When Jesus was teaching the disciples to pray, He said to begin this way: "Our Father in Heaven." (Matthew 6:9) In the same chapter, verse 31 and 32, He tells us not to worry about what we eat or drink or wear because: "your heavenly Father knows that you need them."
The Hebrew word of 'Ab', or Aramaic 'Abba' means Daddy or Papa. This eventually came to mean "dear father". A few years ago I heard a very strong Christian, a church leader, begin her prayer with "Dear Daddy". I felt very uncomfortable with this, totally against the way I had been brought up and feeling this was being disrespectful. Yet, in Scripture we are told that through faith we may each one of us call Him "Abba" which as we said in English is "daddy".
Three places in the New Testament, God the Father is referred to as "Abba". Mark 14:36 when Jesus was pouring out His heart to the Father, sweating drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, His cry was to "Abba". The verse says "Abba, Father" or "Father, my Father". To put it even plainer as to the Hebrew and Aramaic interpretation, He was saying "Daddy, my very own daddy."
In Romans 8:14, 15 it is telling us that the believer is a 'son' (or daughter) of God, and we can cry "Abba, Father'. Then in Galations 4:6 it says we have the Spirit of Jesus to confirm that we are sons and daughters, by crying out for us "Abba, Father".
How can we have such a close association with God that we can call Him Father, or Daddy? We become God's children by placing our trust in Jesus Christ as Lord. God receives us into His family and our sins are forgiven. When our 'Daddy' looks at us, He sees us as a pure and forgiven child because of what Jesus did on Calvary.
I may never feel the freedom to actually talk to God as my "Daddy" (He will always be thought of as 'Father' or 'Abba, Father' by me), but I will never criticize anyone who feels this freedom to do so. Our God is a loving compassionate Father, and because of Jesus going to the Cross and paying the debt of sin, we who have put our trust in Him, Jesus, now have the freedom to enter the Throne Room of God and cry out to Him "Abba, Father".
My Prayer: Father, my Father, I thank You for the gift of becoming Your child. I thank You for being my refuge and providing all my needs. May I always glorify You and may others see me as Your child. I would like to hear "she has her Father's eyes", and may my eyes be a reflection of your love and image. Amen
Monday, March 28, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
E is for Elohim
In Genesis 1:1 it states: "In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth." The word ‘Elohim’ (e-lo-HEEM) is the plural of El (or possibly Eloah) and is the first name for God given in the Bible. He is God, our Creator, and the Creator of all.
The name Elohim is used more than 2500 times in the Hebrew Bible, and it is used 32 times in the very first chapter of Genesis. The fact that it is a plural word is not because it indicates many gods, but to emphasize the majesty of the one true God. It also indicates the trinity—Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One God in Three Persons.
This ancient name for God shows God is mighty with creative powers, as well as having total authority and sovereignty. Jesus of course, knew this name, and used a form of it when on the Cross, calling His Father "Eloi, Eloi…" (My God, My God)
Our God, Elohim, is creator of all heaven and earth, night and day, seas and land, animals and man. David gave praise to this and to the unchangeable nature of God in Psalm 102:25-27a:
"In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,
And the heavens are the works of Your hands.
They will perish, but You remain,
They will all wear out like a garment,
Like clothing You will change them
And they will be discarded.
But You remain the same."
Elohim, My God, You are the Mighty One who made everything out of nothing by the breath of your mouth. Help me to know You more and more as my very own Creator, who made me and placed me on earth for a reason. I will magnify Your name forever. Amen
The name Elohim is used more than 2500 times in the Hebrew Bible, and it is used 32 times in the very first chapter of Genesis. The fact that it is a plural word is not because it indicates many gods, but to emphasize the majesty of the one true God. It also indicates the trinity—Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One God in Three Persons.
