Wonderful Counselor!

nofearlindaLeave a comment

One of the most precious names for Jesus is written in Isaiah. He is called Wonderful Counselor. This is precious because one of the ways He helps us intimately and personally is by being our Counselor. Human counselors hear people’s woes, joys and sorrows along with giving them advice. Our Lord Jesus will hear our confession and give forgiveness, our troubles and offer comfort, our joys and rejoice with us and sorrows and offer peace. There is no counselor in life as wonderful as our Lord Jesus.

The Isaiah passage speaks of the coming Messiah. One who will come as a child and be many things to those who believe. He will be our counselor, God himself, eternal Father and our Prince of Peace. No one compares to the Lord Jesus. Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,   and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The counsel of the Lord will be unmatched according to Job in 12:12-13 “Is not wisdom found among the aged?
    Does not long life bring understanding? 13 “To God belong wisdom and power;
    counsel and understanding are his. We can never find one to match the wisdom and counsel of the Lord. Trust in His counsel.

His Word will always provide needed counsel for us. Thank you Lord. Psalm 119:24 “Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.

As my Counselor, Jesus will be my guide and keep His eye upon me. Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Another verse that speaks of God keeping his loving eye upon us is 2 Chronicles 16:9a “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” We can count upon His watchful eye which are consistent with his omnipresent character.

Lastly, I want to mention Psalm 16:6-8. This is one of my favorite verses as it speaks of the goodness of God and how in and through my praise He counsels me. Psalm 16: 6-8 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
    even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can be counseled by God 24/7, guided and provided with the most magnificent wisdom in all the universe. Thank you Jesus for loving me this much.

Linda

God is Our Rock!

nofearlindaLeave a comment

Jehovah-Sel’i or the Lord is my Rock is a new name for me. The Lord is listed repeatedly in scripture by the writers as my rock and I never saw it as a specific name for God. David often spoke this name for God as he saw God as the one who held him together and protected him at the most difficult times of his life. David was anointed to be King by Samuel while Saul was still king. David never threated Saul and was patiently waiting for God to move him into the king’s position. Saul on the other hand, was anxious to see David killed so his line and kingship would continue. David wrote Psalm 18 when under duress and persecution from Saul. Saul sought to kill David for 14 years before his death. You can hear the heart of David in his words and his true feelings about God his rock.

Psalm 18: 1-5 “I love you, O Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
    my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. God was the one upon whom he depended.
3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
    and I am saved from my enemies.

4 The cords of death encompassed me;
    the torrents of destruction assailed me; Even though Saul tried to kill him, 5 the cords of Sheol entangled me; David clung to God his Rock.
    the snares of death confronted me.

31-33 “For who is God, but the Lord?
    And who is a rock, except our God?—
32 the God who equipped me with strength David praises God’s steadfastness
    and made my way blameless. and His equipping.
33 He made my feet like the feet of a deer
    and set me secure on the heights.

46-48 “The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock,
    and exalted be the God of my salvation—
47 the God who gave me vengeance Praise God, my rock! He saved me!
    and subdued peoples under me,
48 who rescued me from my enemies;
    yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me;
    you delivered me from the man of violence.

I love this Psalm as it shows how David leaned upon God for his strength, courage, rescuing, equipping, and steadfastness. God was the immovable Rock that David could cling to in all times and in all seasons. No matter the circumstances, David knew that God would be there. Psalm 94:22 David writes these words, “But the Lord has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge.”

Who is God to you? Is He one to be depended upon at all times, confided in, trusted with your most difficult problems and your hopes and dreams? Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know the Rock of my salvation and cling to Him, hide behind and within Him and know He will never change. He is immutable and as Hebrews 13:8 states, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” We can depend upon our unchanging God just like David.

Linda

Provider God

nofearlindaLeave a comment

One of my favorite names of God is Provider. There is so much to this name that it always reassures me and makes me smile. God promises to be our provider. When looking in scriptures there are several words that may appear, provides, supplies, and lack for nothing give the meaning of God as provider.

