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In this episode, Costi Hinn continues the Names of God series by exploring El Shaddai—God Almighty. Through the story of Abraham, we see that our limitations are never a limitation for God. When our strength runs out, His resources never do.
In this episode, we begin an exciting new series exploring the names and attributes of God throughout Scripture. Names in the Bible are not simply labels—they reveal something about the character, nature, authority, and identity of the One who bears them. As we discover these names, we are invited to know God more deeply and to recognise the ways He has chosen to reveal Himself to us.We begin our journey with **Elohim**.Right from the opening words of Genesis, God introduces Himself as the Creator: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” The name *Elohim* points us toward the majesty, power, sovereignty, and creative authority of God. Before there was anything else—before the heavens, the earth, light, oceans, plants, animals, or humanity—there was God.Genesis 1 gives us a breathtaking picture of Elohim speaking creation into existence. With His word, light breaks into darkness. He separates the waters, establishes the land, fills the skies and seas, and brings life into the world. Creation is not an accident or a meaningless collection of events. It is the work of a purposeful Creator whose power and wisdom are displayed throughout everything He has made.As we explore Elohim, we consider what it means to look at creation and see His fingerprints all over it. The beauty of a sunrise, the complexity of the human body, the vastness of the universe, the changing seasons, the diversity of life, and even the smallest details of creation can point us beyond themselves to the God who made them.This episode challenges us to slow down and pay attention. Creation can become so familiar that we stop noticing the One who created it. Yet Scripture repeatedly calls us to look at what God has made and recognise His glory. The heavens declare His greatness, the earth displays His handiwork, and every part of creation reminds us that we are not living in a world without purpose or design.But Elohim is not merely powerful enough to create the universe—He is also the God who chooses to reveal Himself and invites us into relationship with Him. The Creator of heaven and earth is not distant or unknown. He has spoken, He has revealed Himself through His Word, and ultimately He makes Himself known through Jesus Christ.As we begin this series, our prayer is that discovering the names of God will move beyond simply gaining information. May it deepen our worship, strengthen our faith, and change the way we see God and the world around us.So this week, we begin where Scripture begins: **“In the beginning… God.”**Join us as we explore **Elohim—the Creator, the God of heaven and earth—and discover what His first revelation of Himself in Genesis teaches us about who He is and how we should respond to Him.**
In this talk Abi and Nathan explore the name "Jehovah Jireh" and show us through different passages (including Genesis 22, Exodus 16 and John 6) how this name helps us discover more of who God is. The Names of God series explores the multifaceted character of God by examining the various names He reveals about Himself throughout the Bible. There are 3 aspects: God in the Old Testament revealing Himself, God in the New Testament inviting us to have a relationship with Him and God within us guiding us through life. This summer series aims to move beyond mere knowledge about God to a deeper, more personal relationship with Him. If you would like to know more about us, you can visit our website at HopeChurchGuildford.com and contact us via email at Hello@HopeChurchGuildford.com Or why not subscribe and check out our Social Media pages: Facebook - facebook.com/HopeChurchGFD Instagram - instagram.com/hopechurchguildford
Vinny Del Valle
We are so excited for what God is doing through River of Life. If you'd like to partner with us financially as we launch our new building project, you can do so here: http://www.rol-ag.com/give Thank you for your continued prayers as we navigate this exciting new season. Stay connected! If you're new, we'd love to connect. Please fill out our online connect card here: https://riveroflifechurchag.churchcenter.com/people/forms/529194 If you need prayer, you can text us at: (833) 235-5760
8/9/26 Names of God (Week 10) Featuring Pastor Larry Sams www.fccnp.org Helping People Find and Follow Jesus!
Send us Fan MailGUEST: PASTOR MATT MORRELL, Fourth Baptist Church in Plymouth, MNIt's been said that the most important thing about a person is what they think when they think about God.In other words, the more accurate our understanding of who God is—and the more willing we are to obey Him—the more we will think and live as God intends, for His glory and our good.Creation is God's general revelation to all people. Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been cle1arly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”Simply by looking at the world and the universe around us, every person everywhere knows that a magnificent, powerful, supernatural God exists. No one has an excuse for unbelief—He is clearly seen through creation. An atheist or agnostic is simply suppressing the truth because of a desire for unrighteousness.But general revelation through creation does not reveal the infinitely rich tapestry of God's nature and ways. It does not show us how sinners can be restored to a right relationship with Him. For that we need special revelation—the Word of God, which He supernaturally inspired men to write.Every page of the Bible reveals who God is: His stated will, His interaction with mankind, and His holiness and justice perfectly balanced with His compassion and mercy.One of the most instructive ways God reveals Himself in His Word is through His many names—about twenty or more. Some He established for Himself; others He inspired men to ascribe to Him. Names such as Yahweh, Elohim, and Adonai, along with compound forms like El Shaddai, Yahweh Shalom, and Yahweh Jireh, sharpen the believer's understanding of who God is and how He works.There is much going on in our country and in the world right now. But what could be more important than focusing on the One who created it all and who is in control of it all—the self-existent, eternal, triune Yahweh Elohim?Our guest today is Matt Morrell, pastor of Fourth Baptist Church and president of Central Seminary in Plymouth, Minnesota. He has been preaching a summer sermon series on the names of God and how Christians can anchor their faith and hope in Him.Matt also serves as pastoral advisor to the board of The Christian Worldview, providing personal and organizational accountability to a sound local church.---------------PROGRAM NOTES:THE NAMES OF GOD Sermon SeriesElohim Jehovah/Yahweh Adonai El Shaddai Jehovah Rapha Jehovah Shalom Jehovah Jireh Jehovah Shammah Jehovah Nissi
If you want a deep, abiding relationship with God, you must know Him as He has revealed Himself. In today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef invites believers to worship the Lord through His powerful names—names that reveal His presence, provision, healing, peace, righteousness, and victory. Dr. Youssef highlights nine names of God that strengthen faith and fuel praise: Yahweh, the ever-living God who is always there; Yahweh-Jireh, the Lord who provides; Yahweh-Rapha, the Lord our healer; Yahweh-Nissi, the Lord our banner and victory; Yahweh-Mekaddish, the Lord who sanctifies; Yahweh-Shalom, the Lord our peace; Yahweh-Rohi, the Lord our shepherd; Yahweh-Tsidkenu, the Lord our righteousness; and Yahweh-Shammah, the God who is present with His people. Each name points us to a different expression of God's grace and faithfulness. He sees ahead. He heals wounds. He leads His people in triumph. He sets us apart. He gives peace that surpasses understanding. He shepherds us with eternal care. He clothes us in the righteousness of Christ. And He delights when we draw near to Him in fellowship. The more we praise God by His names, the more we recognize His power and sovereignty at work in our lives. Begin praising Him daily for who He is, and your worship will become a doorway to deeper trust, greater joy, and transformed living. Prayer: Yahweh, You are my righteousness, my banner, my peace. I praise Your holy name. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen. “Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens” (Psalm 148:13). Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef's sermon Empowered by Praise, Deepening Relationship: WATCH NOW | LISTEN NOW The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.
