with his wife. (Source: Gary and Joy Lundberg, Family Share)
Now, take this an multiply it to the Nth degree.....and here we have the Attributes of Our Father, Who art in Heaven!
Part 2: The Attributes of Abba, Heavenly Father

Thursday, June 19, 2014

BAKE INDULGENT CUPCAKES TO SHARE...OR NOT BY CHERI MAJORS



These exquisitely-presented cupcakes are so indulgent you will have to bake them up for yourself, but you don't have to share them, unless you want to. The cupcakes listed are favorites at Better Homes and Gardens online.

Cupcakes Flavored with Coffee

These "Mochaccino Cupcakes" contain strong brewed coffee, chocolate pieces, a coffee butter cream frosting, and are topped with a rolled, cream-filled Pirouette wafer stick. Cocoa powder and ground cinnamon can be sprinkled over all.

Make these "Mocha-Filled Banana Cupcakes" for breakfast, with coffee and banana muffins rolled into one. Using bananas, cream cheese, espresso coffee, semisweet-chocolate, and buttermilk, these indulgent muffins are cream-filled, topped with a banana-butter frosting, and then sprinkled with chocolate-covered coffee beans (or instant coffee)
Mega-Chocolate Cupcakes
Bake these "German Chocolate Cupcakes" with a thick frosting layer of chocolate-pecan ice cream, toasted coconut, pecans, and then drizzled with a gooey-caramel sauce. Or make these indulgent "Triple-Chocolate Cupcakes" with cream de cacao liqueur, chocolate butter cream frosting, and chunks of bittersweet chocolate; beware you may slip into chocolate nirvana.
Tangy-Citrus Cupcakes
These Popsicle-stick wielding "Orange Cream Pop Cupcakes" boast a zesty-orange, and cheesecake-flavored frosting, to eat like a Popsicle or not. An authentic peaked-meringue frosting tops these "Lemon Meringue Pie Cupcakes", and lemon liqueur with lemon-drop candies tart-up these "Lemon Drop Cupcakes", frosted in your choice of a lemony glaze, or cream frosting.
Nutty Cupcakes
For these "Peanut Butter-Chocolate Twist Cupcakes" use your own "Healthy Homemade Peanut Butter" (made in minutes). Then frost using peanut-butter and chocolate swirled icings, with an optional, mini-chocolate peanut-butter cup on top.
Bake "Peanut Butter Cupcakes" which contain a hidden chocolate peanut-butter cup, and topped-off with either jam, or a chocolate candy kiss. And make these elegant "Hazelnut Creme Brulee Cupcakes" with chopped nuts, hazelnut liqueur (or extract) plus hazelnut-butter-cream frosting, caramelized sugar drizzles, and sprinkled with nutmeg.
Tropical Fruit Cupcakes
These "Pineapple-Carrot Cupcakes" include baked-in flavors of cream cheese, cinnamon, and toasted walnuts, then frosted with a dreamy, traditional carrot-cake cream-cheese frosting, and rolled in chopped nuts. Or "Island Bananas Foster Cupcakes" with a banana-rum drizzle, over whipped-cream-topped banana coconut cupcakes.
No rum in these "Pina Colada Cakes", but you won't need it with the delicate flavor of macadamia nuts, a pineapple-preserves filling, and toasted coconut flakes sprinkled over a light and fluffy white-coconut frosting. See if you can make this cupcake a little healthier by substituting crushed pineapple for the preserves, replacing all-purpose flours with coconut flour, and then make an authentic frosting by combining coconut butter, and softened coconut oil to mix with the powdered sugar.
Cream-Filled Cupcakes
Serve spoons with these gooey, "Chocolate Cupcake Ice Cream Sandwiches" cut in half, and filled with layers of chocolate-chip ice cream, and cherry-pecan sauce, with a dab of whipped cream on top. Over-the-top "Boston Cream Pies" are a mini version of the heavenly cream-filled dessert, these cupcakes are filled with a vanilla-custard, and then topped with a dark chocolate ganache to serve chilled, with-or-without whipped cream on top.
Old Fashioned Sundae Cupcakes
Make these old fashioned "Root Beer Float Cupcakes" with real root beer and root-beer extract, then frosted with a foamy, soda-head topping, and decorated with half-a-straw. This is a fun theme-birthday party treat.
This after-Sunday-dinner treat, "Banana Split Cupcake" is served with scoops of ice-cream frosting, whipped cream, and a cherry on top. Hint: use extra ripe bananas for these muffins, and you can cut down on the sugar.

