Romans 8:32 – “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”  NASB

2 Peter 1:3 – “…His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” NASB

God’s vision is never cheap nor is it easy.  Tragically, I have witnessed well-meaning believers and churches receive the Vision of God and try to accomplish it as cheaply as possible and with as little stress, pressure, or controversy as possible. 

If we are going to Wage Spiritual Warfare and Pull-Down Strongholds, We need Power, the Power of God.  Deuteronomy 8:18 informs us that God gives us the power to ‘create wealth’ and we are told that the ‘wealth of the wicked is laid up for the just.’  God has plenty, He owns it all, for as the Psalmist declares, “The Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof…”

But there is a Battle Ground that we must overcome and that is the Human Mind or the subconscious fleshly mind.  When we hear Truth all the old arguments surface, challenging and questioning that which we have not seen before.  Too often we have attempted to operate in Human Understanding to achieve the purposes of God and we produce an Ishmael rather than an Isaac. 

Leaning, trusting, or depending upon my own understanding prevented me from receiving forgiveness for a time and finally, the truth revealed in Proverbs 3:5-6 broke the chains and allowed me to receive freely and fully, His Salvation.  In Salvation, we find entrance into the Kingdom.  In Healing, we are fitted for service.  In God’s Prosperity, we are enabled to fulfill the call and finance the vision. 

I challenge you to rehearse in your mind and heart the Abrahamic Covenant as revealed in Genesis 12:1-3. When we recognize the scriptural directive for appropriating the Promise of God for Salvation, Healing, and Prosperity we can move into what God has for us powerfully.  God has a Plan of Finance and while I never want to make wealth the focal point of my message, we must have money or a medium of exchange in this world. 

In Malachi 3, we are told to bring the ‘whole tithe’ into God’s storehouse and the Promise is He will Open heaven for us and bless us as is revealed in Malachi 3, 2 Corinthians 8; 9:6-16; Luke 6:38; Ecclesiastes 11:1-4, and Proverbs 19:17. Regardless of your view of the tithe or tithing giving to God will never go unrewarded by God!

The Law of Multiplication can be applied to every dimension of life.  If we follow God’s directives completely, we will find that the Work of God never lacks and as in the illustration of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness in Exodus 36, the giving was so much the people had to be restrained from giving.  Imagine that problem in the Local Church!  God finances what He ordains and if we will be obedient to Him He will open heaven’s windows for us and bless us, spiritually, physically, and financially.

Many fail, to be charitable because their minds tell them that if they give away their money, they will not have enough for themselves.  Remember the Law of Harvest and the Law of Multiplication.  We reap WHAT we sow, we reap LATER than we sow, and we reap MORE than we sow.  If the need is God-caused it will also be God-funded.  It becomes a matter of mindset and trust. 

If we cannot trust God with our finances, we will find that we are unable to trust Him in virtually any area of our lives.  The Battle Ground we must overcome and the Stronghold we must pull down is the Human Fleshly Carnal Mind and bring every thought captive to the obedience of our Lord Jesus.

God, bless you richly as you roll all your care upon Him and Trust Him today!

Psalms 23 – “A Psalm of David. Adonai is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. 4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me: Your rod and Your staff comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed my head with oil, my cup overflows. 6Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the House of Adonai forever.”  TLV

Let’s pick up where we left off yesterday where we saw that the Shepherd provides for His flock.  Now let’s move to another consideration of the ministry of God’s True Shepherd.

• The Shepherd Protects His Flock.

In verse four we discover that “even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me: Your rod and Your staff comfort me.”  He protects against our enemies.  The shepherd in the natural protected the flock against, the wolf, bear, lion, thief, and more.  The shepherd banishes fear through His presence.  The sheep trust him completely with their lives.  Isaiah 26:3 reminds us that we are kept in Perfect Peace through Trust.

