The Power of Knowing God by Name, Part 4

God wants His people to be set apart for His use. Before entering the promised land Joshua told his people “sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you to” Joshua 3:5. Sanctification was a process of purification before approaching the presence of God.
In this fourth part of knowing God by his name, we continue studying God's attributes as revealed in His word. He is the great "I AM" and His names are revealed through His encounter with us. It takes faith for us to accept God as He is and believe that He is the all sufficient and all knowing God who was, is and will always be. This faith “comes by hearing, and hearing of the word of God” Romans 10:17.

10) Jehovah-Mekoddishkem (The Lord who sanctifies)

Throughout scripture we see God rescuing His people and separating them (sanctifying) from the rest for His use. We cannot sanctify ourselves to be right with God because our standards are way be low His. God says that “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways. --- For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” Isaiah 55: 8-9.

When Moses went to meet with the Lord in Mt Sinai, God told him, “ You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to me above all people; for all the earth is mine. And you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” Exodus 19: 4-6. From this scripture God explains His reason for rescuing Israel; that they may be “a special treasure, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation”.

This is the same calling made to those who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter calls on the believer to “gird up the loins of your mind---, as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” 1 Peter 1: 13-16. It is God who sets up the standards of morality and He expects us to abide by them. We do this by imitating Him through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Our salvation is not something we have worked for or earned, “it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works” Ephesians 2: 8-9. It is God’s work of sanctification working in us and only He can start it and complete it. God’s purpose for setting us part, just like it was with the children of Israel, is that we may serve Him and make Him known to others through our acts of service.

In his first epistle, Peter reminds us that we are a “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy, but have now obtained mercy” 1 Peter 2: 9- 10. Our worth as believers is wholly based on what God has done and does through us. He has called us "out of darkness" and when we are united with Christ as members of His body, we join in His priestly work of reconciling Others to God.

In His epistle to the Philippians, Paul calls on the believer to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” Philippians 2: 12-13. God works in us inwardly and we work outwardly what He does in our inner being. This He does through the Holy Spirit who is our teacher, counselor, intercessor and the one who gives us revelation into the hidden things of God.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/406314_the-power-of-knowing-god-by-name-part-4#ixzz1IDJj8KQx

Knowing God by Name, Part 3

God manifest Himself to us according to our needs and in the process demonstrates to us that He is the great “I AM”. It takes faith for us to accept God as He is and believe that He is the all sufficient God. This faith “comes by hearing, and hearing of the word of God” Romans 10:17.

Joshua was instructed by God to meditate on the word of God “day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it” Joshua 1: 7. God assured Joshua that if he was obedient to the word, success would follow him. In His word God reveals His attributes and character and in the process helps us understand Him. As we understand God we develop the confidence to approach Him in times of need by His name.

7) Jehovah-Jireh (The Lord will provide): Abraham discovered this name of God when he was tested beyond measure. Abraham had waited for years to have a son that had been promised to him as an heir by God. The son was eventually born when Abraham was one hundred years old (Genesis 21: 5) and was named Isaac.

God then tested Abraham’s faith by asking Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac to Him. This is a son that he had waited to have and now God was asking Him to sacrifice him. Just like fire refines ore to extract precious metals, God also refines His people by allowing difficult circumstances into their lives. Through these difficult situations we learn to trust God.

Abraham on his part did not question God when asked to sacrifice His son. He woke up in the morning and began one of the greatest acts of obedience by a human being recorded in History. He traveled for three days accompanied by two young men and his son to the place of worship. One can only imagine the struggle that Abraham may have had concerning this command. Perhaps God’s faithfulness before, including the birth of Isaac may have given Abraham the confidence to trust God even in this difficult command.

Isaac on seeing the fire, commented to his father, “look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” and Abraham replied, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering” Genesis 22: 7-8. This statement shows that Abraham was somehow trusting that God had a purpose through this, even though he did not understand everything.

He writer of the book of Hebrews says that “by faith Abraham, when tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, --- concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead” Hebrews 11:17,19. Faith entails trusting God even when we do not understand everything. It entails believing that God is the almighty and in Him there is every provision we need.

Just when Abraham was about to slay his son in obedience to God’s command, “the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham, ---Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son, from me” Genesis 22: 11-12. Abraham lifted his eyes and looked “and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. ---and offered it for a burnt offering instead of his son” Genesis 22: 13.

God again had come through for Abraham and proved his faithfulness. Abraham named the place where this happened “The lord will provide” because it was in this place that God had proved to Abraham that indeed He is the provider of all our needs. In this case God substituted the death of Abrahams son with that of a lamb which is very symbolic because He would later provide the “Lamb of God” who would substitute our death with his death.

