"Who IS Your God?" - N

 "Who Is Your God?" - N

What is In A Name? Names Of God....

Who is God to you? Is He your Most High God, All sufficient One, Master, Lord of Peace, Lord Who Will Provide? Is He your Father, your Jehovah Raah, the Lord your Shepherd?

What does a "Name" mean. I am a female, Joshua's Mother, Duane's wife. I am Gramma. I am and I always will be. My "Names" identify me. 

The Names of God show us Who He is, His character and His Nature. We can count on what His "Names" mean. His "Names" tells us Who He IS and What He Will Do. We can count on Him to fulfill His "Names" meanings. They identify Him and the way He responds.

 I thought this was an excellent article, why rewrite it? Please read....

https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_1302.cfm

Names of God and their meanings:

El Shaddai el shad-di' Lord God Almighty

El Elyon el el-yone' The Most High God

Adonai ad-o-noy' Lord, Master

Yahweh yah-weh Lord, Jehovah

Jehovah Nissi yeh-ho-vaw' nis-see' The Lord My Banner

Jehovah-Raah yeh-ho-vaw' raw-aw' The Lord My Shepherd

Jehovah Rapha yeh-ho-vaw' raw-faw' The Lord That Heals

Jehovah Shammah yeh-ho-vaw' shawm'-maw The Lord Is There

Jehovah Tsidkenu yeh-ho-vaw' tsid-kay'-noo The Lord Our Righteousness

Jehovah Mekoddishkem yeh-ho-vaw' M-qadash The Lord Who Sanctifies You

El Olam el o-lawm' The Everlasting God

Elohim el-o-heem' God

Qanna kan-naw' Jealous

Jehovah Jireh yeh-ho-vaw' yir-eh' The Lord Will Provide

Jehovah Shalom yeh-ho-vaw' shaw-lome' The Lord Is Peace

Jehovah Sabaoth yeh-ho-vaw' se ba'ôt The Lord of Hosts

Proverbs 18:10 - The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

Psalm 20:7 & 8 - Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.

Malachi 3:16 - Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name.

Psalm 9:10 - And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 64:8 - Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the Lord; exult before him!

Exodus 6:3 - I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself known to them.

Which Names of God do you have a personal knowledge of God by. Do you personally and intimately know God as your Jehovah Rapha? The Lord that heals you? Do you know him personally and intimately as Jehovah Jireh? The Lord Who provides for you! Is He your Adonia - Your Lord and Your Master? Or, are you still attempting to rule your own life? Are you confident that He is your Jehovah Ra'ah, The Lord your Shepherd? Are you at peace in your life knowing that He really IS your Shepherd in every aspect of your life?

Meditate on the Names of God. Realize that every Name reveals another part of Who He is for you. He is Jehovah Rapha. It is Who He Is. He is Your Healer. He can't turn back from Who He is. It is His nature to heal you. Healing is what He Does!

"Who Is Your God?" - M

 Who Is Your God? - M

Magnificent! 

Marvelous! 

Majestic! 

Mighty!!!

To be very honest, I have been procrastinating writing this message for several weeks....Why? What possible reason could there be for not writing about our Magnificent, Marvelous, Majestic, Mighty God???

We don't even need to hear scriptures to know that God is all of that. Even non-believers know, even though they may not admit it, that there has to be a Higher power who created all they see. He has to be one impressive God. 

We sing songs about our Mighty God. More songs about our Majestic God. We know that He is Mighty and Majestic. We do not need to be told about that....so then, What was my problem?

To explain that, you must hear what I have to share about our recent trip...

Recently my husband and I took a 12 day trip to visit some people who are very dear to us. We had a wonderful time. We were treated like Royalty. We had a suite that beat any hotel we have ever stayed in. We were fed wonderfully with many an opportunity to try different kinds of food. We were taken to many places we have never been before. We were certainly treated well. They were so kind and generous toward us and we are very grateful.