He protects the sheep with His life.  Jesus reminded his followers in Matthew 10:16 that He was sending them out as sheep in the midst of wolves.  Therefore, they needed the oversight of the Shepherd.  In Hebrews 13:5, He promised to never leave nor forsake us and in John 16:33 we are reminded that He has overcome the world!  He can be trusted.  He also protects through His Blood, and it is impossible to penetrate the Blood of Jesus from the outside.

• The Shepherd Leads His Flock.

He leads us beside the still waters.  He restores our weary souls and even our bodies. He leads in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.  The waters He brings us to are not the turbulent troubled waters of life but the still quiet waters of refreshing.  Remember, He stood and declared, “If any man thirsts let Him come to Me and drink.”  He gives peace in times of trouble.  He rebukes the wind and waves of life. (Mark 4:29).

He leads us through uncharted waters with absolute peace and assurance.  He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He is the Door!  He leads us never drives us.  You can lead sheep, but you cannot drive them as you do cattle.

• The Shepherd Loves His Flock.

He loves them individually and loves them collectively as a flock. He makes every possible and needed preparation for their care and safety.  He does all to ensure that we are able to live for God and walk in His righteousness.  He wants us to enjoy the rich blessings and make heaven our eternal home. 

The shepherd always leads, he never just follows.  The question for each of us is, “Do we know the Shepherd?”  If not and even if we, do He wants to reveal Himself even more intimately to us.  Jesus calls – Come!  The LORD is MY Shepherd.  Insert your name in that phrase.  The LORD is Roy Beaird’s Shepherd!

Have a fantastic day as you walk with the Shepherd of God’s Flock!

Psalms 23 – “A Psalm of David. Adonai is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. 4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me: Your rod and Your staff comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You have anointed my head with oil, my cup overflows. 6Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the House of Adonai forever.”  TLV

Jesus contrasts the true shepherd without referring to Psalm 23 in Matthew 10:10 and in Matthew 20:28 where He informs us that He is giving His life a ransom for many.  That is the work of the true shepherd. 

When we consider the personal ministry of Jesus, we find that it is a virtually inexhaustible subject.  He came to be our Savior, Healer, and Guide through life.  He came to give His life so that we could live eternally in the presence of the Father.  But His personal ministry extends far beyond those things.

The personal ministry of our Lord goes far beyond what our minds can comprehend.  As we consider some of the aspects or dimensions of His ministry, we are able to see Him in a light that will help us to better serve Him and others.  The more we know Him the more we love Him and the sweeter He grows.  This consideration should inspire us, build our faith, and increase our confidence and trust in Him.  “He is a present help in the time of need.”

The declaration of David, himself a shepherd is powerful – The Lord Is My Shepherd!  But what does that mean to us personally and in our daily lives?  What does it say about Him?  What is a shepherd and what does he do?  Important questions for us to gain the needed understanding and embrace the offered victory in our lives.

• The Shepherd Provides For His Flock.

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.”  Because the LORD is my shepherd, I have no sense of lack.  I can lack nothing because He has everything, and the shepherd provides for the flock.  “He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters.”  Whatever I need, in the quietness of His presence I find provision. 

In verse 5 we discover “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You have anointed my head with oil, my cup overflows.”  Wow!  This is a recognition that there are adversaries, but in the middle of the struggle, God our Shepherd provides a banquet table and the oil of anointing.  He provides food for the journey.  Nourishment for living!  We are blessed beyond measure because our Shepherd provides.

We see that in scripture in numerous passages.  The manna from heaven in the wilderness, the meal for the widow through the prophet Elijah, the 5,000 and 4,000 fed.  He is a provider.  No, he is our provider.  In Matthew 6:11, Jesus tells his followers to pray for daily bread.  In Matthew 4:3-4, when the devil tempted Jesus to make stones bread, Jesus responded, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

Our physical existence depends on our diet.  Therefore, it should not be a shock when we realize that our spiritual existence is dependent upon our spiritual diet.  The Word of God is our spiritual food.  Food that Jesus provides abundantly.  No wonder, He encouraged us to abide in Him and His word in us.

