Who IS Your God - 4 ???!!!

This study has taken me a while of research and has opened my eyes even further to see what a magnificent God we serve. 

Over the years there have been many words that I have thought I knew the meaning of. However, when I began to really study to understand, I found out that the words have far deeper meaning than I ever would have known without studying..... this is one of them....

E.

El Shaddai

El Shaddai is generally translated "God Almighty", however, that description only begins to scrape the surface of this Name of God. 

It is important to understand what "Name of" means. It is far more than just what some one calls you, which could merely mean nothing more than saying, "Hey, Cat" to a stray cat walking around.

When someone speaks the "Name of" someone they know well and intimately, that "Name" encompasses their identity, their background, personality, characteristics and qualities about them that others who don't know them well, yet, may not know. Their "Name" speaks of "Who" that person really is. Things that no one can take away from them. Their "Name" points to ways that are unique to them. It identifies things that hold within it the understanding of how that person behaves, responds or reacts  One might say, "that person is trustworthy, faithful, reliable, patient and kind.....she is such a sweetie, you will really like her, I always can count on her. Her name is:...."

So, when God identifies Himself with certain names throughout the Bible, that "Name" is far more than just a title to call Him by. That "Name" encompasses far reaching depths of "Who He Is"! That is why simply translating "El Shaddai" to only "God Almighty" is no where near sufficient enough. That is my explanation, so far, hope it makes sense.

Now, let's look at the "Name" El Shaddai, a little deeper. This is a valuable search,  because these explanations help us to understand more completely "Who Our God Is".

El Shaddai:

"El" is another name that is translated as "God" and can be used in conjunction with other words to designate various aspects of God's character.

It is believed that Shaddai comes from the word "Shad", which means: "the breasty one". This refers to God completely nourishing, satisfying, and supplying his people with all their needs as a mother would her child  Connected with the word for God, El, this denotes a God who freely gives nourishment and blessing. He is our Sustainer.

The first time El Shaddai is used is found in Genesis 17:1-2, "and when Abram was 99 years old, the Lord (Jehovah) appeared to Abram, and said to him, I am the Almighty God (El Shaddai); and be perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly.

The Name -  El Shaddai also reveals God as a Covenant keeping, Promise keeping God

God Almighty - review "Who IS Your God - 1 ???!!!"

Often when we think about God Almighty, we connect that aspect of God with Maker of Heaven and Earth, we think of the great and amazing miracles He did in the Bible. We think of all that was done to make a way for us to come back into relationship with Him, to be forgiven, redeemed and made righteous through Christ. These are all true and magnificent, but add on to the "Mighty" aspect of who God is and see Him as your Nourisher, Sustainer and Promise Keeping, Covenant Keeping God.

Bring our "Mighty God" into our daily walk with Him and see Him additionally as our Covenant Keeping, Promise Keeping Nourisher and Sustaining God. Ponder these promises of God's nourishment and sustainance: 

Psalm 91:14-15 - The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.

Psalm 55:22 - Cast your burden on the LORD [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail).

Isaiah 40:29 - Behold, God is my helper and ally; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul [my upholder].

1 Peter 5:9 - casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].

Do you see the promises and the guarantee of sustainance that God gives us. It is so important that we take God at His Word and realize He cannot lie, His Word is true and He will fulfill His promises to us. Stop attempting to do it alone, leaving only the "Mighty" things up to God. Stop attempting to be Self-Sufficient because El Shaddai also means that God is our:

All Sufficient One - I have been pondering that one for a while now.

Ephesians 4:6 - one God and Father of us all who is [sovereign] over all and [working] through all and [living] in all.

1 Corinthians 15:28 - However, when all things are subjected to Him (Christ), then the Son Himself will also be subjected to the One (the Father) who put all things under Him, so that God may be all in all [manifesting His glory without any opposition, the supreme indwelling and controlling factor of life].

2 Corinthians 9:8 - And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity.

Psalm 57:2 - 

Bereans Study Bible - I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me.

King James Bible - I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.

Question: What is lacking in "All"? He IS our ALL Sufficient One.

All Sufficient definition - sufficient (meeting all that is needed) to everything; infinitely able.

