a mighty God

I have a confession to make -- when I first started studying the names of God, I kind of wanted to rush past this one simply to get to the other names.  I felt this one was too broad.  Of course He is the God who created it all ... duh!  

But when I sat with this name, studied more, and really thought about what it means -- that the God who saved me and lives in me is the One who created  E V E R Y T H I N G  ... then, WOW, how very grateful I am -- and so humbled by my first instinct to rush through.

It was Ann's words from Praying the Names of God that gave me a new perspective of my Lord and this world we live in.  (thank you Ann!)

"A mighty God could have created a world quite different from the one we know.  It could have had perpetually dark skies, grass hurt to walk on, dogs that couldn't be housebroken, and people incapable of love. Have you ever wondered why the world you take for granted is often so stunningly beautiful? So pleasant to live in? Why the people around you are capable of so much kindness?" Ann Spangler, Praying the Names of God

Let's pause today and just marvel at His creation. And what this world says about our Creator. 

Creation is a reflection

of our Creator...

intricate

intelligent

peaceful

merciful

loving

kind

holy

unwavering

resilient

Thank you, Elohim, for Your creation. Please forgive me for the many times I've taken for granted all You have done for us in creating such a beautiful, loving, peaceful and resilient world.  Please let me always find You in nature. As Paul says in Roman 1:20 -- "For since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities -- His eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made ..." Amen

 

Elohim - mighty Creator

 

Elohim is the first name of God to appear in the Bible.  It shows up in the very first sentence of the Bible. Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning, Elohim created the heavens and the earth."

When we speak the name of Elohim, we are reminding ourselves that He created it all.  I love to cherish this word deep in my heart to bring peace -- remembering God's creative power and His sovereignty over everything.  

What problem could I have that He cannot solve? 

When life overwhelms me.  When I feel inadequate to solve whatever mess I have seen to have gotten myself into, I close my eyes and just whisper quietly in my soul, Elohim.  

Elohim (You created it all)
Elohim (You are amazing and powerful)
Elohim (Your creativity and knowledge and intelligence in creating one single flower is multiplied by infinity because You created everything)!!!

When we whisper Elohim, when we acknowledge He is the creator, sovereign over all -- we are worshipping our Lord. 

The names of God are prayers and worship.

it’s His path you are walking!

 It doesn't matter what this world labels you..the money you have or don't have...the number on the scale...the car you drive...the vacations or staycations...because when you are one of His children, it's His path you are walking to bring you closer to Him, your Lord!

Jesus is my candlelight.

I am reminded more than any year before of the true LIGHT that shines during Christmas – Jesus.  He is the LIGHT that came into this weary world, to save us from eternal darkness. And the peace and warmth I feel in my heart reminds me of a single candle shining in the darkness.  

Jesus is my candlelight.

"His life is the light that shines through the darkness

-- and the darkness can never extinguish it." John 1:3

This world's Christmas season is loud, trying to steal my attention. But the peace of the flickering flame cannot be rivaled.  And the more my eyes focus on the flame, the more the world around me hushes. 

My soul quiets amid the candlelight.

This world's Christmas season is flashy. It tries to pull my eyes away.  But nothing is as beautiful as one candle’s light in the darkness. 

The rest of the world dims as I focus on the flame.

This world’s Christmas season is busy. It boggles down my soul, filling my mind with endless to-do lists. But as I look up from my list and see one single dancing flame -- lighting up the vast darkness with its wonder -- I can finally breathe.  

And I breathe in the peace of stillness.

It is the schemes of the darkness to try to extinguish His light in this world.  Not only at Christmastime does the world try to tempt me to look away.  I am grateful that one still, small candle always chases away the dark. 

Because if it wasn't for Jesus, I would be forever in the darkness.  

little white lies

I was taking a walk today to get my daily coffee.  It's a new thing I've started.  Since I work from home, my "steps" are lacking.  And I live close to our town square!  

Anyways, I was thinking about white lies when I was walking. It started out by commending myself for being such an honest person.  And then I slapped myself back into reality -- no one on this earth is a completely honest person.  I try, I'll give myself that -- and I'm much better than I used to be.  But - well, I grew up with people pleasers. And when trying to please people, little white lies happen.

A few years ago, I was convicted by the Holy Spirit and, in my heart, began a transformation.  I began to realize when I was lying.  And I began to see it for what it was -- I was making myself a untrustworthy person.  

And then -- and this is where I think the conviction in my heart took place -- I realized how hurt the other person would be if they knew I was being untruthful.  

Right here - while I am writing this - I want to assure you they weren't huge lies.  You know -- that I'm not that bad of a person.  But seriously -- why does that even matter?  A sin is a sin to our holy God.  And while as followers of Jesus, we are saved from our sins -- He does not want us to sin.  With each life choice -- do not sin.  

I leave you with this -- Proverbs that I read a few days ago.  Could be why I was thinking about honesty and dishonesty.

Proverbs 11:1 -- The LORD hates cheating and delights in honesty. 
Proverbs 11:3 -- The good man is guided by honesty; the evil man is destroyed by his dishonesty.

Faith in troubled times

 Faith is like a radar that sees through the fog, the reality of things at a distance -- that the human eye cannot see. -Corrie ten Boom

A few years ago I read Corrie ten Boom's story.  I think I'm going to read it yet again.  Okay - I know I am going to read it again.  And I'll write my thoughts here in this blog.  It'll be like my very own book club.  Who wants to join me?

I posted the picture here of one of my pieces of artwork that celebrates Courage.  I love that Corrie's courage came from her faith in Jesus.  And that she wasn't alone in her fight -- she had her sister with her the entire way.  And what's crazy -- is that since Corrie lived after the war, she is credited with doing so much good.  But until I read the book, I didn't realize that it was her sister, Betsy, who had the stronger faith of the two.  Her faith through it all was just mind boggling.  Whenever I am going thru a hardship, I draw from her witness of how the Lord comforted her, healed her, saved her, and saved others through her.  I strive for that!!!  

Hiding Place is the name of the book.  Here's a copy/paste synopsis ...

The Hiding Place is Corrie ten Boom’s personal story of faith, forgiveness, and love for the persecuted Jewish community during the World War II Nazi invasion and occupation of Holland. Part of an underground resistance movement, Corrie and her family risked their lives to hide Jewish friends within a secret wall space of the Beje, their beloved clock shop and home in Haarlem, Netherlands. Her heroic actions eventually led to her arrest and imprisonment at Ravensbrück, the German Reich’s largest concentration camp for women.

For the first time, the ten Boom family’s heart-wrenching story of sacrifice and survival is presented as a special edition complete with rare family photos, accents of Dutch Delft–style design, artwork by Dutch artists, and personal ephemera. Hand-lettered inspirational quotes and Scripture combined with artwork reminiscent of World War II Europe make The Hiding Place come alive like never before.

I cannot wait to receive this in the mail.  I also cannot wait to read The Hiding Place again in this new beautiful format! 

I love how the Lord led me to write this blog, led me to Corrie's quote, then to search for the book and ultimately, find this special edition of The Hiding Place.  

I love the Lord's leading in my heart and my life.

amylee

my thankful thought for today

thankful for the struggles in life, they made me who i am.