Michele Thompson
In this talk Adrian and Rich explore the name "Elohim" given of God in Genesis chapter 1 and how Jesus reflects this in John chapter 1. The Names of God series explores the multifaceted character of God by examining the various names He reveals about Himself throughout the Bible. There are 3 aspects: God in the Old Testament revealing Himself, God in the New Testament inviting us to have a relationship with Him and God within us guiding us through life. This summer series aims to move beyond mere knowledge about God to a deeper, more personal relationship with Him. If you would like to know more about us, you can visit our website at HopeChurchGuildford.com and contact us via email at Hello@HopeChurchGuildford.com Or why not subscribe and check out our Social Media pages: Facebook - facebook.com/HopeChurchGFD Instagram - instagram.com/hopechurchguildford
We are so excited for what God is doing through River of Life. If you'd like to partner with us financially as we launch our new building project, you can do so here: http://www.rol-ag.com/give Thank you for your continued prayers as we navigate this exciting new season. Stay connected! If you're new, we'd love to connect. Please fill out our online connect card here: https://riveroflifechurchag.churchcenter.com/people/forms/529194 If you need prayer, you can text us at: (833) 235-5760 All socials and registration links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/riveroflifechurchag
8/2/26 Names of God (Week 9) Featuring Pastor Larry Sams www.fccnp.org Helping People Find and Follow Jesus!
7/26/26 Names of God (Week 8) Featuring Pastor Larry Sams www.fccnp.org Helping People Find and Follow Jesus!
We are so excited for what God is doing through River of Life. If you'd like to partner with us financially as we launch our new building project, you can do so here: http://www.rol-ag.com/give Thank you for your continued prayers as we navigate this exciting new season. Stay connected! If you're new, we'd love to connect. Please fill out our online connect card here: https://riveroflifechurchag.churchcenter.com/people/forms/529194 If you need prayer, you can text us at: (833) 235-5760 All socials and registration links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/riveroflifechurchag
7/19/26 Names of God (Week 7) Featuring Pastor Larry Sams www.fccnp.org Helping People Find and Follow Jesus!
When we study the names of God, we must understand that they describe His character. Since the names of God declare His attributes, we are not surprised that the revelation of God's wisdom and grace in Abraham's near-sacrifice of his son brings with it another of God's names: Jehovah Jireh, which means "the Lord will provide." Genesis 22 records the greatest test that Abraham ever faced. It also presents a beautiful picture of our Lord's sacrifice at Calvary. God tested Abraham's faith.
We are so excited for what God is doing through River of Life. If you'd like to partner with us financially as we launch our new building project, you can do so here: http://www.rol-ag.com/give Thank you for your continued prayers as we navigate this exciting new season. Stay connected! If you're new, we'd love to connect. Please fill out our online connect card here: https://riveroflifechurchag.churchcenter.com/people/forms/529194 If you need prayer, you can text us at: (833) 235-5760
We are so excited for what God is doing through River of Life. If you'd like to partner with us financially as we launch our new building project, you can do so here: http://www.rol-ag.com/give Thank you for your continued prayers as we navigate this exciting new season. Stay connected! If you're new, we'd love to connect. Please fill out our online connect card here: https://riveroflifechurchag.churchcenter.com/people/forms/529194 If you need prayer, you can text us at: (833) 235-5760
7/12/26 Names of God (Week 6) Featuring Pastor Larry Sams www.fccnp.org Helping People Find and Follow Jesus!