Monday, June 16, 2014

THE RIGHT ANGLE: "WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD FOR YOUR LIFE?"

BRAND NEW INTERNET VIDEO TEACHING SHOW:

The following is the second of a new online video "show" if you will, where BMIC President and bible teacher Bernie Lutchman examines critical topics which need a biblical angle and application.  These will appear frequently as needed and this new teaching video program (which is shorter than the average 1/2 TV program) is called THE RIGHT ANGLE.  The RIGHT ANGLE looks at the issues of life, through God's Angle, via His Word.

Today's exhortation is on Fear and Transformation. The passage taught on is Romans 12:1-2 "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

MAKE YOUR OWN FATHER'S DAY CARD!

HOMEMADE MEMORIES WITH CHERI MAJORS
You'll be able to create your own Father's Day cards using these simple directions and thoughtful sentiments listed below. Simply fold an 8 ½" x 11" piece of paper or card-stock in half (either direction), and depending on your age and/or abilities use your own artwork, stickers, or collages with any of the original greetings below. For more card and gift ideas for Father's Day, see my article "5 Free Gifts to Make for Mother's or Father's Day".


The front of your card (with your unique artwork) should say "Happy Father's Day", whether it's for your father, step-dad, uncle, grandfather, husband, best friend, or father-in-law. You can start by saying; "For A Special Dad on Father's Day", or "To the Best Dad Ever on Father's Day", or "To My Grandpa on His Day", or perhaps, "Thanks For Being Such a Great Step-Father", you get the idea.
Inside your Father's Day card attempt to write your own heart-felt message , or try using the ones I've listed. Feel free to add-on to or re-work any of the following phrases, personalizing them for the important dads in your life.
"Dad you've always been there for me, and when the time comes that you need me, I will be there for you! Thanks for being my dad!"
"Grandpa you are One-in-a-Million, and I'm so happy you're mine! Have a great Father's Day!"
"Poppa you have always been my biggest fan, but did you know that I'm your biggest fan? You're the best grandpa I could've ever hoped for!"
"I might not be the smartest, cutest, or even the most well-behaved, but I'm all yours dad, so suck it up! Try to have a great day anyway!"
"Even though your only my step-dad, I'm convinced all your better qualities have rubbed off onto me! I'm better for having you in my life, thanks!
"Uncle you've been such a great friend! Happy Father's Day!"
"Of all the fathers I could've ended up with, I was blessed with you! Thanks for all you've helped me with and taught me! I only hope that one day I'll be as great a dad as you are!"
"Dad thanks for all your guidance and encouragement over the years, but I'm just not ready to leave home yet! Happy Father's Day anyway!"
"Grandpa I've always looked up to you, and you've never let me down, thanks for everything! I hope you have a wonderful Father's Day!"
Now you've got the tools to make a great Father's Day card for the special men in your life. So get started and have fun with it.

About the author of this post - Cheri Majors:

Cheri is a former model & actress who cared for more than 70 special-needs foster children, while earning a Masters degree in Human Sciences & Early Childhood Education. Authored 5 books (including childrens bilingual Spanish/English primer, due out soon) and Co-Founder, Editor & Publisher of the overnight cultural phenomena, Twinas Latinas Magazine (catering to the traditional family)! Join us on our joyful FIESTA journey!

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

GUEST POET: CHERI MAJORS WRITES "A FATHER'S DAY LETTER OF LOVE"

Father's Day greeting 
for the faithful!
A Father's Day greeting,
Straight from my heart,
And even though poetry,
Has become a lost art,
I just wanted to say,
On your special day,
How awesome you really are!

Our Heavenly Father's
Extended his hand,
Hoping to guide us,
Toward everything grand,
With free saving graces,
Throughout our land,
Eternity for us was always His plan!
Cheri Majors, M.S.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

THIRTY NINE OTHER THINGS GOD GIVES US WITH FREE GIFT OF SALVATION

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the
Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow (James 1:17)

There is no more perfect gift than the free gift of Salvation. If we have confessed our sins and turned to the One True God of Heaven. If we are rejuvenated in the inner man and are born again, having accepted the forgiveness provided freely for ALL humanity for ALL time on the Cross, we will send eternity in the Holy Presence of God the Father.


Another thing to think about this "Perfect Gift" is "Imputation". Romans 5:12-21 reminds us that we are born in the original sin of Adam and we have deserved judgment heavily in our debt column, which we cannot pay. The First Adam's sin is imputed to every single human who has lived since Creation and th Fall. But then comes the Cross of Christ, where the Savior of the Universe willingly gave up His Own Godly Life for you and I personally, and all mankind in general. This Cross is where the Second Adam took His pure and sinless righteousness and gave it to us for free to justify (make us right) in the Eyes of God, when we have become forgiven and born again. 

