Jehovah-rapha is the name for the Lord in Exodus 15:26, meaning "the Lord who healeth". Though physical healing is suggested here, it also implies He heals our souls. An example of the Lord's healing in Psalm 6:2,3 with David's cry for mercy: "O Lord heal me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also vexed" and vs. 4 "deliver my soul", vs. 8 and 9: "the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord hath heard my supplication."
Moses was the leader who first used the name Jehovah-Nissi: "The Lord is my banner." According to Scofields' notes, this name is interpreted by the context found in Exodus 17:8-16 when the Israelites were fighting the Amelikites. As long as Moses held his arms high, the Israelites were winning. In Galatians 5:17 we also have a warfare going on within our hearts, the war of the Spirit against the flesh. "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh." And in Vs. 18 "But if ye be led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law." Just as Moses held high his arms as a banner to the Lord, thus giving victory to the Israelites over the Amelikites, so we hold to the control of the Spirit and we will have victory over the flesh.
In Judges 6:24 Jehovah Shalom was the name given to an altar erected by Gideon after Jehovah delivered Israel from the Midianites, and confirmed by miracles and messages of peace. The word 'Shalom' means 'Peace' and is used as a traditional Jewish greeting or farewell.
Another name referred to for our Lord is in Jeremiah 23:6, "whereby He shall be called 'The Lord our righteousness'" or Jehovah-tsidkenu. The prophecy in Jeremiah is referring to the future restoration and conversion of Israel, where they will claim Him as their true Shepherd.
Jehovah Shammah, "The Lord is Present", is a figurative name in Ezekiel 48:35. This was given to the millennial Jerusalem that Ezekiel saw in his vision signifying Jehovah's abiding presence with His people. He also promises His abiding presence with us in Hebrews 13:5 "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."
Exodus 34:6 summarizes it all: "The Lord, Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth."
Jehovah--Lord. Amen
1. notes from Pastor Charlie Hornick, June 13, 2004
2. Ungers Bible Dictionary
3. New Scofield Reference Bible
4. From the heart of CC
Monday, June 29, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
The Name of Jehovah- Part I
There are three primary names of God in the Old Testament which are:
Elohim - God. The Strong Creator (Genesis 1:1) (this is a plural word)
YHWH - LORD. The Self-existing One (Gen. 2:4) (German word is Jehovah)
Adonai - Lord/Master. The Headship Name (Gen. 15:2)
The Hebrew for Jehovah is YHWH, pronounced 'yahweh' or 'Yah-Ve'.
The Primary meaning is "self-existent One." He is a Personal and Present God--the eternal "I AM".
Exodus 3:14 God referred to Himself as "I AM that I AM". He told Moses to say "I AM hath sent me unto you." The eternal, yet personal and present God had sent Moses. He is because He Is--the cause of His being is in Himself. The root idea is that of underived existence.
Jesus uses this expression in John 8:58 when He tells the Jews "Before Abraham was 'I AM'". Revelation 1:8 further enlarges upon the name: "I am the Alpha & Omega, the beginning and the ending...Who is, and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty."
Jehovah is used as a compound with words which further reveal His meeting all of our needs. The first to be used is Lord God, or Jehovah Elohim, found in Genesis 2:4. Elohim is translated in English simply "God". The word itself is a plural noun in form (suggesting the triune God) but singular in its meaning, suggesting unity--as One. Elohim is a general term used for God until Genesis 2:4 when the word Jehovah (Lord) is used. Jehovah Elohim suggests a special relation of Deity to Man. According to Ungers Bible Dictionary, Jehovah represents God in His relation to His chosen people, and Elohim represents God to the world at large.
In Genesis 22:14 Abraham uses the name Jehovah-Jireh meaning, "the Lord will provide". This is a promise we have had down through the ages. He not only provides for all our needs, He also provided the sacrifice for our sin through Jesus.
...................................................................................................................................
Elohim - God. The Strong Creator (Genesis 1:1) (this is a plural word)
YHWH - LORD. The Self-existing One (Gen. 2:4) (German word is Jehovah)
Adonai - Lord/Master. The Headship Name (Gen. 15:2)
The Hebrew for Jehovah is YHWH, pronounced 'yahweh' or 'Yah-Ve'.
The Primary meaning is "self-existent One." He is a Personal and Present God--the eternal "I AM".
Exodus 3:14 God referred to Himself as "I AM that I AM". He told Moses to say "I AM hath sent me unto you." The eternal, yet personal and present God had sent Moses. He is because He Is--the cause of His being is in Himself. The root idea is that of underived existence.
Jesus uses this expression in John 8:58 when He tells the Jews "Before Abraham was 'I AM'". Revelation 1:8 further enlarges upon the name: "I am the Alpha & Omega, the beginning and the ending...Who is, and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty."