God provided for Abraham on Mt. Moriah. God had told him to go and sacrifice his son on the mountain. They took wood and other supplies but no lamb. When Isaac questioned his father about this, Abraham said, “God will provide”. Indeed He did as we read in Genesis 22:13-14 “And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” During the reign of King Hezekiah the Israelites were attacked by the king of Assyria. Hezekiah prayed and laid Sennacherib’s blaphemous letter before God and asked for rescue. God miraculously provided victory and saved them. 2 Chronicles 32:20-22 “Then Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried to heaven. 21 And the Lord sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty warriors and commanders and officers in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he came into the house of his god, some of his own sons struck him down there with the sword. So the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib king of Assyria and from the hand of all his enemies, and he provided for them on every side.” The Bible is filled with passages that show God’s great provision for His people.

God often goes to great lengths to provide for those with physical needs. In Psalm 68:9-10 the psalmist recalls how God treated the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness. “Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad; you restored your inheritance as it languished;10 your flock found a dwelling in it; in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.” God provided manna 6 days a week with a double portion on day 6 for 40 years! Exodus 16:4-5 “ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” Then God also agreed to provide meat, Exodus 16:8a “And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full,” Many other places God provided food. He fed Elijah in the wilderness by a raven and He multiplied the widow’s flour and oil to last as long as needed. Can you recall a time when God provided food when you least expected it or sorely needed it?

God’s greatest provision is Jesus. He provided a way for us to be reconciled to Him. 2 Peter 1:11 “For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

What promise about God as provider is dearest to you? David was thankful that God watched over him especially in the presence of his many enemies. He wrote Psalm 23 from the heart of one who loves and appreciates God as provider. Psalm 23:1, 5-6 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” God also promises to supply what we need. That does not mean He will give us all we want, but when we are doing His work He will see that we have the needed resources to do the job. That might include physical, spiritual and emotional support or all of them. I love Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” All things are possible in Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 19:26 “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Shouldn’t we be encouraged and assured by Jesus’ words and promises!

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know with assurance that God is my provider and He will work all things for His good and my glory. Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” When we belong to Him, we can trust Him to provide. He is the great Provider.

Linda

The Church, All believers, will be the Bride of Christ

nofearlindaLeave a comment

In the Old Testament, God is referred to as our husband. This is more fully defined when one considers the idea in Revelation where the Church, all believers, are called the Bride of Christ. God in His grace and wisdom is actually both. He is the one who cares for widows and says He will be their husband. Isaiah’s words spoken to the Israelites were an encouragement to them. He wanted them to know in spite of their past sins, God was there steadfast and true. He would stand with them.

Isaiah 54:6 “Fear not, for you will not be ashamed;
    be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced;
for you will forget the shame of your youth,
    and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.” Isaiah begins in verse 6 with truths about no fear and no shame, all will be forgotten which was so reassuring and then he launches into a glorious piece of scripture that shows God as husband, redeemer, Lord of Hosts, and God of the whole earth.

Isaiah 54:5-8 “For your Maker is your husband, God is creator, husband
    the Lord of hosts is his name; Lord of Hosts
and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, Holy one of Israel, Redeemer
    the God of the whole earth he is called. God of the whole earth.
6 For the Lord has called you
    like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit,
like a wife of youth when she is cast off, God saw your pain
    says your God.
7 For a brief moment I deserted you, You were deserted, to Babylon for a brief time
    but with great compassion I will gather you.
8 In overflowing anger for a moment
    I hid my face from you,
but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” God loves you.
    says the Lord, your Redeemer.

The relationship between husband and wife is a picture of God and His people. The husband is to care for his wife as Christ loves the believers. In Revelation, Christ is named as the Lamb and the Church, all believers, are to be His Bride! There will be a huge feast in heaven to celebrate.

