Who Is Your Daddy?

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“Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” John 13:13-14

It’s been 40 plus years now, that I was searching for baby boy names. I thumbed through the pages of the baby name book and pondered long the ones that made me smile. I doodled on old envelopes different name combinations, adding family names alongside the popular ones. I never really paid attention to the meaning of the names, but have come to love the definition or character of a name.

We all carry family names as our last name. Those names get passed down from generation to generation. In biblical times the name was given to describe the character of a person. A name is not just what we are called, but is weighty in describing you. When a name is mentioned, you have a thought or a memory that is associated with it. Sometimes there is an “AAAAAAhhhh!” when a name is spoken, while others bring an, “OOOOOOhhhh...”

I well-remember an experience I had when I was in high school. I had bought a skirt that had no matching blouse, but I was certain that I could find one. After searching racks throughout my small hometown, at last I braved entering the store that was totally off limits for my tiny paycheck. As I stepped through the doors I felt the stares and could almost hear the thoughts bouncing from the walls as loudly as the squeaky wood floors.

“Who is she? What is she doing in here?”

Wouldn’t you know it? There it was tucked among the neatly hung blouses. The perfect one for my skirt. In my imagination, I could feel myself twirling around in the beautiful outfit, but there stood one issue in the way. Would it match and could I afford it?

Back in those days, you could take home an item on approval, before purchasing. I know, it is unbelievable, but that was what you did in the little Georgia cotton mill town that I grew up in. You simply signed your name on a receipt tablet, where they listed the item you took home on approval.

I remember the lady scowling down at me and firmly asking, “Who is your Daddy?” I quickly answered, “Ted Matthews,” to which she shockingly responded, “Honey, if your daddy is Ted Matthews, you can take home anything in this store. You don’t even need to sign a paper. Take it home and see if it matches and if so just bring back the money.”

Wow! I left that store with my head held high. I was so proud to belong to Ted Matthews. It was all dependent on my daddy's name and my daddy's character. Because of him I was given great privilege and favor. I don’t remember anything about that blouse or even if I purchased it, but I well-remember the feeling that I received from that encounter.

My daddy had taught me that it matters how we live our life. Our name matters. Our reputation matters; and our character matters. But he also taught me about another name far greater than his or my name, and that was the name of my heavenly daddy.

Because of His character and His reputation, I can take home everything in His store. Jesus died for me and purchased eternal life for me, and along with that amazing salvation comes great favor, privilege and blessing.

Romans 8:32 says it like this:

"He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"

I bear His name. It is a name that is above all other names given on earth. There is no situation that is above the name of Jesus. No matter what we face, our first option should be to call upon the name of Jesus Christ. Remember what He promised.

“Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” John 13:13-14

Who is your Daddy? Jesus!

Use His glorious name.

There is power in His name.

There is authority in His name.

There is freedom and deliverance in His name.

There is healing in His name.

There is strength in His name.

There is peace in His name.

What a family name we own! Wear it with great joy and pride. Speak it out loud. Declare it from the mountain top and deep down in the valley. With that name, the name above every name, is everything that we need.

Come Hungry And Thirsty

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“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6

Gatherings around the table are some of my favorite events. There is much hard work to prepare that big meal, but the reward of satisfaction is worth it all. I always have high hopes that the tried and true recipes passed down through the generations will once again prove to be a hit.

The table is set with care and the centerpiece is arranged. Extra chairs are shoved into place and then the steaming hot dishes fill the table. The only thing missing is hungry bellies, laughter and lots of loud talking. One such gathering stands out in my mind. As the meal began, one announced that she was on a strict diet and would just eat a few bites of salad. Another pushed a little pile of potatoes around and around and nibbled on a slice of turkey. The children were not the least bit interested and then the truth came out. Their hunger on the drive had caused them to stop for some fast food to tame the growls. Now they sat around the table that was bulging with delicious food, but they had no appetites.

The casseroles were barely dented and all of my exhausting work seemed like a total waste. The laughter and conversation were wonderful, but I longed for my family to enjoy my gift of love expressed through the meal I had prepared. I wanted them to push back from the table fully satisfied. I felt the disappointment rising as I put away the food which on the following day would be just cold left-overs.

I somehow think that God might feel the same way. He longs for His children to come to the table hungry and thirsty for Him and His righteousness. He loves for us to come often and deliberately. When we show up to the table filled with the delicacies of this world, we feel little need for righteousness. Nibbling on junk food takes away our appetite and it never really fills or satisfies except for the momentary. We desperately need a real hunger for the righteousness, goodness and mercy of God.

This week I found myself perched on the deck in the early morning hours. I was enjoying reading God’s word and studying once again that wonderful list of beatitudes. The focus this week was:

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6

I was easily distracted by the singing birds that were flitting all around me. The hummingbird feeder was nearing empty as the tiny birds flew between the flowering Rose of Sharon bush to the plastic red feeder. I watched as their long beaks reached deep within for the sweetest, most satisfying nectar.

My eyes went from reading about hungering and thirsting to realizing an “in the moment” illustration that was being played out right in front of me. The birds kept coming back for more. I identified four different hummingbirds, but each of them continuously returned to drink and eat over and over. Not once did I see them digging in the potted plants or drinking from the murky water fountain. They knew exactly where to find nourishment and satisfaction.

The words slipped from my lips, “They just keep coming back over and over.” I felt the Spirit nudge me and invite me to the same lifestyle.

Come to Me. Eat and drink of Me. Come often. Just keep coming back.

I am your full satisfaction. Drink deeply of My goodness and righteousness and you will be filled. You will come to desire Me over all others. Righteousness will fill your heart and you will be truly blessed.

I quickly turned to Isaiah and began to eat and drink the words of this beautiful invitation. This great invitation is for you also. Drink it in.

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.” Isaiah 55:1-3

The table is filled for you.

Show up hungry and thirsty.

You will never be disappointed!

Summer Feet - Part 2

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And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

As I wrote last week's blog, “Summer Feet,” I realized there was more to ponder. When our hearts grow callous like summer feet, we need to give attention that we might feel again. We are very efficient at erecting fences around our hearts to keep them from being hurt again. But in the process of self-protecting, we can grow cold and hard hearted. Life pummels us with “new improved truth” but in reality it is not truth according to God at all.

So the question comes. How can I keep my heart tender before the Lord? I share a few practical practices that are helpful to me.

Quiet and Stillness - Carve out a quiet sacred space to be still with the Lord.

For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel has said this, “In returning [to Me] and rest you shall be saved, In quietness and confident trust is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15

Gaze Upon Him - Pause and look upon the beauty of the Lord.

“One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire:

to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.” Psalms 27:4

Pray - Invite God to tenderize your heart. Purify my heart O God.

“Create in me a clean heart, God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And sustain me with a willing spirit.” Psalms 51:10-12

Confession - Agree With God - Keep your heart open before the Lord in honesty. A tender heart says, “Yes Lord, I did it, I said it, I thought it. Forgive me. Forgive us.”

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Read and Meditate on His Word - His word convicts of sin and brings healing to our hearts. His Word changes our desires and brings us back to truth. I find a revived love for God’s word as I regularly meditate on Psalms 119.

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to your word.

With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalms 119:9-11

Worship - Shifts the focus from me to Holy God.

“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;

for He is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.”

Psalms 95:6-7

“Lord, we need a changed heart. We long for You to make our hearts tender and true before You. Bring our hearts in line with You and the truth of Your Word. Break our hearts with what breaks Yours. Give us prayers for a world in desperate need of your great love.”