Jehovah is used as a compound with words which further reveal His meeting all of our needs. The first to be used is Lord God, or Jehovah Elohim, found in Genesis 2:4. Elohim is translated in English simply "God". The word itself is a plural noun in form (suggesting the triune God) but singular in its meaning, suggesting unity--as One. Elohim is a general term used for God until Genesis 2:4 when the word Jehovah (Lord) is used. Jehovah Elohim suggests a special relation of Deity to Man. According to Ungers Bible Dictionary, Jehovah represents God in His relation to His chosen people, and Elohim represents God to the world at large.
In Genesis 22:14 Abraham uses the name Jehovah-Jireh meaning, "the Lord will provide". This is a promise we have had down through the ages. He not only provides for all our needs, He also provided the sacrifice for our sin through Jesus.
...................................................................................................................................
Monday, June 15, 2009
Do You Know Me?
There was a time when I felt I was only one of a large assembly to the Lord. Though I knew Him and accepted His payment for my sin, yet I saw myself as a 'face in the crowd', probably on the back row. How could God know me individually?
This is not how it is, however. I have found many verses to show me that I am very significant to God. He even knows me by name! We can take comfort in knowing that He knows my frame. He knows I am dust (Psalm 103:14). In Genesis 2:7 it is stated that "The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the 'breath of life'..." Psalm 139 states that "my frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret. Your eyes saw my substance being yet unformed." Acts 7:28 states that "In Him we live and move and have our being." My life exists and continues existing because of the Lord.
In John, when Jesus likens Himself to the Shepherd, and we as His sheep, He states that "He calls His sheep by name...(10:3). I really like Isaiah 46:3 & 4 where it says "You have been borne by Me from birth...even to your old age..." Isaiah 49:16 states "I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands."
You see, I am special to the Lord, and You are special to Him, too! He loves each of us individually with an 'everlasting love'. And here is the marvelous thing from I john 4:15, "...God abides in him (her) and he(she) abides in Him!"
There is none like You, O Lord. You are such an awesome God! Amen
From the heart of CC
This is not how it is, however. I have found many verses to show me that I am very significant to God. He even knows me by name! We can take comfort in knowing that He knows my frame. He knows I am dust (Psalm 103:14). In Genesis 2:7 it is stated that "The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the 'breath of life'..." Psalm 139 states that "my frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret. Your eyes saw my substance being yet unformed." Acts 7:28 states that "In Him we live and move and have our being." My life exists and continues existing because of the Lord.
In John, when Jesus likens Himself to the Shepherd, and we as His sheep, He states that "He calls His sheep by name...(10:3). I really like Isaiah 46:3 & 4 where it says "You have been borne by Me from birth...even to your old age..." Isaiah 49:16 states "I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands."
You see, I am special to the Lord, and You are special to Him, too! He loves each of us individually with an 'everlasting love'. And here is the marvelous thing from I john 4:15, "...God abides in him (her) and he(she) abides in Him!"
There is none like You, O Lord. You are such an awesome God! Amen
From the heart of CC
Monday, June 8, 2009
A Deep Darkness
Genesis 15:12 "Lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him."
Abraham was experiencing a weariness of soul, a deep sorrow and fell into a sleep of a deep darkness. Have you ever been in this place where you have such deep sorrow of a loss of a loved one, a turning away of a beloved child, or perhaps a cruelty almost too hard to bear? You wonder how a loving God can allow this to happen? You even feel you do not know what to pray or how to pray. I have a dear friend who experienced this when she heard of the death of her granddaughter. She could not pray. She could only groan--a sound from deep within. Scripture tells us that when we do not know how or what to pray, the Spirit takes this sorrow, this hurt, to the Father in groaning we cannot fathom. I have had times when I was numb, and could only sit and stare. Now I know that at times like these I can lean on Jesus and in quiet trust the Spirit takes the cry of my heart to the Father.
When Jesus died, the disciples clung together as they mourned their friend, probably feeling a total darkness of their souls. They no doubt wondered how a night could be so long and dark. Yet, even in the darkest night, morning comes. Death and darkness will flee and life and light will come again.
So cling to Jesus, dear one, when the darkness falls, and feel the peace that passes all understanding. Remember when you do not know what to pray, the Spirit prays for you.
The most exquisite work and greatest blessings may come out of this darkness. Isaiah 45:3 states "I will give thee the treasures of darkness."
Diamonds are formed in the darkness of the earth. A butterfly is formed in the darkness of its cocoon. A baby is formed in the darkness of his mother's womb.
