July 12, 2016

Ladies, our last week of our devotional study of the Names of God we learned to know Him as Jehovah-tsidkenu: Lord of Righteousness, Jehovah-shammah: Lord is There and Qanna: Jealous. Let's review:

Days 37-38

Memory Verse: "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21

The Lord Our Righteousness: Jehovah-tsidkenu. In our sin nature is it possible to ever be "right" with God? Are there those that feel that their sin is beyond reconciliation with God? Beyond forgiveness? The Good News is "yes" through God's Grace it is possible. Kay notes " Man can be right with God! Righteous is more than goodness; it is a right standing with God. It is to do what God says is right, to live according to His standards. But righteousness in man requires a new heart. And man can have a new heart!"
We first see Jehovah-tsidkenu in scripture in Jeremiah chapter 23. God's people of Judah had strayed from Jehovah through the generations of Moses, David, Solomon up to the time of the prophet Jeremiah. Their sacrifices to God were not made from the heart; their hearts had turned cold "to stone". God remains faithful to His people and through His  mercy and love; in spite of their unfaithfulness, He remains faithful. In Jeremiah we see God's plan revealed for a new covenant a "righteous branch" and He will be called Jehovah-tsidkenu. The promise of a Savior, Messiah, Christ Jesus. God's people sanctified and made righteous through the sacrifice of His Son; through His grace. Through Jesus believers have the right to become children of God. John 1:12
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thrist after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matthew 5:6  The awesomeness of God's love and mercy beyond comprehension and humbling beyond words to me.

Days 39-42

Memory Verse: And those who know Thy name will put their trust in Thee; for Thou, O LORD, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee. Psalm 9:10

"What do you do when you feel alone? Abandoned? Forgotten by everyone-maybe even God? What do you do when an iron bolt slides shut, imprisoning you in difficult circumstances? How Do you survive?" Jehovah-shammah is there. God's name Jehovah-shammah is first seen in scripture in Ezekiel 48:35. Ezekiel's prophesy of God's restoration of Israel and the punishment of her foes; in the end the nation of Israel will be rebuilt and Jehovah "is there." His people free from their captivity; in obedience to Him and glory to God: a future and a hope!

As Christians today in the USA we do not face physical imprisonment for our faith.  However, we can become imprisoned to the ways of the world; which hinder us in our walk in obedience to the ways of God.  We looked at several verse of scripture in the New Testament for Christian guidance in walking in the truth. My thoughts after study:

Daily praying, reading of the Bible and applying The Word to my life. Putting Christ first. Not to dwell on Earthly matters and put my trust in God. Material things are of no use if I do not have Christ. Wait and trust on the Lord. Learn to be patient, pray, wait for the answer before acting. Be willing to make sacrifices for my beliefs, for Christ; stand firm. In times of sickness, pain, turmoil, loneliness, focus on my Spirit, turn to the Lord, His Word, in prayer. My reward is with God in Heaven; the work cannot take this from me.

"Wherever you are, my friend, Jehovah is there, waiting longing to be your future and your hope. Do not be absorbed by your captivity. Rather, be absorbed with God!"

In the book of Ezekiel we see the message from God of the destruction of the city of Jerusalem by Babylon and the promise of restoration. Many times the question is why does God allow these things if He loves His people? The answer is may be found in the another of His names: Qanna-jealous.

His people and turned from God and He needed their focus back on Him. In Exodus 20: 1-6, when giving the Ten Commandments to Moses, God declares " I am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and fourth generations of those who hate me." God judged the people of Israel and Judah for their idolatry.

Day 41 we looked at several verses in the Old Testament when God was There for His people. I am struck by how many times God continued to show His faithfulness and how many times His people fell away from faithfulness to Him. How many times we may see the same in lives of Christians today; falling away from faithfulness to the Jesus the one promised to us as Jehovah- shammah. Why do we rely on self, others, earthly things when our Lord is there waiting with arms open wide with love and blessings?

Questions for comment:

1. What was the promise that came from the revelation of God as Jehovah-tsidkenu?
2. What were the benefits of the promise?
3. What insights did you gain about the Righteous Branch? Who is He? What difference does that make in your life?
4. Another name for God id Qanna, jealous. What relationship did you see between the names, The Lord is There and Jealous?
5. What picture did you see in your mind when you read the account of the Lord's departure from the inner court in Jerusalem? How did that affect you emotionally?
6. How would you define God's jealousy? How do you see God's jealousy in relation to yourself?

One final thought for sharing comment, think thoughtfully and check back here at the blog for my response as well.

At the beginning of this study Kay asked us to describe God. After completing this study our final assignment is to write out another description of our God.

Thank you all for coming on this journey with me. I also thank you for your patience as I have learned about blogging and through delays in posting due to illness. I hope this study has been and will continue to be a blessing to you.

Debbie <><



Maratha: The Lord is Coming!

