El Chay - The Living God

My soul yearns, yes, even pines and is homesick for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out and sing for joy to the living God.
Psalms 84:2 (AMP)

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In her book, Praying the Names of God, Ann Spangler writes, "This title sets Israel's God apart from the false gods of the surrounding nations. Unlike idols of wood and stone, made by human hands, the Living God is himself Maker of heaven and earth. He alone is the source of life. We live because he lives." (p. 228)

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She further explains this attribute of our God in this way: "Scripture constantly warns against the worship of false gods. The first of the then commandments is itself a proscription against idol worship. The title El Chay, the Living God, empahsize's god's role as Creator of all that is, in contrast with idols made of metal, wood, or stone, which are merely the creations of human hands." (p. 230)

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From Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary we find this definition:

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El - See my post on El as the name of God we studied here. (Strong's Number 410)

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Hebrew Strong's Number: 2416
Hebrew Word: ‏חַי‎
Transliteration: ḥay
Phonetic Pronunciation:khah'ee
Root: from
Cross Reference: TWOT - 644a
Part of Speech:
Vine's Words: Live (To)

Usage Notes:

English Words used in KJV: live 197, life 144, beast 76, alive 31, creature 15, running 7, living thing 6, raw 6, misc 19 [Total Count: 501]

from (chayah); alive; hence raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literal or figurative :- + age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life (-time), live (-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, + merry, multitude, + (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop.—Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

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From the Lexical Aids of the Old Testament, Complete Word Study Old Testament (AMG Publishers):

2416. Chay; this adj. come from chāyāh (2421). Some of its meanings are: living, alive, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live forever, be quickened, revive from sickness, discouragement, or even death; vigorous; fresh, running (water); by the life of, as one lives (as used in oaths and exclamations), livelihood, life, refreshment. The OT places a high value on life and views it as being good. It came from God (Gen. 2:7), but death ensued because of sin. Man was no longer allowed to partake of the tree of life (Gen. 3:22). God is the Source of life (Ps. 36:9, 129:13ff.) and the Lord of life and death (Job 12:10). Chay is a set of experiences, not an abstract principal of vitality which is separate from the body. The Hebrews viewed man holistically, i.e. body, mind [soul, empahsis mine] and spirit were a unified whole. Life was associated with health, prosperity, vitality, etc., while death was the very opposite.

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In the Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament (Victor Books), (p. 821)

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(36:8) Moreover, Eden and Creation are suffested in the next blessings - drink for the river of delights ("delights" is "Eden" in Heb.), and life and light (i.e., understanding, joy, and life) come from God, their Source. So in contrast with the corruptions of the wicked, and obedient believer's life is characterized by security int he Lord, abundant provisioins, life, and understanding in God's presence.

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Now to our Scriptures:

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But the LORD is the true God;

he is the living God, the eternal King.

Jeremiah 10:10a (NIV)

Our living, true, eternal God. He is the source of life, the very breath we breathe and the heartbeat that vibrantly pounds out each footstep, each heartache and each moment of our lives. He is eternal - the source of life, all life is eternal. In Genesis, as we watch the creation of the world unfold one by one, God created and breathes life into each of the living creatures. He crowns His creation with the man and his bride - we are the crown of creation - the finishing touch of life as God created it on earth. He is our source of life, if we are breathing we have a purpose given to us by the Creator of Heaven and Earth.

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"I issue a decree that in every

part of my kingdom

people must fear and

reverence the God of Daniel.

"For he is the living God

and he endures forever;

his kingdom will not be destroyed,

his dominion will never end."

Daniel 6:26 (NIV)

Even pagan kings saw the Living God's hand upon His people. As Daniel was sent into the Lion's Den to be slain, the Living God came and shut up the Lion's mouth. When King Darius returned and found Daniel alive, He declared Daniel's God the Living God, the God who endures forever whose Kingdom will not be destroyed and whose dominion will never end. The God who not only gives life, but preserves and prospers life even in times of great peril. He proves Himself, El Chay, the Living God.

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"Jesus replied, 'Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? 25When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 26Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? 27He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!'" Mark 12:24-37 (NIV)

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Here Jesus is answering the Saducees who question Him about life after the resurrection. He tells them, you read the Scriptures and are learned in "Spiritual" matters, but you concern yourself with temporary conditions. Marriage is not necessary once we are raptured up in the resurrection of the dead. It is not necessary because as a whole, we are the Bride of Christ... We will serve one husband, be united with our Bridegroom - Jesus Christ. He is not the God of the dead, but the living. We are mistaken if we think these earthly concerns and temporary things we contend with on earth are all there is to life. Tonight at my group for bereaved mothers we were talking about our children and one of the mothers looked at pictures and said, "I know that I may be way off here, but that is not your son anymore.... That is not how he is now..."

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I said, "I know. He is better now. He is his best self. All the bad is gone and only the good remains and it is better than it ever would have been here."

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We should not hold onto life here on earth as it is the temporary trappings that distract us from our purpose and the life God has given us to live. How much freer would we be if we simply followed God in a surrendered life rather than running around trying to make our lives work out as we plan hoping God will bless it? Much to ponder here... I'll leave you to your thoughts.

