Lola’s note: I have long wished for a Bible that identified the Name of God as written in the specific text, rather than our simple translations that coalesce all of them to: God, Lord, LORD, Almighty God – or other similar non-distinguishing acknowledgments which don’t reflect the fullness of His Name as used in context. I decided a couple of years ago to research what those names are – and then in January 2011 found another site that offered even more than I found the first time I searched. This list merges the information I've gathered.
LORD, I love your Names – and the meanings. Thank you for being ALL of these – and for all you elicit in me with the various Names you are named with.
ABHIR = Mighty One, strong (Gen. 49:24; Deut. 10:17; Ps.132:2)
ADONAI = Lord (Gen 18:3)
ADONAI TSUVAH = The Lord my salvation (Ps. 38:22)
ADDIYR JEHOVAH = Glorious Lord (Is. 33:21)
ADOWN JEHOVAH TSABA = The Lord, the LORD Almighty (Is. 3:1)
ABIYR ISRAEL = Mighty One of Israel (Is. 1:24)
ATTIQ YOMIN (Aramaic) = Ancient of Days
CETHER = My hiding Place (Ps. 32:7)
CHYAHLUTH = My Strength (Ps. 22:19)
EL = God EL, ELOAH: God ‘mighty, strong, prominent’
EL AMAN = Faithful God (Deut. 7:9)
EL-BERITH = God of the Covenant (Judges 9:46)
EL CHUWL = The God who gave you Birth (Deut. 32:18)
EL DEAH = God of Knowledge (1 Sa. 2:3)
EL-ELYON = Most High (Deut. 26:19; Ps. 18:13; Gen. 14:18; Nu.24:16) Rules with a rod of iron – absolute Lordship
EL GADOL GIBOR YARE = The Great, Mighty, Awesome God (Deut. 10:17)
EL GHAH'Y = Living God (Jos. 3:10)
EL-GIBHOR = Mighty God (Is. 9:6) The name describing the Messiah
EL G'MULAH JEHOVAH = The LORD, God of Vengeance (Jer. 51:56)
EL HAKABODH = God of Glory (Ps. 29:2)
EL KAHVOHD = God of Glory (Ps. 29:3)
EL MELECH = God the King (Ps. 68:24)
EL MOHSHAHGOTH = God of Salvation (Ps. 68:20)
EL NAHSAH = God who Forgives (Ps. 99:8)
EL NATHAN N'QAMAH - God who Avenges for Me (Ps. 18:47)
EL-OLAM = Everlasting God (Gen. 21:33; Ps.90:1-3, 93:2; Is. 26:4)
EL-QANNA or KANNA: Jealous God; a righteous jealousy; protects relationship with Him
EL RACHUM = Merciful God (Deut 4:13)
EL ROI = All-Seeing God (Gen. 16:13) The God who sees me
EL SHADDAI = God Almighty (Gen 17:1)
EL SEHLAG = God my Rock (Ps. 42:9)
El SIMCHAH GIYL = God my Exceeding Joy (Ps. 43:4)
EL NASA = Forgiving God (Ps. 99:8)
ELOHIM = God (Gen 1:1) Plural of ELOAH God ‘Creator, Mighty and Strong’ ELOHIM spoke the world into existence
ELOHIM BASHAMAYIN = God in Heaven (Deut 4:39)
ELOHIM MISGAB = God my Defense (Ps. 59:17)
ELOHIM TSEDEQ = God my Righteousness (Ps. 4:1)
ELOHIM YAKOL = God, the Most Able (Dan. 3:17)
ELOHIM YARE = God Most Awesome (Ps 68:35)
ELOHIM YESHUA = God my Salvation (Ps. 62:1)
ELOHIM KEDOSHIM = Holy God (Josh. 24:19)
EYALUTH = Strength (Ps. 22:19)
GELAH RAZ = Revealer of Mysteries (Dan. 2:28)
GAOL = Redeemer (Job 19:25)
KADOSH = Holy One (Ps. 71:22; Is. 40:25, 43:3, 48:17)
KANNA = Zealous (Ex. 20:5, 34:14; Deut. 5:9; Is. 9:7) (note Qanna)
MAGEN = Shield (Ps. 3:3, 18:30)
MELEKH = King (Ps 5:2, 29:10)
MELEK KABOWD = King of Glory (Ps. 24:7)
MARE' = Lord (Dan. 2:47)
OLAM ZEROWA = The Everlasting Arms (Deut. 33:26)
PALET = Deliverer (Ps. 18:2)
RAB = Lord, Nourisher (Dan. 2:10)
RUMN RO'SH = The One who lifts my head (Ps 3:3)
SHAPHAT = Judge (Gen. 18:25)
TSADDIQ = Righteous One (Ps. 7:9)
YHWH / YAHWEH / JEHOVAH: “LORD” (Strictly speaking, the only proper name for God. It is the ‘unspeakable name’ that would never have been spoken in O T times, and still is not by observant Jews, which is why G-d is written – to signify that honor.)
[YOU, Yahweh, are present, accessible, near to those who call on You for deliverance]
YAHWEH/ JEHOVAH = Self-Existing Lord (Ex. 6:2)
YAHWEH AZAR/ JEHOVAH AZAR = The Lord my Helper (Ps. 30:10)
YAHWEH AMAN/ JEHOVAH AMAN = The Faithful Lord (Is. 49:7)
YAHWEH BORE/ JEHOVAH BORE = The Lord Creator (Is. 40:28)
YAHWEH-ELOHIM: "LORD God, Lord of Lords.
YAHWEH GAAL/ JEHOVAH GAAL = The Lord thy Redeemer (Is 49:26)
YAHWEH-JIREH / JEHOVAH-JIREH = The Lord will Provide. (Gen. 22:14)
YAHWEH-NISSI/ JEHOVAH-NISSI = The Lord Our Banner. (Ex. 1:15)
YAHWEH-M’KADDESH/ JEHOVAH-M'KADDESH = The Lord Who Sanctifies, makes holy (Lev. 20:8)
YAHWEH ORI/ JEHOVAH ORI = The Lord is my Light (Ps. 27:1)
YAHWEH-ROHI/ JEHOVAH-ROHI = The Lord Our Shepherd (Ps. 23)
YAHWEH-RAPHA/ JEHOVAH-RAPHE = The Lord Who Heals (Ex. 15:22-2)
YAHWEH-SHAMMAH: "The LORD is There”
YAHWEH-SABAOTH: "The LORD of Hosts"
YAHWEH-SHALOM: "The LORD Our Peace"
YAHWEH SHAPHAT/ JEHOVAH SHAPHAT = The Lord our Judge (Is. 33:22)
YAHWEH-TSIDKENU/ JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU = The Lord Our Righteousness
YAHWEH TSUR/ JEHOVAH TSUR = The Lord my Strength (Ps. 144:1)
YESHUA = (Y'shua) Savior (Is. 43:3)
ZUR = God our Rock (Deut. 32:18; Is. 30:29)
IMMANUEL, EMMANUEL: God with us, God is with us
Alpha and Omega
BRANCH (tsemach)
New Testament: Greek
KURIOS: Lord
DESPOTES Lord
THEOS: God – equivalent to ELOHIM; I AM
THEOTES: Godhead
HUPSISTOS: Highest
SOTER: Savior Luke 1:4, 7
LOGOS: WORD John 1:1ff, Rev 19:13
PANTOKRATOR: ALMIGHTY: 2 Cor 6:18, Rev 19:6
JESUS/ YESHUA: means JEHOVAH is Salvation
CHRIST/MESSIAH: Hebrew Meshiach, “The Anointed One”
SOPHIA: The Wisdom of God, referring to Christ (refers back to Prov) 1 Cor 1,2
FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT
Lord (my Adonai) help me make you Lord of my life in every circumstance. I love you, LORD, and love all of your names that so aptly help me embrace more of who You are.