What do you do when the assignment God places before you feels far bigger than your strength? Whether you're facing a difficult conversation, an overwhelming season, a ministry opportunity, or a step of obedience that feels impossible, fear can convince you that everything depends on you. But Scripture paints a very different picture. God never calls us to rely on our own sufficiency. He invites us to know Him more deeply and trust that He will provide everything we need for every assignment He gives. In this episode, Jennifer welcomes author and Bible teacher Grace Fox to explore four powerful names of God that strengthen us when fear threatens to hold us back. Through the stories of Abraham, Naaman, Jeremiah and others, they discuss how God equips His servants, brings healing to the areas that keep us stuck, remains present in life's chaos and faithfully sustains us every step of the journey. If you've been hesitant to move forward because the road ahead feels uncertain, this conversation will encourage you to focus less on your fear and more on the faithful God who goes with you. Resource referenced: Names of God: Growing Strong: Devotional Study with Video Access Scriptures Discussed: Genesis 15:2–6 — Abraham calls God Adonai while waiting for God's promised son. Matthew 25:14–30 — The Parable of the Talents and trusting the Master's character. 2 Kings 5:1–19 — Naaman's healing and the obedience that precedes restoration. Genesis 1:1–2 — The Spirit of God hovering over the waters in creation. Lamentations 3:22–23 — God's mercies are new every morning; great is His faithfulness. Luke 15:11–32 — The Parable of the Prodigal Son and the Father's faithful welcome. 2 Corinthians 12:9 — God's power made perfect in weakness (referenced in the closing encouragement). Hebrews 10:24 — Encouraging one another toward love and good works (closing challenge). Connect with Grace Fox: On her website On Instagram On Facebook Follow her work on Amazon Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
7/5/26 Names Of God (Week 5) Featuring Pastor Brian Flood www.fccnp.org Helping People Find and Follow Jesus!
We are so excited for what God is doing through River of Life. If you'd like to partner with us financially as we launch our new building project, you can do so here: http://www.rol-ag.com/give Thank you for your continued prayers as we navigate this exciting new season. Stay connected! If you're new, we'd love to connect. Please fill out our online connect card here: https://riveroflifechurchag.churchcenter.com/people/forms/529194 If you need prayer, you can text us at: (833) 235-5760 All socials and registration links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/riveroflifechurchag
We are so excited for what God is doing through River of Life. If you'd like to partner with us financially as we launch our new building project, you can do so here: http://www.rol-ag.com/give Thank you for your continued prayers as we navigate this exciting new season. Stay connected! If you're new, we'd love to connect. Please fill out our online connect card here: https://riveroflifechurchag.churchcenter.com/people/forms/529194 If you need prayer, you can text us at: (833) 235-5760 All socials and registration links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/riveroflifechurchag
Through Gideon's story, we see that peace isn't found in the absence of hardship, but in the presence of God. Even when fear, disappointment, and difficult circumstances cause us to shrink back and question whether God is near, He continues to call us according to His purpose rather than our present condition. Jehovah Shalom reminds us that peace is not simply an outcome we hope for—it is found in Jesus, whose presence gives us confidence to move forward before our circumstances ever change.
Don't miss this special program exploring two powerful Names of God, the blessing of knowing Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, and the confidence of our right standing with God through Jehovah Tsidkenu. Join Marilyn and Isabell for this inspiring teaching.
The battles that threaten our faith rarely begin as giants—they often start as small compromises, unchecked habits, or areas of weakness that grow over time. Through David's encounter with Goliath, we were reminded that victory comes when we lift our eyes beyond the problem and fix them on Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of Heaven's Armies, who fights for His people. Worship helps us see God rightly, putting our struggles in perspective and reminding us that Jesus, the greater David, has already defeated the ultimate giant of sin on our behalf.
6/21/26 Names of God (Week 4) Featuring Pastor Brian Flood www.fccnp.org Helping People Find and Follow Jesus!
SCRIPTURE- Psalm 8:2-3"O LORD, our Lord, how awesome is your name through all the earth! I will sing of your majesty above the heavens with the mouths of babes and infants."REFLECTION- Sr. KathleenMUSIC- Ave Regina Caelorum by VOCES8NOTES-PRAYER OF LETTING GOTo You do I belong, O God, into Your hands I surrender my life. Pour out Your Spirit upon me that I may love You perfectly, and serve You faithfully until my soul rests in You.
Pastor Eddie continues our Anchored series; however, we are now going to explore the names of God. Over the next couple of weeks Pastor is going to teach on the different names of God. In today's message we continuing with Jehovah Jireh. We are so excited for what God is doing through River of Life. If you'd like to partner with us financially as we launch our new building project, you can do so here: http://www.rol-ag.com/give Thank you for your continued prayers as we navigate this exciting new season. Stay connected! If you're new, we'd love to connect. Please fill out our online connect card here: https://riveroflifechurchag.churchcenter.com/people/forms/529194 If you need prayer, you can text us at: (833) 235-5760 All socials and registration links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/riveroflifechurchag
Pastor Eddie continues our Anchored series; however, we are now going to explore the names of God. Over the next couple of weeks Pastor is going to teach on the different names of God. In today's message we continuing with Jehovah Jireh. We are so excited for what God is doing through River of Life. If you'd like to partner with us financially as we launch our new building project, you can do so here: http://www.rol-ag.com/give Thank you for your continued prayers as we navigate this exciting new season. Stay connected! If you're new, we'd love to connect. Please fill out our online connect card here: https://riveroflifechurchag.churchcenter.com/people/forms/529194 If you need prayer, you can text us at: (833) 235-5760 All socials and registration links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/riveroflifechurchag
When life brings uncertainty, it's easy to focus on our circumstances and forget the faithfulness of God. In this message, we'll explore how remembering who God is, what He has done, and how He has worked in our lives strengthens our faith and shapes our future.
Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until He has mercy on us. - Psalm 123:1-2
Jonathan Broadbent, member of Del Ray Baptist ChurchFoundations (10): The Names of GodTaught June 14, 2026
Pastor Eddie continues our Anchored series; however, we are now going to explore the names of God. Over the next couple of weeks Pastor is going to teach on the different names of God. In today's message we are starting with Yahweh: I am who I am. We pray this message is a blessing to you. We are so excited for what God is doing through River of Life. If you'd like to partner with us financially as we launch our new building project, you can do so here: http://www.rol-ag.com/give Thank you for your continued prayers as we navigate this exciting new season. Stay connected! If you're new, we'd love to connect. Please fill out our online connect card here: https://riveroflifechurchag.churchcenter.com/people/forms/529194 If you need prayer, you can text us at: (833) 235-5760 All socials and registration links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/riveroflifechurchag
Pastor Eddie continues our Anchored series; however, we are now going to explore the names of God. Over the next couple of weeks Pastor is going to teach on the different names of God. In today's message we are starting with Yahweh: I am who I am. We pray this message is a blessing to you. We are so excited for what God is doing through River of Life. If you'd like to partner with us financially as we launch our new building project, you can do so here: http://www.rol-ag.com/give Thank you for your continued prayers as we navigate this exciting new season. Stay connected! If you're new, we'd love to connect. Please fill out our online connect card here: https://riveroflifechurchag.churchcenter.com/people/forms/529194 If you need prayer, you can text us at: (833) 235-5760 All socials and registration links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/riveroflifechurchag
This teaching explores the Name of God: Jehovah Rapha - The God who heals. We learn that God is a healer from the beginning in the Old Testament, from Genesis and ongoing - our God's heart is to heal. Then, in the New Testament, God was a healer through his Son Jesus. When Jesus went to heaven and left the Holy Spirit to those who believe, He became a healer through His Church.
The Lord is My Banner Exodus 17:15 Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com
Life isn't always going to get easier, but God can always offer you peace. Solutions may not come today, but peace can. Oh what a place to find yourself in life when you realize peace can be yours precisely where you are with things exactly as they are. You don't have to live so upset, so stressed, so unsettled and so unsure. The name you need to call on is Yahweh Shalom. Yahweh, as we know from the beginning of our study of the names of God, is the covenant, relationship, promise up-holding name God reveals of himself. It is the name we speak with our breath. The name we have called on every moment of our lives by simply inhaling and exhaling. YHWH. Shalom, a word we often translate as peace – but in reality, it's so much deeper than just peace. Shalom is a state of wholeness, completion and restoration. It's a state where things are exactly as they are meant to be. Yahweh Shalom, a mighty and holy God who assures us with him things are exactly as they are meant to be. Now that is peace. I may not understand it. I am not in control of it. I don't see how it's all going to work out. But Yahweh Shalom understands completely. Yahweh Shalom is in total control. And Yahweh Shalom sees precisely how it's all going to work out, and he's predetermined that it will work out for good according to his eternally good plan. Yahweh Shalom, the God of Peace, invites his beloved girls to trust him knowing he's got you and he's got this. Your stress is unnecessary. Your worry is unwarranted. Your ‘freak-out' is unfounded. Plain and simple, when you have a God like Yahweh Shalom, you would be foolish to not accept his peace in every situation. He will create the path for your feet. He will carry the burden for you. He will ensure the battle is won. You can trust the God of Peace. This name is introduced in scripture in the book of Judges, chapter 6. The previous chapters are a series of God's people, the Israelites, being rescued by God, then forgetting God and going astray. They would fall into slavery to evil Kings and live miserable lives. Each time their lives would get worse and worse until finally they cried out to God again for help. Then God would rescue them, restore them, and bring them peace again. But over time, they would fall back into old ways and wander away from God in a life of self and sin. Chapter after chapter, generation after generation, it continues. They're in trouble and they suffer – until they just can't suffer any longer and they call out to God – God rescues and restores – life gets better – then they wander again, forgetting God – Life gets worse, and then they're right back to trouble and suffering again. Through these chapters in Judges, sometimes we see God's people waiting a few years before calling out to God – other times we see them waiting for 20 years. Each time, as long as they waited to call on God for help, the suffering continued and life got worse. But each time they turned to God and called on him for help, he restored their peace. Without fail, as long as they delayed calling on God, their rescue and peace would wait. But also without fail when they cried out to God, he would help. The question is, why would they wait so long? Why wait 8 years? Why wait 20 years? Oh my goodness, WHY ARE YOU WAITING? This will NOT get better without God. He's waiting on you to call out to him! But, there's danger in our pre-conceived notion of what it might mean for things to “get better”. Getting better doesn't always mean fixed – getting better can mean peace in the mess and joy on the journey you didn't expect to be traveling. My family has been in a less than favorable situation for 7 years. Life with our family is far short of anything I imagined it would be. It's not what I would wish for, but let me tell you what it is … IT'S FULL OF PEACE. I'm no longer upset, angry, hurt or empty in the waiting. I have nothing but peace because we've called on God and that's what he brings. You may think calling on God immediately fixes the situation – sometimes it does, and sometimes it doesn't. But calling on God always brings his presence, and with his presence comes an unspeakable peace. The truth is, I don't have to have this situation fixed to feel peace and joy … Yahweh Shalom has given me everything I need. I can trust he's making it right. I can trust he sees what I do not see and he is actively involved to make things exactly as they should be. Here's the truth – our God holds eternity. He's not on your timeline. He's not in a rush. He has all the time in the world to make things exactly as they should be … and he is! What he offers you and I in that process in PEACE every time we call on him. So, back to our story in the book of Judges. God's people were stubborn, always straying away from God in between getting saved, continually going back to old ways of self and sin, until they finally cry out to God again for help. By chapter 6 we find the Israelites 7 years into their current unbearable struggle of life. They were hunted and haunted by their enemies and now resorting to hiding in caves for survival. Life was the hardest it had ever been for God's people – all while God was just waiting for them to turn back to him. Judges 6:6, “So Israel was reduced to starvation by the Midianites (their enemies). Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD for help.” FINALLY – why would they wait so long? For the same reason you would wait so long. You're just sure you can make things work, until nothing works for you. You're sure this is just the way life is going to be, so you settle in to the normal of life just sucking. You discount God's power to change it for you, so you forget you can call on him. Until finally, you just can't take it anymore and God is your only way. Here's what happens when they call out on God after 7 years of waiting … God responds. He sends help. This is where an angel is sent by the LORD to a young man named Gideon who is just trying his best to gather a little bit of food and hide it so his family can survive. These conditions were absolutely as bad as they could possibly be. That's where God meets Gideon. And it's here the LORD says to Gideon, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Then the LORD said to him (verse 16), “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites.” Wow, what a promise from God to a young man who from the smallest clan and the least in his family , in a suppressed land struggling to simply survive, hiding in caves and starving to death. It was an impossible promise after 7 years of life getting worse and worse. But they had finally cried out to the Lord, and this was their answer. A promise of freedom, restoration, wholeness. And this is where Gideon, a small young man who was nothing but absolutely normal and easily overlooked, calls God ‘Yahweh Shalom – the God of Peace'. Had the battle been fought yet? No. Had the enemy been destroyed yet? No. Had the people even been given food to eat yet? No. But God had brought peace. Peace BEFORE the situation changed. Peace BEFORE the promise was fulfilled. Peace BEFORE peaceful conditions. While their families were still hiding in caves – while their crops were all stolen – while they were in survival mode – God brought PEACE. Peace that assured them God was making everything as it should be. Peace that God heard their cry, God was moving on their behalf, God was for them and not against them. Their enemies were still there. The oppression had not ended. But when Gideon personally encountered God, he walked away with PEACE. Peace that comes before the victory – before the change – before it's fixed – before you have an answer. What I've found in my own 7 year journey of waiting is that peace can exist before circumstances change. The world will tell you peace comes when the diagnosis changes, when the relationship heals, when the bills are paid and when the uncertainty ends. That's nothing but counterfeit and circumstantial peace. The moment you encounter the next problem, that peace will fade. But the peace offered by Yahweh Shalom is strong and steady before the change, before the fix, before the shift, and regardless of next. Jesus says in John 14:27, “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.” If you've ever experienced the gift of his peace, then you know it simply doesn't make sense, but it's real. Philippians 4:7 tells us that God's peace “exceeds anything we can understand.” And by golly, that's exactly right! Yahweh Shalom says, “My peace can hold you perfectly BEFORE anything changes.” God's peace is strong enough to exist in unfinished, unhealed, and uncertain situations! I know, because I'm in the middle of it and yet I have immeasurable PEACE. It's here for you too, my sister. Don't wait for things to get worse. Don't wait until you just can't go on. Don't wait until you're a shriveled up piece of who you once were. Don't wait until fear has taken your identity and anxiety has crushed your spirit. CALL ON YAHWEH SHALOM NOW! His peace is truly available to you right now! Peace isn't pretending everything is okay. Peace is knowing God is still with you even when it's not. There's divine stability for you here in God's peace. Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com
In Genesis 22, Abraham has a personal encounter with God and he walks away with a personal name for him – Jehovah Jireh. If you have a pressing need and you don't know how it will happen for you, Jehovah Jireh is the name of God you can call on. If you're walking in the middle of a situation where you don't have what is required and you don't know how you ever will, Jehovah Jireh is the name of God you can call on. If you don't know how to give what is being asked of you, Jehovah Jireh is the name of God you can call on. Jehovah + Jireh. Two names together that radically change everything. Jehovah is a translation of the name of God in our breath. This is YHWH, the LORD who has made a personal covenant with his people. Jehovah is the one who has made promises and will be faithful to his promises. When Abraham uses the name Jehovah, he's not just talking about “a god” – he's referring to the personal, covenant-keeping God he knew he could trust in. Jireh comes from the Hebrew word “ra'ah” which means to see, to perceive, and to provide. It's a word that means seeing a need is connected to acting on that need. When you put Jehovah and Jireh together, it means, “The Lord will see to it” or “The LORD will provide.” If God sees a need, he doesn't just ignore it. He doesn't turn his back on a need. He doesn't just walk on by. When God sees a need, his holy power is moved with love and compassion and he takes action to provide for that need. God's seeing always leads to action. Yesterday we learned from the story of Hagar how El Ro'i is the name of God who always sees you. He saw even Hagar, the one no one else saw. And now we learn another name given to God, Jehovah Jireh which assures us if God sees it, he will SEE TO IT. This is more than just seeing and observing. This is moving in response, this is meeting the need, this is divine provision, this is love in action showing up on the scene. You can be assured that God sees you, he sees where you are, he sees what you need, and his seeing always leads to his action on your behalf. God's provision is never random, it is always intentional and it is personal for you. So why did Abraham call God Jehovah Jireh? It's important to understand the setting so you can understand how Jehovah Jireh will show up for you too. This moment of naming God comes right after one of the most intense tests in all of scripture. Abraham has waited for 99 years for his promised and beloved son Issac. God's promise for the future rested on the life of Abraham's son Issac. Knowing this, God speaks to Abraham and says, “Take your son, your only son – yes, Isaac, whom