Posted on May 15, 2011, 4:48 pm, by Bill Gaultiere.
Jesus wants you also to know God as Abba
By Bill Gaultiere © 2011
Probably you know Jesus’ famous Parable of the Prodigal Son, but have you found yourself in the story? Has your heart been melted by experiencing Almighty God as your Abba, your dear Papa?
One way to do this is to spend some time with Rembrandt’s painting, “The Return of the Prodigal Son.” It’ll improve your view of God and your relationship with him.
We talk with Christian leaders and Christ-followers of all kinds who struggle to trust God as their Abba. On the surface they believe that God loves them this much — they may teach [...]
Continue reading Trust Jesus’ Abba as your Abba
Posted on April 14, 2011, 8:56 pm, by Bill Gaultiere.
By Bill Gaultiere © 2011
Jesus hung on the cross, naked and disfigured from beatings, bleeding and suffocating to death. He cried out Psalm 22:1 for all to hear, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
It was the darkest night ever (Matthew 27:45). Jesus felt abandoned by his Father. Many theologians say that because he took our sin on himself he was abandoned by God. In either case, he was enduring a Dark Night of the Soul. He felt God’s absence. He felt forsaken.
I’ve felt abandoned by God. Probably you have too. I talk with pastors, ministry leaders, and all kinds of Christ-followers who [...]
Continue reading The Lamb Became the Shepherd
Posted on May 18, 2010, 9:56 pm, by Bill Gaultiere.
Recently I helped lead a retreat for ministry leaders themed on “Embracing Abba.”
I guided everyone in a time of healing prayer, using Mark 10:13-16 which tells the story of Jesus receiving little children into his arms to bless them. Jesus not only loved these little ones he fought for them, rebuking his disciples who tried to shoo them away because Jesus was busy.
You may have lost touch with it, but you have a child part of you inside. There’s a little and vulnerable part of you that longs for your Heavenly Father to lift you up in his arms with joy! Have you brought this child [...]
Continue reading Abba’s Child
Posted on March 31, 2010, 8:23 pm, by Bill Gaultiere.
By Bill Gaultiere © 2010
Where was God the Father when Jesus was being crucified? Where is God when you and I are being mistreated?
We know that Jesus cried out on the cross the prayer of David in Psalm 22:1: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus felt abandoned by the Father in the midst of carrying the awfulness of sin and being betrayed by his friends as he was being tortured to death. But did the Father reject Jesus? Does he reject you and I in our suffering? In our sin?
Read the rest of Psalm 22, which Jesus may have prayed on the cross. It shows us Jesus [...]
Continue reading Jesus and Abba at the Cross