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I want to leave you today with the ultimate expression of our Living God - Emmanuel, God with Us. We will read a chapter from the book of John this day. Note anything the Spirit reveals to you through this passage about our God, El Chay, the Living God. Jesus, that's His name.

As you weigh the Word you might consider what John is saying about the Jesus He met. Examine carefully what John the Baptist says about Him and then consider what Jesus' interaction with those He first called shows us about His life giving nature! Blessings sweet friends... This is a special treat - A Time in the presence of El Chay (The Living God).

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John: Chapter One

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1 In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

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2 He was in the beginning with God.

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3 All things were made through Him,

and without Him nothing was made

that was made.

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4 In Him was life,

and the life was the light of men.

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5 And the light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness did not comprehend it.

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6 There was a man sent from God,

whose name was John.

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7 This man came for a witness,

to bear witness of the Light,

that all through him might believe.

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8 He was not that Light,

but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

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9 That was the true Light

which gives light to every man

coming into the world.

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10 He was in the world,

and the world was made through Him,

and the world did not know Him.

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11 He came to His own,

and His own did not receive Him.

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12 But as many as received Him,

to them He gave the right to become children of God,

to those who believe in His name:

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13 who were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.

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14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,

and we beheld His glory,

the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,

full of grace and truth.

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15 John bore witness of Him

and cried out, saying,

"This was He of whom I said,

'He who comes after me is preferred before me,

for He was before me.' "

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16 And of His fullness we have all received,

and grace for grace.

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17 For the law was given through Moses,

but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

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18 No one has seen God at any time.

The only begotten Son,

who is in the bosom of the Father,

He has declared Him.

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19 Now this is the testimony of John,

when the Jews sent priests and

Levites from Jerusalem to ask him,

"Who are you?"

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20 He confessed,

and did not deny,

but confessed,

"I am not the Christ."

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21 And they asked him,

"What then? Are you Elijah?"

He said, "I am not."

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"Are you the Prophet?"

And he answered, "No."

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22 Then they said to him,

"Who are you,

that we may give an answer to those who sent us?

What do you say about yourself?"

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23 He said:

"I am 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

"Make straight the way of the Lord,"

' as the prophet Isaiah said."

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24 Now those who were sent were from the Pharisees.

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25 And they asked him, saying,

"Why then do you baptize

if you are not the Christ,

nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"

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26 John answered them, saying,

"I baptize with water, but there stands

One among you whom you do not know.

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27 It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me,

whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose."

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28 These things were done in Bethabara

beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

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29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him,

and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away

the sin of the world!

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30 This is He of whom I said,

'After me comes a Man who is preferred before me,

for He was before me.'

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31 I did not know Him;

but that He should be revealed to Israel,

therefore I came baptizing with water."

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32 And John bore witness, saying,

"I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove,

and He remained upon Him.

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33 I did not know Him,

but He who sent me to baptize

with water said to me,

'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending,

and remaining on Him,

this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'

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34 And I have seen and testified

that this is the Son of God."

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35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples.

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36 And looking at Jesus as He walked,

he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!"

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37 The two disciples heard him speak,

and they followed Jesus.

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38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following,

said to them,

"What do you seek?"

They said to Him,

"Rabbi" (which is to say, when translated, Teacher),

"where are You staying?"

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39 He said to them, "Come and see."

They came and saw where He was staying,

and remained with Him that day

(now it was about the tenth hour).

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40 One of the two who heard John speak,

and followed Him, was Andrew,

Simon Peter's brother.

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41 He first found his own brother Simon,

and said to him, "We have found the Messiah"

(which is translated, the Christ).

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42 And he brought him to Jesus.

Now when Jesus looked at him, He said,

"You are Simon the son of Jonah.

You shall be called Cephas" (which is translated, A Stone).

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43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee,

and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me."

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44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida,

the city of Andrew and Peter.

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45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him,

"We have found Him of whom Moses in the law,

and also the prophets, wrote--Jesus of Nazareth,

the son of Joseph."

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46 And Nathanael said to him,

"Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"

Philip said to him, "Come and see."

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47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him,

and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed,

in whom is no deceit!"

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48 Nathanael said to Him,

"How do You know me?"

Jesus answered and said to him,

"Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree,

I saw you."

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49 Nathanael answered and said to Him,

"Rabbi, You are the Son of God!

You are the King of Israel!"

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50 Jesus answered and said to him,

"Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,'

do you believe? You will see greater things than these."

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51 And He said to him,

"Most assuredly, I say to you,

hereafter you shall see heaven open,

and the angels of God ascending and descending

upon the Son of Man."
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(NKJV)

Update: Names of God Study

Hey Sweet Sisters... I want to thank you for staying with me on my sporadic schedule these last few months. I also want you to know I will be moving my post to Thursdays. With my new class and prepping for it the first three days of the week, I find myself cheating you out of the time that I feel it requires to develop these Names of God posts. So tomorrow's post will be up long before the sun... Check back and see.

You are a blessing to me, and I so appreciate you. If you have not read last week's name of God post, "Ish - Our Bridegroom" then please do so. It is lengthy but so full of my testimony of God's great and amazing love for us.

Blessings.

Ish - Our Bridegroom, Our Husband

This week our Name of God is Ish, which is translated more than 1600 times in the Old Testament. Of those 1600 times, there are 69 specific instances when this word is translated Husband. Our Royal Bridegroom. Our Husband. Our God.