More Than Enough

Ephesians 3:20 - Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us,

Luke 6:38 - Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.”

Jeremiah 32:7 - “I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?

Luke 1:37 - 

English Standard Version
For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Berean Study Bible
For no word from God will ever fail.”

Oh, I could go in and On and ON!

How exciting to Know "Who Our God Is!!!"

Why don't you let God be El Shaddai to you....

     •  Your Almighty God

     •  Your Nourisher

     •. Your Sustainer

     • Your Promise-Keeper

     •. Your Covenant- Keeper

     •  Your All--Sufficient One

     •  Your God who is More than Enough

What an Awesome God we serve!

Who IS Your God - 3 ???!!!

 So, Who IS Your God and What are You going to about it?????

Three "D's:

#1 - D.

Deliverer

Psalm 144:2 - He is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.

Deliverer Hebrew definition 'palat' - my deliverer: rescuer, cause to escape, bring into security, carry away safe.

Psalm 18:2 -The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my sa lvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 18:50 - Great deliverance giveth He to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

Deliverer Hebrew definition 'yeshuah' - something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity -- deliverance, health, help(-ing), salvation, save, saving (health), welfare. 

2 Corinthians 1:10 - He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again

Notice: God Delivers us Past, Present and Future

Deliver Greek definition -  rescue, deliver (from danger or destruction. Lord deliver me out of my (personal) pains and bring me to You and for You." Nhýomai ("rescue") implies removing someone in the midst (presence) of danger or oppression, i.e. delivered "right out of" and to (for) the rescuer.]

#3 - D.

Defender

Isaiah 51:22 - This is what the Sovereign LORD, your God and Defender, says: “See, I have taken the terrible cup from your hands. You will drink no more of my fury.

Defender definition: pleads the cause, contend for, strive for, fight for.

Psalm 35:1 - Plead my cause, (defend) O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me.

Hebrews 7:25 - Therefore He is able also to save forever (completely, perfectly, for eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede and intervene on their behalf [with God].although intercede and defend are not the same word, it seems the idea of the meaning is alike.

Ponder the depth of meaning regarding "God is our Deliverer."  This is Who He IS - Our Deliverer. Rescuing us out from danger to and for Himself.

Ponder on the truth that He pleads our case. He IS our Defender..

Ahhhhh, What an Awesome God we have!!!

# 3 - D.

He is our Almighty God, our Banner, our Cornerstone, Deliverer and our Defender?

So, What Will We DO about this?????

Declare!!!!

Psalm 96:3 - Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works and wonderful deeds among all the peoples.

1 Chronicles 16:24 - Tell every nation on earth, "The LORD is wonderful and does marvelous things!

Psalm 40:5 - O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.

Deuteronomy 32:1-4 - “Listen, you heavens, and I will speak;

And let the earth hear the words of my mouth!

“May my teaching drip as the rain,

My speech trickle as the dew,

As droplets on the fresh grass,

And as the showers on the vegetation.

“For I proclaim the name of the LORD;

Ascribe greatness to our God!

“The Rock! His work is perfect,

For all His ways are just;

A God of faithfulness and without injustice,

Righteous and just is He.

1 Peter 2:9 - But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Let me present this question to you now.....

What are you Declaring or Proclaiming? 

Are you Declaring reports of the problems you face or of the Excellencies of our God?

Are you like David, as you boldly face Goliath (what opposes you and attempts to defy you and cause you to draw back in fear as the Israelite army did)? Read 1 Samuel 17.

Are you like the Israelites in the Wilderness who constantly magnified the troubles or like Joshua and Caleb who proclaimed WHAT God said and WHO God is?

REMEMBER this vital Truth....those who Proclaim the Truth  Those who stand firmly on the side of God, (Faith) regardless the circumstances..... They are the ones who experience the Power of God on their behalf.....the healing, the deliverance, the overwhelming Victory, !

That is a Bold statement, I know, but study the patterns and the words that were spoken by those in need throughout the Old and the New Testament. The pattern is obvious. The truth is clear.

Who IS Your God - 2??!!!

 So, Who IS Your God???

Deuteronomy 10:17 - "For the LORD your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the Great God, the Mighty and Awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed.

