Heald - I have loved you : getting to know the Fathers heart

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2013 by Cynthia Heald

Previously published as When the Father Holds You Close

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ISBN-13: 978-1-61747-916-8

Cover design by Arvid Wallen

Some of the anecdotal illustrations in this book are true to life and are included with the permission of the persons involved. All other illustrations are composites of real situations, and any resemblance to people living or dead is coincidental.

Unless otherwise identified, all Scripture quotations in this publication are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (nlt), copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. Other versions used include: the New American Standard Bible (NASB), Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; THE MESSAGE (MSG). Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group; the Amplified Bible (AMP), The Lockman Foundation 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987; and the New King James Version (NKJV). Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Heald, Cynthia.

I have loved you : getting to know the Father's heart / Cynthia Heald.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-1-61747-916-8

1. Spirituality--Biblical teaching. I. Title.

BS680.S7H43 2013

248--dc23

2012034748

Printed in the United States of America

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 / 18 17 16 15 14 13

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To my dear children:
Melinda and Mark
Daryl and Cathy
Shelly and Lianchao
Michael and Brenna
Not only has the Lord loved you, but so have I.

T enderness, affection, warmth, and closeness are words that help define intimacy. It is an extraordinary moment when we realize that someone loves us and wants an intimate relationship.

Usually our first experience of being loved comes from our parents and often a mothers love is more obviously expressed and therefore more easily experienced. A fathers love, however, is often less expressive and therefore not so easily received. Sometimes we may not even know our father or our relationship with him doesnt or didnt live up to our hopeful expectations. To be specially loved by a father is an exceptional gift. If we have not experienced that fatherly warmth, we may have a longing that is hard to replace. That longing may launch us on a search for intimacy that can sometimes end in frustration.

God knows our hearts, and He understands our need for intimacy. In His abiding love for us, He sent His Son to the cross so that we could become His. Our heavenly Father wants to be the father we long for. He wants to demonstrate His love. He wants to hold us close.

However, we often suffer from misguided ideas of how to deepen our intimacy with God. It is easy to be like the Pharisees in thinking that if we work hard and try to be perfect, then God will accept us. It did not work for the Pharisees, and it does not work for us. The key to growing in intimacy with God is knowing that He longs to be with us far more than we long to be with Him. We can approach Him freely, confident of His love.

The purpose of this book is to lead you into an intimate relationship with your heavenly Father. Each of its four parts addresses a different aspect of the Fathers desire for intimacy. In each part, there are seven readings so that if you choose to use it on a daily basis you can read through it in a month, exploring a different facet of intimacy each week. But the book can be read in any number of ways daily, one part every other week, or one part a month, whatever pace meets your needs. After meditating on the primary Scripture passage and the accompanying insights, you can use the For Reflection section to help you get to know the Fathers heart as you reflect on the truths found in His Word and respond to Him in prayer.

I can think of no greater pursuit than intimacy with our loving Father. The amazing truth is that God Himself has initiated this pursuit and draws us into it. The Scriptures are filled with the Lords expressions of desire to hold us close. If you have selected this book to read, you probably feel as I do: Growing in my relationship with God has primary importance in my life. God bless you as you experience the richest and most satisfying relationship there is intimacy with your Father.

Love in Christ,

Cynthia

PART ONE

THE FATHERS WORDS OF LOVE

THE FATHER AND THE CHILD

The Father spoke:

Come, My child: I long to hold you close.

Oh, yes, Father, that is my desire also.

I know. It is your love for Me that shows Me your hearts desire to grow in intimacy.

What shall I do to draw closer to You?

I want you to learn to quiet your heart so that you can hear My voice.

How do I quiet my heart?

By being still enough to listen to My words of love. You hear so many other voices; I want you to set apart time for listening to Me.

Will this take much time?

The amount of time is not as essential as your willingness to give Me your heart.