(Lola’s note: I started this a few years ago and add to it when new adjectives/nouns occur to me….)
My ABC’s of God:
Adonai, Almighty, Alive, Amazing, Alpha, All sufficient, Above all (Beginning)
Blessed, Beautiful, Bountiful, Beginning, Before all, Beyond all
Creator, Christ, Counselor, Covenant Committed, Consistent, Caring, Creative
Deliverer, Delight
Eternal, Elohim, El Elyonna, El Shaddai, Er Kamkanna, Everlasting, Encourager, End
Father, Faithful, Forever, Forgiving
God, Good, Gracious, Grace, Genuine, Generous, Gentle, Giving, G-D
Holy, Holy Spirit, High and lifted up, Hope, Hiding place
Inimitable, Immutable, Instructive, Ioseos, Isa, I AM
Jehovah Jireh, Jesus, Joy, Jealous (for our devotion)
King, King of Kings, Kind
Lord, LORD, Living, Love, Loving, Lord of Lords, Longsuffering, Loyal, Lion of
Judah, Lamb of God, Lord of Glory, Life
Mighty God, Messiah, Meschiak, Masih, Master
Near, Nurturing, Name above all names,
Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omega, One & Only
Powerful, Present, Prince of Peace, Pure, Provider, Perfect Peace, Perfect, Patient
Quintessential
Righteous, Right, Royal, Relational, Rock of Salvation
Savior, Salvation, Spirit, Self-controlled
Truth, Trustworthy, Today
Unchanging, Uplifting
Voluminous, Veracity
Wonderful, Worthy (of all honor and power and glory and praise), WORD
X-rays (You are the ‘God-who-sees-me’)
Yahweh, YHWH, Yeshua, Yesterday, (Today and Forever)
Zenith (End)
Inimitable: So good as to be impossible to copy
Immutable: Unchanged over time; unable to be changed
Omniscient: All-knowing
Omnipotent: All-powerful
Omnipresent: Able to be everywhere at once
Monday, May 23, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Further Comment on Israel
This is a postscript to yesterday's report of what President Obama stated.
I heard on the news this morning that what Obama was recommending in his statement yesterday was that Israel agree to the pre-1967 borders and then make land trades with Palestine for other land the Palestinians would want to exchange for, so Israel would ultimately retain those housing areas that now cover the land affected for their own. That puts a slightly different face on the request, but it still doesn't take the Truth of God's design for Israel into account. And it doesn't take Eastern thought into account.
First I must state: God is Israel's defender. God blesses those who bless Israel.
We think in terms of fair and equitable, the Palestinians don't. Politically, they don't even acknowledge Israel's existence. On an individual basis, many Israelis and Palestinians live side-by-side and do so beautifully, but ideologically, many in that region - even those who are good, loving people - do not believe Israel has the right to exist. They don't even say the name 'Israel.' And that is a foundational problem. At the core of the issue is that the majority of Palestinians want Israel to be wiped off the map. I realize that is a pretty broad generalization - but I believe it to be true, and have good reasons for my belief.
If you measure out the size of Israel, it is at it's very longest, according to Israel information sources online, 290 miles long, and at it's very widest, 85 miles wide. From that width, it tapers to a point at the south - for a very narrow access to the Red Sea, at Eilat. The border of Israel diverts around the West Bank to the north - with the resulting shape of the entire country looking something like a slipper, were you to view it lying sideways. Along the Mediterranean, between the sea and the West Bank Occupied Area of Palestine, the narrowest width of Israel is reduced to less than 10 miles wide - 9.3 miles to be precise.
If you look at information online you will note that most of the southern part of Israel is comprised of the Negev Desert. It doesn't support much life. Israel is small. Yet - it is the center of the universe. It is the hub of all of Judaism and Christianity, and has been adopted as a secondary hub for Islam, second to Mecca - as well as Haifa being the center of Ba'hai faith. In addition, geographically, it is the hub between Europe, Asia and Africa.
Israel is a 'David and Goliath' story. It is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, Lebanon, Syria, The West Bank (aka Palestinian occupied territory), Jordan and Egypt.
The only reason Israel exists is because God wills it to be so.
The Bible prophesied that Israel would become a nation again - and in 1948, against all odds, it did. Crazy as it seems in logical terms, nations will rise and fall based on their support of Israel. So - - though I jumped to a conclusion yesterday that didn't include the fact that President Obama was trying to lobby for Israel not having to give up the land that houses so many of its population in housing areas that once were not under their control, he misses the greater point. He should, #1, take a look at the borders defined as Israel by God...and (#2) he should understand that Palestine politically does not acknowledge Israel exists - or even has a right to exist. Those two details certainly change the conversation.
I heard on the news this morning that what Obama was recommending in his statement yesterday was that Israel agree to the pre-1967 borders and then make land trades with Palestine for other land the Palestinians would want to exchange for, so Israel would ultimately retain those housing areas that now cover the land affected for their own. That puts a slightly different face on the request, but it still doesn't take the Truth of God's design for Israel into account. And it doesn't take Eastern thought into account.
First I must state: God is Israel's defender. God blesses those who bless Israel.
We think in terms of fair and equitable, the Palestinians don't. Politically, they don't even acknowledge Israel's existence. On an individual basis, many Israelis and Palestinians live side-by-side and do so beautifully, but ideologically, many in that region - even those who are good, loving people - do not believe Israel has the right to exist. They don't even say the name 'Israel.' And that is a foundational problem. At the core of the issue is that the majority of Palestinians want Israel to be wiped off the map. I realize that is a pretty broad generalization - but I believe it to be true, and have good reasons for my belief.
