How well do you know God? Can you honestly say that you know Him intimately as your heavenly Father? Have you made the decision to know God and acknowledge His presence in your life? If not, you're missing out on the awesome benefits of knowing and relating to Him as Father. Personally, beginning to acknowledge Him this way has been a pleasant awakening for me.

While on earth, Jesus trusted God the Father for everything. When He had a need, He went directly to the Father. As a result, He never experienced lack. You too can have this type of relationship with God and have all your needs met. But you must realize that God is your provider and the source of your supply.

He has already given you everything you need—His Word and authority. When you accepted Jesus as Lord, God gave you the power of attorney to use His name to obtain everything you could ever need (see John 14:14).

Therefore, you already have what it takes to succeed. God wants you to live the abundant life Jesus spoke of in John 10:10 when He said, "...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

The word for life in that scripture is translated from the Greek word Zoe, which represents "life as God has it." In other words, it is the God-kind of life. The Amplified Bible describes abundant life as enjoying life to the fullest until it overflows (John 10:10).

As a Christian, you are supposed to be healthy and overflowing with wealth. In fact, the joy and peace of God should be pouring out of you as you walk in the abundance of His blessings.

If you desire to live the God-kind of life, you can. But it begins with realizing that God is your heavenly Father—He's your Daddy. And although tradition may have taught you to refer to Him as Father, it's time for you to understand what that means.

Covenant Fatherhood
When babies speak for the first time, often one of the first words they say is "dadda." Some parents run for a tape recorder or video camera to save that special moment. After all, it is the first time their child spoke and acknowledged them as parents. Often they will call family and friends to tell them the good news. They want to let everyone know how proud they are. It doesn't matter to them what the baby sounds like at the time, the parents are filled with joy anyway.

Likewise, God is excited when you get born again and confess Jesus as Lord of your life. Your heavenly Father is happy to finally hear you call His Name and make the decision to live for Him. All of heaven rejoices when you repent and commit yourself to living for your true Father (see Luke 15:4-7).

Some people believe being a father simply involves having children and working to provide for them. Although this belief isn't wrong, it doesn't fully describe the complete role of a father.

You see, there's a difference between fathering and fatherhood. The definition for father means "to beget, to sire or to produce." Fatherhood, on the other hand, goes beyond having children and providing clothes, food and other material things. It is a ministry that involves nourishing, protecting, supporting and guiding children. It also involves imparting biblical wisdom.

Likewise, God not only fathered us, He also imparted His Word to us so we could live victoriously as covenant people. A covenant is "an agreement between two or more parties to carry out terms agreed upon." In other words, it's a promise.

The Bible is God's covenant with His children. The Word of God says, "Now that the faith has come, we are no longer under a trainer…. For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith" (Gal. 3:25-26 AMP).

When we are born again, we are children of God and part of a blood-sworn covenant. That covenant can only be broken or dissolved by death. And Honey, God isn't going to die! Therefore if He makes a promise, you can be sure He'll keep it.

One testimony of how God is faithful to fulfill His Word is in the life of Abraham (see Galatians 3:16-18). According to Galatians 3:29, we belong to Christ and are Abraham's spiritual offspring. Not only that, we have been made heirs—legal recipients—of the promise God swore to Abraham.

God promised to bless or empower to prosper him and his offspring (see Genesis 12:1-3). Therefore, because you and I are Abraham's offspring, we are empowered to prosper. Hallelujah! God has made health, peace and total life prosperity available to us. He made sure of it even before we were born into this world. He could not help but to bless us—it's a part of His position as a Father.

God swore to provide for us, and protect and preserve us from all wickedness. Why? Because our heavenly Father loves us and wants us to have the very best.

The Father You Never Knew
In Mark 14:36, Jesus said, "Abba, (which means) Father, everything is possible for You..." (AMP). Abba is the Aramaic word for "father." I prefer to use the more intimate word "daddy." Although daddy is an informal word, it bears much significance from a biblical perspective.

Because of our covenant, we have a blood-bought right to call God Daddy, like Jesus did. We are joint heirs with Jesus (Romans 8:17). Christ is the Head of the Church and we are His Body. He is seated at the right hand of the Father and we are joined together with Him (see Ephesians 1:20). Therefore, we possess the same rights and privileges to call on the Father and walk in victory!

According to Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, "Abba is the word framed by the lips of infants and (is a sign of) unreasoning trust."

It further explains when Abba and father are used together, it expresses the love and confidence of a child. According to this explanation, infants don't decide whether or not they will trust their parents. They have confidence and unreasoning trust in them. In other words, based on their relationship, the child trusts without question.

Your trust in God must also be like that of a child—without doubt and unbelief. For example: Your children trust that when they ask you for something to eat or drink, you'll give it to them. In their mind, they have no reason to doubt. They simply make the request and trust that you'll give them whatever they need. They know you are the parent—the one who nurtures and provides for them.

Likewise, you have no reason to doubt God's willingness to supply all of your needs. He's your Father and He'll do whatever it takes to provide for you. Your job is to trust Him with unmovable faith. You must learn to live by the instructions God has established in His Word and make it the final authority in your life.

According to Isaiah 1:19, "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land." In other words, stand your ground!

You may be asking yourself, How can I trust God to meet all my needs? What is my guarantee that He'll come through for me when I need Him? Let me remind you of what the Apostle Paul said in Hebrews 10:23. "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)." Therefore, your guarantee is that He will never go against His Word (see Numbers 23:19 and Isaiah 55:11).

You must put your confidence in His Word and not in the world's system of doing things. Don't try to put your trust in what people can do for you. In fact, the Bible tells us, "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man" (Psalm 118:8).

Yes, there is One Who you can count on. He is your Father—the One Who fulfills His promises to His children. Trusting the Father begins with studying His Word and getting it into your spirit by reading, speaking and hearing it constantly.

Don't waste time listening to negative news reports from the world or from people who speak doubt and unbelief. Instead, listen to God. The Word says, "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

Child of God, regardless of what circumstance or problem you may be facing, the Father has given you His promise—the Word. Trust it and allow Him to bring you out of your dilemma. You are a kingdom kid, possessing kingdom privileges, and your heavenly Father won't leave you helpless. Therefore make a quality decision to trust Him as "Daddy," and prepare to walk in victory!


Creflo Dollar Ministries
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