Many Scriptures came to mind as I prepared to write this post. And as I considered the undertaking of this particular name I heard God very gently and sweetly say, "Write this one from Your heart. Tell them who I've been to you, Beloved."

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Tears sting my eyes as I sit at my kitchen table with a sense of awe is overflowing in my heart while I consider all the things I can tell you about my Royal Husband, my Bridegroom. But Scripture does it well and I want this more than anything to be a confirmation of who God says He is and how I have found that to be true, than to state anything that might be stretching or turning the truth in any form or fashion.

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A word about this "Key Scripture" from Psalm 45. That Scripture is more literally translated, "The King is enthralled (desires) with your beauty." That word translated "royal husband" in the New Living Translation is actually Melek as we studied two weeks ago, but I wanted you to picture God as Your Husband and I think that this Scripture gives us a beautiful picture of God's appreciation for you as His Bride.

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I remember the day I came to acknowledge Christ as my Bridegroom, the first day I experienced His Love washing over me in a deeply intimate form and fashion. I realized in hindsight that the Holy Spirit had come upon me in a powerful way that day, but I had no idea what that would mean until years later as I pursued the Baptism of the Holy Spirit --- to understand it as God speaks of it in Scripture, to embrace it as a benefit of my calling and to walk fully empowered by the grace and beauty of such a completely satisfying gift. Some of us may acknowledge this type of God experience in different words, but in truth it is the fullest expression and experience of God that I've ever known in my life and it brought great power to me.

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I was at a conference for Pregnancy Resource Center workers where Andy Merritt, the gentleman who pretty much founded and set the model for the PRC as it exists in America today shared the Keynote Message on Saturday, May 3, 2003. His message "So You Could Be His Bride..." Mr. Merritt thoroughly and in great, painstaking detail described a literal word picture of the agony of Christ's arrest, trial, scourging and Crucifixion - it was quite frankly the Passion of the Christ in graphic description. He would describe a snapshot of the painful torment of our Savior and conclude the picture each time with these words: And He did it so YOU could be His Bride.

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After some twenty or so snapshots that ended in "And He did it so YOU could be His Bride..." I was not only weeping, I was face down at the front of the auditorium surrendering myself as His Bride. The next thirty-six hours of my life were life changing. That night I called my father and made not waste of time getting to him to tell him all about my experience with God. My father understood exactly what I was saying as I enthusiastically shared, "Daddy, God showed me today that until I have this love...." Motioning vertically between the sky and my heart, "This love..." Motioning horizontally indicating relationships with people, "...Will never be right."

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I cried the entire drive back home that night and woke up the next morning with fresh awareness of my extreme encounter with Christ. As I bathed and dressed for church my heart, my mind and my entire being was completely centered on who Christ is and just glorying in the fact that He had chosen me.

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My poor husband walked into the room while I was in the midst of one of these glory moments and tears were flowing from my eyes as I tried to dab a mascara wand to paint the black creamy liquid on my lashes ... It was really a useless endeavor that day. I can only say now that as I looked in the mirror I felt as if I would burst and also that I was glowing from the inside out.

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My husband asked me, "Are you okay?"

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"I'm better than okay." I gushed. "Scott, the only way I can describe it is that the scales have fallen off and all I can do is see God everywhere."

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I thought perhaps I would be able to garner some control and sensible expression of my emotions during worship service that day, but no... I really couldn't. By the second song, I was in a FULL. ON. UGLY. CRY. I mean NOT. A. DROP. OF. MAKEUP. was left on my face at the end.

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Then our pastor got up and as he spoke it felt as if the floodgates of heaven poured out into our sanctuary that day. I stopped trying to prevent myself from crying and just gave into to the wonderful, joyful tears of love that were coursing down my cheeks. Our pastor spoke words that directly addressed my heart cry to God the previous few weeks. I mean nearly word for word.

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At the end of the service I went down and asked for prayer... In the midst of my sobbing, laughing request. I must have looked hysterical now that I think of it - I huffed and sputtered, "I... don't know what's happened... but it's .... like all I c-can do is... See God Everywhere. I-I'm j-just so H-HAPPY."

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The worship pastor came to me after the service and said, "I couldn't help but notice you during worship, are you okay?"

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I nodded and muttered, "I'm just happy, that's all."

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He gave me a strange look and nodded. "Okay..."

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Since that time, I have discovered over and over again... That God is my husband and when I love my own husband out of that pure love that was overflowing in my heart that day, all is right with my world.

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At Gateway Church, there is a strong emphasis on male leadership in the home and the church. They have a vision of empowering men to be the "Priest, Prophet and King" of their homes. Our church has women who pastor select areas of ministry in our church, but the eldership and governing of the church is a council of godly male ministers and businessmen - a pretty even split. I honor the role that Gateway encourages the men to take in our homes. I believe it is key to our children growing into healthy, strong spiritual adults.

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God showed me through Gateway that one of the ways my husband is the Priest of our home is that he is the covering for our home. But, it is not my job to make him live up to that role. It is my job to support and encourage him in that role. How? Prayer, and trusting God to be my ultimate covering for my children and our home when I don't see my husband owning that responsibility.