If you measure out the size of Israel, it is at it's very longest, according to Israel information sources online, 290 miles long, and at it's very widest, 85 miles wide. From that width, it tapers to a point at the south - for a very narrow access to the Red Sea, at Eilat. The border of Israel diverts around the West Bank to the north - with the resulting shape of the entire country looking something like a slipper, were you to view it lying sideways. Along the Mediterranean, between the sea and the West Bank Occupied Area of Palestine, the narrowest width of Israel is reduced to less than 10 miles wide - 9.3 miles to be precise.
If you look at information online you will note that most of the southern part of Israel is comprised of the Negev Desert. It doesn't support much life. Israel is small. Yet - it is the center of the universe. It is the hub of all of Judaism and Christianity, and has been adopted as a secondary hub for Islam, second to Mecca - as well as Haifa being the center of Ba'hai faith. In addition, geographically, it is the hub between Europe, Asia and Africa.
Israel is a 'David and Goliath' story. It is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, Lebanon, Syria, The West Bank (aka Palestinian occupied territory), Jordan and Egypt.
The only reason Israel exists is because God wills it to be so.
The Bible prophesied that Israel would become a nation again - and in 1948, against all odds, it did. Crazy as it seems in logical terms, nations will rise and fall based on their support of Israel. So - - though I jumped to a conclusion yesterday that didn't include the fact that President Obama was trying to lobby for Israel not having to give up the land that houses so many of its population in housing areas that once were not under their control, he misses the greater point. He should, #1, take a look at the borders defined as Israel by God...and (#2) he should understand that Palestine politically does not acknowledge Israel exists - or even has a right to exist. Those two details certainly change the conversation.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
WATCH ISRAEL
I automatically receive Breaking News Alerts in my inbox...and I just opened this one:
NYTIMES.COM NEWS ALERT
Thursday May 19, 2011, 1:04 P M EASTERN STANDARD TIME
Obama Backs Mideast Plan Based on 1967 Borders
Declaring that "the dream of a Jewish and democratic state
cannot be fulfilled with permanent occupation," President
Obama said that a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict must embody two sovereign states based on pre-1967
borders.
God is very clear that He blesses those who support Israel. This is scary news.
I was just in Israel in February. The area in question includes homes of many Jewish people. This may sound like a simple solution - but it's not!
Storm warning! Pay attention!
NYTIMES.COM NEWS ALERT
Thursday May 19, 2011, 1:04 P M EASTERN STANDARD TIME
Obama Backs Mideast Plan Based on 1967 Borders
Declaring that "the dream of a Jewish and democratic state
cannot be fulfilled with permanent occupation," President
Obama said that a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict must embody two sovereign states based on pre-1967
borders.
God is very clear that He blesses those who support Israel. This is scary news.
I was just in Israel in February. The area in question includes homes of many Jewish people. This may sound like a simple solution - but it's not!
Storm warning! Pay attention!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
WRITING FROM A BROKEN HEART
The information that follows is from an e-mail newsletter I just opened this afternoon. I have only made minor changes for identification of the church denomination.
On May 10th a nation-wide Presbytery vote reached the number of “yes” votes necessary to ratify amendment 10-A. The amendment replaces a much-disputed paragraph in the Book of Order for the Presbyterian Denomination describing ordination standards. The former (G-6.0106b) required ordinands to live “…either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness.”
By contrast the new language states: “Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life…” and that candidates be examined to determine their “…ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation…”
The writer whose comments explain this change states, “While the amendment keeps standards very high for candidates, it does allow for the possibility of ordaining those of gay or lesbian orientation. This new ordination standard neither encourages nor discourages such ordinations. What is required is a specific, case-by-case examination of each potential ordinand. Candidates may be examined on all issues of their faith and practice. Governing bodies, Presbyteries in the case of pastors and Sessions in the case of elders and deacons, may operate with the belief that it is not acceptable for practicing gay or lesbian people to be ordained and may choose not to ordain them if that is their conviction… but they are not required any longer to prohibit such ordinations. Therefore each Presbytery and each Session discerns independently who shall be ordained.”
My heart hurts.
The Presbyterian Denomination has wonderful roots - and their form of government was the foundation for our own United States government. I have enormous respect for the Christian heritage that undergirds the foundation of the denomination.
I became a Presbyterian in 1970. I was a faithful participant in the Presbyterian Church for 38 years - 30 of those years in Montesano, and the next 8 in Olympia. The only thing I disagreed with when I first started attending the church was their practice of baptizing babies - but I accepted it as their method of dedication, with the explanation that more than anything it was a promise by the parents to raise their children in a Christian home.
Even though raised Presbyterian, my own children were baptized by immersion - by their choice - when they were ready to make a public profession of their faith. Two different pastors had the joy of being the ones to participate in those baptisms - and for both, it was their first time of baptizing by immersion....but I digress.
When I finally actually joined the church formally, I told the pastor my one concern was that the Presbyterian Church kept bringing up the issue of ordaining homosexuals - and if they ever did, I would leave the church - vocally. He said, "That's O K. I'll be right behind you." I don't think he thought it would actually happen. Now, in a subtle form, it has. And I'm sad.
I love and miss my friends in the Presbyterian Church - but I have to stand up for what I know to be Truth. Perspective is not Truth.
Just this morning God spoke to me and said, "I contend for Truth. I contend for man's souls." All of man. God isn't eager to cut people off. But we make choices. Those who worship Him - truly worship Him - must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. He accepts no less.
We are told to speak the truth in love. My love for my Presbyterian friends goes without question - but this decision is yet another indication of watering down the Gospel - and of the insidious intrusion of Satan into Christian thought. God loves all people. We all come to Him initially as sinners - but we can't keep sinning and be in positions of leadership within the body of Christ. This new ruling is an aberration of God's laws. It is one thing to have the grace to continue to hear those who bring such notions to the voting floor; it is quite another to succumb to their 'political correctness' thrust by violating God's Word.
I actually stopped attending the Presbyterian Church precisely 3 years ago, but only finally withdrew my membership officially this Spring, after receiving a call from the church secretary asking me if that was my desire. I had to say, sadly, "yes." I originally left quietly over a theological issue with my specific church - but I would have left now were I not already gone. This heart-breaking decision makes that separation final. I am incredibly sad, and I know God's heart burgeons with a sadness even greater than that which I am capable of feeling.
Lord, have mercy....
On May 10th a nation-wide Presbytery vote reached the number of “yes” votes necessary to ratify amendment 10-A. The amendment replaces a much-disputed paragraph in the Book of Order for the Presbyterian Denomination describing ordination standards. The former (G-6.0106b) required ordinands to live “…either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness.”
