Archive for the ‘Devotionals’ Category

Posted on April 6, 2012 - by Kav

Ed-Shaddai : The God of the mountains; God Almighty

El-Shaddai means “The God of the mountains or God Almighty” Gen. 17:1; Ps. 91:1

One thing I know about mountains is that they are immovable. I’ve never seen one up close though. I have to rely on beautiful images like this one to get a sense of their magnitude and grandeur. Interestingly enough, the dictionary definition of the word ‘mountain’ includes one word descriptors like elevation, relief and continuity. Now doesn’t that speak directly of the God of the mountains? The Almighty One; El-Shaddai?

I have been so very grateful for these two weeks of devotions. Each one has touched me and brought me closer to my understanding of my relationship with my Heavenly Father. Isn’t it interesting that we can intellectually know something for years without fully embracing it in our hearts? I’m like that with spiritual things and I realized as I read the posts each day that I’ve been trying to get around the mountain instead of living in its shadowed protection.

Oh, I’ve always known that the mountain was a good thing. A vital thing. A Halleluiah thing. But in some areas of my life I wasn’t ready to face it head on, you know? Like I’d close my eyes and start running, picking up speed and only stopping when I crashed into the side of that mountain. Those were the times I was busy telling God just how things were going to be from now on.

Or when I make the futile attempt to make my way around the mountain – that’s a never-ending journey on some of the most rockiest and treacherous paths. That’s all those times I’ve turned tail and run, sure that while God was immovable, I surely wasn’t. He might be able to stand through the storms of life, but I’d much rather crawl away from them, thank you very much.

I am ever thankful that my God is a patient God. That He holds all the characteristics of a loving Father that have been discussed these past two weeks. I am convicted anew of the power and glory of my Creator and would like to share a special song that I’ve loved for a long time. It’s appropriately called El Shaddai and is sung by Amy Grant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy5XA4SwuPg

 

Posted on April 4, 2012 - by Brenda Anderson

Jehovah-Shalom, The Lord is Peace

I struggle with my weight.

No big surprise there, obviously. It’s not like I can hide this weight war from anyone, it’s right out in the open for the world to see. I don’t need to wear a scarlet O for overweight.

It’s easy to let defeat distress me, and it often drives me to my knees. It’s all so unfair. Why can my in-laws stack their plates sky high when my plate shows plenty of white space? Why won’t God remove this battle? How do I find peace when my body is broadcasting my sin to the world?

For the past couple of weeks our church has encouraged everyone to fast in some way, be it giving up Facebook, shopping, or, of course, food. We’re to sacrifice, and empty ourselves in order to make room for God in our lives and to draw closer to him.

I decided to fast from specific foods and found a devotional to help me through: Made to Crave, Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food by Lysa TerKeurst. Roughly midway through the book the author included a letter from a friend of hers that finally made this battle make sense:

He knew even before I was born that I could easily allow food to be an idol in my life, that I would go to food, instead of to Him, to fulfill my needs. And in His great wisdom, He created my body so that it would experience the consequences of such a choice, so that I would continually be drawn back into His arms.

Upon reading this, peace overwhelmed me. It finally got through my thick skull that if I didn’t have this “thorn in the flesh” I wouldn’t “need” God. He allows these thorns, these trials, in order to draw us closer to him. And for that I will rejoice!

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me,“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12: 7 – 10

No matter what you fight against, be it food, alcohol, over-spending, busyness … remember your weakness isn’t a curse but rather God’s way of bringing us back to him.

Now, instead of feeling sorry for myself, I thank God for the struggle, because even in the midst of the battle, the Lord is peace.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1: 2 – 4

Posted on April 3, 2012 - by Shari Barr

Jehovah-Nissi: The Lord is Our Banner

“Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner.” Exodus 17:15 (NIV)

In this scripture Moses acknowledged that the Lord was Israel’s banner when they defeated the Amalekites. During battle each nation flew their own flag high on a pole at their own front line. This provided a focal point as well as a feeling of hope for the soldiers. The Old Testament name “Jehovah-Nissi” is intended to remind us that God is our banner of encouragement and hope.

When things get tough I crave hope. I pray like I’ve never prayed before. No matter how desperate the situation, I strive to keep that spark of hope alive because sometimes that’s all I have. Hope is the one thing that gets me through life’s highest hurdles. Without it I feel lost and alone. The hope that God gives me during difficult times gives me strength and power to carry on. Even when my prayers aren’t answered the way I wished, the peace I feel gives me hope for better things to come. 

