Names of God

This is the only time of the year when you can hear songs about God, or "religious" Christmas songs,  almost anywhere.   The popular song "Angels We Have Heard on High", for example, sings of "Jesus Lord of heaven and earth", "Christ the Lord, the newborn king", and "our Savior's birth".    Famous musicians release Christmas albums with songs lyrics such as these.  I hope they sing with sincerity, but  I also wonder what they really think of the claims in made in these songs.     

The word "God" can mean different things to different people, depending on the person's perspective about who He is.    At Christmastime two years ago, I wanted to help my clients in recovery to know more about who God is so I made the following list.    Its not a complete list, but if you've never heard any of these beautiful names, then surely they will bless those who are seeking to understand why people sing "Glory to God in the highest", or "Gloria in excelsis Deo".   

 
 El Shaddai (All-Sufficient One, Lord God Almighty)
This refers to God completely nourishing, satisfying, and supplying His people with all their needs as a mother would her child. Connected with the word for God, El, this denotes a God who freely gives nourishment and blessing, He is our sustainer.

Gen 28:3 - And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people

El Elyon (The Most High God)
It expresses the extreme sovereignty and majesty of God and His highest preeminence.     When the two words are combined — El Elyon — it can be translated as "the most exalted God.”

Psalm 57:2 - I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me.

Adonai (Lord, Master)
Plural form; Isaiah 28:16 - Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken. (This cornerstone is Jesus Christ.)

Yahweh/YHWH (Lord, Jehovah; omnipotence of God, absolute ruler)
Yahweh is the promised name of God. This name of God which (by Jewish tradition) is too holy to voice, is actually spelled "YHWH" without vowels.  This is the name most often used for God in the Old Testament (6, 519 times).  

Malachi 2:17 - You have wearied the LORD with your words. "How have we wearied him?" you ask. You have wearied him by saying that all who do evil are good in the LORD's sight, and he is pleased with them. You have wearied him by asking, "Where is the God of justice?"

Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner)
Jehovah is translated as "The Existing One" or "Lord." The chief meaning of Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word Havah meaning "to be" or "to exist."

In Exd 17:15, Moses, recognizing that the Lord was Israel's banner under which they defeated the Amalekites, builds an altar named Jehovah-Nissi (the Lord our Banner).

Exodus 17:15 - Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner.

Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd)
A shepherd is one who feeds or leads his flock to pasture (Eze 34:11-15). An extend translation of this word, rea', is "friend" or "companion." This indicates the intimacy God desires between Himself and His people. When the two words are combined — Jehovah Raah — it can be translated as "The Lord my Friend."

Psalm 23:1 - The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals)
Rapha (râpâ') means "to restore", "to heal" or "to make healthful" in Hebrew.  Jehovah is the Great Physician who heals the physical and emotional needs of His people.

Psalm 6:2 - Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak. Heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony.
Jeremiah 3:22 - "My wayward children," says the LORD, "come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts." "Yes, we're coming," the people reply, "for you are the LORD our God.”

Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There)
Shammah is derived from the Hebrew word sham, which can be translated as "there."

Ezekiel 48:35 - "The distance around the entire city [Jerusalem] will be 6 miles. And from that day the name of the city will be 'The LORD Is There.'”

Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness)
(pronounced “tsid-kenah”)  "to be straight," or "righteous" in Hebrew

Jeremiah 33:16 - In those days Judah will be saved, And Jerusalem will dwell safely. And this is the name by which she will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

Jehovah M’kaddesh (The Lord Who Sanctifies You)
Meaning "sanctify," "holy," or "dedicate." Sanctification is the separation of an object or person to the dedication of the Holy. When the two words are combined — Jehovah Mekoddishkem — it can be translated as "The Lord who sets you apart."

Lev 20:8 - Keep my statutes and do them; I am the LORD who sanctifies you.

El Olam (The Everlasting God, The God of Ancient Days)
Olam literally means "forever," "eternity," or "everlasting".

Jeremiah 10:10 - But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth will tremble, And the nations will not be able to endure His indignation.
Isaiah 26:4 - Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.

Elohim (Creator God)
Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Psalm 8:5 - For You have made him [man] a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

Pater (Father)
Matthew 5:16 - In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Qanna (Jealous, zealous)
The fundamental meaning relates to a marriage relationship. God is depicted as Israel's husband; He is a jealous God, wanting all our praise for Himself and no one else.

Exodus 34:14 - You must worship no other gods, for the LORD, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you.
 
Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)
Genesis 22:14 - And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, "In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided."

Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace)
Judges 6:24 - And Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and named it Yahweh-Shalom (which means "the LORD is peace"). The altar remains in Ophrah in the land of the clan of Abiezer to this day.

Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts, The Lord of Armies)
Jehovah Sabaoth can be translated as "The Lord of Armies" (1Sa 1:3). This name denotes His universal sovereignty over every army, both spiritual and earthly. The Lord of Hosts is the king of all heaven and earth.

Isaiah 3:15 - How dare you crush my people, grinding the faces of the poor into the dust?" demands the Lord, the LORD of Heaven's Armies.
Zechariah 1:3 - Therefore, say to the people, 'This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says: Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.'