Jeremiah 32:17 - Oh, Lord GOD! Behold, You Yourself have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You,

Acts 2:31 - And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name (character, fame, reputation) of the Lord shall (will) be saved.

Saved - Greek definition: rescue from injury or peril); to save a suffering one (from perishing),        e. g. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health:  to make one a partaker of the salvation by Christ; heal, be made whole "safe"; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect (literally or figuratively) -- heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.

It does not matter what situation or circumstances you find yourself in, Your God is the Great God, Mighty and Awesome. There IS Nothing, NOT One thing, that is too difficult for Him. If you will call on who God IS, you Will be rescued from the trouble that is against you, whether spiritual or physical. Such a wonderful Promise and this is Not too difficult for our Awesome, Mighty Great God!!! 

Continuing with "Who IS Your God???!!!!" alphabetically, in the days to come.

For now, remember Your God is Your Almighty God, Your Banner and Your Cornerstone.

Trust Him completely regardless what you face today. Remember Who Your God Is!!!! He will never fail you. Live by faith in Him (absolute trust and Confidence in Who Your God Is and What His Word says) today. Agree with Him. Speak Life not death or fear. There is Power in Your Words, too. He came to give you Life and Life more abundantly. What an Awesome God we serve!!!!!

Who IS Your God??!!!!

 Let's begin taking a look at who our God is.....

A. 

Almighty

Genesis 35:11 -  Then God said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Be fruitful and multiply. You will become a great nation, even many nations. Kings will be among your descendants!

Revelations 11:17 - saying, “To You we give thanks, O Lord God Almighty [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all], Who are and Who were, because You have taken Your great power and the sovereignty [which is rightly Yours] and have [now] begun to reign.

Job 34:12 - “Surely God will not act wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice.

Question: is the Lord God Almighty truly the Ruler of your life?

B.

Banner

Exodus 17:15 -  Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh Nissi (which means “the LORD is my banner”). 

Read Exodus 17:8-15... .as long as as Moses held up the rod of God, the Israelites succeeded. Afterwards, Moses built an altar, recognizing that it is God who is like unto the "rod of God" that we hold up. He is our Banner. We put Him forth and we succeed...

Question: Are you holding Jesus up as the Banner of your life.

C.

Cornerstone

Ephesians 2:20 - Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.

1 Peter 2:6 - Forgot this is contained in Scripture: “BEHOLD, I AM LAYING IN ZION A CHOSEN STONE, A PRECIOUS (honored) CORNERSTONE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] WILL NEVER BE DISAPPOINTED [in his expectations].”

Isaiah 28:16 -  Therefore the Lord GOD says this, “Listen carefully, I am laying in Zion a Stone, a tested Stone, A precious Cornerstone for the [secure] foundation, firmly placed. He who believes [who trusts in, relies on, and adheres to that Stone] will not be disturbed or give way [in sudden panic].

What does Cornerstone mean?

It is the rock upon which the weight of the entire structure rests. It is the cornerstone. Scripture describes Jesus as the "Chief Cornerstone" of our faith.

Question: is the entirety of your life totally dependent on Jesus? Is He your Cornerstone?

How's your perseverance???

This morning I have been pondering the word "perserverance".  I do have a particular fascination  regarding the meaning of words. I figure if it is something I am to have and strive after, I had better understand what it is.

Perserverance definition:

5281 hypomonḗ (from 5259 /htpó, "under" and 3306 /ménō, "remain, endure") – properly, remaining under, endurance; steadfastness. A patient, steadfastness, constancy, endurance.

in the N. T. the characteristic of a man who is unswerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings: 

2 Peter 1:3-11 - 3For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4For by these He has bestowed on us His precious and magnificent promises [of inexpressible value], so that by them you may escape from the immoral freedom that is in the world because of disreputable desire, and become sharers of the divine nature. 5For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding), 6and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, steadfastness (Perserverance), godliness, 7and in your godliness, brotherly affection, and in your brotherly affection, [develop Christian] love [that is, learn to unselfishly seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit]. 8For as these qualities are yours and are increasing [in you as you grow toward spiritual maturity], they will keep you from being useless and unproductive in regard to the true knowledge and greater understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9For whoever lacks these qualities is blind--shortsighted [closing his spiritual eyes to the truth], having become oblivious to the fact that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10Therefore, believers, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you [be sure that your behavior reflects and confirms your relationship with God]; for by doing these things [actively developing these virtues], you will never stumble [in your spiritual growth and will live a life that leads others away from sin]; 11for in this way entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly provided to you.

