Walking by Faith (part 4 of a 4-part series)

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

What is Faith?

Webster defines faith as, “1. A confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing. 2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. 3. Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance. 4. a. Belief and trust in God. b. religious conviction. 5. A system of religious beliefs. 6. A set of principles or beliefs.”

The Bible has a very different definition for faith.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)

Where does faith come from?

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

…to another faith (is given) by the same Spirit...
(1 Corinthians 12:9)

How is faith manifested?

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith... (Hebrews 12:2a)

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead...Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. (James 2:17, 18)

How significant is faith?

...everything that does not come from faith is sin. (Romans 14:23b)

Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done.”
(Matthew 21:22)

…he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; (James 1:6-8)

How does faith work?

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.(Galatians 5:6b)

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1 Timothy 1:5)

It is necessary for salvation! (Hebrews 4:2)

It is essential in spiritual warfare! (1 Timothy 1:18, 19; 6:12)

True Faith is Not Blind!

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)

Another translation states Hebrews 11:1 this way:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Substance is the basis of everything that is. Evidence is what proves things to be true. Faith is NOT believing something that you cannot prove, but rather acting upon truth that you believe. The expression, blind faith is an oxymoron which has no foundation in scripture. Faith works according to whom or what it is based upon. Biblical faith is based upon the truth of God's Word which has been acted out and proven over thousands of years of human history. Since there is a solid basis for this kind of faith, it is neither risky, nor blind!

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. (Romans 8:24-25)

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporal, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

We walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

The objects of our faith should be:

• God (John 14:1)
• Christ (John 6:29; Acts 20:21)
• The gospel (Mark 1:15)
• God's promises (Romans 4:21; Hebrews 11:13)

Results of faith:

• “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” (Ephesians 3:17a)
• Salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8, 9)
• Remission of sin (Acts 10:43; Romans 3:25)
• Eternal life (John 3:15, 16; 6:40, 47)
• Justification (Acts 13:39; Romans 3:21, 22, 28, 30; 4:3; 5:1; Galatians 2:16)
• Righteousness (Galatians 3:6; Philippians 3:9)
• Sanctification (Acts 15:9; 26:18)
• Assurance (1 John 5:1)
• Spiritual light (John 12:36, 46)
• Spiritual life (John 20:31; Galatians 2:20)
• Access to God (Romans 5:2; Ephesians 3:12)
• Adoption (John 1:12; Galatians 3:26)
• Preservation (1 Peter 1:5)
• Edification (1 Timothy 1:4; Jude 20)
• Inheritance of the promise (Galatians 3:22;
  Hebrews 6:12)
• The gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 11:15-17;
  Galatians 3:14; Ephesians 1:13)
• Provides us with a defensive weapon (Ephesians 6:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:8)
• Overcomes difficulties (Matthew 17:20; 21:21;
  Mark 9:23)
• Overcomes the world (1 John 5:4b)
• Assures success (2 Chronicles 20:20)

The righteous will live by faith. (Galatians 3:11b)

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. (Hebrews 11:3)

Faith produces:

• Hope (Romans 5:2)
• Joy (Acts 16:34; 1 Peter 1:8)
• Peace (Romans 15:13)
• Confidence (1 Peter 2:6)
• Boldness (2 Corinthians 4:13)
• Patience (James 1:3)

Faith causes believers to:

• Live (Galatians 2:20)
• Stand (Romans 11:20; 2 Corinthians 1:24)
• Walk (Romans 4:12; 2 Corinthians 5:7)
• Be commended of God (Hebrews 11:2)
• Overcome the world (1 John 5:4, 5)
• Resist the devil (1 Peter 5:9)
• Overcome the devil (Ephesians 6:16)
• Hope in God (1 Timothy 4:10)

Obstacles that test our faith:

• Discouragement (Luke 5:18, 19)
• Unbelieving friends (Mark 5:35)
• Scoffers (John 9:24)
• Divine delays (John 11:3-6)
• Lack of sympathy (Matthew 15:23; Mark 10:13)

...for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4)

The rest of the above passage states that only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God can overcome the world. That indicates that for faith to work, it must be based on Truth. Only Jesus is Truth personified. Therefore, only faith in Jesus is sufficient for overcoming the problems of this world.