This ancient name for God shows God is mighty with creative powers, as well as having total authority and sovereignty. Jesus of course, knew this name, and used a form of it when on the Cross, calling His Father "Eloi, Eloi…" (My God, My God)
Our God, Elohim, is creator of all heaven and earth, night and day, seas and land, animals and man. David gave praise to this and to the unchangeable nature of God in Psalm 102:25-27a:
"In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,
And the heavens are the works of Your hands.
They will perish, but You remain,
They will all wear out like a garment,
Like clothing You will change them
And they will be discarded.
But You remain the same."
Elohim, My God, You are the Mighty One who made everything out of nothing by the breath of your mouth. Help me to know You more and more as my very own Creator, who made me and placed me on earth for a reason. I will magnify Your name forever. Amen
Monday, March 14, 2011
D is for Deliverer
In the New World Dictionary, the #1 explanation of what ‘deliver’ or deliverer means: "to set free or save from evil, danger, or restraint; liberate (delivered from bondage.)." In Romans 11:26 Paul wrote "And so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob". Matthew 6:13 in the Lord’s Prayer states: "…but Deliver us from evil…" A favorite of mine is Psalm 18:2 "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust."
From these verses we see that it was in God’s plan to be our Deliverer. To help understand the word even better, we need to take a short look at the past. The whole history of the Jewish people is really a dramatic one. They have had a history of suffering, slavery, and pain. In Egypt they were in slavery, so in the desert, and even after they conquered Palestine. The very small period of independence was during the time of David and Solomon. After the death of Solomon, the kingdom was divided into two parts, Judea in the south and Israel to the North. In about 600 BC Jerusalem was destroyed and the people carried into captivity. Israel and Judea were wiped out as a political power and did not rise again until 1947. All the time those two kingdoms were looking for a Deliverer.
All of the history of humanity has been a struggle, and humanity as a whole has been looking for an ideal, for a Deliverer. No man is going to meet the needs of humanity, save one, and He is the one the prophets spoke about who would crush the seed of the serpent. These prophets were to prepare the way to the only Deliverer, and that is Jesus Christ. Jesus was sent to earth to give Himself for the sins of all mankind, to rescue us from the power of the present evil age—a world ruled by Satan and filled with cruelty, temptation, tragedy and deception. Jesus came to be the Deliverer.
Jesus is our Deliverer if we will put our trust in Him, accept that He paid the price and let Him into our hearts. This doesn’t immediately remove us from this world of sin, but we are no longer enslaved to it; we are delivered from the power of sin with Jesus life in us. Then when we die, we know that we will be delivered from Satan’s clutches and be with the Lord Jesus, our Deliverer, in heaven for eternity.
My Deliverer
You rescued me
From all that held me captive
My Deliverer
You set me free
Now I’m alive and can live
So every moment I will give you praise
My Deliverer!
--Mandisa
From these verses we see that it was in God’s plan to be our Deliverer. To help understand the word even better, we need to take a short look at the past. The whole history of the Jewish people is really a dramatic one. They have had a history of suffering, slavery, and pain. In Egypt they were in slavery, so in the desert, and even after they conquered Palestine. The very small period of independence was during the time of David and Solomon. After the death of Solomon, the kingdom was divided into two parts, Judea in the south and Israel to the North. In about 600 BC Jerusalem was destroyed and the people carried into captivity. Israel and Judea were wiped out as a political power and did not rise again until 1947. All the time those two kingdoms were looking for a Deliverer.
All of the history of humanity has been a struggle, and humanity as a whole has been looking for an ideal, for a Deliverer. No man is going to meet the needs of humanity, save one, and He is the one the prophets spoke about who would crush the seed of the serpent. These prophets were to prepare the way to the only Deliverer, and that is Jesus Christ. Jesus was sent to earth to give Himself for the sins of all mankind, to rescue us from the power of the present evil age—a world ruled by Satan and filled with cruelty, temptation, tragedy and deception. Jesus came to be the Deliverer.