The recent virus has unquestionably affected everyone. Our loved ones followed with respect and great caution, all the advice of a Dr. and all of the government rules that had been set forth. They stayed away from others, wore their masks whenever they left the house or would even possibly be near another. They had groceries  delivered to their home or they utilized drive thru's .... whatever it took to stay away from other people. Then the vaccine came available and after 2 shots they saw themselves safe - fine and protected. So then, we were permitted to come visit. They were, however,  greatly relieved to learn that our covid tests came back negative the day before we left.

Everyday we were there we went somewhere different for a tour. Every time, before we left, the lady of the home would call out, "Do you have your masks?" We would then be certain we did or quickly run back inside to get one. When we were in a waiting line, whenever I would step over my 6 foot distance line, she would remind me to step back and keep my distance. She was very faithful to be "on the ball" for all the mask and distance covid rules and confident regarding the proclaimed protection of the vaccine. So, now we could go to places with lines of people waiting to get in, restaurants, grocery stores, candy stores and ice cream stores.....see, I told you we had a great time!😃

So, you ask, "What is the problem with all of that?" It not so much what is wrong with all of that particularly.....it is more of a problem with what is MISSING in all of that. This woman is a Christian. She has been active in church for her entire life. She has volunteered and helped with things at church for years. That is all fine and dandy. But what IS MISSING? What was it that grieved me, making it difficult for me write about our Magnificent, Marvelous, Majestic, Mighty GOD?

Exactly, That WAS what was MISSING!!!! She had full confidence in following the advice of a Dr. that she didn't even know. She followed diligently the rules set forth and trusted a man-made vaccine. She had a conscious, steady, "on the ball" awareness and conviction regarding all the issues pertaining to this virus and she diligently followed all the rules and advice. 

There is nothing "wrong" in taking the advice of another or following the rules of our government (when they comply with truth and righteousness) or in getting a vaccine....realize, please, that is NOT the point of this message.  This issue regarding our dear one is simply an example pertinent to a far bigger issue that affects a vast majority of Christians currently and apparently, since the time of Adam and Eve. This problem is evident in the way we respond the problems we face. My point is "What is Missing" in our attitude, perspective, behavior and our conversation.

2 Corinthians 4:13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak,

So.....What is Missing??? Why am I grieved???? What IS my problem???? No more beating around the bush....here it is in a nutshell...We sing and say that God is Magnificent, Marvelous, Majestic and Mighty. However, in our everyday life, our conduct, focus and words deny that we really DO Believe that God really IS all that. In our practical, daily life we leave our Magnificent, Mighty God out of our situation. 

You may argue with me at this point, saying, "I read my Bible and pray every day!" Wonderful! But, how do you apply what you read the rest of the day? Are you taking God's Word seriously? When troubles come, are you focused on the troubles and all you think and say points to the trouble? Or, are you bringing God and His Word into the predominate place He belongs in your situation? Can you... Do you remember and say, believing confidently that my God is my Help! He never fails to fulfill His promises to me. I know what it looks like, but my God is Greater than this and this mountain is coming down!!!!

Seriously, IF we really believed God, Who He IS (far greater than any natural Dr) and What He says (wiser than any wisdom of man) and Mighty (far more powerful than any vaccine made by man) wouldn't we be acting like it, talking about it and following the advice and rules laid forth by God????? Wouldn't we be much more "on the ball" exalting our God, Praising Him, our Magnificent God with whom nothing is too difficult? Wouldn't it be the norm for us to walk out of the house with the promises of God in our mind and coming out of our mouth instead of saying, "Do you have your mask?" 

Why does it seem wrong, foolish and strange to Christians for other Christians to proclaim God IS my Refuge! I run to Him and He protects me. He is my Deliverer. He rescues me from all of my troubles.....my God IS our Magnificent, Majestic and Mighty God!!!! Why is it strange to be more confident in my God to keep His word to me than for any virus to harm me or any vaccine to protect me? Do we realize that we are so easily exalting the problem or man made solutions instead of daring to trust our God?