He also provides shelter for His flock.  He causes us to rest in green pastures with the assurance of His continued presence.  In Psalm 91 we discover that if we dwell in the presence of God, we will enjoy the protection of God.  He is our refuge and fortress, and we can walk confidently in His shadow.  Jesus made the plea and promise in Matthew 11:28 – “Come unto Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

He provides and He is more than enough.  I want to continue this in the next devotional but will pause here.

God bless you as you walk in Him!

Psalm 8

I encourage you to read the entire Psalm but will highlight Psalm 8:4-5 – “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon, and stars, which You established – what is man, that You are mindful of him?  And the son of man, that You care for him?”

The entire Book of Psalms is loaded with incredible truths and encouragements that excite the heart and explode into a new sense of spiritual power and comfort.  When we soak in the Psalms, we come away with a new awareness of Gods’ majesty.  Here in Psalm 8, David gives us a new touch of hope and a sense of security as children of God.

In verse one we read, “O LORD, our Lord, How majestic and glorious and excellent is Your name in all the earth!”  God is our sovereign LORD and Master!  In this verse, David draws attention to God’s Glory, Work, and Power.  Then in verse four, he draws a contrast between God and man. 

In comparison to God, man seems so insignificant, helpless, frail, and utterly useless.  In contrast to God’s glory, majesty, power, and perfection, man seems totally and hopelessly imperfect.  In contrast to God’s Creation, he asks, “What is man?”

It would be easy for us to feel the unworthiness of man to the extent that we begin to embrace our unworthiness, unimportance, worthlessness, and hopelessness without Him.  But, in God’s eyes, we are important and far more important than we think.  The one thing that everyone needs to know, in the face of trial, tribulation, or persecution is – We are Important to God!  We are important enough for Him to care for and provide for.  We are important enough for Him to allow Jesus to come and die for our sins!

So, I ask that you join me in a brief walk through the Scripture regarding the Worth of Man to God.

• Man is more valuable than all the creatures of the earth. 

In Genesis 1:26, we discover that man was given dominion over the creation.  That none but man became living souls.  That the animals became a source of food and clothing for man.  We have a special place in God’s scheme of things, and we have His breath of life in us making us Living Souls not just mammals.

• Man was created in the Image and Likeness of God; therefore, we are the reflection of God.

• He made us of greater value than the earth itself.

Matthew 16:26 – “For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

God ascribes unparalleled worth to man’s soul.  God knows every detail of man for we are fearfully and wonderfully made.  We are God’s reflection, or we are supposed to be for that is how we were created.

• Man is important enough for God to be willing for Jesus to Die for Us.

John 3:16 reflects God’s Love for Man.  Romans 5:8 reminds us, “But God commends His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  That is incredible!  He provided redemption.  God’s love conceived and implemented the perfect plan of salvation.  By Grace, we are saved!

• Man is important enough for Jesus to return for Us.

In John 14 we have the incredible promise of Jesus that has the power to calm all our fears and doubts.  He is returning for those who wait for, walk after, and watch for Him.  When we consider His provisions, we may feel inferior, unimportant, insignificant, worthless, hopeless, and helpless But GOD Values you highly.  You are Worth the Blood of God.

Therefore, what have we to fear if God is for us?  Why should we worry and fret for God is able?  Remember who God says you are – Royalty, Kings, and Priests unto Him, His children.  He cares for you and me.

Matthew 10:28-31 – “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two little sparrows sold for a copper coin? And yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered [for the Father is sovereign and has complete knowledge]. 31So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.”

Remember, you are an heir of God!  Refuse the lie of the devil and come forth to the newness of life that Jesus brought to us.  Remember, you are important to God!  Praise Him for His love and truth.  Seek His assistance in resisting the lies of the devil.  Petition His throne for the desires of your heart.  If you are born-again, you are the King’s kids.  If you are not saved, then Jesus calls, “come unto Me.”  You can take all your cares to the LORD for He cares for you.  His eyes run to and fro through the whole earth looking for the opportunity to bless you. 