There is an illustration in a popular tract that depicts a train with an engine, a coal car, and a caboose. The engine represents fact; the coal car, faith; and the caboose, feeling. The idea behind the illustration is that faith fuels engine of fact and the caboose tags along. Too often, we allow ourselves to be ruled by feeling. It's a small wonder we run out of steam so often. Stated succinctly, function by faith on fact and feelings will follow.

Guidelines for walking by faith:

• Be sincere in your faith (1 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 1:5)
• Abound in faith (2 Corinthians 8:7)
• Continue in your faith (Acts 14:22; Colossians 1:23)
• Be strong in the faith (Romans 4:20-24)
• Stand fast in faith (1 Corinthians 16:13)
• Be established and firm in your faith(Colossians 1:23)
• Hold on to your faith (1 Timothy 1:19)
• Pray for more faith (Luke 17:5)
• Be assured by your faith (2 Timothy 1:12;
  Hebrews 10:22)
• Examine yourself in faith (2 Corinthians 13:5)
• Let your faith produce fruit (James 2:17, 20-26)
• Do everything in faith (Romans 14:22)

Faith in Jesus is:

• God's gift (Romans 12:3; Ephesians 2:8; 6:23; Philippians 1:29)
• The work of God (Acts 11:21; 1 Corinthians 2:5)
• Precious (2 Peter 1:1)
• Most holy (Jude 20)
• Fruitful (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
• Accompanied by repentance (Mark 1:15; Luke 24:47)
• Followed by conversion (Acts 11:21)

By faith (Hebrews 11):

• Abel was commended as righteous (verse 4)
• Enoch pleased God and did not die (verse 5)
• Noah became an heir of righteousness (verse 7)
• Abraham received the promise of God (verses 8-19)
• Moses delivered the Children of Israel (verses 23-29)
• Rahab's life was spared (verse 31)
• Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets conquered kingdoms, gained the promise of God and were commended by Him (verses 32-40)

Examples of men of faith:

• Abraham (Genesis 22:8)
• Caleb (Joshua 14:12)
• Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:6)
• David (1 Samuel 17:37)
• Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:12)
• Job (Job 19:25)
• Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego (Daniel 3:17)
• Paul (Acts 27:25)

Examples of applied faith:

• The leper (Matthew 8:2)
• The centurion (Matthew 8:10)
• The ruler (Matthew 9:18)
• The blind man (Matthew 9:28)
• The diseased (Matthew 14:36)
• The Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:28)
• The afflicted woman (Mark 5:28)

Lack of faith (unbelief) produces:

• God's wrath (John 3:36)
• Rebuke (Mark 16:14)
• Eternal separation from God (John 8:24)
• Conviction (John 16:9)
• Turning away from God (Hebrews 3:12)
• Delusion and damnation (2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12)
• Wickedness (2 Thessalonians 3:2)
• Impurity (Titus 1:15)
• Double-mindedness (James 1:6)
• The spirit of antichrist (1 John 2:22; 4:3)
• Death (1 John 5:12)
• Destruction (Jude 5)
• Eternal damnation (Revelation 21:8)

Verses to bolster your faith:

Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him. (Psalms 32:10)

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. (Psalms 125:1)

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. (Proverbs 29:25)

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3)

Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we shall also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will also disown us; if we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself. (2 Timothy 2:11-13)

May God bless you and strengthen you as you seek Him with all your heart, know Him with all of your mind, obey Him with all of your strength, and walk with Him in faith.

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Obeying God (part 3 of a 4-part series)

It is the Lord your God you must follow, and Him you must revere. Keep His commands and obey Him; serve Him and hold fast to Him. (Deuteronomy 13:4)

Did you know that you cannot obey God? At least not in your own strength and power. God knew that we could not obey His Word on our own, so He sent His Son, Jesus, to obey for us.

And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:8)

Jesus paid the full penalty for all our disobedience (even that which we haven't commited yet). As a result, all that God now requires of His children is that we walk in Christ's obedience. We have been made righteous by Jesus' shed blood, and because we are righteous, obedience ought to come natural to us. We can now obey God out of our love and gratitude for Him rather than out of a sense of obligation to Him.

Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
(1 Samuel 15:22-23a)

Obedience can be considered a form of worship. It's a way that we can demonstrate our love to God.