"Well", you say, "What do you want me to do? Pretend the problem does not exist?" No! I want you to really believe and act on what you SAY you believe .......about God!!!! Start evaluating your life and problems in the light of our Magnificent God who truly is Mighty!!!! 

It is important and necessary that we Know our God....Knowing Him is far more than the starting gate of being born again. Knowing God comes from spending time with Him, building an intimate relationship with Him. Study His Word. Love Him. Show our love for Him by believing what He says and doing things His way. Then evaluate our behavior and our words and see how they line up with God's Word and His character/nature. Make our thoughts, consequently our words , agree with God. If we are not agreeing with God and responding to what He says. Are we really being faithful to Him? Luke 18:8 asks us the following question... .....when the Son of Man comes, will He find [this kind of persistent] faith on the earth?”   Are we faithful to God or are we "on the ball" faithful to the problems?

 If you really believed that truth, you would look at whatever problem is at hand and declare with confidence....you are nothing compared to My God!!!! The problem may look like a Goliath in everyone else's eyes and fear may be prevalent in the entire crowd, but, because you know your God, you can confidently say, honestly believing, what David said, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD’s battle, and he will give you to us!” 1 Samuel 17:45-47 

Where is our confidence and boldness in our God? How well do we really KNOW Him? How long will we stand by as a fearful, ineffective army of God! Stop giving lip service to God and exalting the problem! If God be God, then let Him prove it by truly trusting Him. 

This lady that we love and have known for many years, asked me why we did not get the vaccine. I calmly told her that we had more confidence in our God's ability to keep us safe than we did in any virus or vaccine. She responded, "I know other people who said they believed, but they died!" Then, I was even more saddened. That is a common statement I've heard many, many people say. 

When will we realize that it is satan who comes to steal, kill and destroy and that Jesus really did come to give us life and life more abundantly. I don't know the situations of other people, but I'm not going to build my doctrine based on any negative experiences of anybody. I certainly will never blame the destruction of a Christian on God!!!!. I am totally convinced that satan is the destroyer and Jesus is our Life Giver!!!! I choose to take God at His Word, I choose to believe that He is True, that He cannot lie and that He is Faithful to fulfill His Word to me. I dare to be bold for Him and proclaim His excellencies. Will you?

Do not say that you just don't think you can believe God like that. After all, look how easily you have believed the word of a doctor and the words of the government and the power of a vaccine or the lies that you hear being spoken regarding any other trouble. You take THEM as truth. You've responded to them. Choose today to Dare to Trust God instead. 

. I cannot be silent any longer .... 

Our God is Our Magnificent God!

Our God is our Majestic God! 

Our God is our Marvelous God! 

Our God is our Mighty God!

He is greater than anything that would attack us from without or from within! Where is our confidence in this Mighty God we say we serve? Where is our proclamation of what we say we really believe .... do we really believe it?

2 Chronicles 16:9  -The eyes of the Lord go around looking in all the earth for people who are faithful to him so that he can make them strong. Asa, you did a foolish thing. So from now on you will have wars.”

Our dear one revealed what she believed as she spoke so reliably, consistently and confidently regarding the virus, the rules and the vaccine.

How much more reliably, consistently and confidently should we be answering what our reason for hope is and as a result speak and act in response to our our Magnificent, Marvelous, Majestic, Mighty God?

Who do You really Believe your God is? 

1 Peter 2:9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A CONSECRATED NATION, A [special] PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

So ...what are we proclaiming???? The issues of the problems or the excellencies of our God????

Psalm 68:34 -Tell everyone about God’s power. His majesty shines down on Israel; his strength is mighty in the heavens.

Psalm 104:1 - Bless and affectionately praise the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty,

Deuteronomy 32:3 - For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; you must acknowledge the greatness of our God.

"Who IS Your God???!!!" - 10

 K - King

Certainly we must, as Christians, know that God, our God, the One True God, The Maker of Heaven and Earth, Our Creator, IS also our King!

Psalm 47:6-7 - Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm

Psalm 24:1 - Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah

K - Kingdom

Our God, Our King, is the King over His Kingdom, "The Kingdom of God".