In my pursuit to understand "Perserverance", I have gotten hung up in these verses in 2nd Peter. I am attempting to pick out main points in these verses to emphasize them, but finding it quite difficult to do so. Every word is essential. I think it wise to ponder these verses and ask yourself, "How am I doing increasing these values in my life? Am I headed to spiritual maturity or, alternatively, am I lacking the qualities listed and I am actually closing my spiritual eyes to the truth and stumbling?

Since it was the word "Perserverance" that started this entire investigation this morning, I will briefly pursue that thought with some questions:

Since Perserverance means endurance and steadfastness and constancy. Unswerving from your loyalty to faith or your loyalty to keeping steady in trusting God in the midst of troubles and suffering. My main question is: How are you doing in regard to that? Are you blind to spiritual things? Are you building on sand or on a solid rock? Are you quickly sinking in the storm by being distracted by the wind and waves? Are you steady with your eyes on Jesus? When trouble hits, are you quickly bailing out on God or are you faithfully Stickin' with Jesus, who is the Truth, the Word of God?

Do you have the knowledge that you are sharers of the divine nature? Do you know that for this very reason, you must apply your diligence [to the divine promises, and make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to develop Perserverance along with all the other attributes to be sharers of His divine nature.

How steady and constant are you in your confidence toward God (faith) when trouble comes? When you evaluate yourself and if you find these qualities lacking, know this: His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, and make every effort to add these characteristics, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, knowledge (insight, self-control, steadfastness (Perserverance), godliness, brotherly affection, and [develop Christian] love [that is, learn to unselfishly seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit]. 

Know this: if these qualities are yours and are increasing [in you as you grow toward spiritual maturity], they will keep you from being useless and unproductive in regard to the true knowledge and greater understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, apply diligence and every effort to increase in these characteristics and grow spiritually. Where you are regarding these characteristics reflects where you are in your relationship with Christ and remember...we are headed for an eternal kingdom. This is no small potatoes. Pay attention. Apply diligence.

Counsel for today

This morning I was reading Psalm Chapter 50 from several translations. Some very interesting things caught my attention.

Please read Psalm 50. I will only point out  the things that impacted me the most. I am certain as you ponder the words in these verses, you will see things that I will not be commenting on.

Verse 11: “I know every bird of the mountains....

This reminds me of the song "His eye is on the sparrow". It is very reassuring that since He knows every bird of the mountain, how much more does He know what is going on with me and cares.

Psalm 33:18 - Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love,

1 Peter 3:12 - The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil.”

2 Chronicles 16:9 - 
For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.”

Matthew 10:29-31 - 

What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows

Verse 14: “Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving and pay your vows to the Most High;

Thanksgiving is the sacrifice God desires. How much Thanks do we give God, particularly when things are not going the way we think they should be? Remember, it is a sacrifice!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 - Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Psalm 107:20-22 - He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death. Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about his glorious acts.

Philippians 4:6 - Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Psalm 69:30 - I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.

So, Magnify the Lord today.....with Thanksgiving.

Verse 15: Call on Me in the day of trouble;

I will rescue you, and you shall honor and glorify Me.”

Some valuable instructions....Call on the Lord in the time of trouble!!!

Wonderful Promise....God Himself will rescue me!!!

Our response.....honor and glorify God!

Verse 16 - But, to the wicked God says:   “What right have you to recite My statutes

Or to take My covenant on your lips?

Hmmmm, that verse tells me that the wicked have no right to God's Word or right to speak God's Covenant. But, I am not wicked. I am Righteous before God, as a gift from God. So, I have a right to speak God's Word and speak of the covenant I have with Him. Look at these translations:

Good News Translation
But God says to the wicked, "Why should you recite my commandments? Why should you talk about my covenant?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But God says to wicked people, "How dare you quote my decrees and mouth my promises!