God bless you as you live in the awareness that you are Important to God!

Job 13:4 – “You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless doctors—all of you!”

I would suggest that, in some measure, we have all been confronted with something similar.  We may have received this type of medicine and maybe even be guilty of dispensing it.  It is much easier to give than receive.  Job’s statement had nothing to do with the medical profession but was directed at the moral and spiritual aspects.

Job was weighed down under the heavy load of oppression and needed someone to lift him up. Rather his friends did what is common to man and viewed his plight as punishment by God.  He must have done something wrong to have incurred this type of disaster.  It must be the judgment of God. 

His losses were beyond any nightmare man could dream.  His problems were greater than any hypochondriac could concoct.  The only answer for this much suffering and misfortune must be God’s Anger and Judgment. 

His comforters became his accusers.  They reasoned that he had to be under judgment and therefore it was incumbent upon them to make him see his sin.  They hurled every insult and charge against him they could imagine.  Their words were like sour grapes and spoiled food.  His comforters became his tormentors. 

Proverbs 17:22 – “A merry heart does good like a medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.”

Proverbs 15:13 – “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Nehemiah 8:10 – “…the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

One of our responsibilities as fellow members of the Body of Christ is to help others.  We are to seek to win the lost and if we see a brother or sister in trouble, we are to help them.  We are to seek to restore not seek to destroy. 

To fulfill that purpose and live a victorious life and help others endure trials we must have the Joy of the Lord.  To have and maintain the Joy of the Lord we must take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.  We must gird up the loins of our minds and be renewed in our minds.  (Romans 12:2). 

It is vital that we are careful what we allow to enter through the gate of our minds and enter our thoughts.  Philippians 4:8 advises, no directs that we are to focus on truth, honesty, justice, purity, loveliness, virtue, good reports, and praise.  If we dwell on the negative, we will encounter depression, defeat, and destruction. 

If we are to be physicians of value to others, we must learn to submit to God and resist the devil.  We are to give no place to the devil and shun the very appearance of evil.  We need to realize that we affect others by our words, deed, and even our moods.

If we are to become physicians of value we must live in compliance with God’s Word in our physical, financial, emotional, and moral lives.  If we live in a state of constant complaining, we will be about as desirable as a black eye and will deter others’ faith.  We become a stumbling block. 

Conversely, a life of expressed Joy and Obedience to God will be magnetic, contagious, encouraging, and persuading.  It will enable us to change things for good spiritually and encourage others to trust God fully.

We can make an impact through our prayer life.  We can make a positive impact in our daily life of demonstrated confidence and obedience no matter what.  We can make a positive impact by allowing the Joy of the Lord that is in our hearts to be expressed.

We are all physicians in life.  Not medical doctors but either physicians of value or physicians of no value.  Like the old Brylcreem commercials of yesteryear, “A little dab’ll do ya.”  A little Joy will spread like wildfire and encourage even the most downtrodden heart.  Be one who spreads Joy, not Gloom.

God bless you and I pray you to have a fantastic day in Jesus!

Job 1:13-22; 2:1-10

For the sake of time and space, I ask that you read the text verses so that you can follow what I am saying, and it will have a greater impact upon you and benefit you.  In considering the trials of Job it is important that we realize that none of us are exempt from trials.  Job’s name means persecuted.

In a unique manner Job’s trials makes him the prototype of Jesus.  Every upright man will have his Eden to enjoy, his Isaac to sacrifice, and his wilderness to go through.  There will be a time of testing.  It is through much tribulation that we enter into the Kingdom of God’s greater fullness and power.  We do well to remember that no affliction, for the present, seems joyous, but grievous.  Nevertheless, afterward, it will yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

I must ask, “Was there ever a man more taught through his experiences than Job?”  With that statement, I ask that we take a journey through the trials of Job and see if we can clean anything beneficial.