We know from 2 Corinthians 5:21 that "He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. But it gets even better...and for the following, we must be SO ETERNALLY GRATEFUL! Several years ago, a man names Lewis Sperry Chafer wrote an amazing piece on the incredible gifts God gives to each of His children whom He calls to His side. These 39 things are worthy of yours and my study and eternal gratitude, for which we will continue to praise into Eternity and beyond. As we go through these 39 things, let us remain amazed for the rest of our life, at the Manner of Love and Grace which has been credited (and imputed) to our eternal account, when we did not deserve 1% of it! This should make us humble and cause us to fall to our faces before Holy God, as we sing His Praises:
1. The believer resides in the eternal plan of God. (He shares the destiny of Christ) We are:
a. Foreknown: (Acts 2:23Rom 8:291Pe 1:2)
b. Elected: (Rom 8:33Col 3:121Th 1:4Tit 1:1)
c. Predestined: (Rom 8:29-30Eph 1:5Eph 1:111Pe 1:2)
d. Chosen: (Matt 22:141Pe 2:4)
e. Called: (1Th 5:24)
2. The believer is reconciled (Removal of the barrier between man and God)
a. By God: (2Co 5:18-19Col 1:20)
b. To God: (Rom 5:102Co 5:20Eph 2:14-17)
3. The believer is redeemed (Purchased from the slave market of sin): (Rom 3:24Col 1:141Pe 1:18)
4. The believer’s condemnation, (Eternal judgment in the Lake of fire) is removed: (John 3:18John 5:24Rom 8:1)
5. All sins are judged by the substitutionary Spiritual death of Christ on the cross: (Rom 4:25Eph 1:71Pe 2:24)
6. Every believer receives propitiation for sins (God satisfied with the work of His Son): (Rom 3:25-261Jn 2:21Jn 4:10)
7. The believer is dead to the old life, (The old sin nature) but alive to God (Retroactive positional Truth)
a. He is Crucified with Christ: (Rom 6:6Gal 2:20)
b. Dead with Christ: (Rom 6:8Col 3:31Pe 2:24)
c. Buried with Christ: (Rom 6:4Col 2:12)
d. Raised with Christ: (Rom 6:4Col 3:1)
8. The believer is free from the Mosaic Law. He is
a. Dead: (Rom 7:4)
b. Delivered: (Rom 6:14Rom 7:62Co 3:6-11Gal 3:25)
9. The believer is regenerated: (John 13:101Co 6:11Tit 3:5)
a. He is born again: (John 3:71Pe 1:23)
b. A child of God: (Gal 3:26)
c. A son of God: (John 1:122Co 6:181Jn 3:2)
d. A new creation: (2Co 5:17;Gal 6:15Eph 2:10)
10. The believer is adopted by God (Placed as adult sons because of positional Truth): (Rom 8:15Rom 8:23; (Future) Eph 1:5).
11. The believer is made acceptable to God: (Eph 1:61Pe 2:5)
a. He is made righteous: (Imputation) (Rom 3:221Co 1:302Co 5:21;Php 3:9)
b. Sanctified positionally: (1Co 1:301Co 6:11)
c. Perfected forever: (Heb 10:14)
d. Qualified for inheritance: (Col 1:12)
12. The believer is justified (Declared righteous): (Rom 3:24Rom 5:1;Rom 5:9Rom 8:301Co 6:11Tit 3:7)
13. The believer receives the unique availability of Divine power: (2Pe 1:3)
14. The believer is guaranteed a heavenly citizenship based on reconciliation: (Luk 10:20Eph 2:13Eph 2:19Php 3:20)
15. The believer is delivered from the kingdom of Satan: (Col 1:13Col 2:15)
16. The believer is transferred into God’s kingdom: (Col 1:13)
17. The believer is now on a secure foundation: (1Co 3:111Co 10:4Eph 2:20)
18. Every believer is a gift from God the Father to Christ: (John 10:29John 17:2John 17:6John 17:9John 17:11-12John 17:24)
19. The believer is delivered from the power of the sin nature: (Rom 2:29Php 3:3Col 2:11)
20. Every believer is appointed a priest unto God. We are:
a. A holy priesthood: (1Pe 2:5)
b. A royal priesthood: (1Pe 2:9Rev 1:6)
21. The believer receives eternal security: (Rom 8:32Rom 8:38-39Gal 3:262Ti 2:13)