Notice the words: talk, speak, recite, quote, lips.....those words are not there by accident.

Hebrews 8:6 - But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.

So.....what is in my mouth???

Verse 17 -“For you hate instruction and discipline and cast My words behind you [discarding them].

How are we dealing with instruction, discipline from God? What are we doing about God's Word????

Proverbs 7:1- My son, keep my words And treasure my commandments within you [so they are readily available to guide you].

Job 23:12 - I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food.

Proverbs 2:1-8 - My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.

Verse 23 - "He who offers a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving honors Me;

And to him who orders his way rightly [who follows the way that I show him],

I shall show the salvation of God.”

Salvation definition: deliverance, rescue, salvation, safety, welfare  

Sounds wonderful to me!!! 

Peace, Peace in Times of Trouble

What do you do in Times of Trouble? How do you find Peace, let alone Peace, Peace in the midst of chaos and evil????

Irregardless, what situation we find ourselves in, whether political, physical trauma, disease, financial problems, relational distress....it doesn"t matter the problem, beaten with rocks or with rods, shipwrecked, hunger, shivering in the cold, storms, injustice and left to die ... It Does Not matter what the issue is....How we respond is a thermometer that shows where we are in our relationship with God. 

Now, listen up! Don't get mad, defensive and shut out what I am saying! Look at the vast number of Israelites who so easily and quickly went against God continually after they were delivered from Eqypt by the mighty hand of God and they turned against their leader who had led them out of bondage. Only 2 (Joshua and Caleb) plus Moses stuck with God and His Word. 

The more you know God the easier it gets to hold steady to His Word in terrible times of trouble. The more you spend time with Him and get to know Him, His nature, His character and His Word, the more your confidence (faith) in Him grows.

Through your life experiences you've watched and seen the awesome ways He has worked again and again. Many look only at the negative reports of what has happened when the devil has momentarily gotten the upper hand and even blame God for the trouble, but we must know Who our God really is. We must know that He is a Good God, a Just and Righteous God.  As His children He is For us and Not Against us. He is Mighty on our behalf and does exceedingly, abundantly and above ALL we can Ask or think. Psalm 103:8 tells us that 

The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. God tells us that the wicked will fall by their own devices, be entangled in the nets they themselves have laid and fall into the traps they themselves have out. Their evil deeds will be found out and Justice will prevail. God's Word is true. God Is Not a liar! It is Impossible for Him to Lie! DO NOT CALL HIM A LIAR!!!!! Expect His Word to come to pass. His Word never fails. God IS Faithfull

As you learn and grow in your relationship with God, you trust Him more and have more confidence to hold fast to Him in terrible times, but it still take commitment and FOCUS! 

Isaiah 26:3 says: You keep him in perfect peace (peace, peace) whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Where will your thoughts be if you are really trusting God? Your thoughts will be Stayed, Fixed on, God and His Word. Immovable from the truth. That is how you will remain in Great Peace in the midst of the worst situations and negative reports. You have your report from God. His report outranks and outweighs every other report regardless how it looks, feels or reports to the contrary. We must Know what a Mighty, Powerful and Awesome God we serve!!!! Do Not lose your Awe of God in the midst of the trouble! It goes back to taking charge of your thinking and making your thoughts and words stick to what God says. 2 Corinthians 10:5; Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:8. As you meditate on God's Word and Practice being a Doer of His Word not a hearer only. James 1:25, you will get more and more confident that God IS who He says He is and He Will do what He says He will do. You will see awesome things in your life as you watch and see what God will do!!!!!

There is far more going on in the spiritual realm, good and evil, than we can see. We must know that God is working even and especially when we cannot see it and when evil, unrighteousness and all forms of demonic actions, deception and lies and media and negative medical reports are working overtime to take precedent over everything. Know this: if what you are seeing, thinking and feeling stirs you up negatively and makes fear and disruption that depresses you, it is not God. If it is working to steal, kill and destroy, it is NOT God! God works for Peace, Righteousness, Joy, and Justice, Healing and Restoration ....  all things GOOD! He IS at work regardless of how it appears. Don't be a fearful, faithless Israelites who caves in on God in the rough times, thereby missing out on what God is working out. Choose to stick with God. Are you being carnally minded or spiritually minded? Romans 8:6-9. Believe what he says and make yourself be found faithful. God has not turned away. Fight with Him, not against Him. Fighting against Him is only taking your stand with those that are evil. Keep fighting. Hold Fast to God and His Word and watch and see what God will do!