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He also showed me that I need to understand my husband's vision and goals for our family. Even if it is very limited, I need to come in line with what God is directing my husband to do and allow my husband to begin to walk in the role of Prophet in our home. Even if that means that I don't see any fruit of him being a Prophet, I will trust God to be faithful to me in the plans and direction of our family EVEN IF MY HUSBAND DOES NOT LIVE UP TO HIS END OF THE DEAL.

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And, finally - I am to treat my husband as a King, in deferrence to my Lord, not because I am to worship Him and be subject to him, but because by honoring my husband - I honor my King. He is the "Lord" of our home in the same manner that Sarah called Abraham Lord and was honored for her submission. I recently heard a precious man of God say, "Subjection is when you come under authority because you have to or are forced to... Submission is what you willingly give up to place yourself under the authority that has been placed over you."

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Because of Eve's role in the fall, women are not entrusted with the responsibility of decision making and vision casting in the family - why? We are vulnerable to deception. We should always check out visions and plans with our husband to remain in line with God's will. If the truth is told, I am grateful for that.

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Pastor Jimmy Evans says that women were given an extra layer of accountability to men because of the lead Eve took in the sin in the Garden, but on the other hand, Adam was given an extra layer of responsibility because of the lead he deferred to his wife in the sin in the Garden. He went on to teach that when men are living in rebellion it often looks like "passive indifference" while women live in rebellion by being "willfully independent." As those words passed through his lips I felt God tap me on the shoulder and say, "Listen up, this is for you." Willfully independent described my entire life!

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Recently God has really been dealing with me about how I do not trust Him. He has been stirring up areas of my life where I live making my plans, manipulating my circumstances and then asking Him to bless it. One of those areas is finances. So much so that I have made an incredible mess of our finances over the years. I am constantly and shallowly manipulating and "robbing Peter to pay Paul" so much so that I miss God's blessing every time. No area of my life has been more out of line with my royal husband and my earthly one than finances.

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In July I had a moment where I was calculating our debt and what we would need to pay all our current, past due and creditory obligations by the end of the year. The answer I came up with from the "ha, ha" calculator in my head was $30,000. I was contemplating trying to find myself a $30,000 a year job when I sensed God saying, "Wait... What are you doing? More money will not solve your problem, what you need is more faith and more responsibility. Why don't you ask me what I would have you do instead of making YOUR plans and THEN asking me to bless it?"

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I said Okay.

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I confessed the horrible stewardship of our finances and took full responsibility. I confessed that I didn't see a way for our budget to work and for us to ever get out of debt. I told God that short of Him depositing the money in our account I felt like it was hopeless so I needed Him to show me how it would work.
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A few weeks later God began to show me how the Spirit of Mammon was ruling my life and the life of our family and household. I heard a message on breaking that Spirit within a few hours of that revelation. As I made out the tithe I felt strongly led to go down and ask for prayer over the offering and to confess that I needed the Spirit of Mammon broken off of our home and life. I asked my husband to go with me, but he declined. I was crushed. I didn't sense it was my place to go without him. So, I asked him, "Do I have permission to go down without you?"
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He nodded his agreement. "If you need to..."
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In that moment I saw how my handling of our finances had dishonored my Lord and my husband. How my husband's heart had turned hard toward God in the matter and it was partly my responsibility. I was so broken. I confessed everything, and followed the example the pastor had given of asking for a spiritual harvest in place of our tithe. I asked for one hundred faithful generations of good stewards. I will never know how that turns out this side of the veil, but I know this - My God is faithful, My husband provides - and He honors a heart that repents and comes before Him broken and seeking His will and I believe it is His will that the next hundred generations and more will be faithful stewards to His Kingdom.
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What followed was strange by explanation at best. Suddenly, I lost all desire to shop. What I would willingly spend $5.00 on weeks before had become an outrageously extravagant expense. I just refused to give into that kind of wasteful spending. At the same time, the regular overtime my husband had been getting at work that was just making our lives barely comfortable disappeared. Not that his role or status at work changed - just the on call work that he had been doing regularly this summer had come to a "natural" halt. In other words, there were no damaged or cut cables to repair.
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I was worried, but I kept telling myself God is faithful even when I am not. I just kept holding on and praying in faith believing we would have what we asked for. Then Hurricane Ike reared his ugly head. "An Act of God?" Not an act of judgment, but a natural phenomenon that wrought havoc and destruction... On Thursday before Hurricane Ike made landfall my husband's supervisor called and asked him if he wanted to volunteer for the hurricane? My husband said, "Not during the hurricane, but I will go down after and help clean things up."
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I really didn't think Ike would come on as strong as it did. I believed it would be like Rita had been a few years back when my husband went down and helped out for a couple of weeks of decent overtime. Then when Monday passed and we got no call, I thought he had been passed over. Oh ye of little faith.
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On Tuesday afternoon my husband called and said, "We're leaving in the morning." Then I started with, "Oh great, now we have to support two households while he is away..." and he was stressing while he was packing. It was nuts. He left that next morning and called me that evening. "Early reports are that it could be six months or more of work."
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He is working 12 and 13 hour days right now. Yesterday, I began to calculate his next paycheck based on the hours he is working and it actually is more than three times what he normally makes in a two week period. We could literally pay all our monthly expenses out of one check.
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The net of the check is more than 10% of what I asked God for this summer to pay our debts. If my husband is out of town for 24 weeks like some are projecting... that will be 12 paychecks of similar standing. Think about that for a minute. I declared our need at approximately $30,000 and if this check is more than 10%... Do the math...
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A King provides for, protects and acts in the best interest of his subjects. A father provides for, protects and acts in the best interest of his family. But, a Husband is one with His wife, He shares everything with her and promises everything to her on their wedding day. Christ is our royal husband - in Jewish tradition, at the wedding feast (maybe the betrothal feast) the bridegroom pours a cup of wine and drinks from it extending it to his bride and if she drinks it means she accepts his offer of marriage. They become one by that act. We become one with our Bridegroom when we accept His cup of sacrifice - the communal cup of the blood. He calls us His own, He sacrificed all to attain us. He loves us with an unfailing, unending love. He provides only the best for us and we don't have to worry that some day He will put us out by divorce. And the best part... When we fail Him, He pursues us. How beautiful is that?
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As I read through Song of Songs recently I realized something about this relationship to Christ as our groom. Now this is a pencil sketch kind of realization, not a firm doctrine... But, I think it bears witness with truth. We are promised the role of co-heir with Christ as we have been adopted by spiritual covenant and blood atonement into the family of God at salvation. Yet, we would indeed be considered "second" sons and not equal to Christ. I realize God's economy is different, but here is the thing - in our economy now a woman is the primary and sole heir to her husband's estate unless they elect to otherwise surrender that right as a couple. God says that when we are united in marriage - the two become one flesh. When we are united with Christ through Salvation - the two become one Spirit. Here is how I see that inheritance - the way we are eligible for the full portion - the double portion as a first born heir - is through the marriage covenant of the Lamb. It was His plan to unite us to draw parallels with our everyday lives and prove to us how He provides, how He loves and what His true intentions are by sharing with us the ordinary in extraordinary ways.
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He is our Husband. The term husband comes from the word, Husbandry. That word is literally, "caretaker" it is a caretaker in the sense that His role is to place us in and to sustain an environment where we will grow into and reach our full potential that He created us for. Live in His will for You as His Bride. Embrace the marriage covenant and know that He pursues you, He loves you and He is enthralled with your beauty.
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This week, I am not going to post a Chapter of Scripture for reading. I am going to give you an assignment: Read all of the Book of Hosea and then all of the book of Song of Songs. Personalize those Scriptures and find out what God has to say to you about being His Bride. These are treasures you will never forget!
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Love You all Much. Many blessings.

