Jehovah Nissi - The Lord is my Banner!

“And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord is my Banner; 16 And he said, Because [theirs] is a hand against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” ~ Exodus 17:15-16 (AMP)

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Hebrew Strong Reference 3071: ‏יהוה נִסִּי‎
Transliteration: yhwh nissî
Phonetic Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw' nis-see'
Root: from and with the prononimal suffix
Cross Reference:
Part of Speech: n pr loc
Vine's Words: None

Usage Notes:

English Words used in KJV: Jehovahnissi 1 [Total Count: 1]

from (Yehovah) and (nec) with pronoun suffix.; Jehovah (is) my banner; Jehovah-Nissi, a symbolical name of an altar in the Desert :- Jehovah-nissi.

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I found the following information that helped me to discover a more definite meaning for Jehovah Nissi. It is the Reference for the root word Strong’s Reference 5251 – nec. the following information from theLexicon/Genesius Lexicon (Help) at the Blue Letter Bible

Lexicon Results for nec (Strong's H5251)

Hebrew for H5251 נס (Transliteration)
Pronunciation: nās (Key)
Part of Speech: masculine noun
Root Word (Etymology) from H5264
TWOT Reference 1379a

Outline of Biblical Usage:

1) something lifted up, standard, signal, signal pole, ensign, banner, sign, sail
__a) standard (as rallying point), signal
__b) standard (pole)
__c) ensign, signal

Authorized Version (KJV) Translation Count — Total: 20 AV — standard 7, ensign 6, pole 2, banner 2, sail 2, sign 1

Gesenius's Lexicon (Help):

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Also Consider the Following Commentary from The Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament, Walvoord and Zuck, Victor Books 1985, pp. 135-36.

17:8-16. At Rephidim the Lord also gave His people a military victory. The Amalekites were nomads in the desert of south of Canaan (cf. 1 Sam. 15:7; 27:8). They were descendants of Esau through Eliphaz (Gen. 36:12). They apparently were attempting to dislodge the Israelites from this pleasant oasis and to secure their territory from intrusion. In this crisis Moses called Joshua, who is mentioned her for the first time. Though Joshua entered into battle with zeal, the victory was secured in a unique fashion in order to demonstrate God's power. Moses' holding the staff of God (cf. Ex. 4:20) above his head with both hands symbolized Israel's total dependence on the power of God. When Moses lowered his head with both hands symbolized Israel's total dependence on the power of God. When Moses lowered his hands, a picture of lack of dependence, the enemy was winning. With the assistance of Aaron and Hur Moses' hands remained uplifted and a great victory was secured. (Hur is mentioned only here; 17:12; and in 24:14; 1 Chron. 2:19-20; the Hur mentioned Ex. 31:2; 35:30; 38:22 is probably another person. Still another Hur, a Midianite king, is referrred to in Num. 31:8; Josh. 13:21.)

The defeat of the Amalekites was something God wanted Joshua to remember. The Amalekites remained a persistent, harassing enemy of Israel (cf. Num. 14:45; Jud. 6:33; 1 Sam. 14:48; 15:7; 27:8) until they were finally destroyed by King David (1 Sam. 30). Moses commemorated the victory in his day by building an altar which he named the Lord is my Banner. An interesting sidelight is that Exodus 17:14 includes the first mention in the Bible of the writing of official records, though Moses did keep some type of diary of the soujourn (Num. 33:2). God proved Himself faithful in preserving and protecting His people.

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In Ann Spangler's book, "Praying the Names of God," she explains the meaning of Jehovah Nissi in this way: "Ancient armies carried standards or banners that served as marks of identification and as symbols that embodied the ideals of people. A banner, like a flag, was something that could be seen from afar, serving as a rallying point for troops before a battle. Though banners were first used in Egypt, Babylonia, Assyria, and Persia, the Israelites carried them on their march through the desert. When you pray to Yahweh (Jehovah) Nissi, you are praying to the God who is powerful enough to overcome any foe."