Joshua 4:21-24 Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the LORD your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the LORD’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the LORD your God forever.”

Never lose your Awe of God

 For a few days this thought has been rolling around in my mind, "Never lose your Awe of God".

I wondered then, "What does "Awe" mean? You know me, curious, right? I think I have a pretty good idea what the word "Awe" means, but I want to be certain that I really know, you know..... just in case there is more to it than I really know....most of the time there is. It's always exciting to investigate!!!

Awe - OT translated revere, to turn aside from the road, fear

Awe - NT reverence; respect, fear

In a rather quick study of having the Awe of God, I 
saw three things regarding how people respond to the Awe of God.

#1. People see signs and wonders and the are filled with Awe of God and then they praise God

Luke 5:24-26
Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”
And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!”

Acts 3:1-10
One day Peter and John were going up to the Temple for the hour of prayer—the ninth hour—and, just then, some men were carrying there one who had been lame from birth, whom they were wont to place every day close to the Beautiful Gate (as it was called) Seeing Peter and John about to go into the Temple, he asked them for alms. Peter fixing his eyes on him, as John did also, said, "Look at us." So he looked and waited, expecting to receive something from them. "I have no silver or gold," Peter said, "but what I have, I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene— walk!" Then taking his hand Peter lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were strengthened. Leaping up, he stood upright and began to walk, and went into the Temple with them, walking, leaping, and praising God. All the people saw him walking and praising God; and recognizing him as the man who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple asking for alms, they were filled with awe and amazement at what had happened to him.

#2. Many references speak of the multitudes of signs and wonders that God did before Pharaoh and for the Israelites. Although they praised God upon seeing and experiencing the marvelous things that God did, their "Awe" of God was quickly lost. They complained, whined and murmured against God and did not remember the miracles he had done. How quickly they forgot the awesomeness of God and His power on their behalf. Read Psalm 78.

Psalm 78:42

They did not remember [the miracles worked by] His [powerful] hand, Nor the day when He redeemed them from the enemy,

Hebrews 12:28
Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, and offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship with reverence and awe;

#3. David was an excellent example of how I see we should be. He remained in Awe of God and Praised God in whatever situation he found himself. His reverence and Awe of God preceded the miracles he experienced. We, as children of God, should hold to the Awesomeness of God. We should remember all He has done for us. Must we wait for signs and wonders to be in Awe of God, then quickly complain when things are not going as we think they ought to? Perhaps our continual Awe of God will precede the power of God on our behalf!

Acts 2:43 
A sense of awe was felt by everyone, and many wonders and signs (attesting miracles) were taking place through the apostles.

Read and ponder the following verses and never lose your Awe of God. He is the Great, Mighty and Awesome God forever and always whether we are seeing His power on our behalf at the moment or not!!!!

Malachi 2:5
“The purpose of my covenant with the Levites was to bring life and peace, and that is what I gave them. This required reverence from them, and they greatly revered me and stood in awe of my name.

Job 37:24
No wonder people everywhere fear him. All who are wise show him reverence.”

Message 37:23-24
“Mighty God! Far beyond our reach!
Unsurpassable in power and justice!
It’s unthinkable that he’d treat anyone unfairly.
So bow to him in deep reverence, one and all! If you’re wise, you’ll most certainly worship him.”

Psalm 33:8
Let the whole world fear the LORD, and let everyone stand in awe of him.

Psalm 119:160-162
The sum of Your word is truth [the full meaning of all Your precepts], And every one of Your righteous ordinances endures forever. Princes persecute me without cause, But my heart stands in [reverent] awe of Your words [so I can expect You to help me]. I rejoice at Your word, As one who finds great treasure.

Revelations 15:4
Who will not stand in awe of you, Lord? Who will refuse to declare your greatness? You alone are holy. All the nations will come and worship you, because your just actions are seen by all."