Frazzled...

Okay... So have you ever had so much happening at once you had to check and see if you weren't going in two different directions. If you subtract the baby and add two teenage girls and you pretty much have my life ...


As I watched the early reports on Hurricane Ike I wondered if we would get the call to house evacuees over the week after the hurricane made landfall. However, last Tuesday our family got a call of a different kind. On Wednesday my husband headed down south to help with Hurricane recovery work. Our part is keeping the home fires burning and sacrificing in the area of our budget so that my husband can help restore utilities in the Hurricane ravaged towns.

Granted - my husband gets paid for what he is doing by way of Hurricane recovery. Yet, he is working grueling hours in very poor conditions and we are going to end up spending more than he gets reimbursed for perdium while he is there. I guess it is a good thing my husband's job is not our source. God has a plan and he is faithful. I pray for my husband's spiritual condition while he is away - the long hours and dismal conditions are sure to take their toll at some point. So I ask for prayer for him in so many ways.

He works for a local telephone company and told me that there is enough work there to keep everyone busy (on the telephone side) for about six months. Towns like Baytown, Hitchcock and other Galveston Bay front towns are truly devastated - but are not being talked about much on the news. I stood in line behind a woman who is staying in this area since the hurricane has flooded her house and has her stranded here in town. She said that she needs FEMA help to get a hotel but has not gotten any assistance yet.

We are faced with it everywhere we turn. Our church sent out an email this weekend stating that our church will be a staging facility working with a church in the Hurricane affected area sending volunteers down for four day rotations to gut houses and make it possible for them to be repaired quickly without the threat of mold setting in on the studs and foundation.

I guess, the most troubling thing for me is to think that many people are still missing. My husband reported on Friday that the town they were working in was pretty much wiped out. He saw a couple of D/FW metro area firetrucks pulling up with trailers. They unloaded two "gator" first aid carts with four stretchers each and were accompanied by a police officer with an assault rifle and a can of spray paint. My husband's statment on the scene was bone-chilling for me, "They are about to go in and search for bodies from house to house."

He said - IT IS REALLY BAD. My heart breaks and I asked him how he is dealing with being in a place where he is surrounded by death. He said, "I have a job to do. I try not to think about it too much."

So... I'm praying over these first hand reports, praying for the funds to support two households until my husband's perdium catches up with us in a couple of weeks and praying for protection for everyone who is going down to work and all of those who are hurting over the loss of their home or the loss of their family and friends. May God be merciful and bless them all. Bless them all.

So... I have been a little off since Thursday afternoon. I will get the Names of God caught up Wednesday and post on IOW a week from Tuesday. I am adjusting to my new "single mom" status and realizing how blessed I am to have a husband who helps me so much when he is home.

Mandy Thompson is writing about everyday doers over at her blog. What do these types of reports prompt you to do?

Love to you all and many blessings.