Everyone needs hope and encouragement, whether it’s for life changing trauma such as sickness, death, or divorce—or simply everyday life that pushes us to the limit. Turning to God for every struggle, inevitably leads to the One who is cheering us on, despite the uncertainty we may feel. He is waving His banner, encouraging us to focus on Him as we fight the battle He has placed before us. He is our eternal cheerleader in a race He doesn’t want us to lose.

Even when life is rolling along nice and smooth, with only a bump here and there, God’s banner is still flying, urging us to look up and take notice and acknowledge that our blessings are from Him. Our hope for a prosperous tomorrow lies with God, and He will never leave us. He is waiting for us at the finish line. 

I can’t imagine a life with no hope. Life without hope is a life without God.

Posted on April 2, 2012 - by Kim

Provided For

Jehovah-Jireh – the Lord will provide. How many times have we heard those exact words of assurance? A thousand? Perhaps as many as a million? Yet we never quite believe it. Until He proves it to us. Just like He did with Abraham in Genesis 22.

You remember the story. God came to Abraham and told him to take his beloved son Isaac to a mountain in Moriah. Not for a little sightseeing. Not to get in touch with nature. But to be sacrificed. Bound. Laid on an altar. Killed by Abraham’s own hand.

It’s difficult to imagine the heaviness in the old man’s heart as he journeyed with his boy – the apple of his eye – knowing he would be making the return trip without the nonstop chatter of a child. And then the question. The determination-shattering question asked as only a child can. “Where is the lamb for the sacrifice?”

It’s you, my son, Abraham’s heart must have shouted. It’s you, my precious boy, his soul must have sobbed as he fought to keep the tears from his eyes. And oh how he must have doubted when he answered, “The Lord will provide, my son. The Lord will provide.”

And Isaac trusted. Even as his father tied his hands and placed him on the altar. Even as the man who wiped his tears when he fell and scraped his knees raised the knife. He trusted because his father said God would provide. And Daddy didn’t lie. Neither did Daddy’s God.

Sure enough, Jehovah came through. With a fat old ram stuck in a bush. Just like He came through with an unexpected check for the exact amount of the car repair. Or the casserole a neighbor brought by because she had the extra to spare when your larder was down to a jar of dill pickles and a bottle of Tabasco sauce.

Jehovah-Jireh. The Lord will provide. In spite of all our doubts. Despite our assurances that we can take care of ourselves. He will provide. Even His name assures of that.

Posted on March 30, 2012 - by Dawn Ford

Jehovah Rapha: The Great and Mighty Healer

I love the names of God. When I saw we were doing them, it made me more than a little excited but also a little afraid I wouldn’t do Him justice.

I scoured the scriptures trying to find the right words to give glory to God’s healing. Many ideas came to mind. But He has put something on my heart and I hope you will understand what I am trying to convey when you finish reading.

My dad was a Vet Technician and his favorite saying whenever one of us kids got hurt was “It’s a long way from your heart”. I guess patching up animals had given him a finer understanding of what was considered lethal and what was not. Luckily none of my three brothers or I ever had a broken bone, or anything too serious or we would’ve had to put that saying to the test.

I have grown up with many troubles with my teeth, causing me a lot of pain and problems. At certain ages children begin to notice you are different and begin treating you as such and I faced a certain rejection from my peers and adults which in turn made me a little jaded and bitter. I thought if only this thing disappeared I would be normal like everyone else and life would be grand.

By the time I was fourteen the problems became too bad and I tearfully begged my father to help me get it taken care of. He then did something completely out of character and agreed to pay for months worth of appointments by a local dentist who then did as much as he could to fix my teeth. The only hitch was that the discoloration would never go away. He couldn’t say why my teeth were the way they were, but I was going to have to learn to live with it.

However, I was ecstatic. The way I saw it, I was now ‘normal’. You’ll understand my disillusionment when none of my classmates even noticed or treated me differently. Later that same year I was involved in a different confrontation with some girls in my class which led to a bigger fallout and I sank into a pit of self-pity and self-loathing.

God was merciful, though. After that school year ended, my parents found a new house, we moved, and I changed schools. I had a chance to start over and I took it. With a renewed attitude I found friends and acceptance among my new classmates. God was there even before I knew I needed Him. I am so thankful He was.

Looking back later in life I realized that though my “wounds were healed” my spirit hadn’t been. It took me years to get past the resentment and bitterness I felt growing up, and to be truthful I still struggle with it. I’m a broken vessel that He put back together, not perfect in myself, but transformed to a renewed wholeness by His grace.

