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 <><