Scripture says that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16. Unlike Isaac, Jesus knew and understood His calling and He willing went to the alter of sacrifice that we may through Him have eternal life. Yes, God provided the ultimate sacrifice for our salvation.

Can you doubt Him in anything after that? If He did not “spare His own son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32. Do not withhold anything from Him when He asks, for He has good plans for you and His desire is that you may know Him. When you reach the end and you do not know how your needs will be met, you can trust that the Lord will provide, for that is His name.

Indeed Jesus warned us about worrying about our needs because “ your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” Mathew 6: 31-34.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/402836_the-power-of-knowing-god-by-name-part-3#ixzz1IDIq6H9f

The Power of Knowing God by Name, Part 2

As discussed in Part I of this article, it is important to know God by His name for He manifest to us in various ways which reveals His attributes and nature.


As scripture teaches, “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” John 1:1. To know the word is to know God, for “He is”. In the first part we discussed God as EloHim, El Elyon and as El Roi. In this article we continue discussing God’s name according to His attributes, character and nature.

4) El Shaddai (The All-Sufficient one): God revealed Himself to Abraham as El Shaddai at Abrahams 90th birthday during which He also changed his name from Abrams to Abrahams. God said to Abram, “I am Almighty God; walk before me and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between Me and you, and you will multiply exceedingly” Genesis 17:1-2. On hearing this Abram “fell on his face” , Genesis 17:3.

El as previously discussed in part one means power or might and is always attributed to God. The translation for Shaddai is not as clear in its meaning amongst scholars. One view leans towards a definition of God in His might and power as seen in His judgments. Another view sees it to mean “the pourer or shedder forth, that is of blessings, temporal and spiritual---”. Both views, in my opinion manifest God as Almighty.

On the one hand, God is experienced as mighty and powerful and able to and does exercise judgments. On the other hand God is experienced as a Father who pours forth to His creations; who has, “shed forth His Spirit” to His people . Abraham needed to experience God as El Shaddai, for at 90 years and Sarah 89 years, they had no children of their own despite God‘s promise to bless them with an heir.

God established a covenant with Abrams and called him Abraham, which means father of nations. God then promised to make Abraham and his descendants extremely fruitful as well as promising that nations and kings would come from him. God went further to allocate the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants “as an everlasting possession” Genesis 17: 5-8. All God expected of Abraham was for him and his descendants to keep his covenant with God, Genesis 17:9-14.

God wants us to know Him as El shaddai and to trust Him with our weaknesses and failures. He works through our weaknesses to reveal His power and establish Himself as the Almighty God. All He expects of us is obedience to His word as revealed in the scriptures and made clear by the Holy Spirit living in us. It is not possible in the natural for a man of 90years and a woman of 89 years to bear children, yet with El Shaddai nothing is impossible.

No matter what you may be going through or what you think is impossible either because of your physical limitation or financial burden, let El Shaddai be true to His name. If you need a place of refuge and cannot get it in the world, run to El Shaddai whose might will shield you against your adversity. If what you need is impossible in the eyes of men, run to El Shaddai for He pours out His being in our weaknesses and makes the impossible, possible.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/400163_the-power-of-knowing-god-by-name-part-2#ixzz1IDH34CIC

The Power of Knowing God by Name, Part 1

The writer of the book of Hebrews writes that “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is” Hebrews 11: 6.

God manifest Himself to us according to our needs and in the process shows us that He is Lord over all our needs. This is why the writer of the book of Hebrews emphasises that “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is” Hebrews 11: 6.

To believe that “He is” takes faith based on our understanding and experience of God. This is why God commanded Joshua to “meditate “ on the “Book of Law” “day and night that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” Joshua 1:8. In other words to know God and "believe that He is" involves meditating on His word and being obedient to the word.

Scripture teaches that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God” John 1:1. It is therefore evident that to know the word is to know God, for “He is”. How then do you recognize God by name when He present Himself to You?

1) Elohim( the Creator) - The bible introduces God as the creator of the heavens and earth , Genesis 1:1. El means “mighty” or “strong” and is used in reference to God. The ending “him” is used in plural in Hebrew language acknowledging the trinity. Genesis 1: 2-3 reads, “ The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” while the writer of the book of Hebrew states that “by faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God” Hebrews 11:3. This two scriptures introduce the Holy Spirit and the God head who spoke creation into being.


The deity of the third member of the trinity, Jesus Christ, is clear in scripture for , “ He is the image of the invisible God, the first born over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible , whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him”, Colossians 1: 15,16 . It is thus obvious that the whole trinity was involved in creation. The God head spoke, the Holy spirit moved, and through Jesus all things were created.