Luke 8:1 - Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him,

Acts 19:8 - And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.

Matthew 4:22 -  And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.

John 3:1-36 - Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 

Mark 10:15 - Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Colossians 1:13 -  It is God who has delivered us out of the dominion of darkness, and has transferred us into the Kingdom of His dearly-loved Son,

L - Lord

Philippians 2:9-11 - Therefore God has highly exalted him and restored on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and in earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Romans 10:9 - because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Luke 6:46 - So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?

Matthew 7:21 - “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.

Isaiah 33:22 - For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king; he will save us.

1 Chronicles 29:11 - Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.

Hebrews 12:28 - Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,

Many people, even Christians, at this time are disgruntled, discouraged, feeling defeated and even depressed over the situation of our world and in particular the condition of the United States of America.

However, God is Our King. Let's hear that again: GOD IS OUR KING!  !!!!!!

If we have entered into the Kingdom of our God by  being Born Again, then we have spiritually been translated out of the domain of darkness, the rule of satan and we have been transferred into the Kingdom of His dear Son...the Kingdom of God.

If we are Born Again, we are now children of God and citizens of His Kingdom. 

Remember that Romans 10:9 tells us: 

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord (Master, supreme authority of our lives now)

and 

believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

So, put this truth together....

God IS Our KING

We are Citizens of God's Kingdom.

The Kingdom of God has different rules. Different ways of thinking, being and doing 

AND Jesus is the Lord, the Ruler, the Master, the Supreme authority over this Kingdom that we are now citizens of.....The Kingdom of God.

So....we must learn the ways of the Kingdom of God. Jesus was all about teaching about the Kingdom of God while He was on this earth. Obviously, learning them and walking according to His ways must be important since He admonished saying, "Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do what I say?"

We are, in effect, Ambassadors of His Kingdom. Citizens of His Kingdom. Living in and representing Him and His ways while we currently reside in the Kingdom of this world with all of His power and authority backing us up.

How should this affect us??? In every way, at all times, in all situations, under any conditions. God IS Our King. He is our Lord, Master and Supreme Authority. No earthly president or congress outweighs or outranks Him. We are subject first and foremost to our King and our Lord and we are, in reality, citizens of the Kingdom of Our God. His power and authority is Far Greater than any natural king, lord or president. We must start seeing ourselves from the real perspective of Who We Are and Who Our GOD IS!!!! 

We must remember what acknowledging and confessing Him as our Lord and yield ourselves to His Lordship. The Kingdom of God is not a democracy. Our opinion in the matter is not the Wise way. God's way is the way that any "wise" person would willingly yield to. His way is the Right way to go All the time!!!

So, how does that affect and impact our natural situation now????

I have been pondering the following thoughts....

Was there anytime that God's people were in a pickle (other than Jesus on the cross) that, when they got tired of their situation and called out to God, that God failed to help them?

In helping them, were there people involved with their deliverance or was it entirely by the hand of God with no human participation?

Answer those two questions and then apply the result to our current situation.

Ponder these examples:

The Israelites were in bondage to the Egyptians.

They cried out to God after what? 430 years in slavery - how long does it take us to get smart????

Then God sent Moses. Through the human hand of Moses, God caused plagues to attack the enemy.

Through Moses' obedience to stretch forth his staff over the Red Sea, God parted the Sea. The Israelites crossed over on dry ground. Then the Sea went back to normal and all the Egyptians who were in pursuit of God's people drowned.

This all took place by:

1. God's people calling out for God's help.

2. By a man cooperating with God to lead the people out and comply with God's instructions along the way.

3. By the cooperation and participation of God's people.

4. By worship and praise of God's people to God

Now think about the following examples in like manner asking the same questions....: 

Joshua leading God's people out of the wilderness to the Promised Land.

Gideon

Jericho

Elijah and the rain

Ezekiel and the dry bones

Queen Esther

Elijah and the woman with last meal

The NT woman with the issue of blood

The Centurion

Jairus

The 10 lepers

The guy let down through the roof by his friends.....