I think often of the blind and lame who were healed by Jesus’ hand. How did their lives change after they were healed? Did they struggle with it as I had thinking life would miraculously be changed if this thing went away or did they have to work on healing the wounds buried deep in their souls?

I know my God is a great and mighty healer. And even if the answers to our healing aren’t exactly as we think they should be, He is at work in our lives. Sometimes before we even know He’s there.

 

Posted on March 29, 2012 - by Shari Barr

He is There

Jehovah-shammah. This Old Testament name for God is symbolic for the city of Jerusalem. It is mentioned in Ezekial 48:35 (NIV), “The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE.” 

The name alone, Jehova-shammah, sounds spiritual and reverent. The biblical name for our Lord meaning “He is there,” pretty much sums up the relationship God wants us to have with Him. 

Now if only I could keep that thought first and foremost in my mind, I could deal with my problems in ways that are more pleasing to Him. When I hear news of a serious illness, death, natural disaster, or other tragedy, my first thoughts are to turn to God in prayer, and without fail I feel more hopeful almost immediately. So why is it that when the daily grind of life in general gets me down, I often forget to pray? When that happens my pity party is soon in full swing, and that little problem has manifested itself into a major obstacle. 

God wants us to come to Him for everything—not just the big stuff. He knows and understands that small things tend to spiral out of control when we don’t hand those troubles over to Him. When that downhill slide begins, negative thoughts and actions set in and before we know it, we’re mired in a pit of frustration and anger.

God doesn’t want that scenario for us. He wants only the best for His children. He knows the plans He has for us, and there is nothing we can do to change that. Thankfully He really does know best. Worrying about the things that might happen tomorrow sets us up for unnecessary stress, and we all know the repercussions of that.   

Trusting in God for all our cares deepens the bond we have with our Savior and that leads to true inner peace.

Jehovah-shammah is with us today and tomorrow. Forever and always.

Posted on March 28, 2012 - by Linda Fulkerson

Holy, Holy, Holy

Most of us have heard that God’s personal name is YHWH, often translated in English as Jehovah or Yahweh. The Hebrew language has no vowels, so no one is exactly sure how to pronounce YHWH.

Although on this earth, we will never know the exact pronunciation of God’s name, we can have an understanding of what that Name means to us. In the Old Testament transcripts, YHWH is often accompanied by descriptive words. For instance, in Psalm 23, David, who was as close to God as any human, uses seven terms alongside YHWH to give us an insight into God’s divine nature:

1. “The Lord is my Shepherd.”

- Jehovah Rohi (The Lord is my Shepherd and my Guide.)

2. “I shall not want.”

- Jehovah Jireh (The Lord is my Provider.)

3. “He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.”

- Jehovah Shalom (The Lord is my Peace.)

4. “He restores my soul.”

- Jehovah Rapha (He is my Healer.)

5. “He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

- Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord is my Righteousness.)

6. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me.”

- Jehovah Shammah (The Lord is There.)

7. “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”

- Jehovah Nissi (The Lord is my Banner, or The Lord covers me.)

The ancients believed God’s name too holy and reverent to even speak aloud. Some don’t understand why God, whose very nature is love, would condemn the lost to hell. I believe it’s because He is too holy, too divine, too sacred to even be in the presence of sin. It is simply impossible.

However, due to His infinite love and mercy and grace, He made it possible to have the sin removed from our lives so we can have a hope of living with Him eternally. And for that, I am grateful.

Posted on March 27, 2012 - by Shannon Vannatter

Adonai – Lord, Master

Lord and Master make me think of servants and slaves. In Bible times, the Masters lorded over their servants and slaves. What’s the difference in a servant and a slave? A servant served willingly. A slave was owned.

God longs to be our Lord and Master, but not the type of Master to Lord over us. We aren’t His slaves. We’re His servants. We are to serve Him. And as Christians, we should be willing to serve.

The last two books I’ve written, I had tight deadlines. Every word was like pulling teeth. Meeting my wordcount and deadline was a challenge. I turned both books in on time. At the moment, I don’t have any newly contracted books. I don’t have anything I have to write by a certain time. That freedom has been daunting. I’ve dabbled on four different books, but can’t seem to focus on any of them.

I’ve sent my agent this three chapters and proposal and that three chapters and proposal to see what she thinks might interest a publisher. She told me what she thought of each book, but since we’re submitting to a new publisher, she thought I should pick one and finish it.