Jesus is our Deliverer if we will put our trust in Him, accept that He paid the price and let Him into our hearts. This doesn’t immediately remove us from this world of sin, but we are no longer enslaved to it; we are delivered from the power of sin with Jesus life in us. Then when we die, we know that we will be delivered from Satan’s clutches and be with the Lord Jesus, our Deliverer, in heaven for eternity.
My Deliverer
You rescued me
From all that held me captive
My Deliverer
You set me free
Now I’m alive and can live
So every moment I will give you praise
My Deliverer!
--Mandisa
Monday, March 7, 2011
C is for Christ
Most of us are familiar with the name "Christ", usually used as part of the personal name of Jesus Christ. Even the non-believer is heard to use it as an expletive. How it came to be that, I have never understood other than another way of Satan endeavoring to turn man’s thoughts away from Christ as our Redeemer.
According the Wikipedia, the Greek word of "khristos" means "anointed one", and is a translation of the Hebrew word "Masiah" translated into English as Messiah. Both the words of Christ and Messiah mean, "anointed one". In the Old Testament when the promised one, the Messiah to come, was referred to, He was referred to as "The anointed one". The New Testament identified Jesus as Christ, the "Anointed One" 530 times. Jesus was not anointed with oil, but He was anointed with the Holy Spirit at His baptism.
In Biblical times oil was used for many things. It was also used for sacred purposes such as Israel’s high priests when taking that office. Some of Israel’s kings, especially from the line of David, were anointed by pouring the oil on the head in a circle to form a crown.
In Luke 9:20 Jesus asked Peter "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered "You are ‘The Christ of God’. In Matthew 16:16 he was quoted as saying "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God". He was admitting that Jesus was the Messiah, the Anointed One from God.
Acts 2:36 states "Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ (our anointed one)."
Christ, God’s ‘Anointed One’ finished the job He came to do. Halleluia, what a Saviour! Amen
According the Wikipedia, the Greek word of "khristos" means "anointed one", and is a translation of the Hebrew word "Masiah" translated into English as Messiah. Both the words of Christ and Messiah mean, "anointed one". In the Old Testament when the promised one, the Messiah to come, was referred to, He was referred to as "The anointed one". The New Testament identified Jesus as Christ, the "Anointed One" 530 times. Jesus was not anointed with oil, but He was anointed with the Holy Spirit at His baptism.
In Biblical times oil was used for many things. It was also used for sacred purposes such as Israel’s high priests when taking that office. Some of Israel’s kings, especially from the line of David, were anointed by pouring the oil on the head in a circle to form a crown.
In Luke 9:20 Jesus asked Peter "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered "You are ‘The Christ of God’. In Matthew 16:16 he was quoted as saying "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God". He was admitting that Jesus was the Messiah, the Anointed One from God.
Acts 2:36 states "Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ (our anointed one)."
Hymns of Praise then let us sing
Unto Christ, our heavenly King
Who endured the Cross and grave
Sinners to redeem and save.
Unto Christ, our heavenly King
Who endured the Cross and grave
Sinners to redeem and save.
Christ, God’s ‘Anointed One’ finished the job He came to do. Halleluia, what a Saviour! Amen
Monday, February 28, 2011
B is for Bridegroom
Among the titles for God is the one used often for Christ, that of Bridegroom. The description of the Bridegroom is actually used 14 times in the New Testament. The Church is called the ‘bride of Christ’, and therefore as the Bride, is spiritually united with Christ, the Bridegroom.
When I was a young girl, my friends and I would often discuss what we wanted in a husband, in our bridegroom. Of course we wanted him to be handsome and rich, definitely rich! It would be nice if he was an important person, maybe president of the country. He should be a good person, and be a faithful husband.
How do all these fantasies of the perfect husband compare to Christ as the perfect Bridegroom? One book of the Old Testament I enjoy reading when comparing Jesus to the Bridegroom, is the Song of Solomon. He is said to be fair and ruddy, his appearance is excellent, stately and majestic. Our bridegroom, Jesus, will be the desire of all nations, one of beauty and majesty.
