Published on April 17th, 2010 | Articles

By Charlie Hamilton

Do you remember growing up meeting a new friend at school or in the neighborhood? One of the things about a new relationship is that you quickly discover new things about people that you never knew. For instance your new friend could be a great dancer or a great cook. They could play several instruments or could be very artistic. You quickly learned what their favorite color was or their favorite song. Simply by spending time with your new friend you learned more and more about them. That’s why I believe Facebook is such a popular website because we love to discover new things about our friends.

In the same way that you learn new things about your friends by “hanging out” with them we learn new things about God by simply “hanging out” with Him and His Word. For instance one of the ways we learn more about God is through His different names. You and I only have one “real” name unless of course we change it.

But God has many names.

Why?

Because in discovering new things about God, as Charles Minucie would say, “no single name can contain Him and no single word can explain Him.”

The quality of any relationship is best seen in the quality of their communication. Therefore, God chooses to communicate who He is through His names.

One of the most important names for God in the Old Testament is Yahweh, or the English version Jehovah, from the verb “to be,” meaning, “I am who I am,” or “I will be who I will be.” This four-letter Hebrew word YHWH was the name by which God revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3:14).

Each name describes WHO God CAN BE FOR YOU.

When Abraham was ninety-nine years old (Gen. 17:1) God introduced Himself to Abraham as “El Shaddai” which means “I AM THE GOD WHO CAN DO FOR YOU WHAT YOU CANNOT DO FOR YOURSELF.

Both Abraham and Sarah could not have children on their own, although they tried for many years.

Who did they need God to be for them at that time? El Shaddai – the God that could do for them what they could not do for themselves.

God is the great “I AM __________________.” You fill in the blank.

Right now- right where you are “Who do you need God to be for you?”

Pick a name – any name – God can be that for you. Read through the different names of God in the Bible and become acquainted with them. Each name reveals a different characteristic or aspect about who God is.

Jesus Put A Face On God

You know the Bible says that Jesus came to declare God’s name(s).

John 17:6a I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world. (Emphasis Mine)

Jesus manifested God’s name(s) to the world through the various things He did. Through the miracles He performed, through the compassion He demonstrated, through the love He gave, through everything Jesus did – Jesus manifested who God was. So much so that Jesus could say “if you have seen me you have seen the Father.” (John 14:9)

What did Jesus mean by that statement?

It simply meant that every characteristic of the Father; every name of the Father was demonstrated in the life of Jesus. Jesus was a healer for the people. Jesus was a provider for the people. Jesus was a Shepherd for the people. Jesus was a deliverer for the people. Jesus was a teacher for the people. Jesus was a prophet for the people. In short everything that the people needed Jesus to be for them – Jesus became.

Knowing who God is for you is the single most important thing in the world.

Who do you need God to be for you? Pick a name – any name.