In creating the man God said “let us make man in our image, according to our likeness” Genesis 1: 26. The “let us” refers to the trinity , the Father, the son and the Holy Spirit. We are all a product of our creator and not accidents of nature as some may believe. David celebrated his life and said “ you formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” Psalms 139: 13-14.


Knowing God as Elohim helps you understand that God has a purpose for your life for He spoke into your being. God says this “ Everyone who is called by My name whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him” Isaiah 43: 7. It is God who “forms” and “makes” us for His glory. All we need to do is to trust Him as Elohim because He is all knowing.

When Moses tried to get out of his calling on the basis that he was not eloquent of Speech, God rebuked him saying, “ who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?” Exodus 4: 11. Everything and everyone has a purpose and when we recognize this then we can celebrate our creation by accepting who we are. We must never lose sight of the fact that we are created to glorify God. In us and through us, others will have the true concept of God

Read more at http://www.bukisa.com/articles/398399_the-power-of-knowing-god-by-name-part-1

Trusting in the Name of God for sustenance

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” Proverbs 18:10.

When God called Moses to go and deliver the children of Israel from their bondage in Egypt and lead them to the promised land, Moses asked Him whom he should tell them send Him. Moses in asking this question recognized that the name represented the character and attributes of God and would be the deciding factor on the success or failure of his mission.

God answered Moses by emphasizing that “I AM WHO I AM” and told him to tell the children of Israel that “I AM has sent me to you” Exodus 3: 14. In other words He was all they needed. He was their father, their deliverer, their healer, their peace, their comfort, you name it and He was. As the Psalmist says, the name of the Lord is a strong tower in which we find sustenance in all our needs.

David preparing for battle acknowledges that his success is based on his dependence on the Lord. He writes that “some may trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God” Psalm 20:7. David recognized that trusting in human capabilities would lead to failure for we are limited but God is all knowing and all powerful. Only God can preserve a nation or an individual because His victory is eternal.

Scriptures implores on us to work towards knowing God and call on His name at the time of need and He will deliver us. Jesus praying just before his crucifixion says, “this is eternal life, they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” John 17:3. Jesus in this prayer was saying that the only way to eternal life is by knowing God the Father through His son, Jesus Christ.

Apostle Paul affirms Christ prayer and shows that his greatest desire and goal in life was that he “may gain Christ and be found in Him---; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” Philippians 3:8,10. Paul understood that knowing God is the difference between success and failure for a believer.

When we know God and are united in Him through Christ, we experience the power that raised Christ from the dead. That same power helps us to live renewed and regenerated lives. When we know God as He is, we develop a confidence that He will see us through in every situation for His glory. Indeed God gives this assurance to those who truly know Him to “call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me” Psalm 50:15.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/396550_trusting-in-the-name-of-god-for-sustenance#ixzz1IDENZsPc

Honoring Nine Soul Artist of Yesteryears whose Music still inspires and each

It seems there was a period when musician used to sing songs with meaning and had depth to them that is rare today. In the 1970’s and 1980’s the songs seemed more reflective and had deep messages that started movements.

The artist were soul singers and were able to tell a story in a soulful away that would touch even the hardened heart. Most of these singers had learnt to sing in church before they went into the secular world and their music reflected this background.

Music is God’s gift to human beings and it is food for the soul. Used properly music can change people and give them hope as they experience its inspiration. Modern artist seem to live on the now and their music seem to be noise than anything else.

The lyrics seem to glorify the dark world and use a lot of dirty language. Rarely are the songs deep enough to last a season and few can inspire change.

In celebration of the artists contribution to the betterment of the human condition through music the writer honors them in this article. Most of these artist have since departed the world, some at very tender ages

1) Marvin Gaye: Marvin was one talented singer who never found peace with himself. He is reported to have suffered from depression and perhaps self medicated with drugs as he struggled with drug addiction. Marvin was born on the 2nd of April 1939 and died on the 1st of April 1984 due to a fatal shot by his father after a heated argument. Marvin had many hit songs like “Mercy, Mercy me“, “I heard it through the grapevine”, “sexual healing” among others. The most endearing for this writer is “What’s going on” because the question is still very relevant.


2) Curtis Mayfield: Curtis Mayfield was another of this writer’s favorite artists. He was born on the 3rd of June 1942 and died on the 26th of December 1999. He had been paralyzed from the neck in 1990 after a freak accident on the stage before a performance. Curtis was a self taught guitarist and used his talent well. His songs were humanistic in nature and included hit songs like “its alright”, “People get ready”, “choice colors” and the soundtrack “superfly”. The most endearing song for this writer is “move on up” and “people get ready“.


Read more: http://musicouch.com/genres/honoring-nine-soul-artist-of-yester-years-whose-music-still-inspires-and-teach/#ixzz1FTeV7KGc