The word for this week is a Greek word in itself! It is "abba". It's found in these three verses:
Mark 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. KJV
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. KJV
Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. KJV
Strong's Concordance says: Of Aramaic origin; father. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: father, a customary title of God in prayer. Vine's Expository Dictionary is very interesting! It says: is an Aramaic word, found in Mark 14:36; Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6. In the Gemara (a Rabbinical commentary on the Mishna, the traditional teaching of the Jews) it is stated that slaves were forbidden to address the head of the family by this title. It approximates to a personal name, in contrast to "Father," with which it is always joined in the NT. This is probably due to the fact that, abba having practically become a proper name, Greek-speaking Jews added the Greek word pater, "father," from the language they used. Abba is the word framed by the lips of infants, and betokens unreasoning trust; "father" expresses an intelligent apprehension of the relationship. The two together express the love and intelligent confidence of the child
I REALLY love that last underlined part above! Abba is 'framed by the mouth of infants', (betoken refers to a sign) and is a sign of an unreasoning trust! The two words 'taken together express the love and intelligent confidence of a child'! We KNOW that we are to come to the Father AS a child, pure of heart and ready to trust and obey. He will NEVER lead us in a wrong way! So, as you go about your daily routine with Kristine and your beautiful daughters, remember that God said THIS about His plans and purposes for us in Jeremiah 29:11:
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
KJV
11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. AMP
11 For I know what plans I have in mind for you,’ says Adonai, ‘plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future. CJB
11 I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out — plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Message
11 For I have known the thoughts that I am thinking towards you — an affirmation of Jehovah; thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give to you posterity and hope. YLT
HE knows His plans and that they are GOOD! He always follows through! We can count on Him and know that HE put the hopes and dreams in our heart so that He CAN fulfill them! I love to see your hopes and dreams coming true! Here are Hillsong Kids again with "Little Life (For You Jesus)":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