Some Names Of God

Jehovah-Adon Kal Ha’arets- Lord of Earth – Josh 3:13
Jehovah-Bara – Lord Creator – Isaiah 40:28
Jehovah-Chatsahi – Lord my Strength – Psalm 27:1
Jehovah-Chereb – Lord the Sword – Deut. 33:29
Jehovah-Eli – Lord my God – Psalm 18:2
Jehovah-Elyon – Lord Most High – Psalm 38:2
Jehovah-’Ez-Lami – Lord my Strength – Ps 28:7
Jehovah-Gador Milchamah – Mighty in Battle – Ps 24:8
Jehovah-Ganan – Lord Our Defense – Ps 89:18
Jehovah-Go’el – Lord My Redeemer – Is. 49:26, 60:16
Jehovah-Hamelech – Lord King – Psalm 98:6
Jehovah-Hashopet – Lord My Judge – Judges 6:27
Jehovah-Helech ‘Olam – Lord King Forever Ps10:16
Jehovah-Hoshe’ah – Lord Saves – Psalm 20:9
Jehovah-’Immeku – Lord Is With You – Judges 6:12
Jehovah-’Izoa Hakaboth – Lord Strong -Mighty – Ps 24:8
Jehovah-Jireh – Provider – Gen. 22:14, I John 4:9, Philip 4:19
Jehovah-Kabodhi – Lord my Glory – Psalm 3:3
Jehovah-Kanna – Lord Jealous – Ex 34:14
Jehovah-Keren-Yish’i – Horn of Salvation – Ps 18:2
Jehovah-M’Kaddesh – Sanctifier – I Corinthians 1:30
Jehovah-Machsi – Lord my Refuge – Psalm 91:9
Jehovah-Magen – Lord my Shield – Deut. 33:29
Jehovah-Ma’oz – Lord my Fortress – Jer. 16:19
Jehovah-Mephalti – Lord my Deliverer – Psalm 18:2
Jehovah-Metshodhathi – Lord my Fortress – Psalm 18:2
Jehovah-Misqabbi – Lord my High Tower – Psalm 18:2
Jehovah-M’gaddishcem – Lord my Sanctifier – Ex 31:13
Jehovah-Naheh – Lord who Smites – Ezekiel 7:9
Jehovah-Nissi – Banner – I Chronicles 29:11-13
Jehovah-’Ori – Lord my Light – Psalm 27:1
Jehovah-Rohi – Shepherd – Psalm 23
Jehovah-Rophe – Healer – Isaiah 53:4,5
Jehovah-Sabaoth – Lord of Hosts – I Sam 1:3
Jehovah-Sel’i – Lord my Rock – Psalm 18:2
Jehovah-Shalom – Peace – Isaiah 9:6, Rom 8:31-35
Jehovah-Shammah – Present – Hebrews 13:5
Jehovah-The Lord – Exodus 6:2-3
Jehovah-Tsidkenu – Righteousness – I Cor 1:30
Jehovah-Tsori – Lord my Strength – Psalm 19:14
Jehovah-’Uzam – Lord Strength in Trouble – Is 49:26
Jehovah-Yasha – Lord my Savior – Isaiah 49:26

Published on April 16th, 2010 | Devotionals, Guest Posts

This guest post comes to us from Max Lucado at Max Lucado Ministries.

He Adopted You

Max Lucado

“His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by sending Jesus Christ to die for us.” Ephesians 1:3, TLB

And you thought God adopted you because you were good-looking. You thought he needed your money or your wisdom. Sorry. God adopted you simply because he wanted to. You were in his good will and pleasure. Knowing full well the trouble you would be and the price he would pay, he signed his name next to yours and changed your name to his and took you home. Your Abba adopted you and became your Father.

Published on April 15th, 2010 | Articles, Guest Posts

This guest post comes to us from Francis Frangipane at Francis Frangipane Ministries.

Legal Protection

Francis Frangipane

Approximately two thousand years ago a decree was issued at the judgment seat of Almighty God. It provided “legal” protection for the church against the devil. Indeed, when Jesus died for our sins, the “ruler of this world” was judged (John 16:11). Our debts were nailed to Christ’s cross and canceled; principalities and powers were disarmed. In truth, because of Jesus, we have a legal right, not only to be protected from our enemy but to triumph over him (Col. 2:13-15).

It does not matter what nation you come from, the sacrifice of Christ was so complete and the judicial decision from God against Satan so decisive that divine protection, enough to cover every need known to Christians, has been granted (see Rev. 3:10). Christ’s death is the lawful platform upon which the church rises to do spiritual warfare; His Word is the eternal sword we raise against wickedness.

Having said that, we must also acknowledge that the church has only rarely walked in such victory since the first century. Why? At least in part, the answer is this: To attain the protection of Christ, the church must embrace the intercession of Christ. We must become a house of prayer.

Indeed, church history began with its leadership devoted to the Word of God and to prayer (Acts 2:42; 6:4). Every day the leaders gathered to pray and minister to the Lord (Acts 3:1). In this clarity of vision and simplicity of purpose, the church of Jesus Christ never had greater power or capacity to make true disciples.

Today, however, our qualifications for church leadership include almost everything but devotion to God’s Word and prayer. Leaders are expected to be organizers, counselors, and individuals with winning personalities whose charms alone can draw people.

In Luke 18, Jesus challenges our modern traditions. He asks, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (v. 8). His question is a warning to Christians who would limit the power of God at the end of the age. Jesus is calling us to resist the downward pull of our traditions; He is asking us individually, “Will I find faith in you?”