Which one? I love them all, want to work on them all. I’m excited about them all.

Last week, I took off from writing for spring break. I prayed to my Lord and Master for focus and direction. Midweek, the fog began to clear. I was only thinking and plotting one book. The book that had always had problems. The book where I knew there was a plot issue, but I couldn’t figure out what it was. The next day, my agent e-mailed with her perception of the very book I’d been zoned in on. And she pointed out clearly what the problem was. Everything fell into place. Today, I’m focused and I fixed the problem. The book makes more sense. I like the characters better.

So what if I’d prayed to my Lord and Master about the last two books instead of plodding through on my own? When I took my petition to Him, I was better able to serve in writing the book He wants me to write. I hate when I get so deadline weary and become such a slave to my computer that I forget that.

When God is our Lord and Master, He wants it all–from the smallest worry or discomfort to the large issues and trials that seem like they might break us. With Adonai, we can withstand the strongest storms and tribulations. When we try to do it on our own, molehills turn into mountains.

Who is He to you? Is He your Lord and Master? Is He your co-pilot or your pilot? Do you ever forget to give it all to Him and try to trudge through on your own?

Posted on March 25, 2012 - by Lorna Seilstad

Names of God: Elohim

Do you know what your name means? Lorna means a “crown of laurel leaves” according to some sources and the male version of Charles in others. I prefer the former to the latter. Wouldn’t you?

When I named my daughter Emma, I wasn’t thinking “universal.” Someone with the name Emma is supposed to be well-rounded, musical, and wise. In all honesty, I named her Emma after Jane Austin’s Emma. My daughter Caroline might be strong and a song of happiness, but I don’t consider that wasn’t our first consideration when choosing her name. She was named after my husband’s great aunt. As a Norwegian, there were several names in his family tree (Inga and Mina) we didn’t want to use, but that name was one we both loved.

In modern times, a name is little more than a label. However, in Biblical times names held more significance than simple identification.  In Bible times, names provided personal information. When situations warranted it, God changed the names of individuals. Abram (exalted father) was changed  to Abraham (father of a mulitude) in Gen. 17:4,5, and Jacob (cheat) beame Israel (prince with God) Gen. 35:9,10.

This shows us the value God put on names. The names we read in our English Bibles for God, such as God and Lord, do little to reveal His character.  One of the best ways to get to know God on a deeper level is to know the names and titles that He has given to Himself in the scriptures.

During the next two weeks, the Inkspirational Messagers are going to share ten different names of God used in the Old Testament. We hope you will join us on this journey of discovery as we explore the Hebrew meanings behind the names and what these names reveal about the character of God.

There are many names given to the On True God in the Bible. YHWH, usually pronounced Yahweh, is used 6,800 times. Elohim, 2,600 times, Adonai, 439, and El 238. Most of the other names for God are combinations of these names like El Shaddai.

The video below is a beautiful introduction into this topic.

The first name in the Bible that refers to God is Elohim. In Gen. 1:1, “In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth.”

Elohim has a plural ending (-im), which goes with “let US make man in OUR image.” From the beginning, the mystery of the Trinity is revealed.  The preface im is masculine in gender, as well.

“El” which is the base form of the name refers to God’s strength, might, or power. It means God is our hero. You can see “El” in Elohim which means “the Mighty Creator.” While other names for God suggest the personal relationship He has with us, Elohim expresses His greatness and glory as an omnipotent, powerful creator.

 

If you find yourself fascinated by this study, consider taking a look at The Names of God Bible, edited by Ann Spanger. At the American Christian Fiction conference last year, those of us who write for Revell were treated to a special dinner. Our publishers blessed us with this Bible as a wonderful gift.

 

I don’t think there’s a better way to start a Monday during this unseasonably warm spring that to think about our Might Creator. What part of Elohim’s creation has left you in awe lately?

 

As for me, this saucer magnolia tree, otherwise known as a tulip tree, is outside our bedroom window. Usually, we don’t see the blooms until much later in the spring, but this year we’re enjoying it already. It has a sweet scent, and with the windows open, its fragrance blesses me every time I enter the room.

 

Posted on February 10, 2012 - by Kav

God is Good

 I commute between two schools over my lunch hour every day. It’s a bit of a hike to the bus stop, then a quick ride and another, longer hike to the second school. Surprisingly that short bus ride shaves off about 45 minutes of walking time so I am grateful for the 168. I have a friendly bus driver and intriguing fellow passengers so I actually enjoy my mid-day commute.