This week as we consider what it means to pray to our God as Jehovah Nissi. He is our covenant God who is powerful and mighty to overcome our enemies- any foe we might face. As I read through the account in Exodus 17:8-16 I find these eight verses provide a foundation on which to build our understanding of who God is when we declare Him as our Banner, our Standard. Moses held his arms up during the entire battle declaring God their banner and battle standard- when his arms were lifted in praise to God for victory, the battle was won. However, when he grew weary and lowered his arms- the battle was lost. Aaron and Hur went with him and helped him lift his arms to Lord declaring the Sovereign, Covenant Lord of Israel the rallying point and the standard of victory for the nation of Israel against the Amalekites. God is our rallying point, His covenant and truth are the places we go for protection, for reinforcements, for instruction and a battle plan. He is the source of victory. He is our banner and our standard, the courage and the truth to encourage us to continue in our fight when we grow weary.

In the movie "Glory" a 1989 film depicting the rise of the Massachusetts 54th Volunteer Regiment, which was the first Union African-American regiment to fight in the Civil War. As they went into the last battle to take Fort Wagoner, where the regiment suffered nearly half its total number in casualties including Robert Gould Shaw, the Colonel who raised the idea for the regiment and fought to get them into the war.

In the last battle scene in the movie, leaders are calling the troops to attention standing before the standard-bearer and calling out for a volunteer to come forward and carry the flag in the event the standard-bearer dies.

In the battle, the standard-bearer dies as they advance. One of the men comes to take up the flag. The  importance of the flag or standard advancing in order to press the troops forward becomes paramount.  These brave men fought hard that day. Charging forward on a battlefield weighted heavily against them. They fought not only their enemy, they fought their oppressors. Many of the men who died, including Colonel Shaw had refuse the pay offered by the military. Their reason? The soldiers were given less than standard pay because they were black. Historically, Colonel Shaw's last words were "Onward Fifty-Fourth!" as he charged to the top of the fort where he met his death. After the battle, the casualties  became interred on the beach outside the fort. Colonel Robert Gould Shaw along with the soldiers he mustered and led remain at the beach where their determination to fight for freedom became the standard of the day.

In our national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," the words ring of the high value a soldier places on the flag of their country:

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?

Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

(composed by Francis Scott Key, "In Defense of Fort McHenry" in September 1814. Congress proclaimed it the U.S. National Anthem in 1931)

Think of it, the sight of that flag still flying after a night of fighting gave the men the courage and the strength to fight and carry on. The rally point: the standard. In history count the times the sight of the flag being raised as becoming a symbol of the victory.

In yet another movie, "Not Without My Daughter" Sally Field plays the wife of an Iranian man who refuses to allow his American wife and daughter return home from a trip to Iran. Mistreated and held hostage by his family, she bravely hires a man to sneak her and her daughter across the Iranian border where she can seek aid from the U. S. Embassy outside of Iranian territory. The scene of her character walking through the town uncertain of where she is at the end of the movie stirs the heart. She rounds a corner and sees the Stars and Stripes of the American Flag  waving above the United States embassy. The very sight of the flag brings hope and strength to her weary body.

The movie and story end as she successfully escapes the tyranny of her husband and his nation and is given hope by the standard of her home nation.

In these examples, the flag of our nation serves as a call to continue in the fight you've been in, a symbol of hope and freedom that not only must be upheld, it must be defended. So it is with our God. He is our banner, and we are soldiers in a spiritual battle on behalf of our God. He is our strength to continue in the fight, the focus of our hope and the source of our freedom. Upholding Him in our lives makes Him our defense. He is our Banner. "He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love." Song of Solomon 2:4 (NKJV) He is our banner and His banner over us is His love. The victory is sure sweet sisters. Now let us look to Scripture for more evidence of this truth!

Read the passage and note anything new you learn about the Lord your Banner.

"17 Remember what Amalek did to you on the way when you had come forth from Egypt, 18 How he did not fear God, but when you were faint and weary he attacked you along the way and cut off all the stragglers at your rear. 19 Therefore when the Lord your God has given you rest from all your enemies round about in the land which the Lord your God gives you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under the heavens; you must not forget." ~ Deuteronomy 25:17-19 (AMP)

That God's deliverance is evidence of His Banner. When we face any battle and overcome, we are not to declare the trouble of the battle, but the glory of God's Victory in our lives. It is our Banner, Jehovah Nissi, that receives the glory when we overcome.