Our Bridegroom, Our Husband - Ish

I am having some particular difficulty getting my computer to operate at an optimum level today! Please forgive me but I would not like to push this post into this afternoon and then be stressed out and rushing for my class tonight!
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I will return tomorrow afternoon and make the post good... Until then, be blessed!

Melek - Our King

This week we study the Hebrew word Melek. Melek is translated King. Throughout the Psalms, God is called Israel's King and not only Israel's King, but they believed that He was King to all nations and that all kings were subject to Him. "He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning." Dan 2:21 (NIV)

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Today we are going to look at how God's plan was to be Israel's King from the beginning and how He established His Son, Jesus as King of Kings. In Psalm 72:1-3 we see a Messianic prophecy predicting the establishment of Jesus, the Christ, as the Lord's righteous and just Millenial King.

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First of all if we go back to Genesis, we will find that Abraham and his descendants were led not by King, but by God. God was their King. Abraham and his family and servants did battle with the kings of the earth and God provided victory. Let's look at the Hebrew word and its definition from Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary before we go any further:

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Hebrew Strong's Number: 4428
Hebrew Word: ‏מֶלֶךְ‎
Transliteration: melek
Phonetic Pronunciation:meh'-lek
Root: from , Greek
Cross Reference: TWOT - 1199a
Part of Speech: n m
Vine's Words: Kingdom

Usage Notes:

English Words used in KJV:
king 2518 royal 2 Hammelech 1 Malcham 1 Moloch 1 [Total Count: 2523]

from (malak); a king :- king, royal.
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In the book of Genesis we find a curious king. He is the King of Salem (Salem is translated Peace), and he is also a priest. His name is Melchizedek and he came to the aid of Abraham after he had battled many other kings and was facing yet another king, the King of Sodom. Melchizedek provided bread and wine for Abraham in his time of need. Communion, reprieve, redemption are all exhibited in the three short verses of Melchizedek's story.

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However, Hebrews 7 gives a bird's eye view of this king and why his appearance in those early chapters of Genesis is so important.

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1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means "king of righteousness"; then also, "king of Salem" means "king of peace." 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever. 4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people--that is, their brothers--even though their brothers are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser person is blessed by the greater. 8 In the one case, the tenth is collected by men who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. 9 One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, 10 because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.
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Hebrews 7:1-10 (NIV)

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Hebrews 7 establishes Melchizedek as a priest of the highest order. Not as a priest of the tribe of Levi ordained hundreds of years later after the exodus from Egypt, but a priest to whom even Levi paid a tithe to through his ancestor, Abraham. A king and a priest offering bread and wine. Sound like anyone you know?

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We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Heb 6:19-20 (NIV)

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Christ was a priest - not in the order of Levi who was of the priestly lineage and served in the temple. Instead, He was a priest in the order of Melchizedek. A King of Peace who was also a priest. A King who came out and served the chosen man of God bread and wine and collected a tenth offering of all the plunder Abraham had amassed during his battles with foreign kings.
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In Christ we not only have a King to whom we are to submit ourselves to, but also a King who has a heart to care for His subjects, His people. He hears our pleas from His throne and He is the source of our hope and the anchor for our souls (Hebrews 6).
Again we see in Psalm 10 a picture of a King who not only rules and has dominion over every other kingdom and king, but also has a deep and loving concern for the plight of his people. A king who listens, encourages, defends and aleves our fears. A call to pay attention from the city gates all the way to the inner sanctuary of Jerusalem to lift up their heads and take notice of the triumphal entry of their eternal King. The King of Glory who is strong and mighty, the Lord Almighty - Yahweh, El Shadday.
The Lord who sits enthroned over the flood. Think of that, pointing back to the flood of Genesis - God's sovereignty was at work even in the calamity of that great flood. From that flood He raised up a people, the Semites. From the Semites He raised up a nation that would make a name for Him - a nation to present His glory in all the earth. The Israelites through the Abrahamic Covenant. He is never off of His throne, but remains enthroned forever. He strengthens and blesses His people with peace. He is King.

In the Gospels, Christ comes as the Anointed One of God in the form of a man - Jesus of Nazareth. During His three years of ministry He explains the mystery of the Kingdoms in Parables. He says, "The Kingdom of Heaven is like..." And then He reveals the mystery in terms which the people can understand. God manifested, God with us - He brought the Kingdom to us and made it accessible to us through Salvation and understandable to us through His Holy Spirit.

He even answered in this way when the Pharisees questioned Him about His Kingdom:

"20Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He replied to them by saying, The kingdom of God does not come with signs to be observed or with visible display, 21Nor will people say, Look! Here [it is]! or, See, [it is] there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you]." ~ Luke 17:20-22 (AMP)

The Kingdom over which God reigns is not only an eternal future Kingdom with real property, but it is a right now, at hand Kingdom that exists not only in our hearts, but in the hearts of those around us who love Him, too. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Does Christ have rule in your heart? His Kingdom is there.

We serve a King who is immortal, invisible, the ONLY GOD, and who is worthy of all HONOR and GLORY forever and ever. Can You SAY! YES, LORD! Oh Glory, I don't think I can cover it any better than that. We are also co-heirs with our King... what does that look like in your economy? It looks like Heaven in mine.
When the nations of this world rage against the King of Glory, the Lamb of God, He will overcome because He is the LORD OF LORDS and KING OF KINGS AND with Him will be His called, chosen and faithful followers. Think of that... We are part of the Victory of the Lamb over the dark spiritual forces and principalities and the ungodly nations of this world. We are His crown.