Revelation 19:7-8 “Let us rejoice and exult
    and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
    and his Bride has made herself ready;
8 it was granted her to clothe herself
    with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.” The Bride of Christ is clothed in fine line, bright and pure which represents the righteous deeds done by believers in the name of Christ.

What about these images brings you peace and hope? I take comfort in knowing that God is my husband and stands in with all widows and those who are alone. I know the relationship of husband and wife is a caring one where God will watch over me as no one else ever can. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can participate in the marriage of the Lamb in heaven and until then He will be with me standing beside me and upholding me. The wedding feast will be a joyous event as all the Church will be with Him in heaven.

Linda

Lord of Hosts=Lord of Heaven’s Armies

nofearlindaLeave a comment

The LORD of HOSTS, Jehovah Sabaoth, is the commander of the Heavenly Army! Who else but God himself would be leading them? Psalm 46:7 “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.” The New Living Translation uses the phrase Lord of Heaven’s Armies often however, in the ESV translation it reads, “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” It seems that the two phrases are interchangeable. Hosts refers to the angel army of God=heavenly army. Isaiah 47:4 makes this name very clear, “Our Redeemer—the Lord of hosts is his name— is the Holy One of Israel.” When Isaiah had a vision of the throne room of God he saw the seraphim proclaiming God’s glory, Isaiah 6:3 “And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

What does this army do under God’s command? Psalm 91:1 is a verse to cherish and claim, “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” God is always watching out for us and directs His angels to do so for Him. In 2 Samuel 5:10 scripture describes the Lord of Heaven’s armies as giving David strength, “And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies was with him.” In the Psalm it describes the Lord of Heaven’s armies as being with them, as we know He is, Psalm 46:7 “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.” Psalm 84:8, He listens to our prayers, “O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, hear my prayer. Listen, O God of Jacob.” Psalm 84:12 He brings joy when we trust Him, “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, what joy for those who trust in you.” The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is the avenger of all nations who have wronged Israel. Scripture speaks of His wrath towards Babylon, Assyria, Egypt and even against His own people for abandoning Him and worshipping idols. The Apostle Paul quotes Isaiah in Romans 9:28-30 showing us “For the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth  quickly and with finality.”29 And Isaiah said the same thing in another place: “If the Lord of Heaven’s Armies had not spared a few of our children, we would have been wiped out like Sodom,  destroyed like Gomorrah.” God was merciful towards those who loved Him and showed them grace they did not deserve.

This name of God is powerful and filled with action as we envision God as the Commander and Chief of His Army. It is just another facet of our all -powerful sovereign God. Blessedly He reminds us in Pslam 80:19 that He is there for us. “
Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved! The Lord of Hosts is patient with us and desires that we be saved!

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know, serve and be saved and protected by the Lord of Hosts, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. What a privilege it is to have the Lord of the Heavenly Army supporting and defending me. Someday we will be with Him in glory and can praise Him with the words Isaiah heard, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts!

Linda

4th Sunday of Lent, A Matter of Learning

nofearlindaLeave a comment

What is God teaching you during this Lenten season? Are you worrying less and trusting Him more? Are you repenting more quickly and learning to recognize your sin? Each season of life brings new challenges and new ways to walk with Him. The psalmist here in Psalm 37:7-9 is in a season of waiting, maybe you can identify.

Psalm 37:7-9 “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
    fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
    over the man who carries out evil devices! Do you need to wait and not fret over evil? 8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
    Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. Do you need to hold yourself more in check?
9 For the evildoers shall be cut off,
    but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. Do you trust God is in control?

Learning to walk with Jesus causes us to stop and listen to Him. Letting the Holy Spirit fill us and then allowing Him to help us practice self-control. Learn to let yourself lean into Jesus and trust Him for the outcome. I know this is easier said than done, but God has a plan and purpose for each of us, special things for us to do and we need to focus upon those things. Claim Jeremiah 29:11 -God has good plans for you! “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” and -God has work for you to do Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can walk with Jesus each day and be filled with His Holy Spirit to guide and direct me. He will lead me in His pathway if I listen to Him. Meditate on Psalm 37 and learn to Be Still before Him. Leaning into Jesus will bring results of the heart and mind.