When our Lord took on the form of man, His earthly life began in the darkness of His mother's womb, and it ended in the dark tomb from which He rose to light and glory. So if shadows come and darkness falls for me, for you, give it to Jesus. He can change the ashes into something beautiful. He can bring good and beauty out of pain and darkness.
From the heart of CC
Abraham was experiencing a weariness of soul, a deep sorrow and fell into a sleep of a deep darkness. Have you ever been in this place where you have such deep sorrow of a loss of a loved one, a turning away of a beloved child, or perhaps a cruelty almost too hard to bear? You wonder how a loving God can allow this to happen? You even feel you do not know what to pray or how to pray. I have a dear friend who experienced this when she heard of the death of her granddaughter. She could not pray. She could only groan--a sound from deep within. Scripture tells us that when we do not know how or what to pray, the Spirit takes this sorrow, this hurt, to the Father in groaning we cannot fathom. I have had times when I was numb, and could only sit and stare. Now I know that at times like these I can lean on Jesus and in quiet trust the Spirit takes the cry of my heart to the Father.
When Jesus died, the disciples clung together as they mourned their friend, probably feeling a total darkness of their souls. They no doubt wondered how a night could be so long and dark. Yet, even in the darkest night, morning comes. Death and darkness will flee and life and light will come again.
So cling to Jesus, dear one, when the darkness falls, and feel the peace that passes all understanding. Remember when you do not know what to pray, the Spirit prays for you.
The most exquisite work and greatest blessings may come out of this darkness. Isaiah 45:3 states "I will give thee the treasures of darkness."
Diamonds are formed in the darkness of the earth. A butterfly is formed in the darkness of its cocoon. A baby is formed in the darkness of his mother's womb.
When our Lord took on the form of man, His earthly life began in the darkness of His mother's womb, and it ended in the dark tomb from which He rose to light and glory. So if shadows come and darkness falls for me, for you, give it to Jesus. He can change the ashes into something beautiful. He can bring good and beauty out of pain and darkness.
From the heart of CC
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Common Sense
Recently I received an e-mail about an OBIT of the late 'Mr. Common Sense'. I will give some of it here so you can get the gist of it.
'Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. ...He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault...His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. i.e.: A 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student. It declined further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or Aspirin to a student, but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses...Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.'
Just what is Common Sense that it could so easily slip away and so few notice? Webster's Dictionary definition is:"ordinary good sense or sound practical judgment."
Here is what the Bible says about it, found in Jeremiah 10:23: "...It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps." To me this is saying it is just not in us to have sound practical judgment or 'Common Sense'. Proverbs 16:3 gives us instructions on how to have this 'Common Sense' however: "Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established." So when one stays close to the Lord, He will help our thoughts to be as with 'Common Sense." If we will stay tuned in to the Lord, we will hear a word behind us say 'this is the way, walk in it'. (Isaiah 30:21).
Our Lord will guide our steps, direct our path, protect us from harm when we establish our thoughts on Him, and He will give us ordinary good sense known as 'Common Sense'.
1. From the heart of CC
2. Webster New World Dictionary
3. The Holy Bible
'Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. ...He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault...His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. i.e.: A 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student. It declined further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or Aspirin to a student, but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses...Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.'
Just what is Common Sense that it could so easily slip away and so few notice? Webster's Dictionary definition is:"ordinary good sense or sound practical judgment."
Here is what the Bible says about it, found in Jeremiah 10:23: "...It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps." To me this is saying it is just not in us to have sound practical judgment or 'Common Sense'. Proverbs 16:3 gives us instructions on how to have this 'Common Sense' however: "Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established." So when one stays close to the Lord, He will help our thoughts to be as with 'Common Sense." If we will stay tuned in to the Lord, we will hear a word behind us say 'this is the way, walk in it'. (Isaiah 30:21).
Our Lord will guide our steps, direct our path, protect us from harm when we establish our thoughts on Him, and He will give us ordinary good sense known as 'Common Sense'.
1. From the heart of CC
2. Webster New World Dictionary
3. The Holy Bible
Monday, May 25, 2009
His Grace
II Cor. 12:9 states:"My Grace is sufficient for thee." These words are so precious to me that to better understand the complete meaning I will take each word and think about its application.
The first word is 'MY' which is the Lord himself saying that it is His Grace. It is His Grace to give, and all I need do is to take from it.
"MY Grace is sufficient for thee."
The next word is 'GRACE'. It is by God's Grace that I have been saved, and this Grace is unmerited favor given to me. God has blessed me in so many ways, with His Power and Love, and most of all with His Grace. First and foremost is Grace! "My GRACE is sufficient for thee."
'IS' can be very important, even though it is a very small word. It shows that at this very moment God's Grace IS available and sufficient. Not yesterday, as yesterday is now gone. Not tomorrow, as tomorrow may never come, but right now! 'IS' is present tense. "My Grace IS sufficient for thee."