As you read this week's Chapter for reflection on Melek - Our King. Try to capture in your mind's eye this description of your great and mighty King:

The Rider on the White Horse

11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND Lord OF Lords.

Revelation 19:11-16 (NIV)

Stand amazed before Him friends, worship Him, He is the King.

Pray for me...

I have a direction to take with this morning's Names of God post... However, I'm praying through it so as to know exactly what God would have me say. It may be a little different than the usual, yet I feel like I'm really supposed to go here.

I'll be back in later with a post that will BLESS. YOUR. SOCKS. OFF.

NO. PRESSURE. RIGHT?

Laughter is good medicine, and right now I am laughing at myself. Go ahead, admit it - you are laughing, too. Blessings and Thanks in advance.

Update: Names of God Study Schedule

Hey there, my Names of God study friends! I just wanted to give you an idea of where we are headed with this study as we close out the year of New Beginnings, 2008.

We have nine names left to study --- Is that not amazing to you? It is to me.

We have studied: Elohim, El Roi, El Shadday, El Olam, Yahweh Yireh, Yahweh, Adonay, Yahweh Rophe, Yahweh Nissi, Esh Oklah, El Kanna, Qedosh Yisrael, Yahweh Shalom, Yahweh Tsuri, Yahweh Roi and Hashem.
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Our final weeks for the Names of God Study will be as follows:

September 10th - King, Melek

September 17th - Husband, Ish

September 24th - Judge, Shophet

October 1st - Hope of Israel, Miqweh Yisrael

October 8th - The Lord Our Righteousness, Yahweh Tsidqenu

October 15th - God Most High - El Elyon

October 22st - The Lord is There - Yahweh Shammah

October 29th - Father - Ab, Abba, Pater
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It is hard for me to believe by the first of November, we will have concluded this study. But, what we have learned together - Oh the Lord is so, so good.

I will not be hosting Bible study on my blog through the Holidays, but will be writing more about what this time of year means to me as I conclude my Women's Group at church for the fall semester. That excites me to know end.

In January, if you are willing. I would like to begin a study on the names of Jesus. I can't wait to dig into these wonderful truths with you as we dance our way through 2009. We will begin the Names of Jesus study on January 14, 2009 - so stay tuned and let's finish strong. God is so, so good.

Hashem - The Name

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Yes, The Names of God Bible Study post is back. Read On... Hashem.

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In her Bible Study, "The Patriarchs," Beth Moore teaches in the introductory session that the Israelites so revered the name of God that they would not speak it for fear of profaning it. (The Patriarchs, Moore, 2005, Lifeway Publications, p. 10)

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Instead of using the Tetragrammaton, YHWH, (pronounced Yahweh) they called God "Hashem" which is a combination of two Hebrew words, ha - translated as a definite article: "the;" and shem - translated as follows from the Hebrew:
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Hebrew Strong's Reference Number: 3084
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Hebrew Word: ‏שֵׁם‎
Transliteration: shēm
Phonetic Pronunciation: shame
Root: a primitive word [perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position
Cross Reference: TWOT - 2405
Part of Speech: n m
Vine's Words: Name
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Usage Notes:

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English Words used in KJV: name 832 renown 7 fame 4 famous 3 named 3 named + 2 famous + 1 infamous + 1 report 1 misc 10 [Total Count: 864]
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a primitive word [perhaps rather from (suwm) through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare (shamayim)]; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character :- + base, [in-] fame [-ous], name (-d), renown, report.

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Vine's defines this word in this way: "name; reputation; memory or renown." Cognates of this word appear in Akkadian, Ugaritic, Phoenician, Aramaic, and Arabic. This word appears about 864 times and in all periods of biblical Hebrew.
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It is not always true that an individual's "name" reveals his essence. Names using foreign loan words and ancient words were probably often not understood. Of course names such as "dog" (Caleb) and "bee" (Deborah) were not indicative of the persons who bore them. Perhaps some names indicated a single decisive characteristic of the bearer. In other cases, a "name" recalls an event or mood which the parent(s) experienced at or shortly before the child's birth and/or naming. Other names make a statement about the individual. This sense of a name as an identification appears in Genesis 2:19 (an early occurence of this word): "...And whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof." On the other hand, the names by which God revealed Himself (‘Adōnāy, ‘El, Elōhîm) do reflect something of His person and work.

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Šēm can be a synonym for "reputation" or "fame": "Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name; lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth" (Gen. 11:4). To "give a name for one" is to make him famous: "and what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to go make a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land..." (2 Sam. 7:23). If a name goes forth for one, his "reputation" of fame is made known: "And thy renown went forth among the heathen for they beauty..." (Ezek. 16:14). Fame may include power: "and he lifted up his psear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three" (2 Sam. 23:18). This sense, "men of reputation," appears in Gen. 6:4: "...mighty en which were old, men of renown.".

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This word is sometimes a synonym for "memory" or "reputation" (that which remains): "...And so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth" (2 Sam. 14:7). In this respect "name" may include property, or an inheritance: "Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father" (Num. 27:4).