Linda

What is the Source of All Things?

nofearlindaLeave a comment

I find this name for God more of a concept, our Source. God is creator of all things and is in all things too. The dictionary defines source as: the point of origin, the initiator, supplier, the fountain head. All of these meanings can be related to God as He is the beginning of all as He existed before creation. He initiated the creation of the universe and all that we know. He supplies all needs and is the living spring from which all things flow.

Here are some scriptures that match these meanings in amazing ways! Point of origin and initiator, John 1:3 “All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Colossians 1:16 “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” Romans 11:36 “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” All of these describe our Creator God as the one who started it all and made everything as we know it! The true Source!

We all know God as the ultimate supplier or source. Philippians 4:16 “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” and another way of saying this is, John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” Apart from Him we can do nothing. With Him we can claim all things are possible, Mark 10:26-27 “And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 

Lastly, the beginning of a river is called its source. Jesus is the Source of our life giving water from God. John 7:38 “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Revelation 7:17 speaks of this living water in heaven, “For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Jesus is the lamb of God and will be the source of living water in heaven!

In my second book Promises for Dynamic Living, I used 2 Peter 1:13 as my guiding verse. “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,” He has granted us divine power for living so we can glorify Him in our lives. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know the Source of life, taste of His water, be under His care and know all things come through Him. He is the perfect source to provide for me both physically and spiritually. Is He your Source too? Know the Source by trusting in Jesus.

Linda

Promises for Dynamic Living is available on Amazon, Promises for Dynamics Living/LindaKnight or from my publisher, Certabooks.com

Who Can Make you Holy? Jesus

nofearlindaLeave a comment

Today’s name of God, Jehovah Mekoddishkem or The LORD Sanctifies is essential to our Christian theology. Since man’s sin in the garden we have been separated from God by our sin. God is holy and we are not because of our willfulness, rebellion and outright rejection of God. To make a way for man to be reconciled to Him, God provided the law to show the way of right living and the sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. The sacrifices were only a temporary fix to the problem and were a picture of Christ to come. Jesus was the perfect holy sacrifice that through faith in His work on the cross and resurrection, we can be restored to a relationships with God. The name- The LORD Sanctifies describes God’s part in this to bring us back to Him. Leviticus 20:7-8 “Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. 8 Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you.” Only Holy God can restore us and make us pure, sanctified, so we may come before Him.

The writer of Hebrews explains this a bit more and helps us to see Jesus as the atonement provided by God. Hebrews 10:10-14 “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Chris had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. What thousands of sacrifices had not been able to accomplish permanently, Jesus did on the cross. Once was enough and it was accomplished, the way of forgiveness and the pathway back to communion with God was opened to us. Thank you Jesus!

Paul talks about our sanctification, which is a process of becoming more and more like Jesus. We are clean before God through the cleansing blood of Jesus but we live in a sinful world. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.“ Walking with Jesus grows as we mature in our faith and are more able to cast off sin and temptations that surround us in this world and focus on Him. We will never be free of sin until we are with Him, but we can become more and more like Jesus as we walk with Him.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, Through faith in Jesus I can experience the process of sanctification by the Holy Spirit as I seek to live for Him. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 that we can rely upon God for this process and trust in His faithfulness. “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.“

Linda

LORD and Master to Me

nofearlindaLeave a comment

One of the names for God that we are probably most familiar with is Adonai in Hebrew or Lord, Master in English. Generally, it was used to mean someone in charge or of greater station in the society. Those usages totally apply to God as He is indeed the Lord and Master of all. When it is written in all capitals, LORD, the name refers to Yahweh or Adonay referring to the God of the universe, creator of all things. It was a personal name to the Jews for their Lord God. The name Lord or LORD appears over 6,000 times in scripture and Master 179. At times the words can be used as a person performing or acting as say the lord of his estate or master of a slave, but most references refer to God or Jesus.