By contrast the new language states: “Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life…” and that candidates be examined to determine their “…ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation…”
The writer whose comments explain this change states, “While the amendment keeps standards very high for candidates, it does allow for the possibility of ordaining those of gay or lesbian orientation. This new ordination standard neither encourages nor discourages such ordinations. What is required is a specific, case-by-case examination of each potential ordinand. Candidates may be examined on all issues of their faith and practice. Governing bodies, Presbyteries in the case of pastors and Sessions in the case of elders and deacons, may operate with the belief that it is not acceptable for practicing gay or lesbian people to be ordained and may choose not to ordain them if that is their conviction… but they are not required any longer to prohibit such ordinations. Therefore each Presbytery and each Session discerns independently who shall be ordained.”
My heart hurts.
The Presbyterian Denomination has wonderful roots - and their form of government was the foundation for our own United States government. I have enormous respect for the Christian heritage that undergirds the foundation of the denomination.
I became a Presbyterian in 1970. I was a faithful participant in the Presbyterian Church for 38 years - 30 of those years in Montesano, and the next 8 in Olympia. The only thing I disagreed with when I first started attending the church was their practice of baptizing babies - but I accepted it as their method of dedication, with the explanation that more than anything it was a promise by the parents to raise their children in a Christian home.
Even though raised Presbyterian, my own children were baptized by immersion - by their choice - when they were ready to make a public profession of their faith. Two different pastors had the joy of being the ones to participate in those baptisms - and for both, it was their first time of baptizing by immersion....but I digress.
When I finally actually joined the church formally, I told the pastor my one concern was that the Presbyterian Church kept bringing up the issue of ordaining homosexuals - and if they ever did, I would leave the church - vocally. He said, "That's O K. I'll be right behind you." I don't think he thought it would actually happen. Now, in a subtle form, it has. And I'm sad.
I love and miss my friends in the Presbyterian Church - but I have to stand up for what I know to be Truth. Perspective is not Truth.
Just this morning God spoke to me and said, "I contend for Truth. I contend for man's souls." All of man. God isn't eager to cut people off. But we make choices. Those who worship Him - truly worship Him - must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. He accepts no less.
We are told to speak the truth in love. My love for my Presbyterian friends goes without question - but this decision is yet another indication of watering down the Gospel - and of the insidious intrusion of Satan into Christian thought. God loves all people. We all come to Him initially as sinners - but we can't keep sinning and be in positions of leadership within the body of Christ. This new ruling is an aberration of God's laws. It is one thing to have the grace to continue to hear those who bring such notions to the voting floor; it is quite another to succumb to their 'political correctness' thrust by violating God's Word.
I actually stopped attending the Presbyterian Church precisely 3 years ago, but only finally withdrew my membership officially this Spring, after receiving a call from the church secretary asking me if that was my desire. I had to say, sadly, "yes." I originally left quietly over a theological issue with my specific church - but I would have left now were I not already gone. This heart-breaking decision makes that separation final. I am incredibly sad, and I know God's heart burgeons with a sadness even greater than that which I am capable of feeling.
Lord, have mercy....
God Still Speaks
The 'prayer list' I started in 2008 as a computer file has grown to include specific things God speaks to me. In August of 2009 I witnessed the immersion baptism of two dear friends, and in the Sunday morning service I attended for that event, God spoke clearly me to me and said, "I want you to contend for what I contend for." What I wrote following that entry was, "Help me ascertain exactly what that means and follow that design for my life."
This morning - just a few moments ago as I was praying through my prayer list in my morning devotions, just after I re-prayed that specific prayer, the Lord spoke clearly to me and said, "I contend for Truth. I contend for man's souls."
The Lord of the universe, who created man, came to earth in the form of man to become our Savior. On the cross He said, "It is finished." He meant that the work of what He came to do was finished. It was. It is. But He contends for our souls. That is an ongoing, daily, present promise.
My Devotional reading right now is in the Book of the Revelation of John. I grapple with the symbols and meanings. I pray for understanding, because God has told us to ask for wisdom - that He gives it freely. Yet, I know there is so much I cannot grasp.... I view the scenes through eyes of faith, knowing that God will unfold the mysteries in His time. Knowing that nurturing faith in others as well as my own is imperative - having a sense of urgency - being concerned about complacent 'Christians' as well as outright unbelievers.
Terrible days are coming. The Book of Revelation makes that abundantly clear - as did Daniel and Ezekiel in the Old Testament. The Bible is full of prophecy - and it is only in hindsight that we see precisely what was meant clearly.
When we as Christians warn those who are lost that the end is coming - and that for those who do not accept the gift of eternal life purchased at Calvary by the blood Jesus shed for our salvation - there is a hell...they view that as a threat. Yet, when those same people see a sign that says, "Bridge out" they view that as a warning. The prophecies of the Bible are intended as a warning. They are a weather report. The Bible is clear that in the last days, horrible things will happen on the earth. Jesus foretold it in Matthew; John records it in Revelation.
Frankly, I'd much prefer to stress the positive. We have the opportunity in this life to choose whether or not we want to spend eternity with GOD, our creator, who LOVES us and has wonderful things planned for those who love Him. He does. He promises.
Both aspects are true: (1) the blissful joy of eternal life in being present with the Lord and enjoying all He has prepared for those who accept His offer of life, and (2) the horrible eternal separation from God and all that is good, an eternity of the second death - the one there is no escape from.
God made a way for us to escape the wrath that is to come. He did it through His Son, who took on all the sins and the shame of the world. He paid the price - and offers salvation as a gift. The gift is free - but it costs us everything. We have to give up living for our self, and live a life that is pleasing to God.
This morning - just a few moments ago as I was praying through my prayer list in my morning devotions, just after I re-prayed that specific prayer, the Lord spoke clearly to me and said, "I contend for Truth. I contend for man's souls."
The Lord of the universe, who created man, came to earth in the form of man to become our Savior. On the cross He said, "It is finished." He meant that the work of what He came to do was finished. It was. It is. But He contends for our souls. That is an ongoing, daily, present promise.
My Devotional reading right now is in the Book of the Revelation of John. I grapple with the symbols and meanings. I pray for understanding, because God has told us to ask for wisdom - that He gives it freely. Yet, I know there is so much I cannot grasp.... I view the scenes through eyes of faith, knowing that God will unfold the mysteries in His time. Knowing that nurturing faith in others as well as my own is imperative - having a sense of urgency - being concerned about complacent 'Christians' as well as outright unbelievers.
Terrible days are coming. The Book of Revelation makes that abundantly clear - as did Daniel and Ezekiel in the Old Testament. The Bible is full of prophecy - and it is only in hindsight that we see precisely what was meant clearly.