I AM  הָיָה
Exodus 3:14 - Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?"
God replied to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you."

John 8:24 - That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I AM who I claim to be, you will die in your sins."

The Alpha and Omega (The Beginning and The End)
Revelation 1:8 - "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 21:6 - He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.”
 
Names of Christ (not a complete list)

Jesus/Yeshua/Joshua
Means “Jehovah is salvation”, “God incarnate”
Matthew 1:21 - "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins."
Revelation 1:5 - “...and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us.”

Emmanuel (God is with us)
Matthew 1:23 - "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'"

Ya'ats (Counselor), Pele (Wonderful)
Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Sar Shalom (The Prince of Peace)
Isaiah 9:6  (prophecy) - For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Messiah/Christ (Anointed)
John 4:25 - The woman said, "I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."

Soter (Savior of the World)
John 4:42 - They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."

Agnus Dei (The Lamb of God)
John 1:29 - The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

Hodos (The Way), Aletheia (The Truth), Zoe (The Life)
John 14:6 - Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Matthew 7:14 - "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Poimen (The Shepherd)
John 10:11  - "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Ampelos (The Vine)
John 15:5 - "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”

Every Moment Counts

The other day my first grader stayed home from school with a cold.   She looked and sounded terrible.   She was up and about, not really sick enough to be crashed on the couch all day and well enough to be bored by 9:30.   Sick and bored, with only half her normal energy level.  I had thought I would escape the bug, but by the afternoon I knew I hadn't.      

After a movie, a craft, games, a napless toddler, someone always asking for food but never eating much, constant running of interference between sick child and napless child, and a box of Christmas stuff dragged out of the closet as a desperate attempt to keep them occupied, I was ready to call it a day.   Before dinner.      

By 8 pm,  the girls were clean, fed, and snoozing soundly.   While breathing in as much steam as possible in a hot shower, I pondered the day.   I've had much harder times as a parent, but for some reason I wanted to feel a sense of accomplishment, some kind of tangible result from a day's work.   

Wouldn't it be nice if someday, years from now, my older daughter would say, "You remember that day when we all felt like crap but you did a fantastic job anyway?  Thank you for being such a super awesome workhorse parent!   I will treasure the example you set for me forever."  Realistically, she probably won't remember this day because nothing of any significance happened, at least not in an earthly sense.   

Then suddenly I was hit with a thought:  every moment counts.   Every.  Moment.   "God?  Is that you?   So if every moment counts in your eyes then I have to be a perfect parent and we both know that's not gonna happen."  

If God was sending a little encouragement my way, and I believe he was, then the basic message is not perfectionism but this:  Love is never in vain.   Every loving thing we do for our children counts, no matter how seemingly mundane.  No one else may see, but God sees and this love is impressed on their young hearts.    

A long while back I had an insight about love.   If the ultimate example of selfless love is Jesus dying for mankind, then warm fuzzy feelings have little to do with it.    He did not feel warm fuzzies when he died.   

Its easy to love my adorable girls with warm fuzzy feelings but there are times when parenting does not feel like this at all (some vomit memories come to mind).   In such times, we can look to Jesus' sacrificial attitude as the foundation of how we love our children.  Not out of drudgery, but from a  heart full of grace.  


  

The ABCs of Thinking Part 2

 I love these verses that emphasize what, in a nutshell, describes a healthy state of mind:   For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace (Rom 8:6); We have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16), ...to be renewed in the spirit of your minds (Eph 4:23); And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:7).   

 Its clear from these scriptures that thinking and spirituality are related.   Your spiritual "eyes" are your filter.   After Phil 4:7, Paul tells his readers to dwell on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise.   Much easier said than done!   Try watching the ten o'clock news and come away with any information that comes close to pure and lovely. 

The good news is that the spirit does some of the work for us since we can't (e.g. renewing our minds).  We modern folk have more of a challenge being exposed to nonstop bad news and other negative media (primetime TV anyone?), but in the long run we are responsible for how we think.  

Here are some common unhealthy thinking habits:

All-or-nothing thinking - rigid black or white thinking; there's no middle ground; perfectionism
Overgeneralizing - one bad thing leads to negative assumptions about other things; words like always, never, nobody, everyone.   Ex: "No one ever cares about what I have to say."  
Magnifying/minimizing - exaggerating negatives and ignoring positives; everything is a catastrophe
Mind reading - Assuming what others think without asking; leads to resentment
Fortune telling - Worrying/fretting/freaking out; assuming the worst will happen or, if it does, the consequences will be unbearable
Emotional reasoning - Assuming your feelings always accurately represent reality.   Ex: I feel like a loser right now so I must be one.  

These habits can be so entrenched in us that we don't even realize we're doing it.    How often do we stop and think about our thinking?     People struggling with addiction often relapse long after their bodies are drug free because they fall into the same old negative patterns of thought.   

You can be sure that Satan knows how to take advantage of our weaknesses.   James 1:13-15 describes how this happens:  "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

We don't have to go through life forever analyzing ourselves, but if we allow the Holy Spirit to expose our weaknesses we will find freedom.   2 Cor 3:17, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

Adapted from Nelson Binggeli at http://www.nelsonbinggeli.net/NB/CBT-CR.html