"22 Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will lift up My hand to the Gentile nations and set up My standard and raise high My signal banner to the peoples; and they will bring your sons in the bosom of their garments, and your daughters will be carried upon their shoulders. 23 And kings shall be your foster fathers and guardians, and their queens your nursing mothers. They shall bow down to you with their faces to the earth and lick up the dust of your feet; and you shall know [with an acquaintance and understanding based on and grounded in personal experience] that I am the Lord; for they shall not be put to shame who wait for, look for, hope for, and expect Me. 24 Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captives of the just be delivered? 25 For thus says the Lord: Even the captives of the mighty will be taken away, and the prey of the terrible will be delivered; for I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will give safety to your children and ease them." ~ Isaiah 49:22-25 (AMP)

God's standard brings the promise of protection, favor and deliverance. It is also a signal to those outside the faith. When God is given the glory in our lives as we surrender to His will and realize victory in every circumstance people sit up and take notice. It is not our job to make a name for God and declare the victory, it is our job to declare our God and His favor upon us and allow Him to make a name for us and declare the victory over us. If we lift Him up He draws those we exalt Him before to Himself.

"10 And it shall be in that day that the Root of Jesse shall stand as a signal for the peoples; of Him shall the nations inquire and seek knowledge, and His dwelling shall be glory [His rest glorious]! 11 And in that day the Lord shall again lift up His hand a second time to recover (acquire and deliver) the remnant of His people which is left, from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Pathros, from Ethiopia, from Elam [in Persia], from Shinar [Babylonia], from Hamath [in Upper Syria], and from the countries bordering on the [Mediterranean] Sea. 12 And He will raise up a signal for the nations and will assemble the outcasts of Israel and will gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth" ~ Isaiah 11:10-12 (AMP)

The root of Jesse, is that Christ? Think of that, Jesus Christ is our signal flag, our banner and our standard. He will gather us all together, and raise up a signal to the nations to assemble all the outcasts and bring back to us the plunder stolen from us - His promise is always victory. Jesus is the banner over us that declares the love of God over us. He is our covering, our shelter, our battle cry - He is our all in all.

"4 You have given a banner to those who fear You, That it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah" ~ Psalms 60:4 (NKJV)

His banner declares His truth! It declares His truth, the evidence and fruit in our life gives light to the fact that He is God, His Word is true and He is as He declares Himself in all things.

"18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." ~ 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NKJV)

His banner is now the message of the cross. It sounds like foolishness to the world who is perishing, but to those saved by it - it is the power of GOD! GLORY! GLORY! GLORY!

"52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the [sound of the] last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [in Christ] will be raised imperishable (free and immune from decay), and we shall be changed (transformed). ... 54 And when this perishable puts on the imperishable and this that was capable of dying puts on freedom from death, then shall be fulfilled the Scripture that says, Death is swallowed up (utterly vanquished forever) in and unto victory. 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? 56 Now sin is the sting of death, and sin exercises its power [upon the soul] through [the abuse of] the Law. 57 But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ." ~ 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (AMP)
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Our Banner is that we are conquerors and victory. But, when He returns He will raise us up and we will be the symbol of His victory and we will share in the victory of His banner.

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As we weigh the word today, read through the following verses of Psalm 20 and consider all the ways we learn that God is our Banner and our Standard in the Battles of our Lives. You are more than an overcomer, walk in victory today - His banner over you is love!

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Psalm 20

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1 To the Chief Musician.

A Psalm of David.

May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble;

May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;

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2 May He send you help from the sanctuary,

And strengthen you out of Zion;

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3 May He remember all your offerings,

And accept your burnt sacrifice.

_____________________________Selah

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4 May He grant you according to your heart's desire,

And fulfill all your purpose.

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5 We will rejoice in your salvation,

And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!

May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

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6 Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;

He will answer him from His holy heaven

With the saving strength of His right hand.

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7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;

But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.

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8 They have bowed down and fallen;

But we have risen and stand upright.

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9 Save, Lord!

May the King answer us when we call.

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.