22. The believer is given access to God: (Rom 5:2Eph 2:18Heb 4:14Heb 4:16Heb 10:19-20)
23. Every believer is within the “much more” grace care of God: (Rom 5:9-10)
a. We are: Objects of His love: Eph 2:4Eph 5:2;
b. Objects of His grace (1) For salvation: Eph 2:8-9; (2) For keeping: (Rom 5:21Pe 1:5) (3) For service: (John 17:18Eph 4:7) (4) For instruction: (Tit 2:12)
c. Objects of His power: (Eph 1:19Php 2:13)
d. Objects of His faithfulness: (Php 1:6Heb 13:5)
e. Objects of His peace: (John 14:27)
f. Objects of His consolation: (2Th 2:16)
g. Objects of His intercession: (Rom 8:34Heb 7:25Heb 9:24)
24. The believer is beneficiary of an inheritance as heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ: (Rom 8:17Eph 1:14Eph 1:18Col 3:24Heb 9:15; (1Pe 1:4)
25. Every believer has a new position in Christ: (Eph 2:6)
a. We are partners with Christ in life: (Col 3:4)
b. Partners with Christ in service: (1Co 1:9) (1) Workers together with God: (1Co 3:92Co 6:1) (2) Ministers of the New Covenant: (2Co 3:6) (3) Ambassadors: (2Co 5:20) (4) Living epistles: (2Co 3:3) (5) Ministers of God: (2Co 6:4)
26. Believers are recipients of eternal life: (John 3:15John 10:28;John 20:311Jn 5:11-12)
27. The believer is created a new Spiritual species: (2Co 5:17)
28. The believer is a light in the Lord (Part of the angelic conflict): (Eph 5:81Th 5:4)
29. The believer is united with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are:
a. In God: (1Th 1:1; cf., “God in you,” Eph 4:6)
b. In Christ: (John 14:20; cf., “Christ in you,” Col 1:27) (1) A member in His Body: (1Co 12:13) (2) A branch in the Vine: (John 15:5) (3) A stone in the Building: (Eph 2:21-221Pe 2:5) (4) A sheep in the Flock: (John 10:27-29) (5) A portion of His Bride: (Eph 5:25-27Rev 19:6-8)
(6) A priest of the kingdom of priests: (1Pe 2:9) (7) A saint of the “new species:” (2Co 5:17) In the Holy Spirit: (Rom 8:9) “the Spirit in you.”
30. Every believer is the recipient of the ministries of the Holy Spirit. He is
a. Born of the Spirit: (John 3:36)
b. Baptized with the Spirit: (Acts 1:51Co 12:13)
c. Indwelt by the Spirit: (John 7:39Rom 5:5Rom 8:91Co 3:16; (1Co 6:19Gal 4:61Jn 3:24)
d. Sealed by the Spirit: (2Co 1:22Eph 4:30)
e. Given Spiritual gifts: (1Co 12:111Co 12:27-311Co 13:1-2)
31. The believer is glorified: (Rom 8:30)
32. The believer is complete in Christ: (Col 2:10)
33. The believer is possessor of every Spiritual blessing granted in eternity past: (Eph 1:3)
34. The believer receives a human spirit (The basis for Operation Z, along with the Holy Spirit): (Rom 8:161Co 2:122Co 7:131Th 5:23)
35. The believer has scar tissue removed from the soul: (Isa 43:25;Isa 44:22)
36. The believer is the recipient of efficacious grace: (Eph 1:13)
37. The believer is guaranteed a resurrection body forever: (John 11:25)
38. The believer is the beneficiary of unlimited atonement: (2Co 5:14-15; (2Co 5:191Ti 2:61Ti 4:10Tit 2:11Heb 2:92Pe 2:11Jn 2:2)
39. The believer has equal privilege and equal opportunity under election and predestination.
BONUS....AND THIS IS A PERMANENT IRREVOCABLE GIFT:
40. The ten problem-solving devices are available to every believer. They are
a. Rebound: (1Jn 1:9)
b. Filling of the Holy Spirit: (Eph 5:18)
c. Faith-rest drill: (Heb 4:1Heb 4:10-11)
d. Grace orientation: (Jas 4:6)
e. Doctrinal orientation: (Rom 12:2)
f. Personal sense of destiny: (Php 1:21)
g. Personal love for God: (Deut 6:51Pe 1:8)
h. Impersonal love for all mankind: (Jas 2:8)
1. Sharing the happiness of God, +H: (John 15:11)
j. Occupation with Christ: (Eph 3:19)
Compiled by Lewis Sperry Chafer Revised by R. B. Thieme, Jr.