Shall I continue? The Bible is full of more of the same.

Just Because.......

 Just Because.....

We make trusting God too hard....

My Grandson is quick to remind me saying, "Remember, last time I was here, you said that when I come to your house next time we would..." And he will remind me of what I had promised him. It is very important to me when I tell him something that I intend to do, that I do it. My word is my promise to him. I do not tell him things to pacify him or patronize him. I give him my word, which is my guarantee, my promise to him that I will do what I told him. I intend to do it.. I want him to trust me. I want him to know that my word is good, that he can count on me. If I were to have forgotten, I would go out of my way to fulfill my word even if it was an inconvenience. However, mostly, I am prepared before he even comes to fulfill my promise to him. 

God does what He says He will do. 

God IS Faithful!!!

Joshua 21:45 Not one of the good promises which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel failed; all had come to pass.

2 Samuel 7:28 Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. 

1 Kings 8:56 "Praise be to the Lord, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses." 

Psalm 33:4 For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. 

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

God tells us to remind Him of His promises 

Isaiah 43:26 Remind me of my promises; plead them before me; declare them, that by my free grace I may justify thee." 

So......onward to what is Really on my mind!!!!

Just Because...

Just Because God says so....that's all I need.

Come to God like a child...."Remember, you said...."

Mark 5:36 But Jesus overheard their conversation and said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just believe.”

His Word is all I need.....Just Because You said....that's All I need,!

Matthew 8:8-10 But the centurion answering, said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof; but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

And Jesus having heard, marveled and said to those following, “Truly I say to you, no one in Israel with faith so great have I found.

Luke 1:38 Then Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel left her.

So, if we are childlike in our faith we would accept God's Word as the final and only answer. We would say. Ok. Be it unto me according to your word. God's Word is all we we need. That is the Faith that changes things. 

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance (faith is what gives substance to or reality to) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

So...... Just trust that God and His Word are true and choose to Only Believe it. This becomes easier as we get to know God, His character and nature and see His Faithfulness as we dare to move forward Just Because of our trust in Him based on His Word.

Ponder these scriptures:

James 1:5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking..

Sounds like a guarantee to me.

Jeremiah 33:3 ‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.’

YES!!!

Jeremiah 30:17 ‘For I will restore health to you And I will heal your wounds,’ says the LORD, ‘

That's a promise from God!

Psalm 32:8 The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.

Thank God!!!!

Psalm 107:20 He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.

Psalm 103:2-5 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Be it unto me according to your Word, O Lord.

Proverbs 3:5-8 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.

Don't make Trusting God so difficult!

Will you Only Believe 'Just Because' of what God's Word says???

Coming up: "Who IS Your God???!!!" Part 10

K - King of Kings

"Who IS Your God???" - 9

 Who IS Your God???

J - Jesus!!!!

Some say Jesus was a man..... just a man like any other and that's the end of the story. Some say He never existed. Some say He was a teacher. Others say He was a prophet. Some say He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Who do you say He is? Let's investigate the Bible and find out what the Truth is about Jesus.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

That answers that in one simple verse. But, you ask, "Who is The Word?"

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

The Word is the Son of the Father.

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known. John 1:18

The Son is Himself God. He has made the Father known.

I and the Father are One [in essence and nature].” John 10:30

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time, and you do not know Me yet, Philip, nor recognize clearly who I am? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ John 14:9

Indeed, Jesus revealed the Father to us. If you've seen Jesus, you Have seen the Father!!!

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Hebrews 1:3

I find it interesting and sad that so many believe such negative things about God. People say such things like, "God put this on me to teach me something." Or, "It must not be God's will to heal me." Or, calling Storms "Acts of God" 

....... Certainly all we need to do is to read the Gospels and Acts and see what Jesus spent His life on earth doing.....

