Believing God: God Is Who He Says He Is

From: https://wearegodsart.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/watermarked_cover-1.png

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? …He saith unto them, But whom do you say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matthew 16:13, 15-16 KJV)

Our God is a big, awesome, amazing God—a God of many names—names that describe Who He is as well as what He does—revealing His nature and His character. He is beyond what our finite minds can grasp. Yet we can get to know Him by studying and meditating on His names. Experiencing God changes us—changes us for the better; we learn to trust Him more and more.

In biblical times names were thought to describe the person; therefore, names were very important. Think about how Abram became Abraham (Genesis 17:5); Saul became Paul. What about Isaac and Esau or Jacob (their stories may be read in Genesis)—their names greatly impacted the trajectory of their lives and families? What about Jabez—a man’s name that meant “pain”—his story is recorded in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10? In heaven, each believer will be given a new name (Revelation 2:17).

Meanwhile, we have a crafty, dangerous foe, satan, who will do his best to destroy our belief and trust in the Lord. Therefore, we must be prepared for those attacks; combating lies with the truth, as well as putting on our spiritual armor (see Ephesians 6:10-18). Be prepared for times of fear, discouragement, and doubt—determine ahead of time to not dwell in that place. The battle is daily, that is why it is so important to pray on the armor of God each day. God is patient with us in the times that we get off track, therefore, do not give up! Confess to God what your heart and mind are saying; you will find God is gracious and quick to forgive.

river photo credit C. Meissner 

Knowing God is truly a life-long adventure. Those of us who are in Christ will spend eternity getting to know Him. I am so thankful that I serve a God that big, powerful, and mighty! What about you? As we come to know God, we will ever more deeply fall in love with Him. Remember, God is eminently trustworthy. Praise the Lord; He never changes (Malachi 3:6)!

Cross at front of sanctuary Trinity UMC personal photo

What do you most appreciate about God?

What is your response when someone asks you who God is?

This journey of knowing God by His names is part of my Believing God series (see Believing God, Believing God: Unbelief, Believing God: Those Who Believed God) for the first three posts.

Please join with me in prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being a God that is beyond our understanding. Open our minds to see Your different qualities; may we praise You for all You are and for all You do. May we seek You continually, so that You can grow, shape, and mold us into the person You desire us to become. Guide us as we study and meditate on Your qualities, cause us to fall more in love with You each day. We confess, that You are the living God, the God who Created the world and everything in it.  In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

From My Heart to Yours,

Kim