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Šēm can connote "renown" and "continuance" (in those remaining after one): "And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown" (nu. 16:2). This significance is in the phrase "to raise up his name after him": "What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance" (cf. Deut. 9:14; 25:6; Ruth 4:5). [Vines, Thomas Nelson, 1986]

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Okay, I know this is talking about the Angel of the Lord sent to lead and prepare the way for Israel. However, I zeroed in on verse 21: "Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him."

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As I thought about the implications of this passage - I considered how it speaks to our reverence for men called to lead by God. When we rebel against the counsel of godly men, men who are called and minister by the Name, Hashem, of God, we in fact are rebelling against God. It should cause us to exercise care and consider the godly wisdom of the called of God whether they are elected officials, ordained officials or lay people who are fulfilling the calling of God through the anointing of His name.

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It also strikes me the protection from the enemy that exists in the NAME of God and those who are called and anointed by His name. From Vine's we learn the the benefits of His name are a part of our inheritance, a part of the blessing of redemption.
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Exodus 20:7 establishes the importance of God's name, Leviticus 24 sets forth the consequences for forsaking that name, blaspheming it. In my mind blasphemy is more than using the name of God as a curse - though that misuse of a name that brings redemption, love, peace and blessing is enough - I think of it even as overusing it - taking it for granted and using it without proper respect, submission and honor. Even allowing His name to be dishonored by our choices and allowing others to be hurt by our actions and choices when we are representing the name of God. If we revered the name of God as the Israelites of old did, I believe we would truly live differently. We would talk, act and be different than we wholly are because of the Holiness that His name represents. The misuse or misrepresentation of the reputation of God is punishable by death. That should weigh on us and bring us to a new depth of not only honor and service before Him, but in relationship to Him.

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Our obedience and our walk (public and private) declares something about the God we profess not only to those we immediately influence in our daily lives, but also to the NATIONS. It brings special honor to us to be called by the name of the Lord, reverence and blessing in both our lives and the lives of our children become evident as we pass on a legacy of faith and reverence for the Holy name of God.
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David had such a humilty and love for the name of the Lord he was concerned that the name of the Lord did not have a permanent dwelling placed but instead traveled around among His people in a tent. He even witnessed what happens when those who care for the articles called by His name are misued and mishandled. Because of his orders and the priests mishandling of the transportation of the ark, one of David's men died because he touched it when the load shifted because they transported it by cart and not hand. Anything called by the name of the Lord bears His reputation and the call to holiness and honor that the Lord Himself demands.

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His name is worthy of all our praise and worship. Think of that - the utterance of His name, acknowledging who He is is a reason for worshipping and praising. Who He is, not just what He does. Names scream identity and God created us and redeemed us to be a people of His name - to make Him known and so that others could identify with Him through us. One of the ways is by our expressions of love toward Him and His name.
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Those who love and honor the name of the Lord receive the benefit of His presence and His mercy - He is always faithful to care for those who love Him - love His name.
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Again, as we express our love (worship) for the name of God, we will experience His mercy and His presence in profound and healing ways.
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As I read this... I took me to the place of redemption and the power of the Name of Christ in the life of the believer.

Let's look at some New Testament principles related to His Name.

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1. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:13) It is the name of Christ that brings us restoration and redemption. Relationship with God begins by declaring and calling on the name of the Lord as our Savior.

2. Jesus' name trumps every other name. (Philippians 2:9-11) His name, the name of the Lord, is the name above all names. He is exalted. At His very name, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He not only is the Christ but that He is Lord of all. They will declare Him Lord to the glory of His Father.

3. Jesus has inherited a name, that by adoption became our name as well at Salvation. (Hebrews 1:3-4) Think of that. The name of Jesus that is higher than every created and angelic being is our own. We have it as a co-heir with Him in the Kingdom of God.

4. The judgment against us is removed by a name given that is only known to God. (Revelations 2:17) In the account of Stephen as he was martyred in the book of Acts, Paul (then Saul) is said to have given his approval to the stoning. During those days the Pharisees cast their judgement by standing in a gathering and casting stones in the center. A white stone represented innocence and a dark stone represented guilt. This is the manner by which a Pharisee executed his judgment or approval toward the stoning and punishment of another. God tells us here that there is a white stone given for us that has a new name written upon it known only to him who receives it. This white stone cancels our old identity in the sinful nature and gives us a new identity in Christ who receives us as His own.

5. When we have finished the race and overcome this world through the power of Christ, we will be placed as a pillar in the eternal temple of God - upon us is written His name. The seal or mark of our eternal inheritance and place in the New Jerusalem. (Revelations 3:12) He is our God and on Him will be written our NEW IDENTITIES!

6. Jesus is called by many names in Scripture but this Revelation 19:11-13 picture of our Bridegroom makes my heart soar. His names as identified here are "Faithful and True," and "the Word of God." In verse 12 we also learn that He has a name written upon Him that no one but He Himself knows. A name unspoken by human lips, unprofaned by the wickedness of man's soul... A Name to redeem all names. He is the Lord and we have much to learn about Him - do we not?

HASHEM... The Name.

As you read the following Scriptures consider what they reveal to you about the sacred nature of God's name:

Worship our Lord - Hashem - The Name Above all Names