 He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the devil. Acts 10:38; 

So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere. Luke 9:6

And He was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23

At that very time, Jesus cured many people of their diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he restored sight to many who were blind. Then he told John’s disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.c” Luke 7:21-23

On and on we can continue to investigate the scriptures regarding Jesus and Who IS our God? The obvious and clear conclusion is: Jesus is our God. He and the Father are One. Jesus was with the Father from the beginning. Jesus is the Word made Flesh. He is the Exact Representation of the Father and when we see His ways, we have seen the Father's ways. Jesus said He only does what He sees His Father do and He only says what He hears the Father says 

So, if you don't see Jesus doing something in the Scriptures, rest assured the Father doesn't do it either. If you see Jesus going about healing the sick and doing Good, then you know that is the nature and behavior of the Father as well. They are One!

"Who IS Your God???!!! -8

 I - I AM

The Name of God "I AM", to me, encompasses the fullness of Who our God Is from before the beginning, now and eternity to come. 

As I was studying I found these verses - which is just a start, I am writing my comments as I have them.

• I am the Bread of Life (John 6:35)
• I am the Light of the World (John 8:12)

Therefore Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. The one following Me shall not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life."

Isn't it interesting that God not only tells us "I am the light of the world" then specifies that the one following Him will have the light of life. I used to interpret that to say "the one who is born again will have the light of life". But, is being "Born Again" the meaning of 'Following' Him? Perhaps you think my thoughts are very elementary, even worthless, after all, who would think that? Well, I did, - subconsciously and automatically with no pondering or reflection happening on my part. Sadly, I also know there are many in the church who also have never really processed the way they think or act to see if they are really "Following" Him. They stop at I am a "Christian", I go to church and I do my best to serve and be good. That is NOT what I am presenting to you. My question is, "Are you FOLLOWING" The Way - God Himself???? 

Follow Definition: to side with His party. To be in the same way with. To follow, to cleave steadfastly to one, conform wholly to his example, in living and if need be in dying also:

Ok, so how much of what we do is doing what, when and where we want and how much is denying our will and pursuing to do things His way. Are we wholly conforming to Him? Who or what are we really conforming to????

Are we truly following Him? If not, we are missing experiencing the light of life and we remain in darkness, being deceived in our thinking. We believe that all is well, when it is actually not. Or if we know it is not well, then we find fault with God, instead of asking God to help us walk in the light. 

1 John 1:7.

• I am the Door (John 10:9)
• I am the Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14)
• I am the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25)
• I am the Way and the Truth and the Life (John 14:6)
• I am the Vine (John 15:1,5)

All of those verses have significant impact to me. The one that currently captures my attention the most the past few days is:

• I am the Way and the Truth and the Life (John 14:6)

In the past, I would have associated that scripture to "I am the way to eternal life" and never gone beyond that. Now, however, those words Way, Truth and Life, mean far more to me. My God being "The Way" means to me: Yes, the way to Eternal Life, but also The Way - NOW - in my everyday life, every moment.

 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you [who are willing to learn] with My eye upon you. Psalm 32:8

He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up (leads me), on the water of refreshment (still, restful, peaceful place of refreshment) Psalm 23:2. 

He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Psalm 23:4

And many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways, And that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:3

Isn't that a main thing in the life of a Christian, to be taught His ways and walk in them???? I am very concerned that many in the church do not know The Way to go beyond being "Born Again". Many decisions are being made by "Christians" that are clearly not in accordance to The Way or the Truth or the Life who God is and how He teaches us in His Word.

“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” Luke 6:46-49

But when He the, Spirit of truth, shall come, He will guide you into all the truth. John 16:13

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  John 8:32

For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching [of the law] is light, And reproofs (rebukes) for discipline are the way of life, Proverbs 6:23

For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake and the gospel’s will save it [from the consequences of sin and separation from God]. Mark 8:35

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. John 10:10

 Reflect on Who Your God Is.....He is The Great I Am!

Now, reflect on your response to this Awesome God we say we serve and Love....