“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:15)

Jesus answered him, "Those who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will go to them and make our home with them." (John 14:23)

This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 5:3-5)

Why we should obey God:

• To receive God's blessing (Genesis 22:18)
• God commands us to (Deuteronomy 13:4; 26:16; 32;46)
• To be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:8)
• It is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22)
• That it may go well with us (Jeremiah 7:23)
• We are exhorted to (Jeremiah 26:13; 38:20)
• In order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven
  (Matthew 7:21)
• To build a strong foundation (Matthew 7:24)
• To become a member of God's family (Matthew 12:50; Luke 8:21)
• It is the key to spiritual wisdom (John 7:17)
• It is essential for fellowship with God (John 14:23;
  1 John 2:17)
• It is our obligation (Acts 4:19, 20; 5:29)
• We are elected to (1 Peter 1:2)
• It is a characteristic of saints (1 Peter 1:14)

We must prepare our hearts for obedience ( 1 Samuel 7:3; Ezra 7:10)

We must pray to be taught how to be obedient
(Psalms 119:35; 143:10)

We must confess our failure to be obedient (Daniel 9:10)

Obedience should be:

• From the heart (Deuteronomy 11:13; Romans 6:17)
• Undeviating (Deuteronomy 28:14)
• Unreserved (Joshua 22:2, 3)
• Willing (Psalms 18:44; Isaiah 1:19)
• Constant (Philippians 2:12)

Obedience to God includes:

• Obeying His voice (Exodus 19:5)
• Obeying His law (Deuteronomy 11:27; Isaiah 42:24)
• Keeping His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
• Obeying the gospel (Romans 1:5; 6:17; 10:16, 17)
• Submitting to authority (Romans 13:1)
• Obeying Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5 [Exodus 23:21])

The Bible is full of great examples of those who loved God and obeyed Him. Here are some examples:

• Jesus (Matthew 3:15; John 14:31; 15:10;
  Romans 5:19; Philippians 2:5-8;Hebrew 5:8; 10:9)
• Noah (Genesis 6:22)
• Abraham (Genesis 12:1-4; 22:2, 3, 12)
• Joshua (Joshua 11:15)
• Elijah (1 Kings 17:5)
• Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:6)
• David (Psalms 119:106)
• Joseph (Matthew 1:24)
• Mary (Luke 2:39)
• Paul (Acts 26:19)

God doesn't want us to obey Him for no good reason. Everything God does is for a purpose. His primary purpose in demanding our obedience is so that He can bless us. With every command of God in scripture there follows a promise. Obedience brings reward.

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God.
(Deuteronomy 28:1-2)

Rewards for obedience:

• We will be God's treasured possession (Exodus 19:5)
• So that God will fight our battles (Exodus 23:22)
• So that it may go well with us and our children (Deuteronomy 5:29; 7:12-15)
• So that we may be set high above the earth (Deuteronomy 28:1)
• In order to receive God's favor (1 Samuel 12:14)
• So that we may have long life (1 Kings 3:14)
• So that we may have prosperity and contentment
  (Job 36:11)
• So that we may “eat from the best of the land”
  (Isaiah 1:19)
• In order to be “God's people” (Jeremiah 7:23)
• In order to have authority (Zechariah 3:7)
• In order to be blessed in all we do (James 1:25)
• In order to receive from God (1 John 3:22)
• In order to have the right to the “tree of life” (Revelation 22:14)
• In order to enter into the city of God
  (Revelation 22:14)

Just as there are rewards for obedience, however, there are consequences for disobedience. Since obedience and disobedience are choices we make, we should expect to reap the results of our choices, good or bad.

Consequences for disobedience:

• We will receive the curse of God (Deuteronomy 11:28; 28:15-68)
• We will not enter into the “promised land” (Joshua 5:6)
• God's hand will be against us (1 Sam 12:15; 28:18;
  1 Kings 13:21; Jer 12:17)
• We will be “devoured” (Isaiah 1:20)
• We will experience God's wrath (Ephesians 5:6)
• We will receive God punishment
  (2 Thessalonians 1:8;Hebrews 2:2)

There's even more good news concerning the will to obey. It's one thing to know that we can obey, but it's yet another to realize that we can also want to. God doesn't do anything halfway. When He gave us the command to obey, He also gave us the will to do so.

Therefore my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12-13)

One day even those who choose not to will be made to obey God.

But the court will sit, and his [AntiChrist's] power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey Him.” (Daniel 7:27)

Wouldn't you much rather learn to obey God because you want to than because you have to?

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Seeking God (part 2 of a 4-part series)

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

Whatever we focus on the most is what we ultimately become.

