The Heart of the Father: An Excerpt from Overflowing — Carol McLeod Ministries
Have you ever met a parent who talked obsessively about their new baby? It’s all this besotted parent can think about … talk about … focus on.
I’ll admit … I have been that way in the past. I have been that parent who was captivated by a miraculous infant.
Now that my child-bearing years are over, I am that way about my grandchildren … all 10 of them!
My children and grandchildren have changed my life … in all the best ways possible.
Now I am no longer giving birth to babies … but now I birth books.
Don’t jump to any rash conclusions because I totally get it. Books are in no way to be compared to the wonder of a new life … a baby so fresh from heaven.
But I do believe that when a man or a woman reads the right book … it just may change his or her life.
A well-thought out, prayed over book, can point our hearts toward heaven and to the wonder of the character and heart of God.
A freshly published book … when based upon the principles of scripture … can change your very legacy.
I want to humbly say … I believe that “Overflowing” is such a book.
And if my new book has any lasting power indeed … it is because it is based upon the Word of God.
“Overflowing – Living Abundantly in a Broken Culture” … contains the heart of God toward a group of people who are living in a world gone awry.
If you want to know what God’s will for your life is in this compromised, shattered culture … then “Overflowing” is just the book for you!
So … today … on the birthday of “Overflowing” … here is a gift for you. Here is one of my favorite parts of the book for you to read today.
I hope this peek into its pages will propel you to buy your own copy at this link. https://amzn.to/3XBGAG0
Never doubt it, my friend! God has a plan for believers in the 21st. Century! His plan is for you to overflow with His goodness, peace and joy … and with His power.
The Heart of the Father
Whenever the Bible references the pleasure of God, it is a wise idea to take note and to understand what brings pleasure to the heart of the Father.
For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him. (Colossians 1:19)
The Father enthusiastically gave to Jesus the fullness of His power. It never ceases to amaze me that this one intentional decision brought pleasure to God. As I have prayed over this passage, wondered over it, and wrestled with it, there has been a relentless question that has utterly consumed me: Why was it the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness of the Godhead to dwell in Jesus?
I have read commentaries trying to resolve this dilemma and spoken with theologians and pastors. Although some of their responses were riveting and even wise, nothing satisfied the conundrum in my soul. I’ve asked myself again and again and again, “Why was it the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness of the Godhead to dwell in Jesus?”
Can I be honest about this quandary that paralyzed me for months? Early one morning, I heard the voice of the Holy Spirit whisper to me, “Carol, you have asked everyone else, but you haven’t asked me yet.”
After I repented, I humbly asked, “Holy Spirit, why was it the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness of the Godhead to dwell in Jesus?”
The answer I was given certainly brought substantial peace to my soul, and I believe it will to yours as well.
The sweet Holy Spirit, who is the most fabulous teacher in all of eternity past and in all of eternity yet to come, patiently and kindly responded, “The Father gave Jesus the fullness of His power and authority so that Jesus could bring it to you.”
Jesus brought the fullness of heaven as well as the fullness of God the Father to earth and He gave it to us. Could there be anything more wonderful than that?
God desired His completeness to live permanently in Jesus Christ. Paul was endeavoring to explain to the church at Colossae that Christ is indeed God’s dwelling place. Every aspect of God the Father dwells in Jesus Christ the Son. Christ is able, then, to ultimately reveal all the characteristics and undertakings of God to His children. Christ has always been God and will always be God.
All of God dwells in Jesus, His Son; this includes God’s attributes, His nature, His power, His design, His love, His glory.
Thanks for listening to my heart this week. As you know by now, my heart is truly not a perfect heart but it is a heart that is filled to overflowing with gratitude for the life I have been given and for the people who walk with me. And, it continues to be a heart that is relentlessly chasing after God and all that He is!