• Am I Really Following Him in the Way? His way is the Right Way, the Wise Way, the Tested Way, the Proven Way. His Way is The High Way.
• Am I pursuing to learn and follow the Truth, The Word of God. He Is The Truth that really does set us free when we Know the Truth.
• Am I trying to hold on to my ways of doing and thinking. Or am I losing, gladly letting go of, my ways to conform and embrace true Life - God Himself. 
• Am I enjoying the abundant life He came to give me? Isn't the fruit of Life (God Himself) Life???? If I am not enjoying abundant Life, I suggest that I am not partaking of the Great I Am, Life Himself as He intends.
• One final thing that has been on my mind for many weeks.....if you find yourself constantly regretful and repenting regarding your thoughts, behaviors and situations in your life. Take a look at it from what we have just talked about.....Am I Following the Way? Am I pursuing to know the Truth actively/daily meditating on the Word by day AND by night? Am I experiencing Life Abundantly. If these 3 things are not prevalent. Repent verbally less and let your repentance be shown in your actions. Turn your behavior around and pursue our God Who IS the Way, The Truth and The Life!!!! Watch your Life Change!!!! 

Come fully into alignment with The Great I Am!!!!

This only scrapes the surface of Who IS Your God - The Great I Am. Keep pondering and embracing Your Almighty, Deliverer, Faithful, Good, Good God. He Is Your Healer. He is The Great I Am!!!!

This article was interesting to me: 

https://busyblessedwomen.com/the-great-i-am/

"Who Is Your God?" 7

 H - My God IS my Healer. 

He IS Jehovah Rapha, the Lord that Healeth me. Exodus 15:26

He IS my Great Physician. Read the New Testament.

He IS the One who brought millions of people out of bondage in Egypt with not one even feeble, let alone sick, among them. Psalm 105:37

He IS the God who sent His Word and Healed us. Psalm 107:19-31

He IS the One who bore my sicknesses and carried my diseases. By whose stripes I am healed.        Isaiah 53:5

He IS the One who went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Matthew 8:35 

Healing is part of and evidence naturally of the Good News Matthew 4:23

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Act 8:12-13

He Is still compassionate toward us. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.    Matthew 14:14 

He IS the same yesterday today and forever.          Hebrews 13:8

He NEVER changes. James 1:17; Malachi 3:6; Numbers 23:19.

If you believe He forgives your iniquities, why not believe He heals all your sicknesses, too?

Read the Word of God....

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, Psalm 103:2-3.

 That is the complete scripture. Why refuse to receive all of the benefits He provided you?

1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.

Why believe only half of it? Study it out for yourself. It literally includes physical sicknesses and diseases as well as spiritual. Jesus healed the Whole man. Receive your entire salvation by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8 

Matthew 8:16-17 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

It is obvious that the diseases Jesus went about healing were physical diseases. We know this was the will of God because Jesus only did what he sees His Father do. John 5:19. Read also John 14:10.

Why believe only half of it? Study it out for yourself. It literally includes physical sicknesses and diseases as well as spiritual. Jesus healed the Whole man. Receive your entire salvation by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8 

Saved: heal, be made whole. To make well, heal, restore to health spiritually, physically and emotionally. The entire person restored to life and health abundantly. John 10:10.

From a primary sos (contraction for obsolete saos, "safe"); to save, i.e. Deliver or protect (literally or figuratively) -- heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.

Your whole man, spirit, soul and body is who God created you to be from the very beginning. Why would He neglect to provide salvation, deliverance, rescue and healing for the complete person He created?

Your spirit, soul and body have been saved by the death and resurrection of Jesus. Receive your entire healing today.

He IS the Lord that Healeth YOU and Me, too!

"Who IS Your God - 6 ???!!!"

 G - "GOOD, GOOD GOD"

For many days now, I have been pondering this thought, "God is a Good God".  I know we sing, "God is a good God and He's worthy to be praised" at church, but then, when something undesireable happens, we blame God for the "bad" that just occured. So.......tell me, is God a Good, Good God" all the time??? Is He a Good God who does good or does He change His mind periodically and do harm, damage and evil to His people to teach them something or some other argument we create to attempt to justify what we do not understand?

