 |
| 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