As to our Bridegrooms riches, they are infinite. He is heir of all things, and as His bride, we will be ‘jointheirs’ with Christ.
Will our Bridegroom be Important? Yes, He is the Son of the Most High God, Prince of Kings of the earth. He is equal to the Father, and Ruler of the Universe. Human language has no way of describing His glory—it is beyond words. It is through Him we live, and move, and have our being (Acts 17:28).
Jesus love passes all understanding. We are told His compassion’s are new every morning. His mercy and loving-kindness endures forever (Psalm 136). He loved His Bride so much He paid the price of sin and died in her place. He is willing to cover His bride with His own righteousness. He rejoices over the bride, and delights in her. Now, if that’s not ‘love’, what is!?
Will He be faithful? Truth and Faithfulness are Attributes of the nature of our Bridegroom. He will never change, which is another Attribute—Immutability. He is as faithful now as He ever will be or has been. He is ALL Faithful.
Christ will soon come to claim the bride, and we will reign with the Bridegroom for eternity. In the book of Revelation we read about our new home, the New Jerusalem. In John 14:2 He said He is preparing this home for us now.
"Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
And give Him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come
And His bride has made herself ready,
Fine linen, bright and clean
Was given her to wear." Rev. 19:6-9
I for one can hardly wait to join my Bridegroom at that Celebration Banquet, our Wedding Feast. In Revelation 22:17 we are told "The Holy Spirit and the bride (true believers) say, Come!" and vs. 21 "Yes, come Lord Jesus!" Your Bride is waiting.
When I was a young girl, my friends and I would often discuss what we wanted in a husband, in our bridegroom. Of course we wanted him to be handsome and rich, definitely rich! It would be nice if he was an important person, maybe president of the country. He should be a good person, and be a faithful husband.
How do all these fantasies of the perfect husband compare to Christ as the perfect Bridegroom? One book of the Old Testament I enjoy reading when comparing Jesus to the Bridegroom, is the Song of Solomon. He is said to be fair and ruddy, his appearance is excellent, stately and majestic. Our bridegroom, Jesus, will be the desire of all nations, one of beauty and majesty.
As to our Bridegrooms riches, they are infinite. He is heir of all things, and as His bride, we will be ‘jointheirs’ with Christ.
Will our Bridegroom be Important? Yes, He is the Son of the Most High God, Prince of Kings of the earth. He is equal to the Father, and Ruler of the Universe. Human language has no way of describing His glory—it is beyond words. It is through Him we live, and move, and have our being (Acts 17:28).
Jesus love passes all understanding. We are told His compassion’s are new every morning. His mercy and loving-kindness endures forever (Psalm 136). He loved His Bride so much He paid the price of sin and died in her place. He is willing to cover His bride with His own righteousness. He rejoices over the bride, and delights in her. Now, if that’s not ‘love’, what is!?
Will He be faithful? Truth and Faithfulness are Attributes of the nature of our Bridegroom. He will never change, which is another Attribute—Immutability. He is as faithful now as He ever will be or has been. He is ALL Faithful.
Christ will soon come to claim the bride, and we will reign with the Bridegroom for eternity. In the book of Revelation we read about our new home, the New Jerusalem. In John 14:2 He said He is preparing this home for us now.
"Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
And give Him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come
And His bride has made herself ready,
Fine linen, bright and clean
Was given her to wear." Rev. 19:6-9
I for one can hardly wait to join my Bridegroom at that Celebration Banquet, our Wedding Feast. In Revelation 22:17 we are told "The Holy Spirit and the bride (true believers) say, Come!" and vs. 21 "Yes, come Lord Jesus!" Your Bride is waiting.