Psalm 119:68 - You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.

Nahum 1:7 - The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 145:9 - The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.

I present to you the Truth! God IS Good - All the time, All the TIME!

So, I've been thinking how easily God's people tend to complain about what bad they think God has done and blame Him for what has happened. Several things come to my mind as I have been pondering.

#.1 - The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

Who comes to steal? The thief!

Who comes to kill? The thief!

Who comes to destroy? The thief!

So.....if what is happening to me is either stealing, killing or destroying .... Who is the culprit?????? The thief!!!!! 

So.......do not blame God because Jesus came so that we would have life in abundance till it overflows.

Have - Have, Hold and Possess

Life -  life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence

Abundantly - exceedingly in abundance of, superior, superabundant, til it overflows.

God IS our Good, Good God - That IS Who He Is!!!!! 

John 10:11 - I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His [own] life for the sheep.

#2. The majority of people, christian and non christian, view things in life as they see it by their own eyes, their own ears, their own understanding and their own experience. Few have learned to view things from God's point of view, especially in difficult times. Few stop to inquire of God for His perspective on what is going on. Few are willing to lay aside the natural report and seek to understand things from the spiritual vantage point.

Isaiah 55:8-9 -  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

I have heard people say....See! Our thoughts are not God's thoughts, so we will never understand Him or His ways. However, that way of responding is not at all consistent with the Word of God.

We are told to search the Scriptures (Acts 17:11); Get (acquire) wisdom (Proverbs 4:7); the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel (Proverbs 20:15);

 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18). 

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5

It seems pretty clear, in just these few scriptures, that we are to grow in the knowledge of Him and cast away our human thoughts and acquire for ourselves God's way of thinking and perceiving things. So, I encourage you. Don't evaluate things according to your way of seeing and understanding things. Ask God to help you understand things from His point of view.

Then I was thinking of how the Israelites, after leaving the slave life in Egypt, found themselves boxed in between the Red Sea and the Egyptians, who were in pursuit of them. Their viewpoint of the situation is found in:

Exodus 14:10-12 - When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” 

They were accusing God of things that were not at all God's intention and things that did not at all include God's plans for their deliverance. They only evaluated things from their eyes, ears, emotions, fear and experience. 

If, they would have truly known their God, they would have had a different report. Something more like, " We know you are a Good God. You brought us out from slavery to these Egyptians who are now pursuing us. You told us you are taking us to The Promised Land. This is not it. This is not looking good to our eyes, but we know You! You are a Good God. You cannot Lie! Your Word is True, You are Faithful, You WILL Do what You said You would Do....You ARE bringing us to the Promised Land. We don't know how You are going to fix this problem, but we know you are working on it because You are our Good and Faithful God. They would have bowed down in Worship to their God. They would have Praised Him for Who He IS. They would have given Him Thanks for the deliverance He was in process of bringing them from the enemies who were after them. Not because there was any physical evidence to that end, but because they would have been looking at things from the spiritual view, not the natural view. They would have been great people of Faith in their Almighty God because they would have known their God was a Good and Faithful God!

This verse actually explains what God was thinking:

Exodus 13:17 - When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road through the land of the Philistines, though it was shorter. For God said, “If the people face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”

We know how God, in His love and mercy, rescued the Israelites and destroyed the Egyptians as we read on in Exodus 14:15-31.

Meditate on the following verses regarding our Good God and grow in maturity and Faith in Him, so that when trouble comes, you are a worshipper of God, not a complainer because you know who your enemy is and what he comes to do and you know Who your God is and what He comes to bring us....Life and Life More Abundantly - That Is Who Our God IS!!!!! The Giver of Abundant Life now and in the future.

Psalm 34:7 - Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

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.

Matthew 19:17 - And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.

Psalm 107:1 - Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

James 1:17 - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, thato

1 John 1:5 - This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Psalm 84:11 - For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Psalm 31:19 - Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!

Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 - Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Isaiah 41:10 - Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

So....WHO IS Your God?????