The word 'SUFFICIENT' means that this is all I need. Absolutely nothing else is needed. It would be as if the ocean would say to a little fish to 'drink away, my waters are sufficient for you'. Or Joseph of old, telling the little mouse in his granary to eat up, there is sufficient grain.
"My Grace is SUFFICIENT for thee."
And last but not least is the word 'THEE'. God's Grace is available and sufficient for me at anytime. I just need to lean on Jesus, and the Grace that saved me, will also be sufficient for me and will keep me in the straight path.
"My Grace is sufficient for THEE."
And Lord I thank you that your Grace, Your Amazing Grace, is all I need.
a. From the heart of CC
b. II Corinthians 12:9
The first word is 'MY' which is the Lord himself saying that it is His Grace. It is His Grace to give, and all I need do is to take from it.
"MY Grace is sufficient for thee."
The next word is 'GRACE'. It is by God's Grace that I have been saved, and this Grace is unmerited favor given to me. God has blessed me in so many ways, with His Power and Love, and most of all with His Grace. First and foremost is Grace! "My GRACE is sufficient for thee."
'IS' can be very important, even though it is a very small word. It shows that at this very moment God's Grace IS available and sufficient. Not yesterday, as yesterday is now gone. Not tomorrow, as tomorrow may never come, but right now! 'IS' is present tense. "My Grace IS sufficient for thee."
The word 'SUFFICIENT' means that this is all I need. Absolutely nothing else is needed. It would be as if the ocean would say to a little fish to 'drink away, my waters are sufficient for you'. Or Joseph of old, telling the little mouse in his granary to eat up, there is sufficient grain.
"My Grace is SUFFICIENT for thee."
And last but not least is the word 'THEE'. God's Grace is available and sufficient for me at anytime. I just need to lean on Jesus, and the Grace that saved me, will also be sufficient for me and will keep me in the straight path.
"My Grace is sufficient for THEE."
And Lord I thank you that your Grace, Your Amazing Grace, is all I need.
a. From the heart of CC
b. II Corinthians 12:9
Monday, May 18, 2009
Angels - Part III
God uses Angels to work on the behalf of His children. They are sent to comfort and strengthen us. When Jesus was in the garden praying, before His arrest, Luke 22:43 states "there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him." Hebrews 1:14 tells us they are "sent forth to minister (comfort) for them who shall be heirs of salvation." I Kings 19:5 and also 7 tells us about the angel coming to Elijah on two occasions, touching him and telling him to "arise and eat", thus nurturing and ministering to Elijah in his time of need.
Scripture also tells us that the angels watch us. I Cor. 4:9 says that the apostles were made a "spectacle unto the world, and to angels". Ephesians 3:10 (NIV) says "through the church, the manifold (or displaying) wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms." It should be a sobering thought that the church on earth is observed, so to speak, by spiritual powers.
During the time of Tribulation, God will use His angels to execute most of the judgments. It will be the army of God's angels that will defeat Satan and his fallen angels and cast them forever out of Heaven, and at the end an angel will seize Satan and bind him and cast him into the bottomless pit for a thousand years.
God created the angels sometime before He created the universe, as they were there according to Job 38:4-7. And we know they will be entrusted with guarding the New Jerusalem in eternity as Rev. 21:12 describes this beautiful place as having a "great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates."
As powerful and beautiful as these angels are, and as overwhelming as it might be should we actually see an angel, we are not to worship them. When John was overcome at the sight of the angel, the angel told him "do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!" (Rev. 19:10, NIV) Also in Rev. 22:9 he again says, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant...Worship God!"
Scripture also tells us that the angels watch us. I Cor. 4:9 says that the apostles were made a "spectacle unto the world, and to angels". Ephesians 3:10 (NIV) says "through the church, the manifold (or displaying) wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms." It should be a sobering thought that the church on earth is observed, so to speak, by spiritual powers.
During the time of Tribulation, God will use His angels to execute most of the judgments. It will be the army of God's angels that will defeat Satan and his fallen angels and cast them forever out of Heaven, and at the end an angel will seize Satan and bind him and cast him into the bottomless pit for a thousand years.
God created the angels sometime before He created the universe, as they were there according to Job 38:4-7. And we know they will be entrusted with guarding the New Jerusalem in eternity as Rev. 21:12 describes this beautiful place as having a "great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates."
As powerful and beautiful as these angels are, and as overwhelming as it might be should we actually see an angel, we are not to worship them. When John was overcome at the sight of the angel, the angel told him "do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!" (Rev. 19:10, NIV) Also in Rev. 22:9 he again says, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant...Worship God!"
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