When we as Christians warn those who are lost that the end is coming - and that for those who do not accept the gift of eternal life purchased at Calvary by the blood Jesus shed for our salvation - there is a hell...they view that as a threat. Yet, when those same people see a sign that says, "Bridge out" they view that as a warning. The prophecies of the Bible are intended as a warning. They are a weather report. The Bible is clear that in the last days, horrible things will happen on the earth. Jesus foretold it in Matthew; John records it in Revelation.
Frankly, I'd much prefer to stress the positive. We have the opportunity in this life to choose whether or not we want to spend eternity with GOD, our creator, who LOVES us and has wonderful things planned for those who love Him. He does. He promises.
Both aspects are true: (1) the blissful joy of eternal life in being present with the Lord and enjoying all He has prepared for those who accept His offer of life, and (2) the horrible eternal separation from God and all that is good, an eternity of the second death - the one there is no escape from.
God made a way for us to escape the wrath that is to come. He did it through His Son, who took on all the sins and the shame of the world. He paid the price - and offers salvation as a gift. The gift is free - but it costs us everything. We have to give up living for our self, and live a life that is pleasing to God.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Friday the 13th
It's Friday the 13th - a day the Lord has made for us to rejoice and be glad in! It's been a good day!
I started the day by making breakfast for special 'other grandparents' house guests and our 2 mutual grandsons.
I studied Chapters 8 & 9 in Revelation. The seventh seal, and the 7 angels blowing 7 trumpets, which releases layer after layer of final judgment on an unrepentant world.
I spent some time preparing for a ministry presentation - my Potato Masher Parables message that is to be next Saturday the 21st at a Ladies' Tea for a church on Whidbey Island.
I responded to God's nudging to do something that had been on my mind for +-3 years, and felt today was the time I had to do it - and learned the timing was 'just under the wire' for the purpose for which it was intended. It doesn't matter what happens with the nomination at this point. What matters is the affirmation of God's perfect timing.
I picked my granddaughter up from school and wound her hair into pin curls in preparation for her being able to get her wig on for her role in Hairspray tonight. In just a bit I'll take her back to be there in time for make-up.
Throughout the day I've had an awareness of being privileged to partner with God. He doesn't need me - He's God. But He lets me partner with him for my fulfillment, and as an opportunity to affirm my love for Him. God is good.
I've felt lots of heaviness lately, so today was a reprieve from that - but years ago in the middle of a very difficult series of events and challenges, I read both Job and Revelation. What God taught me with the book of Job was that He deserves our praise and worship no matter what our circumstances. The book of Revelation reiterates that reality. He is worthy of all honor and power and glory and praise. Worthy on days we feel like praising, and days we offer praise as a sacrifice just because He deserves praise. And - on those days, praise brings an unbelievable attitude adjustment.
I am so incredibly blessed. Thank you, Lord.
I started the day by making breakfast for special 'other grandparents' house guests and our 2 mutual grandsons.
I studied Chapters 8 & 9 in Revelation. The seventh seal, and the 7 angels blowing 7 trumpets, which releases layer after layer of final judgment on an unrepentant world.
I spent some time preparing for a ministry presentation - my Potato Masher Parables message that is to be next Saturday the 21st at a Ladies' Tea for a church on Whidbey Island.
I responded to God's nudging to do something that had been on my mind for +-3 years, and felt today was the time I had to do it - and learned the timing was 'just under the wire' for the purpose for which it was intended. It doesn't matter what happens with the nomination at this point. What matters is the affirmation of God's perfect timing.
I picked my granddaughter up from school and wound her hair into pin curls in preparation for her being able to get her wig on for her role in Hairspray tonight. In just a bit I'll take her back to be there in time for make-up.
Throughout the day I've had an awareness of being privileged to partner with God. He doesn't need me - He's God. But He lets me partner with him for my fulfillment, and as an opportunity to affirm my love for Him. God is good.
I've felt lots of heaviness lately, so today was a reprieve from that - but years ago in the middle of a very difficult series of events and challenges, I read both Job and Revelation. What God taught me with the book of Job was that He deserves our praise and worship no matter what our circumstances. The book of Revelation reiterates that reality. He is worthy of all honor and power and glory and praise. Worthy on days we feel like praising, and days we offer praise as a sacrifice just because He deserves praise. And - on those days, praise brings an unbelievable attitude adjustment.
I am so incredibly blessed. Thank you, Lord.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
He Giveth More Grace
The words to an old song have been among my earliest morning thoughts the past 2 days:
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase
To added afflictions he addeth his mercy
To multipled trials, his multiplied peace.
His love has no limit
His grace as no measure
His power has no boundaries known unto men
For out of his infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth and giveth again.
I'm so grateful for God's amazing grace. When life gets heavy - and it does - we can walk in a faith that is absolute, knowing everything is in His knowing. We don't walk alone!
I've been through some very tough times. They were more than I could have handled on my own - but I know with confidence that God will never give me more than HE can bear - and in those moments when I have felt weight beyond what I could handle, He bore it with me. I know He did because He promised. I didn't have to feel His presence to know that. I can assert His care with absolute confidence. He was faithful - even when I wasn't.
I know people who are going through tough times right now. I'd love to 'fix it' for them. I can't. I will try to encourage, to support where possible, to love, to care, to pray. I do believe in putting feet to our prayers - and have learned that we have to express need to receive response. Very often God's care comes through human hands.... He lets us partner with Him to be extensions of His care. What a privilege!
What amazing grace.
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase
To added afflictions he addeth his mercy
To multipled trials, his multiplied peace.
His love has no limit
His grace as no measure
His power has no boundaries known unto men
For out of his infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth and giveth again.
I'm so grateful for God's amazing grace. When life gets heavy - and it does - we can walk in a faith that is absolute, knowing everything is in His knowing. We don't walk alone!
I've been through some very tough times. They were more than I could have handled on my own - but I know with confidence that God will never give me more than HE can bear - and in those moments when I have felt weight beyond what I could handle, He bore it with me. I know He did because He promised. I didn't have to feel His presence to know that. I can assert His care with absolute confidence. He was faithful - even when I wasn't.
I know people who are going through tough times right now. I'd love to 'fix it' for them. I can't. I will try to encourage, to support where possible, to love, to care, to pray. I do believe in putting feet to our prayers - and have learned that we have to express need to receive response. Very often God's care comes through human hands.... He lets us partner with Him to be extensions of His care. What a privilege!
What amazing grace.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
THEN, NOW, FUTURE
+-1977 years ago, in +-33 A D - following the resurrection of our Lord, He was still making appearances. Today is the 13th day following resurrection. I find the stories of His interaction with people during that period compelling. These were truly messages to pay attention to. I re-read Luke 24 this morning, and was once again stirred by Jesus' contact with those He spoke with on the road to Emmaus. Jesus taught them all they needed to learn - and their hearts burned within them.