you love so much – and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” Scripture says, “The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped woofdfor a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about.” What in the world is happening here? What's happening here is a picture of the deepest trust and holy surrender of a faith filled man. Faith that told him his God is good and his specific promises would be upheld. What's happening here is Abraham knowing that no matter what, God will take care of every need, God will provide precisely what is needed, and his timing will be perfect. On top of the mountain, God shows Abraham where to build the fire. Just as Abraham is trusting God enough to let go of his son, the Lord shows him a ram caught by its horns in the brush. The ram was perfectly placed at the perfect time for the substitution sacrifice. The fire was for the substitute sacrifice. Abraham's son, Isaac, would come down off that mountain with him. The Lord saw the need and the Lord provided for the need. And right here is where Abraham gives a personal name to his personal God who has show up so personally for him. Jehovah Jireh, the LORD will provide. Now remember, God told Abraham to go to a mountain that he would show him. It wasn't that Abraham knew exactly where he was going in advance, he was trusting God to lead him there. Abraham was willing to follow even when it was the hardest thing he would ever do. Abraham was willing to go even when he didn't know where or how. And where God led him was to the exact place he already had a ram waiting stuck in the bushes for him. What this tells Abraham is God saw it all ahead of time, God provided what he could not provide, and God did it in ways he could have never expected. What that tells us is the personal God of Abraham is our personal God, and he will do the same for us. Jehovah Jireh – he will see to it for you – he will provide. The LORD sees everything concerning you way ahead of time. Before you ever get there, before you even know about it, God sees it. And because he sees it, he is working far in advance to provide for it. He's already aligning everything that will be needed for you when you follow him with your steps of obedience. He will provide specifically for you in ways you could never expect. And Jehovah Jireh shows us something even deeper – he shows us he will provide the sacrifice to cover us. He will do what we cannot do. He will make it right. The LORD did not require the sacrifice of Abraham's son – no, instead that's what the LORD did himself – he himself gave his Son, Jesus, as the sacrifice to make things forever right. Again and again, God gives the sacrifice we could never give, all to perfectly provide what we could never supply on our own. We couldn't save ourselves, but God saw the need and he did it for us. That's Jehovah Jireh. The LORD will provide. The LORD will see to it. He will do it for us and he will do it perfectly. Beyond salvation, here's what this means for you today: • God sees your situation fully. Not just one side of it. Not even just from a distance. He sees the big picture and he sees the tiny details. He sees what was, what is, and what is to come. He sees it all fully. And when God sees it, he does something about it! • God's provision will come on time. Abraham didn't see the ram until the moment of sacrifice. God had aligned the ram in perfect timing just when it was needed. He will do the same for you. Just because you don't see it now, doesn’t mean God hasn't already aligned it for you. What you need will be there when the time is right. And God will get it right. The key here is trust. Abraham had a choice to make that morning. He could choose whether he obeyed God or not. He could choose whether he got up and gathered the wood for the fire or not. He could choose whether he climbed the mountain or not. He could choose whether he brought his son or not. His trust in the LORD led him to obedience. And his obedience led him to meeting God in a personal and powerful way. His obedience led him to really knowing Jehovah Jireh, the LORD who personally provided for him. Do you need Jehovah Jireh to provide for you? You can honestly tell him your needs. He's listening. He sees. And he is responding. You can trust him. You can trust his ways and you can trust his timing. Jehovah Jireh is inviting you into a deeper relationship where your feet move in obedience well before you have clarity of where exactly and how exactly. This obedience is what leads you to a revealing of just how personal and powerful your God really is. Jehovah Jireh is the God who sees ahead – the God who acts faithfully – the God who provides what aligns with His greater purposes. LORD, you are Jehovah Jireh – the God who sees and provides. You know what we need better than we know what we need. Help us to trust you, even when we don't see the answer. You will provide what is right, and you will provide it in your perfect timing. Here's my heart, LORD, shape it to follow and obey you. Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com
Through studying the names of God, we understand our God is a personal God. In the past 9 devotionals, we've seen 10 names and we now know so much more about our God. As YHWH, God has revealed himself to be so near that he's our very breath. As Adonai, God reveals that he is our Master, and therefore responsible for our care and our protection. As Elohim, God reveals he is our Creator who continues to create and make us a new creation even today. As El Shaddai, God reveals he is the Almighty one whose hand is in everything. As Yahweh Rapha, he tells us we can count on him to be the LORD who meets us in the bitterest of places in life and heal us. As Yahweh Mekaddishkem, God makes us forever good enough by calling us his own, making us holy and then teaching us to rest in him. God has revealed himself as a Shepherd, caring for his sheep. Through Jesus, God is revealed as Abba, Papa. Then Jesus goes on to call him Holy Father and Righteous Father. We now have 10 names for God, each that reveal his character, his power and his heart towards us. Have you been using these names in your conversations with him? Have you been calling on him by specific name according to how you need him to show up for you? He promises to respond. Now, we go even deeper. Beyond these 10 names, we read of dozens of other names given to God by people in the Bible who have had a personal encounter with him. The names they give God define how they've met him and what he has done for them. And my friend, if God did something for them, he can do something for you. What he did then, he can do today. We're in relationship with the same God of the Bible. In Malachi 3:6, God says, “I am the LORD, and I do not change.” God showed up for people personally in the stories in your Bible, and he can and will show up for you personally now. Remember that as we study the names of God given by other people in scripture – he's revealing what he did for them personally and what he can do for even YOU personally. He is the same God and he hasn't changed. He has a personal