The Names of God Series | JEHOVAH NISSI (THE LORD MY BANNER)

Meaning and Derivation: 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." It also suggests "to become" or specifically "to become known" - this denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly. Nes (nês), from which Nissi derived, means "banner" in Hebrew. 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). Nes is sometimes translated as a pole with an insignia attached. In battle opposing nations would fly their own flag on a pole at each of their respective front lines. This was to give their soldiers a feeling of hope and a focal point. This is what God is to us: a banner of encouragement to give us hope and a focal point. [From BlueLetterBible]

And Moses built an altar and called its name, Jehovah Nissi [The-Lord-Is-My-Banner]; for he said, “Because the Lord has sworn: the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”

Exodus 17:15-16

Jehovah Nissi is most commonly translated into "the Lord is my banner". Although through-out the years it has also taken on "the Lord they miracle", "the Lord my refuge" and "the Lord my Exaltation". All which really do speak to how God is our protector, hiding place, and shelter even when there seems to be no hope. He is our Commander and Chief, in Him alone should we place our ultimate trust. By God's grace we have victory over sin, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

What was the specific reason though that Moses designated this name for God in the place an time?

Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.”

Exodus 17:8-14

How amazing! If you have had a chance to read, 31 Rays of Hope, you know that I am intrigued by the blatant "acts of God" in the Old Testament. Albeit I am learning more and more every day we have those same miracles - we just don't recognize them as such. Though thankfully we do not have to sacrifice animals in atonement for our sins as days of old, as Jesus Christ paid the debt that we could not pay.

May we give thanks for God for His loving-kindness, for never leaving us, whether we are on the mountain tops or low in the valley. For giving us victory over this world. For giving us a way into His to spend eternity with Him and the Savior, if we only believe. May we pray for those who are persecuted for His name sake. May we call upon forgiveness, and may the Spirit abound in us, as we shine our light to everyone we meet. In Jesus name.   

   

The Names Of God Series | JEHOVAH JIREH (THE LORD WILL PROVIDE)

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." It also suggests "to become" or specifically "to become known" - this denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly. Jehovah-Jireh is a symbolic name given to Mount Moriah by Abraham to memorialize the intercession of God in the sacrifice of Isaac by providing a substitute for the imminent sacrifice of his son. [from BlueLetterBible]

And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.
Genesis 22:14

God provided a ram to be used in replacement of his long awaited  son, Isaac. God provided Jesus, as the ultimate atoning sacrifice. God provides us with life, the very breath that we inhale and exhale comes from Him. God provides us with everything.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Psalm 23

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Matthew 6:26

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
James 1:17

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

Thanks be to God whom provides for His creation, both those that acknowledge Him and those that do not. We give thanks for Your loving-kindness which transcends beyond human comprehension, and pierces the innermost parts. May we seek to know You more dear God, and mimic that same love, compassion, kindness, and grace to those that we met. In the name of the precious one, by whom alone we are saved, Jesus Christ. ✝

The Names of God Series | JEHOVAH RAPHA (THE LORD WHO HEALS)

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." It also suggests "to become" or specifically "to become known" - this denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly. Rapha (râpâ') means "to restore", "to heal" or "to make healthful" in Hebrew. When the two words are combined - Jehovah Rapha - it can be translated as "Jehovah Who Heals." [from BlueLetterBible]

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.
Exodus 15:26

"I know He can heal me, He has done it time and time again. God is glorified through my sickness and through my healing."

This is something I have heard time and time again from a person whom is near and dear to my heart, my momma. From heart issues to cancer to a brain tumor to strokes, the woman has a vast majority of medical issues, handing each one over to God time and time again. When she was only 20 a doctor told her that she would never live to see 30, when she was 41 doctors said she would not make it the rest of the year, in August of this year she turned 69 and stands by what she told them all along, "My God does not care what doctors think". We stand in faith and hope that one day, though we know in the next she will be free of sickness, a time will come in this life which she will as well.

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Psalm 103:2-5

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3

Whether it be physical or emotional or the healing of our lives from sin to forgiveness, Jehovah Rapha is there for you, you need only ask. True, as the Kutless song (Even If) makes mention to sometimes healing doesn't come, people do die from sickness. Does that mean that God is not there? No. Does it mean that God does not care? No. There is just a much larger plan that we are all a part of. We are promised that if we choose salvation through Jesus Christ in this life, then in the next there will be no more pain [Rev 21:4], and God always keeps His promises! 

Train Your Brain

Thanks to Starbucks I have received a free month of the program, Lumosity. It is geared toward improving memory and attention, using games designed by neuroscientists.  While there are applications, pills, and tricks to improve mental clarity and function on biological levels; it is also wise we use the Bible to keep our mind fixed on the things that are Spiritual and of real life context.

As you will hear Joyce Meyer say time and time again, "The battlefield is in the mind". A healthy mind, leads to a healthy life. A healthy mind, that is attuned to the Creator of all things, has the ability to weather any storm.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:12

For some of you thinking positively may come easy. For others, you may have a negative, unsettling, or destructive thought enter your noggin, and instead of immediately rebuking it, you allow it to fester, and take over your entire head space until you are unsure why God even created you in the first place (or lead you to a choice we should have not made).  As we are told in Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." It is very important that we learn to control our minds, and not allow it to run rampant. Which comes first by being able to identify good vs. bad thoughts, and immediately shutting down anything that is contrary to God's word, and who we are as children of God.

However this change, just like any other, does not have to be accomplished alone! We only need seek God, and ask Him to help us and to put on our armor daily. We need to ask Almighty God to restore our minds and put them in alignment with His will; we petition Him that we see ourselves as He sees us (which we know is with love beyond measure since sent He sent His son to die a horrific death on our behalf, so we might be reconciled to Him as Jesus was resurrected from the dead).