In current time, I am actually reading Revelation from my devotions. Chapter 6 brings an end to the 'feel good' of chapters 4 & 5. The gentle lamb who laid down his life returns to pour our all of God's wrath on an undeserving, ungrateful world. It is hard to absorb all the layers. Others far more brilliant than I have expressed multiple opinions. I just want to be open to see what the Lord reveals, and I'm willing to accept that I don't have to grasp all of the layers of knowledge theoretically available. Like those on the road to Emmaus, as He teaches me, my heart burns within me.
I do understand this: He is sovereign, and I am grateful to be immersed in His grace. Having said that, at this point in the Revelation of John, the Age of Grace has come to an abrupt end. The world will experience what it is like without the dispensation of grace. I wouldn't want to be here! The Jewish nation was looking for the redeeming conqueror. The conqueror is revealed clearly in this chapter of Revelation. But He is still called the Lamb....
Anyone who is struggling with complacent Christianity should read Revelation again. We take God's grace for granted, and that's a dangerous thing to do. The message to the 7 churches of Revelation are messages to us as well. Only he who endures to the end will be saved.
And, no matter how tough it gets, He is worthy of all honor and power and glory and praise. Praise His Holy Name!
In current time, I am actually reading Revelation from my devotions. Chapter 6 brings an end to the 'feel good' of chapters 4 & 5. The gentle lamb who laid down his life returns to pour our all of God's wrath on an undeserving, ungrateful world. It is hard to absorb all the layers. Others far more brilliant than I have expressed multiple opinions. I just want to be open to see what the Lord reveals, and I'm willing to accept that I don't have to grasp all of the layers of knowledge theoretically available. Like those on the road to Emmaus, as He teaches me, my heart burns within me.
I do understand this: He is sovereign, and I am grateful to be immersed in His grace. Having said that, at this point in the Revelation of John, the Age of Grace has come to an abrupt end. The world will experience what it is like without the dispensation of grace. I wouldn't want to be here! The Jewish nation was looking for the redeeming conqueror. The conqueror is revealed clearly in this chapter of Revelation. But He is still called the Lamb....
Anyone who is struggling with complacent Christianity should read Revelation again. We take God's grace for granted, and that's a dangerous thing to do. The message to the 7 churches of Revelation are messages to us as well. Only he who endures to the end will be saved.
And, no matter how tough it gets, He is worthy of all honor and power and glory and praise. Praise His Holy Name!
Friday, May 6, 2011
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, CINCO DE MAYO
The timing of the two events coinciding this year makes me think of other unusual pairings.
The year that Mother Teresa died, the timing of her passing was at the same time Princess Diana died. Very different women - but both with good hearts. It's just that after so many years of total devotion to the poor and disenfranchised of India, the coverage honoring Mother Teresa's life got lost in the small print obscured by the sensationalized reporting of Princess Di's demise.
Now another incident of that nature has happened again. Except that this time the people involved were polar opposites. One of God's stalwart saints went to be with the Lord in the same timing as the death of a mass murderer. David Wilkerson lived his life for the Lord. He is a wonderful model that one life wholly lived (and holy lived) for the Lord makes a huge difference. He touched lives throughout the world - and the coverage honoring a life well lived is lost in the drama of one who lived a despicable life.
I know the segue doesn't track completely. It is, as I mentioned, just interesting timing to observe.
I was absolutely blessed to be among those who gathered yesterday inside the rotunda of our State Capitol to celebrate the 60th year of The National Day of Prayer. It was a wonderful time of bringing a myriad of prayers before the Lord collectively. I was so glad I went. My only regret was that I didn't have my grandkids with me. It was wonderful to share in - and I wished they could have been part of it.
For my personal devotional reading I am reading Revelation again. Or more accurately The Revelation of John. Yesterday was Chapter 4; today was Chapter 5. Both are awesome - and lift my soul in grateful praise.
I pay attention to 'the seven spirits of God.' We know God as triune - but He is so much more than the limits we define Him with...and He alone is worthy of all honor and power and glory and praise.
I'm in awe that God...GOD...wants a relationship with man. The reality overwhelms me. THANK YOU, LORD. YOU ARE AWESOME! I don't deserve your love, but thank you, Lord, that you give it to me in abundance.
The year that Mother Teresa died, the timing of her passing was at the same time Princess Diana died. Very different women - but both with good hearts. It's just that after so many years of total devotion to the poor and disenfranchised of India, the coverage honoring Mother Teresa's life got lost in the small print obscured by the sensationalized reporting of Princess Di's demise.
Now another incident of that nature has happened again. Except that this time the people involved were polar opposites. One of God's stalwart saints went to be with the Lord in the same timing as the death of a mass murderer. David Wilkerson lived his life for the Lord. He is a wonderful model that one life wholly lived (and holy lived) for the Lord makes a huge difference. He touched lives throughout the world - and the coverage honoring a life well lived is lost in the drama of one who lived a despicable life.
I know the segue doesn't track completely. It is, as I mentioned, just interesting timing to observe.
I was absolutely blessed to be among those who gathered yesterday inside the rotunda of our State Capitol to celebrate the 60th year of The National Day of Prayer. It was a wonderful time of bringing a myriad of prayers before the Lord collectively. I was so glad I went. My only regret was that I didn't have my grandkids with me. It was wonderful to share in - and I wished they could have been part of it.
For my personal devotional reading I am reading Revelation again. Or more accurately The Revelation of John. Yesterday was Chapter 4; today was Chapter 5. Both are awesome - and lift my soul in grateful praise.
I pay attention to 'the seven spirits of God.' We know God as triune - but He is so much more than the limits we define Him with...and He alone is worthy of all honor and power and glory and praise.
I'm in awe that God...GOD...wants a relationship with man. The reality overwhelms me. THANK YOU, LORD. YOU ARE AWESOME! I don't deserve your love, but thank you, Lord, that you give it to me in abundance.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
REMEMBERING YOM HA'SHOAH
A friend posted the following article on his Facebook page. It is from the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews website. I’m sorry I didn’t see it before to post it in time for acknowledging the Remembrance Day – so instead of “will observe” it is now “observed.”
I had every intention of going to the local celebration/hour long Yom Ha'Shoah Remembrance walk to show my support for Israel this year. This is the first year I have been made aware of the opportunity – and actually the first year I knew there is a specific designated day for honoring those whose lives were snuffed out. Honoring this day brings with it a commitment for “never again.”
I didn’t go because I was totally exhausted. If there is a ‘next year’ – as in, if the Lord doesn’t return before then – I truly want to be part of the tribute. Posting this late to generate awareness is the best I can do for this year – so I offer it here in retrospect.