Monday, February 21, 2011
A is for Adonai
"Your NAME is like perfume poured out." S of S 1:3
"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your NAME in all the earth!" Psalm 8:1
"The NAME of the Lord is a strong tower…" Proverbs 18:10
What is in a name? There have been many names used for God down through the ages, and many of these are used because of the meaning behind the name. For the next few months I am going to go through the alphabet, thinking about a different name for God each week, and writing a brief, though hopefully enlightening synopsis of that name. It is my sincere thought that as Christians, we must continually be learning and growing in the Lord, so what better way than to learn about Him through His names.
To begin this exercise, I have chosen the name of Adonai. I have heard this name from time to time, but never did know the meaning behind it. There are other ‘A’ names that come to mind, such as Almighty, Alpha, and Anointed One, but I love saying the word "Adonai" pronounced (A-do-NAI). It catches my heart some way.
Adonai is the Hebrew name for ‘My Lord’. It is used in the Hebrew reading as a substitute for the name YHWH, Yahweh (Yah-ve) or Jehovah, with the primary meaning of "self-existant one". YHWH is called a ‘Tetragrammation’, using the 4 consonants of the Hebrew name for God. YHWH was considered too sacred to be spoken aloud, so the word ‘Adonai’ (Lord) is substituted for the name in utterance. The vowels of Adonai or Elohim (God) are inserted in the Hebrew texts so that the modern reconstruction of YHWH is Yahweh or Jehovah.
The first part of the word "Adon", means "steward administrator, master or Lord." By adding the "ai" this intensifies the meaning to mean the Lord of all, or Supreme Lord. Therefore, by using the title Adonai, we are emphasizing that God is sovereign, giving Him Lordship. It also places us in the role of servant, that is servant to our Lord, our Adonai.
The chorus to a song sung by Avalon:
"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your NAME in all the earth!" Psalm 8:1
"The NAME of the Lord is a strong tower…" Proverbs 18:10
What is in a name? There have been many names used for God down through the ages, and many of these are used because of the meaning behind the name. For the next few months I am going to go through the alphabet, thinking about a different name for God each week, and writing a brief, though hopefully enlightening synopsis of that name. It is my sincere thought that as Christians, we must continually be learning and growing in the Lord, so what better way than to learn about Him through His names.
To begin this exercise, I have chosen the name of Adonai. I have heard this name from time to time, but never did know the meaning behind it. There are other ‘A’ names that come to mind, such as Almighty, Alpha, and Anointed One, but I love saying the word "Adonai" pronounced (A-do-NAI). It catches my heart some way.
Adonai is the Hebrew name for ‘My Lord’. It is used in the Hebrew reading as a substitute for the name YHWH, Yahweh (Yah-ve) or Jehovah, with the primary meaning of "self-existant one". YHWH is called a ‘Tetragrammation’, using the 4 consonants of the Hebrew name for God. YHWH was considered too sacred to be spoken aloud, so the word ‘Adonai’ (Lord) is substituted for the name in utterance. The vowels of Adonai or Elohim (God) are inserted in the Hebrew texts so that the modern reconstruction of YHWH is Yahweh or Jehovah.
The first part of the word "Adon", means "steward administrator, master or Lord." By adding the "ai" this intensifies the meaning to mean the Lord of all, or Supreme Lord. Therefore, by using the title Adonai, we are emphasizing that God is sovereign, giving Him Lordship. It also places us in the role of servant, that is servant to our Lord, our Adonai.
The chorus to a song sung by Avalon:
Adonai, I lift up my heart and I cry
My Adonai.
You are the maker of each moment
Father of my hope and freedom,
Oh, my Adonai.
My Adonai.
You are the maker of each moment
Father of my hope and freedom,
Oh, my Adonai.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Who is the Holy Spirit?
When we think of Jesus, we know He had a human body so we have no difficulty in thinking of Him as a person. But to think of the Holy Spirit as a Spirit, and still a person is a bit harder for us to do. So we often hear it asked: Who is the Holy Spirit? What does He do? Where is He?