“What gains and sustains our attention will ultimately control our lives.” (Gordon Allport)

To know God, one must focus on Him. To focus on Him, one must first desire to seek Him. To seek Him, is to find Him. To find Him is the greatest experience of one's life.

We only find what we genuinely look for in life. The problem for most of us is that we are too distracted by the things of this world to even want to seek God. That's why the Psalmist encourages us to "taste and see that the Lord is good." To want to seek God more, we have to whet our appetites. The good news is that once we've tasted and found Him good, we will want more and more of Him.

I have found a lesson in the law of aerodynamics that has helped me to want seek God daily. The law of aerodynamics, stated simply, is a principal whereby the forward thrust of an aircraft creates airflow over specially-shaped wings which in turn produces lift. In other words, as the aircraft is propelled forward by its engines, the air flowing over the wings produces a vacuum which literally lifts the plane into the air. The faster the forward thrust, the greater the lift. Since this is a law of nature, it cannot be broken. Therefore, as long as the aircraft moves forward and conditions remain constant, it will remain aloft. It cannot fall!

Walking in God's Presence incorporates a similar immutable, spiritual law. As we move forward in the pursuit of God, we are drawn into His Presence by our forward motion. The closer we move toward Him, the more of His Presence we experience and the more we desire to be with Him. As long as we continue to move forward, we can expect to remain in His Presence. In other words, the more we seek Him, the more of Him we will find.

If you seek Him, He will be found by you.
(2 Chronicles 15:2)

Seeking God results in:

• Restoration (Job 8:6)
• Praise (Psalms 22:26)
• Life (Psalms 69:32)
• Joy (Psalms 70:4; 105:3)
• Blessing (Psalms 119:2)
• Rewards (Hebrews 11:6)

Consequences of not seeking God

• Futility and terror (Psalms 78:33)
• Death (Psalms 78:34)
• God will not answer or be found (Proverbs 1:28)
• God's wrath (Isaiah 13:13)
• Disaster (Isaiah 31:2)
• Misery (Hosea 5:15)
• Alienation from God (Zephaniah 1:4)

One of the best ways to remain in God's Presence is to practice it daily.

“There is not in this world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God. Those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it.” (Brother Lawrence, from Practicing the Presence of God)[1]

Webster defines practice as “doing or performing habitually or customarily; making a habit of.” We need to make seeking God a daily habit in our lives.

One must also seek:

• God's strength (1 Chronicles 16:11; Psalms 105:4)
• His commands (1 Chronicles 28:8; Malachi 2:7)
• His name (Psalms 83:16)
• His face (Psalms 27:8; 105:4)
• His precepts (Psalms 119:45, 94)
• His Word (Isaiah 34:16)
• To do what He commands (Zephaniah 2:3)
• Righteousness (Zephaniah 2:3)
• Humility (Zephaniah 2:3)
• Christ (Malachi 3:1; Luke 2:15, 16)
• His Kingdom (Matthew 6:33)
• His Righteousness (Matthew 6:33; Luke 12:31)
• Honor, which comes from Him (John 5:44)
• Justification by Christ (Galatians 2:16)
• The city which God has prepared (Hebrews 11:10, 16; 13:14)

“But when we are faithful to keep ourselves in His holy Presence, and set Him always before us, this not only hinders our offending Him and doing anything that may displease Him, at least willfully, but it also begets in us a holy freedom, and, if I may so speak, a familiarity with God, wherewith we ask, and that successfully, the graces we stand in need of. In fine, by often repeating these acts, they become habitual, and the Presence of God rendered as it were natural to us." (Brother Lawrence)

Seeking God and remaining in His Presence is the best way to enjoy Him and to keep from offending Him, but it's also the best way to ensure that all of our needs are met in Him.


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Knowing God (part 1 of a 4-part series)

I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:7-11)

Our concept of God affects every area of our lives—how we act and think, what we value, our attitude toward ourselves and others, and, ultimately, the degree of success we will attain. We can never progress beyond our concept of who God really is.

The first and foremost thing we must know about God is that He is.

“I AM Who I am!” (Exodus 3:14)

God existed before there was anything. The first verse in the Bible begins with “In the beginning, God…” He has always been and will always be. No one and nothing preceded Him and no one and nothing will succeed Him.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega – the beginning and the end,” says the Lord God.

“I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come, the Almighty One.” (Revelation 1:8)

The second thing we must know about God is that He is knowable!