Psalm 123 offers us a beautiful look at our LORD and His merciful character throughout time towards His people.

I lift up my eyes to you,
    to you who sit enthroned in heaven. God dwells in heaven.
2 As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
    as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress, Others look to earthly masters
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
    till he shows us his mercy. We look to Lord our God for mercy.

3 Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us,
    for we have endured no end of contempt. Lord look on us with mercy as we are suffering,
4 We have endured no end
    of ridicule from the arrogant, We have suffered for you Lord at the hands of others.
    of contempt from the proud.

I particularly love the prophesy in Isaiah 40:3-5 about the coming of John the Baptist who would herald the coming of Jesus.

A voice of one calling: John the Baptist was that voice to come.
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way for the Lord; The Lord Jesus was coming soon.
make straight in the desert
    a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be raised up,
    every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
    the rugged places a plain.
5 And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, Jesus would reveal the Lord’s glory to us.
    and all people will see it together.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

I find comfort in the Lord, as I know He is my comforter. Isaiah 49:16 “Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.”

Jesus was referred as Lord and Master by his disciples. One night they had been out fishing and had caught nothing. Jesus came to meet them and told them to put their nets out again. Luke 5:4-8 “When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”  Peter recognized a divine power within Jesus. 10b continues, “Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” They knew immediately that Jesus was different, and a Lord and Master they could follow.

Paul uses the name Lord for Jesus when he speaks of salvation. Romans 8:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” Jesus is our Lord and through faith in Him we can be made clean and pure- justified to stand before God! Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Without Jesus we would still be lost in our sins, thank you Jesus for the gift of enteral life and forgiveness. Philippians 2:10-12 tells us of a future time when all will know and bow before Jesus our Lord. “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,  to the glory of God the Father.”

How do you see your Lord and Master? I hope these scriptures have helped you to see the great depth of God’s love and devotion to us. The names Lord and Master show the great privilege that God is granting to us through His grace and mercy that we can call Him our master and Lord. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can call Jesus my Lord and Master. It is an honor to be loved and cared for by Him.

Linda

The Great I AM

nofearlindaLeave a comment

A name that God called himself is I AM (YHWH). The Israelites so revered the name of God that they used YHWH when referring to Him as it has no vowels and cannot be pronounced. They felt God’s name was so sacred that they should not utter it. God used the term I AM in reference to himself in Exodus 3:14. God was going to send Moses to confront Pharoah so the people would be released from slavery. Moses was hesitant and one of the problems he foresaw was that the people, the Israelite slaves, would not know him and not believe that he had come to be God’s instrument of release. Exodus 3:14 “God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” God was proclaiming that He was the self-existent God, God Almighty, the God of their fathers.

Prior to this encounter, scripture refers calling upon the name of the Lord. The patriarchs knew God and worshipped Him and called on Him often. Genesis 4:26 “To Seth (the third son of Adam and Eve) also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord.” From that time on, the believers called upon the name of the Lord. Genesis 12:8 Abraham called upon the name of the Lord, “From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord.” Isaac called upon God, Genesis 26:25 “ So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord and pitched his tent there. And there Isaac’s servants dug a well.” The Israelites were familiar with the patriarchs calling upon the name of the Lord and would have recognized God’s name.

In the New Testament, Jesus uses the “I AM” to let us know facets of His character. He tells us He is the bread of life in John 6:35 “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” The door, John 10:9 “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” The connection to the Father, John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” The source of God’s light to the world, John 8:12 “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” The direction in which you can find God, John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. The caretaker of all believers, John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” The source of resurrection power and life eternal, John 11:25 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,” Lastly, Jesus himself identifies with the name I AM from His heavenly Father in John 8:58 “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, our triune God, existed before the creation of the world and are eternal. Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can know the great I AM personally and call upon His name in worship and prayer!

Linda