Another mass murderer was just brought to justice, but the number of people Osama bin Laden killed pales in comparison to the horrors of the holocaust. I heard one commentator attempt to compare them. There truly is no comparison. Hitler killed 6 million Jews. He also killed anyone who sympathized with them - and Germans who were marginalized members of society.
Never again!
Sadly, that is not reality - but it must reflect our deepest yearning and be our goal.
Lola
----------
April 28, 2011
Beginning at sundown on Saturday, April 30 through sundown on Sunday, May 1, Jews around the world will observe Yom Ha'Shoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day, which commemorates the most terrible chapter in modern Jewish history.
Motivated by an overwhelming and fanatical hatred of Jews, and seeking to remove from German society anyone deemed "undesirable," the Nazi regime that ruled Germany from 1933 to 1945 launched a brutal and methodical campaign to destroy the Jewish people. Six million Jews - about one-third of the world's Jewish population at the time - were murdered as a result.
The Holocaust is unique not just in Jewish history, but in human history. For centuries, Jews had endured pogroms (organized massacres), oppression, and prejudice. But the Nazi effort to destroy the Jews is a singular example of one group's ability to marshal all the forces of propaganda, technology, and organization at its disposal in an attempt to destroy an entire people. The Holocaust stands alone not just because of its scale and brutality, but because it was meticulously planned and coldly systematic - and, sadly, it was very nearly successful.
Yom Ha'Shoah in Israel is also a totally unique experience. For two minutes on this day, sirens sound across the country, and literally all activity comes to a halt - people stop working, pedestrians pause, and drivers stop their cars, get out, and stand in silence. It is a powerful display of national unity that serves not only to honor the memory of those murdered in the Holocaust, but also to reaffirm Israel's identity as a strong, proud Jewish nation, one committed to offering a safe haven to the Jewish people and ensuring that the horrors of the Holocaust are never repeated.
While Yom Ha'Shoah is generally not observed in the U.S. outside of the Jewish community, I hope you will pause on this day to remember the six million who were killed for being Jewish. Educate yourself on what one historian called "the defining event of 20th century world history" by visiting our Holocaust resources page. And, above all, pray - for the peace of Jerusalem, for security for Israel and Jewish communities around the globe, and for a day when the eternal rallying cry adopted by the Jewish people after the Holocaust - "Never again!" - is fulfilled.
With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President
I had every intention of going to the local celebration/hour long Yom Ha'Shoah Remembrance walk to show my support for Israel this year. This is the first year I have been made aware of the opportunity – and actually the first year I knew there is a specific designated day for honoring those whose lives were snuffed out. Honoring this day brings with it a commitment for “never again.”
I didn’t go because I was totally exhausted. If there is a ‘next year’ – as in, if the Lord doesn’t return before then – I truly want to be part of the tribute. Posting this late to generate awareness is the best I can do for this year – so I offer it here in retrospect.
Another mass murderer was just brought to justice, but the number of people Osama bin Laden killed pales in comparison to the horrors of the holocaust. I heard one commentator attempt to compare them. There truly is no comparison. Hitler killed 6 million Jews. He also killed anyone who sympathized with them - and Germans who were marginalized members of society.
Never again!
Sadly, that is not reality - but it must reflect our deepest yearning and be our goal.
Lola
----------
April 28, 2011
Beginning at sundown on Saturday, April 30 through sundown on Sunday, May 1, Jews around the world will observe Yom Ha'Shoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day, which commemorates the most terrible chapter in modern Jewish history.
Motivated by an overwhelming and fanatical hatred of Jews, and seeking to remove from German society anyone deemed "undesirable," the Nazi regime that ruled Germany from 1933 to 1945 launched a brutal and methodical campaign to destroy the Jewish people. Six million Jews - about one-third of the world's Jewish population at the time - were murdered as a result.
The Holocaust is unique not just in Jewish history, but in human history. For centuries, Jews had endured pogroms (organized massacres), oppression, and prejudice. But the Nazi effort to destroy the Jews is a singular example of one group's ability to marshal all the forces of propaganda, technology, and organization at its disposal in an attempt to destroy an entire people. The Holocaust stands alone not just because of its scale and brutality, but because it was meticulously planned and coldly systematic - and, sadly, it was very nearly successful.
Yom Ha'Shoah in Israel is also a totally unique experience. For two minutes on this day, sirens sound across the country, and literally all activity comes to a halt - people stop working, pedestrians pause, and drivers stop their cars, get out, and stand in silence. It is a powerful display of national unity that serves not only to honor the memory of those murdered in the Holocaust, but also to reaffirm Israel's identity as a strong, proud Jewish nation, one committed to offering a safe haven to the Jewish people and ensuring that the horrors of the Holocaust are never repeated.
While Yom Ha'Shoah is generally not observed in the U.S. outside of the Jewish community, I hope you will pause on this day to remember the six million who were killed for being Jewish. Educate yourself on what one historian called "the defining event of 20th century world history" by visiting our Holocaust resources page. And, above all, pray - for the peace of Jerusalem, for security for Israel and Jewish communities around the globe, and for a day when the eternal rallying cry adopted by the Jewish people after the Holocaust - "Never again!" - is fulfilled.
With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President
Monday, May 2, 2011
POST RESURRECTION, Day 8
Today, for the very first time ever, I wrote my blog - and when I tried to post it, it disappeared. Every word of it....
What is on my mind is 'walking by feeling.'
On the cross, Jesus cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" That was what He felt - and it was legitimate. The thing is, Jesus, the man, had always known God's presence, because He was conceived to be not merely fully man, but fully God. So - from conception to that moment on the cross, He was poignantly aware of His identity of God, with God, and for the human aspect of Him, in God.
But - when all of our sin was piled on Him, it was repugnant to the pure holiness of God, and Jesus could no longer 'feel' Him. God truly did not abandon Him or the story would have ended very differently. We know He wasn't abandoned because of Resurrection!
Jesus came back to life on Sunday morning. That evening (which technically began the Jewish Monday, since the day is always the 'evening and the morning' just as written in Genesis) Jesus appeared to His disciples behind a locked door. That was the first time they saw Him. The women who saw Jesus had told them - but they didn't believe them.
When Jesus appeared that first time, Thomas was not with the other disciples. When they told him Jesus had appeared to them, he demanded proof. Show me! And one week later - Jesus appeared again, inviting Thomas to put his fingers into his side, and touch his nail-scarred hands.
I'm so very, very grateful for Thomas. He is a credible witness to the reality of Jesus' resurrection. It's true. The Lord of Glory came to earth, took on the form of flesh, bore our sins on the cross, and He is alive!
Jesus - as a man - felt rejected and alone. It was a sad reality of the process of working out God's plan.
Thomas, as a disciple felt abandoned and alone. He had to have proof.