Your name, O LORD, endures forever; your fame, O LORD, is known to every generation. (Psalm 135:13)

“If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you,” says the LORD. (Jeremiah 29:13-14a)

God does not play hide and seek with His children. He created us for His pleasure. He wants above all to have an intimate spiritual relationship with each of us. As such, it is incumbent upon us to put forth whatever effort is required to get to know Him.

We come to know God through His attributes. An attribute is whatever God has in any way revealed as being true of Himself. They are not qualities which He possesses, but how He really is as He reveals Himself to us. Since God is indivisible, His attributes function in perfect harmony and are never in conflict with one another! They are how we can know Him.

Here is what the Bible tells us about God.

• God exists totally in and of Himself!
• He is not like anyone or anything else!
• He is infinite, and therefore, incomprehensible in nature!
• He is omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all-powerful), and omni-present (everywhere all the time).
• He is transcendent (beyond all comprehension).
• He is sovereign (He rules over everything and everyone).
• He can only be known by revelation through the Holy Spirit!
• We can only understand Him through his attributes!

There is:

• None beside Him - Deuteronomy 4:35; Isaiah 44:6
• None before Him - Isaiah 43:10
• None like Him - Exodus 9:14; Deuteronomy 33:26; 2 Samuel 7:22; Isaiah 46:5,9; Jeremiah 10:6
• None good but Him - Matthew 19:17

Important Characteristics of God

• He fills heaven & earth - 1 Kings 8:27; Jeremiah 23:24
• He is a Spirit - John 4:24; 2 Corinthians 3:17
• He must be worshipped in spirit and truth - John 4:24

He is:

• Compassionate - 2 Kings 13:23
• Eternal - Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:2; Revelation 4:8-10
• Faithful - 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 Peter 4:19
• Glorious - Exodus 15:11; Psalm 145:5
• Good - Psalm 25:8; 119:68
• Gracious - Exodus 34:6; Psalm 116:5
• Holy - Psalm 99:9; Isaiah 5:16
• Immortal - 1 Timothy 1:17; 6:16
• Immutable (absolute) - Psalm 102:26-27; James 1:17
• Incorruptible - Romans 1:23
• Invisible - Job 23:8, 9; John 1:18; 5:37; 1 Timothy 1:17
• Jealous - Job 24:19; Nahum 1:2
• Just - Deuteronomy 32:4; Isaiah 45:21
• Light - Isaiah 60:19; James 1:17; 1 John 1:5
• Long-suffering - Numbers 14:18; Micah 7:1
• Love - 1 John 4:8, 16
• Merciful - Exodus 34:6-7; Psalm 86:5
• Most High - Psalm 33:18; Acts 7:48
• Only-wise - Romans 16:27; 1 Timothy 1:17
• Perfect - Matthew 5:48
• Righteous - Ezekiel 9:15; Psalm 145:17
• True - Jeremiah 10:10; John 17:3
• Unsearchable - Job 11:7; 37:23; Psalm 145:3; Isaiah 40:28; Romans 11:33
• Upright - Psalm 25:8; 92:15

Since God is knowable, there is no excuse for not knowing Him.

“For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)

Though this may sound like bad news, it’s really good news because it means that everyone everywhere can know God simply by choosing to. The truth of the matter is that God knows everything there is to know about us.

O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. (Psalm 139:1b)

Since God knows everything about us, isn’t it only fair that we take time to get to know at least what we can know about Him?

So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. (John 1:14)

So that we could know and understand Him better, God limited Himself in the form of a human being and visited the earth for 33 years in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus made it possible for us to see the attributes and characteristics of God at work in His dealings with everyday people. He even was tempted so that He could show us that it was possible for us to resist temptation.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

THE NAMES OF GOD

The names used in the Bible to identify God are significant because they give us insight into His divine nature and character. They are some of the ways we can know Him.

The most significant name for God in Scripture is “I AM”(Exodus 3:14)

Some other names of God are:

ELOHIM - “The Strong One” or “God” (Genesis 1:1)
JEHOVAH - “The Self-Existent One” or “Lord” (Genesis 2:4)
JEHOVAH ELOHIM - “Lord God” (Genesis 2:4)
EL ELYON - “God the Highest” (Genesis 14:18)
ADONAI - “Master” (Genesis 15:2)
ADONAI JEHOVAH - “Lord God” (Genesis 15:2)
EL SHADDAI - “Giver of Strength” (Genesis 17:1)
EL OLAM - “Eternally Existing One” (Genesis 21:33)
JEHOVAH SABAOTH - “Lord of Hosts” (1 Samuel 1:3)
EL GIBBOR - “Powerful One” (Isaiah 9:6)

There are eight names for God used in the Old Testament that combine the name JEHOVAH with one of God's special attributes, such as JIREH, which means "God is our Provision." They represent aspects of God's character that can be called upon to meet virtually every need that we could ever have.