First of all, Who is The Holy Spirit? In Anne Graham Lotz’ book "Just Give me Jesus", she states that He is "another Jesus". When Jesus told His disciples another would be sent after He was gone, He said it was another just like Himself: He is exactly like Jesus, the Spirit of Jesus. In John 14:16 Jesus told them the Father would send "another counselor". In the Amplified Version it gives six other descriptions: Comforter, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and He Stands by. Can you imagine this? You have someone in your life to meet all these needs.
Another aspect of "Who the Spirit is", is that He is a person. Though He is a Spirit, He is a personality. He is co-equal, co-existent and co-eternal with God the Father, and Jesus the Son.
What the Spirit is NOT, regardless of our human imagery, He is NOT a ‘dove’, or a ‘flame of fire’, or an ‘experience’ or an ‘it’, or a ‘ghost.’ He is a spirit-person. He has a mind, intellect, and a will. Being one with the Father and Son, they have one will and work together in everything.
Where is the Holy Spirit now? Since that day of Pentecost over 2000 years ago, the Holy Spirit has dwelt within any person who has invited Jesus to come in. Anyone who has put their faith and trust in Jesus, accepting the sacrifice which He made at Calvary’s Cross, the Holy Spirit will make His residence in that life. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to His children. He is a permanent resident in the lives of each believer. He will never leave us or forsake us.
What does the Holy Spirit do? His main purpose for man is to reveal the Truth of God. He also convicts us of sin. The Holy Spirit gives power. At creation it says in Genesis 1 that He hovered over the ‘face of the deep’. He hovers over our minds to help us understand the truths of God. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power that dwells within each believer. This same power that hung the stars in place now resides in every believer.
The Nicene Creed, which I have quoted from before, also pays tribute to the Holy Spirit as being Himself God and equal to the Father and Son:
I believe in the Holy Spirit
The Lord and giver of life,
Which proceedeth from the Father and the Son,
Who with the Father and Son together
Is worshipped and glorified.
First of all, Who is The Holy Spirit? In Anne Graham Lotz’ book "Just Give me Jesus", she states that He is "another Jesus". When Jesus told His disciples another would be sent after He was gone, He said it was another just like Himself: He is exactly like Jesus, the Spirit of Jesus. In John 14:16 Jesus told them the Father would send "another counselor". In the Amplified Version it gives six other descriptions: Comforter, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and He Stands by. Can you imagine this? You have someone in your life to meet all these needs.
Another aspect of "Who the Spirit is", is that He is a person. Though He is a Spirit, He is a personality. He is co-equal, co-existent and co-eternal with God the Father, and Jesus the Son.
What the Spirit is NOT, regardless of our human imagery, He is NOT a ‘dove’, or a ‘flame of fire’, or an ‘experience’ or an ‘it’, or a ‘ghost.’ He is a spirit-person. He has a mind, intellect, and a will. Being one with the Father and Son, they have one will and work together in everything.
Where is the Holy Spirit now? Since that day of Pentecost over 2000 years ago, the Holy Spirit has dwelt within any person who has invited Jesus to come in. Anyone who has put their faith and trust in Jesus, accepting the sacrifice which He made at Calvary’s Cross, the Holy Spirit will make His residence in that life. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to His children. He is a permanent resident in the lives of each believer. He will never leave us or forsake us.
What does the Holy Spirit do? His main purpose for man is to reveal the Truth of God. He also convicts us of sin. The Holy Spirit gives power. At creation it says in Genesis 1 that He hovered over the ‘face of the deep’. He hovers over our minds to help us understand the truths of God. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power that dwells within each believer. This same power that hung the stars in place now resides in every believer.
The Nicene Creed, which I have quoted from before, also pays tribute to the Holy Spirit as being Himself God and equal to the Father and Son:
I believe in the Holy Spirit
The Lord and giver of life,
Which proceedeth from the Father and the Son,
Who with the Father and Son together
Is worshipped and glorified.
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