Topic: God Is a Capable Father [RICK WARREN Devotional 18 July 2024]
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God Is a Capable Father
BY RICK WARREN — JULY 18, 2024
FROM HOW GOD MEETS YOUR DEEPEST NEEDS
“Nothing is impossible for God”
Luke 1:37 (GW)
God can handle any situation you give him. No problem is too tough for him. Nothing is beyond his ability. But the first thing you’ve got to do is bring it to him.
What decision are you facing this week? What mountain needs to be moved? Cancer? Bankruptcy? Your kids are having problems? Can’t break a bad habit? “Nothing is impossible for God” (Luke 1:37 GW).
In Jeremiah 32:27 God says, “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (NIV). It’s almost like God is laying down the gauntlet, saying, “I dare you. Think up a problem that I can’t solve. Is anything too hard for me?”
Many children have said something like, “My daddy can do anything! My daddy can beat your daddy!” I really thought that was true of my father. But as I grew up, I began to have my eyes opened. I realized that when it came to my allowance, my dad had limited resources. When it came to advice, sometimes he was just guessing too. My guess was as good as his because he’s an imperfect father.
Ephesians 3:20 says, “God . . . is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes!” (TLB). I have a pretty vivid imagination. I can think up some pretty big dreams. I can set some high goals. But God essentially says, “My son, you think up the greatest thing you think I could do in your life and I can beat that. I can top that.” He is a capable Father.
What can you expect from your Father in heaven? “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NIV). He has unlimited resources, unlimited energy, unlimited knowledge, unlimited time. He can meet all of your needs.
The Lord’s Prayer gives us an example of that. It says that God, as our Father, provides three things: provision for today (“give us today our daily bread”);pardon for yesterday (“forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors”); protection for tomorrow (“lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”) (Matthew 6:11-13 NIV).
In today’s language, God might say, “I’ve got all the bases covered—present, past, future. Your present? I’ll provide. Your past? You blew it, but it’s okay; it’s forgiven. Your future? Don’t worry; don’t fear
“I’ll take care of yesterday’s failures, today’s frustrations, and tomorrow’s fears because I am a capable Father.”
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
Talk It Over
- Is there something from your past that you need to ask God’s forgiveness for? Spend time in prayer now—and then trust that he has forgiven you!
- When have you seen God provide your “daily bread”—what you need for the present?
- What fear about the future do you need to turn over to God today?
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