Two of the passengers that I see on a regular basis are an elderly Japanese couple with limited English. For some unknown reason we connected the first time I stepped onto the bus. Their faces wreathed in welcoming smiles and they bowed their heads in greeting. I smiled and bowed in return and we continued that ritual for a few weeks.

I walk with a cane and I found it ironic and somewhat embarrassing, that this elderly couple would defer to me as we got off the bus at the same stop nearly every day. The man would steady my arm as I made the descent, the woman would watch carefully to make sure that I had secure footing. “Okay?” she would ask. When I nodded and smiled, she’d beam back and then wave the bus on with a hearty “Okay!” They would walk on ahead of me, but frequently turn back to assess my progress. If I was slower than usual, they’d call out, “Okay?” and I would wave them on through a grimacing smile. “Okay!” though it wasn’t. Why were these elderly people marching way ahead of me at a brisk pace, backpacks swinging jauntily when I was decades younger? I used to grumble to God about that, though I couldn’t begrudge them their health and vitality.

As the weeks passed we learned a bit about each other. They were taking English classes three mornings a week. “I practice for you?” The husband asked about a month into our acquaintance, clearly feeling he had mastered enough vocabulary to brave a conversation. I learned they had moved to Canada from Japan and were living with their grandson  and his family. Through contorted mime I managed to make them understand that I worked in a school. The man lit up. “I teach! “ He said, thumping his chest. “Before…” he broke off, clearly at a loss for words. “Before you retired,” I finished, smiling and nodding in understanding.  What I wouldn’t give to be able to rid myself of the long commutes. I’d never thought of retiring before. But now I seem to be dreaming of the day.

Once they found out I worked in a school they treated me like a visiting dignitary. The smiles grew wider, the bows deeper and they were ever considerate of my disability. I quite basked in the attention, though it lasted only a few short minutes a few days a week.

The weeks turned into months and we eased into pleasant exchanges about the unpredictability of the weather. Sometimes, like a true Canadian, I could get quite passionate about the topic. Negatively passionate. The woman would cluck in sympathy, understanding the precariousness of icy sidewalks which had to be navigated with a cane, but her husband would smile gently. “It’s okay,” he’d say, as if there were more important things to worry about in this world then the state of recent ice formations on city streets. Of course he was right.

 Recently there’s been a delightful warmth to the air, the sun is shining more and the heat radiating from it seems hotter than a month ago. Is that possible? I tried discussing that with my friends, but I think it was beyond their comprehension. Sun and warm, they got though. “You see?” the elderly gentleman beamed. “It’s okay.” He looked up at the sun as his wife took my arm and eased me over an icy patch. Once I was settled on the cement sidewalk, wet with water not ice we performed our “Okay? Okay!” ritual before they turned to walk on ahead but this time the man turned and saluted me. “See?” he said, pointing to the sky. “Okay! God is good.”

It was the first time he had mentioned God and it startled me. I didn’t know their religion. I assumed they weren’t Christian – likely Buddhist and it gave me a bit of a chuckle to think that I was conceited enough to imagine that Christians had cornered the market on the concept of God being good. But I reflected on the truth of that statement the rest of the walk to school, and since then, ‘God is good’ has become a kind of mantra for me – even though at times I nearly snarl it.

 One day I ran into the bus driver on the way home from work and we struck up a conversation that led to my intriguing Japanese friends.

 “You know about their history, right?” the driver asked even though he knew I didn’t – eager to let me in on some friendly gossip

 He’d heard the story first hand from the grandson who plotted out the bus route his grandparents would take to school each morning. As luck would have it, the 168 runs a circular route so the same bus and driver would pick them up from both home and, several hours later, school. The grandson was understandably concerned about his grandparents setting out on their own in a foreign country with hardly a word of English between them. He appealed to the driver to watch out for them and the driver agreed. I wondered aloud what could have prompted them to make such a major move at this late stage in their life.

The driver looked at me askance. “That old couple – they lost everything in the tsunami. They didn’t have anywhere else to go.”

 Love beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth…” 1 Cor. 13:7,8

 “God is good,” that poor old man said in order to comfort me. To bring me hope, to encourage me to bear up and endure for the better days that would surely come ahead. That thought still sends chills down my spine. I think of my petty complaints compared to what they have endured and am humbled by the simple faith of a man who can still see the goodness of God’s never-failing love in the shining warmth of the sun.