In our journey through life we experience times of such deep pain that we feel abandoned as well. But we aren't! We have God's Word. We have the Holy Spirit. We don't always 'feel' Him with us - but He is there. Jesus promised to rise again. He did. He promised a Comforter. He came (but in Lenten journey time - not yet....).
About 12 or 13 years ago, God spoke to me and said, "You're not going to feel my presence with you for a while. I want you to learn to walk by faith, not by feeling." I had a very strong sense that this was a preparation for a time when I would need that confidence of walking by faith alone. I had grown very accustomed to God's precious presence, and didn't like it at all that I couldn't feel Him with me - but I walked faithfully, anyway, knowing He had forewarned me.
A few weeks later I was out for a walk - and as I approached my church in Montesano, God spoke to me and said, "Go check the door."
"Excuse me," I replied, "You haven't talked to me for 3 weeks, and now when you do, you're telling me to go check the door?"
"Yes," came the clear reply. "Go check the door."
So I did.
The door to the main sanctuary was unlocked. It was never unlocked. It was the door I was drawn to - the first one I checked. It was not safe for it to be unlocked. I locked it and walked on, absolutely assured that when God needed to get through to me, He could. I also learned that faithfulness is not a quality based on response to feeling. It is absolutely awesome to feel God's presence, but feeling is not the barometer for ascertaining His presence.
At our Old Time Singspiration recently, there were only a few of us there, but God was there, and His presence was so sweet and tender that none of us wanted to leave. I love those times. Often when I pray I feel His presence, and often in church I feel His presence, and often as I walk my daily walk I feel His presence. But not all the time. And - when things get really tough and I feel I am alone, I know I'm not. He proved that to me.
As for the tough time that was to follow not long after God's lesson of walking by faith, the first segment of needing to hold on just by faith came in August, 2000. It had been a terrible time, anyway - and on top of everything else, I had to have an oophorectomy. We were just in the process of moving so I didn't have a new church family for support - and the journey I walked was horrendous. I couldn't feel God and I needed Him desperately. When He taught me the lesson about walking by faith, I was healthy and strong, and it was just losing 'feeling' God that taught me the first phase of what the lesson would entail. The year following the oophorectomy was phase 2, and it made the learning the lesson time pale in comparison - but the point is, I learned the lesson.
That original lesson still lives with me. He does not abandon His own. We cannot walk by feelings. We can't even trust feelings. In studying the Revelation of John for our UNDERSTANDING OUR TIMES class, I recognize this is a lesson we need to take to heart. I must walk by faith. I have absolute assurance He is with me - and even when I feel abandoned, I'm not. He is there, feeling the pain and pressure with me.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine
Oh what a foretaste of glory divine
Heir of salvation, purchase of God
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story....
What is on my mind is 'walking by feeling.'
On the cross, Jesus cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" That was what He felt - and it was legitimate. The thing is, Jesus, the man, had always known God's presence, because He was conceived to be not merely fully man, but fully God. So - from conception to that moment on the cross, He was poignantly aware of His identity of God, with God, and for the human aspect of Him, in God.
But - when all of our sin was piled on Him, it was repugnant to the pure holiness of God, and Jesus could no longer 'feel' Him. God truly did not abandon Him or the story would have ended very differently. We know He wasn't abandoned because of Resurrection!
Jesus came back to life on Sunday morning. That evening (which technically began the Jewish Monday, since the day is always the 'evening and the morning' just as written in Genesis) Jesus appeared to His disciples behind a locked door. That was the first time they saw Him. The women who saw Jesus had told them - but they didn't believe them.
When Jesus appeared that first time, Thomas was not with the other disciples. When they told him Jesus had appeared to them, he demanded proof. Show me! And one week later - Jesus appeared again, inviting Thomas to put his fingers into his side, and touch his nail-scarred hands.
I'm so very, very grateful for Thomas. He is a credible witness to the reality of Jesus' resurrection. It's true. The Lord of Glory came to earth, took on the form of flesh, bore our sins on the cross, and He is alive!
Jesus - as a man - felt rejected and alone. It was a sad reality of the process of working out God's plan.
Thomas, as a disciple felt abandoned and alone. He had to have proof.
In our journey through life we experience times of such deep pain that we feel abandoned as well. But we aren't! We have God's Word. We have the Holy Spirit. We don't always 'feel' Him with us - but He is there. Jesus promised to rise again. He did. He promised a Comforter. He came (but in Lenten journey time - not yet....).
About 12 or 13 years ago, God spoke to me and said, "You're not going to feel my presence with you for a while. I want you to learn to walk by faith, not by feeling." I had a very strong sense that this was a preparation for a time when I would need that confidence of walking by faith alone. I had grown very accustomed to God's precious presence, and didn't like it at all that I couldn't feel Him with me - but I walked faithfully, anyway, knowing He had forewarned me.
A few weeks later I was out for a walk - and as I approached my church in Montesano, God spoke to me and said, "Go check the door."
"Excuse me," I replied, "You haven't talked to me for 3 weeks, and now when you do, you're telling me to go check the door?"
"Yes," came the clear reply. "Go check the door."
So I did.
The door to the main sanctuary was unlocked. It was never unlocked. It was the door I was drawn to - the first one I checked. It was not safe for it to be unlocked. I locked it and walked on, absolutely assured that when God needed to get through to me, He could. I also learned that faithfulness is not a quality based on response to feeling. It is absolutely awesome to feel God's presence, but feeling is not the barometer for ascertaining His presence.
At our Old Time Singspiration recently, there were only a few of us there, but God was there, and His presence was so sweet and tender that none of us wanted to leave. I love those times. Often when I pray I feel His presence, and often in church I feel His presence, and often as I walk my daily walk I feel His presence. But not all the time. And - when things get really tough and I feel I am alone, I know I'm not. He proved that to me.
As for the tough time that was to follow not long after God's lesson of walking by faith, the first segment of needing to hold on just by faith came in August, 2000. It had been a terrible time, anyway - and on top of everything else, I had to have an oophorectomy. We were just in the process of moving so I didn't have a new church family for support - and the journey I walked was horrendous. I couldn't feel God and I needed Him desperately. When He taught me the lesson about walking by faith, I was healthy and strong, and it was just losing 'feeling' God that taught me the first phase of what the lesson would entail. The year following the oophorectomy was phase 2, and it made the learning the lesson time pale in comparison - but the point is, I learned the lesson.
That original lesson still lives with me. He does not abandon His own. We cannot walk by feelings. We can't even trust feelings. In studying the Revelation of John for our UNDERSTANDING OUR TIMES class, I recognize this is a lesson we need to take to heart. I must walk by faith. I have absolute assurance He is with me - and even when I feel abandoned, I'm not. He is there, feeling the pain and pressure with me.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine
Oh what a foretaste of glory divine
Heir of salvation, purchase of God
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story....
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