Encouragement 09-23-04
September 23, 2004
Encouragement for Today
My Everything
Leigh Gray - Speaker Team Proverbs 31
Key verse:
"And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" Isaiah 9:6b (NIV)
Devotion:
All the kids and one of my son's friends were gathered at the table for a bite of lunch. They were sharing random ideas when the conversation finally found its way to the subject of grandparents. Each child was telling what they called their own grandparent. Tucker's little friend could not understand why we had such unusual names for all our grandparents. We have a Mamaw, a Papaw, a Mama Susie, and a Reekarob. His response was one of frustration, "Why don't you just called them Grandma and Grandpa. That is what they are, right?" "Yes Avery, that is what they are, but we have special names for them because they are so dear to us in so many different ways." I answered.
God has many names. He will always be Jehovah. But other names make Him special to me as well. Those names describe Him in detail - names that define His character and attributes. They give us more reason to praise His holy name!
During high school, there was a time when doctors diagnosed me with Crohn's disease. God became my Jehovah-Rophe, my healer. Within weeks of the original diagnosis, there were no signs of the disease to be found.
From the age of 18 months until 21, I moved numerous times. The Lord God always had wonderful friends waiting for me. I never lacked for friends provided by His divine hands. He was specifically my Jehovah-Jireh (provider) in those days.
Sarahjane, my second daughter, was born with a low birth weight and was constantly sick. She was in and out of the hospital many times before she was even two years old. You can imagine the stress level in my life. I began to pray and fast. In one of those fasting times, God told me she would be fine and not have any permanent effects from the illnesses the doctors could never pinpoint. God was constantly my Jehovah-Shalom (peace) through it all.
The names of God are endless. He is impossible to define, His attributes never ending! He is my Savior - my King - and I am His daughter. He is all-sufficient (El Shaddai) and the most high God (El Elyon), my everything and my amen. He is my Jesus and my Daddy.
No matter what life holds, take time to acknowledge His name and attributes. As you do, an awareness of who He has been and will be to you becomes the reason we can face today and find strength for every tomorrow.
My prayer for today:
Father, Daddy, Lord and Savior, you are everything to me. You are my Prince of Peace and my salvation. Thank you for never running out of ways to be my all. Thank you for being to me what no person ever could! I love you. Amen.
Application steps:
Think of specific events when God showed up in a different way than expected. Write them down and keep an ongoing journal of His attributes in your daily life.
Reflection points:
When did Jesus Christ become your salvation?
Are you certain He knows your name?
Is there someone you can talk with about the different attributes of God?
Power verses:
"I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but my name the Lord [Jehovah] I did not make myself known to them." Exodus 6:3 (NIV)
"God said to Moses, 'I am who I am'". Exodus 3:14 (NIV)
"He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken." Psalm 62:6 (NIV)
"Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad of their King." Ps. 149:3 (NIV)
Additional resources:
Radically Obedient Radically Blessed by LysaTerKurst
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/radical.html
Becoming a Woman Who Listens to God by Sharon Jaynes
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/womanlistens.html