encounter waiting for you too. One person in scripture who had a very personal encounter with God is Hagar. Yes, a woman. In these times, a woman was a second-class citizen. She didn't have rights. She didn't have her own life. She was completely dependent on the man of the family to care for her. And for a woman, if there was no man to care for her, she was in a truly desperate situation. Hagar didn't have a man, she was only used by a man. (Perhaps you can relate.) But Hagar wasn't only used by a man, she was used by everyone in her entire life to get what they wanted. She was a totally unimportant character in everyone else's story. Have you ever felt that way? Like you're not important enough for your own dreams, your own desires, or your own story. Like you're stuck in the story of someone else and you're always just along for the ride. Like the life you live isn't your own. Like you're forever forgotten – forever overlooked – forever unimportant. That was Hagar – that was her life and that was her story. In Genesis 16, Hagar was the slave of a woman named Sarah. Sarah was the wife of Abraham. They were a couple who had been unable to have children, and now in their old age, they had lost all hope for the family they so badly wanted. That's wasn't Hagar's fault or Hagar's problem – but she became their solution. Hagar's boss lady, Sarah, decided she would use Hagar to give her the baby she had always wanted. Sarah sent her husband Abraham to sleep with Hagar, and so she became pregnant. It wasn't love. It was ownership. Sarah owned Hagar, and Hagar's body was used to get what she wanted. This wasn't Hagar's choice. It wasn't her dream. It wasn't her plan. But it became her life as she was used in someone's else's story. While Hagar is pregnant, Sarah begins to treat her so harshly that Hagar finally runs away. Now remember, where they are is surrounded by nothing but wilderness. Running away was a sure death sentence. There was no water, no food, and no help beyond the borders of their city. But Hagar was so desperate for something different that she runs. And there, in the wilderness, the Lord sent an angel to find her, care for her, and redirect her back home. And it was there, for the first time in Hagar's entire life that she felt personally seen. There, she gives God the name El Ro’i. Genesis 16:13, “You are El Ro'i”. In Hebrew El is “God”, and Ro'i is “who sees me”. El Ro'i – The God who sees me. El Ro'i meets us in the moments we didn't plan, the plans we didn't want, and the reality we didn't think God could be in. And right there, when life has been unfair, when the story isn't the one you wanted, God says, “I SEE YOU, MY GIRL.” To everyone else, Hagar was unimportant and discarded. To everyone else she was someone to be used for their own gain. But to God, she was worth pursuing, worth rescuing, worth restoring, and worth giving hope for the future. For the one absolutely no one else valued, El Ro'i, the God who sees, personally saw her and declared she mattered. You know where God sees you clearest – in the places you never wanted to be. In the places where you are trying to run away. In the places where you hurt and feel lost. God's eye is on YOU. (Remember he leaves the 99 to find the 1 who is lost and struggling – YES HE SEES YOU IN THAT STRUGGLE). Here in this place in the wilderness, where Hagar is running away, pregnant, alone, mistreated and hopeless, God meets her. If that's the place you're in, this is the perfect place to be found by El Ro'i! You see, he's not the God who waits for you to figure it all out and get it together – he's the God who meets you in the mess and calls you back to his plans for your future. Yes, the Shepherd who brings the lost sheep back home again. The Lord says to Hagar, “Return home and I will give you more descendants than you can count.” He's not only comforting her in her pain, but he's giving her direction and promise. He's giving her an identity where she's never had one before. When God sees you, that's what happens – you get direction to your destiny! I may not know where it is you feel overlooked, but I know we all feel that way at times. We work so hard and no one notices. Our efforts aren't applauded or appreciated. The good things sometimes seem to happen for everyone else – and where does that leave us. Oh let me tell you where that leaves you – that leaves you SEARCHED OUT AND SEEN BY EL RO'I!!!! And you have no idea how important that really is. Girl, if I see you, that won't change your life. I might be able to encourage you for a moment, give you a hug, or make you smile, but that's temporary – if God sees you, your whole life changes. And may I remind you, HE SEES YOU! He sees what they did to you. He sees how you were left out. He sees how you were used. He sees how it wasn't fair to you. He sees how that made you feel. He sees how that made you question your worth. God sees you when you're running and he calls you to QUIT RUNNING NOW. Honey, you can't outrun the God who sees you. The angel of the Lord says to Hagar, “Where have you come from and where are you going?” Did he ask because he didn't know? Of course not. He asked because Hagar needed to stop running and realize while she knew what she was running from (her mean boss lady Sarah and this life she didn't want) – she had no idea what she was running to. The question is helping her see she's running without thinking, without a future and without hope. God is helping her see the path she is on isn't leading anywhere good. Lord, if any of your girls listening today are running – stop them. For real, stop them right now in their tracks. You see them where they are at this moment – meet them there and stop them. Help them to see the path they're on and where it's leading. Help them to stop running and surrender to you. You are the God who meets us when we're running and calls us back to the future you have for us. Call her back now, El Ro'i. God told Hagar to go back. Yes, go back where life was hard but where there was purpose. Listen now – what is God telling you to do now? Will you listen for him? Will you stop running? Will you obey? Here in the wilderness, God appeared to Hagar. The wilderness where nothing else was there for her – God was there for her. This was the place of his appearance. If you're in your wilderness, will you ask God for his appearance? He may not radically change your situation, but he will change you – that's always bigger and better. Hagar returned home where she had that baby and then she saw God's bigger plans unfold for her future. She went home knowing one thing for sure – El Ro'i, the God who sees her, had a future for her! If you feel stuck in a story that's not your own – call on El Ro'i. If you feel unseen, unwanted, unappreciated or unworthy – call on El Ro'i. If you've been running away without direction of where to go – call on El Ro'i. If you're in a wilderness season of life, struggling and suffering – call on El Ro'i. God wants to meet you in what you've been running from. How would this change if you really knew that God sees you here? What would you do if you knew God has a promise for your future? Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com