July 5, 2016

I hope everyone had a fun and safe July 4th holiday weekend with family and friends! We are in the last two weeks of our devotional study on the names of God. This week we finished our study of God as Jehovah-nissi and were introduced to Him as Jehovah-mekaddishkem,  Jehovah-Shalom, Jehovah-sabaoth and Jehovah-Jehovah-raah. A lot to review this week so let's get started!

Day 31

Memory Verse:  But thanks to God, who always leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14

 We continued to look at the story of Saul and the battle against the Amalekites in 1Samuel 15 as an example of the battle that we face as Christians daily between the flesh and the spirit. Jehovah-nissi was with Saul and brought him victory against Amalek in the battle. Then Saul disobeyed God, spared King Agag's life, took spoils from the battle. Years later in 2 Samuel 1 we learn that Saul died at the hands of an Amalekite descendant of Agag. We may not always understand His ways; but when we are obedient to God He will guide us, protect us and bring us victory not only for today's battle; but in future battles. "Under the banner of God, victory is always assured; but apart from it, defeat is a certainty. Only by abiding under the power, the standard, the banner, the ensign of your Jehovah-nissi can you have victory over the flesh, the world, and the devil, your enemies and God's."

Day 32

The Lord Who Sanctifies You

Today we learn to know God as Jehovah-mekaddishkem-the Lord Sanctifies You. Sanctify-to set apart, holy, saint.
God sanctified the Children of Israel, Exodus 19:2-6, under the covenant with Abraham and He sanctifies Christians under the new covenant through Christ Jesus. God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and commanded the His people to obey His voice, keep His covenant and then they would be His own possession. One of God's commandments specifically to keep His Sabbath. We studied several verses of scripture in the New Testament about our sanctification. My thoughts after studying this scripture: we are sanctified through our Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, by abstaining from immorality. God sanctifies our spirit, body, soul. The knowledge of our sanctification through Christ Jesus brings grace and peace.

Day 33

The Lord is Peace

Memory Verse (one of my life verses) "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives; do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." John 14:27

Jehovah-shalom revealed himself to Gideon in the battle between the sons of Israel and the Midians; when the odds against victory seemed insermountable. Kay notes, "When the hours is dark and the situation desperate, we finally long for God's peace. Then we crave it. " We looked at serval verses of scripture today to learn about peace and its relationship to God. Some of my insights from today's lesson: Peace comes from God when we keep His Sabbath, reverence His church and obey His commandments; grants peace trough providing for our welfare, protecting us from war. If we put our trust in God we can rest in assurance that He is in control and has a plan for us. God thinks peaceful thoughts for us. Focus on God, meditate on His Word. Fill your mind with the things of God; dwell on the positive not the negative. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace.

Day 34

The Lord of Hosts

Mermory Verse: The LORD of hosts is with us; God og Jacob is our stronghold." Psalm 46:7

Jehovah-saboth the Lord of Hosts (Heavenly armies) first seen in scripture in 1 Samuel. "From God's perspective, it is a name that reminds His people of exactly who He is-not only the One who delivers; but also the One who judges. When we studies the book of Malachi we saw God reminding His people over and over again of His name Jehovah-saboth... "I am a great King, says the LORD of Hosts, and My name is feared among the nations." Malachi 1:10,14. His name is a strong tower for those who call on Him in faith as Jehovah-saboth and we examples set in today's lesson in the stories of Hannah and Peninnah, David and Galiath. "The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

Day 35

The Lord My Shepard: Jehovah-raah

Today we studied John 10:1-17, 26-33. Over and over in scripture God refers to His people as His sheep.  What spoke to me today; The sheep know their Shepard. The Shepard cares for His sheep, provides, protects, loves. The theif that would steal the sheep from the Shepard is a false prophet, he will flee in times of trouble, is a liar, kills, destroys, sneaks in. Jesus is the one and only true Shepard. The Father loves Jesus, is One with Jesus.

Day 36

Memory Verse: " Surley goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalm 23:6

We continue to study Jehovah-raah: The Lord My Shepard through many verses of scripture in the Old and New testaments with emphasise on the 23 Pslam and the freedoms our Good Shepard provides from hunger, fear, friction, pests.These freedoms so that we may lie down in green pastures, by the still waters and feel the restoring of our souls in Christ Jesus.

Review questions for thought and comment:

1. Define Jehovah-mekoddishkem.
2. What did you learn about your relationship to Jehovah-mekoddishkem?
3. Are you set apart: If so, from what? How is your life different from those who do not know Christ?
4. What kind of peace does Jehovah-shalom bring?
5. In practical terms, how do you maintain peace?
6. Jehovah-sabaoth is the Lord of hosts. What does it mean?
7. In what kind of situation can you see knowledge of this name would be of valuable?
8. List the benefits that are your as a child-a sheep- of Jehovah-raah.
9. What is Jehovah-raah's main reponsibility:
10. In what way has Jehovah-raah met your needs?

Debbie <><