The compound names of God are:

JEHOVAH-JIREH - “The Lord Will Provide” (Genesis 22:14)
JEHOVAH-ROPHE - “The Lord Our Healer” (Exodus 15:26)
JEHOVAH-NISSI - “The Lord Our Banner” or “Victory” (Exodus 17:15)
JEHOVAH-M'KADDESH - “The Lord is Holy” or “Sanctification”(Leviticus 20:7)
JEHOVAH-SHALOM - “The Lord is Peace” (Judges 6:24)
JEHOVAH-ROHI - “The Lord Our Shepherd” or “Protector”(Psalms 23:1)
JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU - “The Lord is Righteous” (Jeremiah 23:6)
JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH - “The Lord is There” or “Ever Present One”(Ezekiel 48:35)

All of these characteristics are found in Psalm 23.

A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd (Jehovah-Rohi); I have everything I need (Jehovah-Jireh). He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams (Jehovah-Shalom). He renews my strength (Jehovah-Rophe). He guides me along right paths (Jehovah-Tsidkenu), bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me (Jehovah-Shammah). Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me (Jehovah-Rohi). You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies (Jehovah-Nissi). You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil (Jehovah-M'Kaddesh). My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever (Jehovah-Shammah).

Under the Old Covenant, people knew God mostly by His actions. Only a few were privileged to communicate directly with Him. Under the New Covenant, however, Jesus came to earth to live among us so that we could all have the privilege of knowing Him and experiencing more of what God was really like. Jesus was God incarnate--God, made flesh--so knowing Him was knowing God. Those closest to Him were able to see glimpses of God, the Father working in and through Jesus, the Son. The Apostle Paul summed up the importance of knowing Christ in Philippians 3:8-11.

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own goodness or my ability to obey God's law, but I trust Christ to save me. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith. As a result, I can really know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I can learn what it means to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that, somehow, I can experience the resurrection from the dead!

Knowing Christ, then, is the best way for us to come to know God. And knowing God should be the ultimate aim of every Christian.

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Praise God! It’s really NOT about me!

I recently had an epiphany that I felt was worth sharing. Thankfully, one never gets too old to learn. For a good part of my life I have wrestled with feelings of inadequacy and disappointment. Compared to many men my age, I felt that I had not accomplished nearly as much as I could or should have. I’ve always set the success bar relatively high for myself, so whenever I measured my progress, I always came up short. Now don’t get me wrong! There’s nothing wrong with setting lofty goals and high aspirations. If you don’t aim for the stars, you’ll certainly never hit them. It’s just that I beat myself up so badly for not measuring up that I couldn’t even see the progress I’d made.

I’ve always been influenced by successful people and those who teach success motivation. I love to hear inspiring stories about goal setting and realizing dreams. I’ve even tried to pattern my life after the successful people I’ve know or have read or heard about. Problem is, when I compared my life to theirs, I always came up lacking. On the spiritual side, I’ve looked up verses in the Bible about success and diligence, and posted them around my home and office, but even those began to make me feel inadequate. Add to that the fact that I’m not as young as I used to be, and you can see all the makings of a major meltdown.

Now for the good news: it’s not about me!

I was sharing some of my frustrations with my precious wife the other night, about how I felt that I needed to be the best at something and how I was still waiting for God to drop me in that “perfect position” that He’d surely had in mind for me since before I was born. She listened patiently as I ranted and raved about what a miserable excuse for a human being I had become and about how I had little to show for all my years on this earth. She let me get most everything off my chest, and then gently, she began to remind me of the truth I’d always known, but somehow forgotten. “Isn’t God’s idea of success in life doing whatever you do as well as you can possibly do it?” she asked. “Doesn’t He tell us in His Word that ‘we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us?’” she continued. “Isn’t God’s true plan and purpose for our lives to love and serve Him and others?” It’s not about me!