Jesus not only tells us to call God our Father, Abba, Papa and we see Jesus personally calling God by this name. God is his Father. Jesus is deeply connected with God – they are one and they always have been – while at the same time he is the Son and God is the Father. They're as close as they can possibly be. They have the same mind, the same will, the same love, the same power. Jesus is 100% familiar with God in every way … however, he doesn't lose his awe of God just because he has this closeness. Yes, Jesus teaches us to be close to God. Yes, he teaches us to trust him as our Papa God and we as his beloved children … but Jesus also teaches us how to be in absolute AWE of God still. He shows us his awe of the Father in two specific descriptive names: Holy Father and Righteous Father. Jesus calls God ‘Holy Father’ in John 17:11, “Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.” Jesus is praying these words right before he is betrayed, arrested and led to the cross. And understand, he is praying these words for you and I. He's calling on the name of Holy Father, that we would be protected by the power of his name – that is HOLY FATHER. Do you know the power of this name? Holy Father. This is actually the only place in scripture where Jesus directly combines these two words when addressing God. • Holy = completely set apart, pure, transcendent • Father = relational, close, personal We tend to lean towards one of these – either God is completely set apart, distant and intimidating to us, or he is so personally close that he's become familiar and expected. Jesus shows us how to hold both in awe, reverence and confidence. God is both perfectly holy and perfectly relational at the same time. Last night I watched a documentary on Hulk Hogan. I'm a bit of a documentary junkie. I love the behind the scenes look at real lives that we often miss. Hulk was this larger than life character with a handle bar mustache and bleach blonde hair known for ripping his shirt off. But at home, he didn't rip his shirt off. At home, he was a husband and dad named Terry and he played in the floor with his children. He was both, but the true man was only seen behind closed doors. The rest of the world only knew the character making a scene in the ring. He was one or the other, but he couldn't be both at the same time. So, it caused a split in his life and a loss of his true self. But the Holy Father is not split. He is the same behind the scenes and on the scene. He is forever both completely set apart and completely up close and personal. He is beyond understanding and personally understanding at the same time. He is Holy and he is Father – and not just for Jesus, but for us too. At the time of Jesus praying this prayer in the book of John, everyone knew holiness was associated with distance. There was a system in the temple and only priests could approach God's holy presence. If you did it wrong, you died. Holiness meant you couldn’t casually approach God. But then on the other hand, ‘Father' implies direct access through relationship and belonging. Jesus is normalizing closeness with a HOLY FATHER, and he's literally praying you and I can have that closeness too. Will you allow God to be both for you, both Holy and Father? Will you grow close in relationship with the Father while remaining in reverent awe of his holiness? He isn't one or the other – he is both, always, forever, and fully. Jesus prays, “Protect them by the power of your name.” What was that name Jesus just spoke? Holy Father. This is where your personal protection comes from. God's holiness means absolutely nothing impure can stand against him. No evil will prevail. His holiness protects you from every scheme and attack of the enemy. And God's fatherhood means he actively cares for and defends you as his daughter. You've heard of the threat of the Mama Bear coming out to protect her children – Well, that's nothing compared to the Holy Father! Nobody messes with the children of the Holy Father! Do you know him as your Holy Father? Do you know the power of that name? If God is only Father – you lose reverence. If God is only Holy – you lose relationship. If God is both Holy and Father, you experience transformation in holy relationship with him. Now, Jesus continues to pray and he shifts from the name Holy Father which focuses on God's nature, and now he calls him the name Righteous Father, which is a focus on God's character in action. John 17:25, “O righteous Father, the world doesn't know you, but I do.” This name is about how God acts. If you know God as your Father, and you know how your Father acts, then you know how you can count on him to show up for you personally. Righteous Father. The word ‘righteous' appears in greek as ‘dikaios', which means just, morally right, fair and faithful to what is true. With this name, Jesus is remembering in prayer that God ALWAYS does what is right. God ALWAYS keeps his promises. Wow, do you remember that in your prayers? God, you are my Righteous Father. I know you always do what is right. I know you always keep your promises. You do not fail. Ever. I can fully trust you, your ways, and your timing. My friend, just in case life has been touching you hard lately, I whisper this truth to your soul – you truly can trust every decision God makes. He is the Righteous Father, and he is 100% right! You won't always understand it, but you can trust it. He works in ways you cannot see to accomplish things you cannot comprehend, in a dimension you have not yet experienced – but you will. That deminsion is eternity, and it's where God is working everything together for good, yes everything, and yes real good. One day you will take your first breath in the dimension of eternity and you will see it all for yourself. Every single decision God ever made was divine perfection. And notice this, Jesus doesn't say “Righteous Judge”, he says Righteous Father. God's righteousness doesn't make him lose his love relationship for his children. He's the one who judges justly and he is also the one who loves you wildly. He holds the law, but he also holds unstoppable love! God doesn't choose between being loving and being right – He is perfectly both. Even if everyone else in this world misjudges you, God understands you perfectly. He knows you because he made you. He wanted you, so he formed you and breathed life into you. The Righteous Father is RIGHT ABOUT YOU and he rightly loves you. Your Father is Righteous. This means wrong will not win, the broken will be made whole, and complete restoration is coming. Righteous Father is making all things right. Really, really, really right. Prayer Prompts: • Holy Father, where have I grown too causal with your presence? How are you calling me to live differently because I belong to you? • Righteous Father, where do I need to trust your justice? Where do I need to align my life with what you say is right? Follow Pamela on Instagram – https://instagram.com/headmamapamela Or Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pamela.crim Find out more about BIG Life – http://biglifehq.com