The Plan for the Family of the Heavenly Father
Greetings, brothers and sisters. This is Dr. James Perry continuing with our series where we seek to
explore the deeper meanings of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Over the years, the heavenly
Father has revealed many revelations of spiritual truth to me, and I want to share them with you. This
morning we ponder our lives as we seek to understand the plan for the family of the Heavenly Father.
And now, sit back and listen to today's message.
The Plan for the Family of the Heavenly Father
"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their
angels do always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven." Matthew, Chapter 18, Verse
10.
Brothers and sisters, the heavenly Father has a very large family. He has many children, ranging in
age from the golden years of later life to the pre-life of the unborn still being carried in the womb.
The heavenly Father has a plan for each of His children. Each child is given responsibility in
accordance with his ability to comprehend as well as a willingness to carry out the Father's plan.
Because of the different ages of the children, there exists various levels of comprehension of the
Father's plan. Some have had no experience at all in carrying out the Father's plan, while still others
have become quite adept at it. Those who are as yet unborn are unconscious of everything including
themselves. As soon as they are born, they become conscious of their immediate needs. They're
aware when they are hungry, wet, or in pain.
Later on they become conscious of other people and of their relationship to them. As they continue
to develop they become conscious of their bodies, and still later on they become self conscious.
During this time, they gain mastery over the use of their body, and mind development continues.
Intellectual training begins and the child receives the first instructional book outlining the
requirements that he will be expected to master during this stage of development. Though the
instructions at this point are crude and primitive, they represent all the child is capable of
assimilating at this stage. As the child studies this primitive book, he gains the first understanding
of the rudimentary information about the Father's plan, and the child is usually happy and content.
But finally the day dawns when the child leaves the comfort and security of childhood, entering
adolescence with its increasing opportunities and turmoil. Here the child receives his second book
of instruction from the Father. This is a stormy period and is due to the child's increased awareness,
and his increasing ability to form concepts that are different from the Father's concepts.
As the child begins to study this book of increased responsibility, he begins to question the wisdom
of the way the Father does things. Indeed he questions the very purpose of the Father. This is an age
of rebellion as they child begins to assert his own concept of doing things but finds that the Father
knows best. Here also the child falters in his study of the book and fails to understand the Father's
plan, but eventually most will return to complete the study of the adolescent years.
Now comes the years of young adulthood. During these years the now young adult receives his third
book about the Father's plan which is the product of the integration of the first two books. Here the
young adult is given increased responsibility and greater opportunity to implement that which he has
learned up to this point. Usually during this stage, the young adult is assigned a partner while they
both attempt to duplicate what has been done for them. Here, study is rigorous, and some drop away,
refuse to study, and lose sight of the Father's plan. But those who continue to study are finally able
to achieve this goal: the acquirement of the concept of Fatherhood. They are now ready for the next
stage of growth.
During this stage they receive their fourth book of instruction. This book is relatively advanced and
deals with increased responsibility of the Father's plan. Having acquired the concept of Fatherhood,
they are now given the responsibility of revealing the Father to all, including those who may have
stumbled along the way, or who have stagnated in their spiritual growth. This is a very crucial period,
for many falter during this period. Having been relieved of the intense struggle of former periods,
they turn inward and being pursuing selfish pleasures and material comfort to the exclusion of the
Father's business. It should be noted at this point that persons must pass the previous stage before
they can proceed to the next stage. Some will not complete this stage of the Father's plan.
But for those who go on to complete this stage, they emerge into the next stage whereby they receive
the fifth and final book. Each prospective stage is made possible by successfully completing the
preceding stage. Having completed the previous stages, they begin study of the fifth book. The study
of this book makes it possible for them to become permanent revealers of the Father’s plan for those
in need of remedial instruction. These can-do warriors have climbed to such faith heights that they
are able to reveal the Father’s plan under any and all circumstances to those who have fallen along
the way. Their tireless and ceaseless efforts to get those back on track who have fallen off, their
constant refusal to yield to the desire for selfish material ease, and their constant choosing of the
Father's plan over any and all circumstances have created the capacity for the Father to merge with
them, to become a permanent part of the Father. As a result of their constant study, their service and
dedication to the Father’s plan, they have become one with Him.
This concludes today's message on understanding the meaning of the plan for the family of the
Heavenly Father. We hope you find something in this message to ponder and pray about as you go
about your day. Until next time, this is Dr. James Perry.
Inspirational Messages
By Dr. James Perry
Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done!
The Plan for the Family of the Heavenly Father