The truth hit me like a freight train and a light dawned, as they say. It was one of those “WOW! I could’ve had a V8” moments! (Sorry for those of you who are too young to understand what that last sentence means.) My problem was obvious. I had been distracted by the obstacles in my path and had taken my eye off the prize. I had shifted my focus from the Provider to the provision. God does say in His Word that He “shall supply ALL our needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus.” But instead of taking Him at His word and going on about His business, I had focused on the provision that I thought He had somehow forgotten about and I began to become disappointed with Him.

Now, please don’t think that I’m the first Christian to have ever become disappointed with God. I may well be one of the few who admits it, but I’m certainly not the first or the only one. To be disappointed with God is in NO WAY an indication that He has somehow reneged on a promise.

“For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in him. That is why we say ‘Amen’ when we give glory to God through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:10)

Jesus Christ has never changed.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

To be disappointed with God is simply to have shifted one’s focus from God as the fulfillment of every dream, to the dream itself. Gordon Allport said it best:

“What gains and sustains our attention, will ultimately rule our lives.”

What I believe that means is that whatever we focus on the most is what will determine who we ultimately become. If we focus on provision, we will lose sight of our Provider. If we focus on health, we will lose sight of our Healer. If we focus on anything other than God, whose “divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life.” (2 Peter 1:3), we will be ruled by whatever else sustains our focus.

Focus is the key to our success in life. I understand that from being a freelance photographer. If I don’t focus on my subject, s/he will likely become lost in the background clutter. We’ve all seen photos in which it’s difficult to tell whom or what the subject is supposed to be. In a great photograph, the subject should capture the eye immediately. It should stand out from the background and its surroundings. Our relationship with God should be like that. God should ALWAYS be the focus of our lives, and everything else—success, fulfilled dreams, wealth, etc.—should remain in the background. It’s not about us!

Our pastor shared with us this morning about a pastor friend who has said to him on more than one occasion that he was hoping someday to do something great for God. Pastor gently reminded us that God doesn’t need our help, thank you very much. He doesn’t need us to do anything great for Him. What He wants, however, is for us to give ourselves wholly to Him so that He can do great things through us. Do you see the difference? It’s NEVER about us!

Think about what has your attention at any given moment. If you’re human, your attention likely shifts numerous times a day, and that’s okay, provided you’re only shifting your conscious attention from something like the song on the radio to the red light looming just ahead. The kind of attention I’m talking about is that “sustained” attention to which Allport referred. That’s what consumes your mind, fills your heart, and permeates your spirit, despite whatever else you may have to focus on during the course of a day. Sure, we have to focus on what we’re doing and where we’re going, but it’s what we think about when we’ve finished what we were doing and gotten to where we were going that really matters.

I see the Christian walk as a journey with Heaven as the destination. For every true believer, Heaven is guaranteed, so there is nothing more we need to do to secure it. We need only to think of our destination as an incentive to stay the course. That said, we are free to focus on other things, and that’s precisely the problem. We have so many choices of where or upon what to place our attention. The problem is that NOTHING or NO ONE deserves our sustained attention other than God. He is the only One who has promised to meet all of our needs. He is the only One who has promised never to leave or forsake us. He is the only One who can give us the strength to do whatever He calls us to do. Doesn’t it make sense then to focus on Him rather than on our problems, our failures, or even our so-called successes?I recently finished teaching my senior high boys’ Bible study class about what are often referred to as the “compound” names of God.

• JEHOVAH-JIREH - “The Lord Will Provide” (Genesis 22:14)
• JEHOVAH-ROPHE - “The Lord Our Healer” (Exodus 15:26)
• JEHOVAH-NISSI - “The Lord Our Banner” or “Victory” (Exodus 17:15)
• JEHOVAH-M'KADDESH - “The Lord is Holy” or “Sanctification” (Leviticus 20:7)
• JEHOVAH-SHALOM - “The Lord is Peace” (Judges 6:24)
• JEHOVAH-ROHI - “The Lord Our Shepherd” or “Protector” (Psalms 23:1)
• JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU - “The Lord is Righteous” (Jeremiah 23:6)
• JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH - “The Lord is There” or “Ever Present One” (Ezekiel 48:35)

(Psalm 23 contains references to all eight of these names.)

During the course of this study, we talked about how there is a name for God to meet every need we could ever have or even imagine. If God is our Provision, we have no need to worry about our needs. If God is our Health, then we have no need to worry about sickness. If God is our Victory, we have no need to worry about defeat. Do you see my point? If we have God, we have everything that we need. That frees us up to focus totally upon Him. And if God “gains and sustains your attention," imagine what a difference He would make in your life.

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