Before we respond, let us note that Jesus associates “faith” with “day and night prayer” (Luke 18:7). He is not asking, “Will I find correct doctrines in you?” The Lord’s question does not so much concern itself with our head as with our heart. What we believe is important, but how we believe is vital in securing the help of God.

Indeed, procuring the supernatural help of God is exactly the point of Jesus’ parable in Luke 18. His intent was to show that “at all times” we “ought to pray and not to lose heart” (Luke 18:1). To illustrate the quality of faith He seeks, He followed His admonition with a parable about a certain widow who petitioned a hardened judge for “legal protection” (v. 3). Although the judge was initially unwilling, yet by her “continually coming” (v. 5) she gained what was legally hers.

Jesus concluded by asking, “If an unrighteous judge will respond to a widow’s persistence, shall not God avenge quickly His elect, who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?” Jesus said, “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them speedily” (see Luke 18:1-8)

Understanding God’s Delays

Our Heavenly Judge will not “delay long” over His elect, but He will delay. In fact, God’s definition of “speedily” and ours are not always synonymous. The Lord incorporates delays into His overall plan: Delays work perseverance in us. So crucial is endurance to our character development that God is willing to delay even important answers to prayer to facilitate our transformation.

Thus, we should not interpret divine delays as signs of divine reluctance. Delays are tools to perfect our faith. Christ is looking to find a tenacity in our faith that prevails in spite of delays and setbacks. He seeks to create a perseverance within us that outlasts the test of time, a resolve that actually grows stronger during delays. When the Father sees this quality of persistence in our faith, it so touches His heart that He grants “legal protection” to His people.

Desperation Produces Change

It is significant that Jesus compared His elect to a widow harassed by an enemy. The image is actually liberating, for we tend to conceptualize the heroes of the faith as David or Joshua types — individuals whose successes obscure their humble beginnings. But each of God’s servants has, like the widow, a former life that is brimming with excuses and occasions to waver.

Look at the widow: She has legitimate reasons to quit, but instead she prevails. Indeed, she refuses to exempt herself from her high potential simply because of her low estate. She makes no apologies for her lack of finances, knowledge or charm. Giving herself no reason to fail, she unashamedly plants her case before the judge where she pleads for and receives what is hers: legal protection from her opponent.

How did a common widow gain such strength of character? We can imagine that there must have been a time when, under the relentless pressure of her adversary, she became desperate, and desperation worked to her advantage. Desperation is God’s hammer: It demolishes the stronghold of fear and shatters the chains of our excuses. When our desperation exceeds our fears, progress begins.

Today, the force prodding many Christians toward greater unity and prayer has not been the sweetness of fellowship; more often it has been the assault of the enemy. We are in desperate times. When it comes to touching God’s heart, other than for a few essential truths, unity of desperation is more crucial than unity of doctrine.

God’s Elect

Our nation is suffering from a deep social and moral collapse. If we have ever needed God’s anointing, it is now — but where are God’s elect? Where are the people whom Daniel says “know their God” and “will display strength and take action” (Dan. 11:32)?

Is there no one divinely empowered who can fell the Goliaths of our age? Perhaps we are looking in the wrong places. Perhaps we need only to look in our bathroom mirror. If you believe in Jesus and are desperate for God, you qualify as one of God’s elect. Remember, in the above parable the widow typifies Christ’s chosen.

We have erroneously held that God’s chosen will never be assaulted by the adversary, much less driven to desperation and “day-and-night” prayer. But, this desperation is often the very crucible in which the elect of God are forged. Jesus portrays this characteristic metaphorically in the picture of the widow; He reveals the means through which His elect prevail in battle at the end of the age.

When all is said and done, it is also possible that this widow may not have been a singular person but a corporate people — a “widow church” — united in Christ in a singular, desperate prayer for protection against her adversary.

We need the “legal protection” that a national revival provides. But it will not come without unceasing prayer. You ask, “Where was the prayer behind the Charismatic Renewal?” The Lord spoke to my heart that the Charismatic Renewal was His answer to the cries of a million praying mothers — women who refused to surrender their children to drugs and the devil.

It is our turn to pray. We are the widow who cannot give herself a reason for failure; God will answer our day-and-night cry. Let us position ourselves at His throne on behalf of our cities and nations. Certainly, as we persevere in faith, the Lord will grant us legal protection from our enemy.