In conclusion remember, "In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39

The Skeleton Key

He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
Psalm 103:10-14 (ESV)

There is no doubt we can be our own worst enemies. We have the ability to allow our wants, desires, and other peoples influence take us from the path in which God knows is best for us. However, the great news is that there is always an open door back! Like the dad of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32, Father God welcomes us back into His court (time and time again). God's forgiveness abounds so much, that even a man who openly denied Christ (Peter) before his crucifixion (Luke 22:54-62) went on to deliver the message of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-36).

 

The key is to always seek God. 

Seek Him in your highs and lows, obedience and disobedience.

Only through Christ are we made perfect, alone we will never be. Yet, that doesn't mean in the midst of whatever we are going through that God doesn't care, whether it be by our own design or another's.

He is creator of the world, and He loves you so very much! Remember, it is by Him you are alive. It was by Him you were born.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39

So I'm gonna fangirl for a moment ...

Friday I was blessed with the opportunity to be a volunteer at the Rend Collection, Urban Rescue and Moriah Peters show at the Variety Playhouse in Little 5 Points for the Art Of Celebration Tour. Initially I was not scheduled to be at this event, but someone asked me to cover their shift, and I could .. so I did.

I first heard about Moriah on Air1's "behind the music" featurette a few months ago. Her song "You Carry Me" is a soulful tune that speaks to my core (however interestingly enough it is not my super fave from her latest album, but I digress). It was my unspoken prayer request that I got placed at her table for merchandise. And guess what, I did. Pre-show I was introduced to and given the low-down from Jesie, a talented and very nice thirfter, whom is a multi-instrument performer in Moriah's band.

Even though I was working the show, I was able to watch Moriah perform "You Carry Me", which totally blew me away. The girl is great live yall, like I mean FOR REAL. Not to mention she had on mermaid pants that changed color, handmade by her sister. Later chats were had about her sister totally getting an Etsy store, and duplicating the lovely princesses who desire them.

From the time Moriah finished her performance until the doors to the venue closed, it was such a blessing to see crowds of people who had never heard of her all echo their admiration. From little baby girls to granddads they spoke in agreement, "that girl is awesome". Not only is her voice, and her message amazing, but her personality is as well. After the show she came to the merch table for a meet-n-greet, and had a real, personal encounter with each individual who came up. She signed cds, posed for photos, doled out positive affirmations and encouraging scripture, and thanked every one of them for their support. When the last fan had left, she thanked my co-volunteer (Sarah) and I, and gave us a little gift. Then we all chatted while Moriah, Jesie, Sarah and I packed up, and parted ways.

Seriously, did I mention Moriah is only 21. So humble. So real. This girl will undoubtedly go far in life. Many blessings to her in Christ! 

Now, as mentioned above I was given a little gift which happened to be a signed copy of her new album Brave, which has been in my cd player since Friday about 11pm. This album is FOOD FOR THE SOUL! Admittedly, I don't listen to a lot of female singers, but Moriah is on another level. She speaks about things that which relate to us all, and her voice is so unique! Perhaps I could give you someone to compare her to, but that would be unfair, as it only lasts for a second. She stands on her own. There is not one song on this album that I dislike. So with that being said, here are my five favorite tracks (at the moment, out of the eleven) in order of appearance on the album. Did I mention, I really like the album? I hope you enjoy them, as much as I do, or even more!

     

Ever Wondered What To Say To A Homeless Person?

Check out this great article by Winston Ross on "5 Things To Say vs 5 Things Not To Say" when you encounter someone who is homeless.

Singleness Isn’t a Curse - Daniel Boterf [Guest Post]

Thanks to Daniel (aka fella with an awesome beard) for allowing me to post this on here! I hope you all are as enlightened, encouraged and blessed by it as myself!

Singleness Isn’t a Curse

It seems like everyone is either getting engaged or married right now! Many of my closest friends are now headed towards marriage, and I am super excited for them!

Now, I’m going to be honest, I have felt kind of lonely and out of place. A lot of my friends are dating and/or getting married, and in my close circle of friends I am one of the only single people. This started provoking thoughts like:

“When will it be my turn?”

“Why can’t I experience what they are experiencing?”

I was worrying so much about whether or not I would ever experience what my friends were experiencing that I lost sight of what was most important: Seeking God. Whether I am single, dating, or married, I should always seek the Lord and worship him daily. This wasn’t my posture. Oh, no. I was not content with just being single. I wanted a relationship. I didn’t want to be single anymore. God then reminded me of a story my dad told me a while back. A story that I will always remember.

My dad had just turned 20 and really desired to find a wife. He looked everywhere for “the one,”  but couldn’t find her. His dad (my grandpa) sat him down and read Matthew 6:33 to him. Which states:

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

My grandpa told my dad to seek God! “You get so caught up in looking for someone to marry that you have lost sight of what really matters. Seek God and then He will add these things.” Now 20 years later, my dad has shared that story with me multiple times, but I have really taken it to heart recently. Singleness isn’t a disease or a curse. It is a gift from God and should be treated as such. My desire to find a girl should not supersede my desire to seek after my Lord. He is all in all, and He is better.

Through this I have learned 3 things:

1. Singleness is a gift.
2. Do not let your singleness rob you of the joy that God has given you.
3. Use your singleness to glorify God.

Lastly, I want to share what the next verse after Matthew 6:33 says,

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34

God is sovereign over our singleness, our dating, and our marriages. He knows what He is doing. Don’t worry. Trust Him.