First, we need to look at the Purpose of Job’s Trials.  There is a two-fold cross purpose at the center of Job’s experience.  One is divine and the other satanic.  Satan challenged God in Job 1:9-11 – “Does Job fear God for nothing?”  He charged that God had built a hedge around Job and blessed him, therefore if God took away or allowed Job’s possessions to be taken away, Job would curse God.

The devil did not believe and does not believe that any mortal man will remain true to God in the face of adversity.  He values material possessions so highly and believes that we do that he cannot fathom any man losing everything and remaining true to God.  Even if Job staggered at his test, Jesus did not.  Jesus said that He had nowhere to lay his head and the Bible tells us He was a man of sorrows.  Yet, He remained totally faithful and committed to the Father and God’s purposes.

The reality is Job was totally unconscious of his being used in this fashion.  He viewed it as a severe test and one undeserved.  The devil knows that he must strip man of his faith if he is to be able to defeat man.  Job remained true to God in the face of the loss of everything.

Second, we need to consider the nature of Job’s Trials.  This is about as bad as one can imagine.  He lost property, which is bad enough, but he also lost his children, all of them at one time.  There were no half measures in Job’s trials, they were the full brunt of a satanic attack.  He lost 7 thousand sheep, 3 thousand camels, and 5 hundred oxen. The richest man in the East had suddenly become bankrupt. 

He lost his family; seven sons and three daughters were taken from him on the same day and at the same time.  Then he lost his health. (Job 2:7).  Covered with boils from the crown of his head to the soles of his feet.

Job lost his position in the community.  He went from being the most respected in the East to a loathsome individual to be pitied.  Then to make matters worse, he lost all empathy and sympathy of those around him.  His wife told him to curse God and die.  That must have been a bitter pill in the heart and mind of Job.  Yet, he maintained his integrity and confidence in God.

Thirdly, we must consider the Effect of Job’s Trials.  The immediate result was he was stripped naked of every earthly possession.  Every earthly comfort had been taken from him very quickly.  He fell to the ground and worshipped God saying, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away: blessed be the Name of the Lord.”

It is amazing, but Job saw God in his suffering.  He said, “What shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?”  Job’s theology was a bit skewed in that statement, but the overriding declaration is – that God is to be trusted and we must remain grateful. 

Job realized what we need to realize is that there is a life that does not consist of the things we possess.  Life is more than food or clothing.  It is more than money or fame.  It is more than status.  It is found in the declaration of Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added…”  Complete surrender to God and complete Trust is required if we are to learn from life’s trials and move into that place of Abundant Life Jesus came to bring.

Therefore, no matter what happens, let’s hold to our confidence in God and maintain our trust in Him.  He will never leave us nor forsake us, and He will never fail.

God bless you as you go through this day in Him!

Judges 7

Great things are wrought when people hear and obey God’s direction.  When things reach the state of impossible with men, they are yet a minor task for God.  The only hindrance to the hand of God moving on our behalf is disobedient and rebellious hearts and minds.  God is not concerned about the way things appear in the natural.  We are!  He knows the end from the beginning, but we look at the beginning from the end.  We are temporal and He is eternal.  We are limited, but He is unlimited!

God is always more concerned about our obedience than the problem!  God is always looking for those who will risk everything in dependence upon Him and obedience.  He is looking for those who will dare to believe. 

This is an incredible account of the miraculous intervention of God in a national problem.  It can be applied to our individual lives, our family, or the nation.  God is God and will always be God and when He finds those who will trust Him and obey, He is anxious to manifest His Glory.

The Midianite army was massive and 32,000 had responded to Gideon’s call.  God did an amazing thing and said, “Sorry, Gideon, you have too many with you.”  What?  Too many?  LORD, do not you see the size of the Midianite army.  We are severely outnumbered as it is, what do you mean too many?  God said, “Tell those that are afraid to go home.”  If the rest were not afraid, what were they feeling when 22,000 packed up and left.  Now it is 10,000 against thousands upon thousands. 

God then says, “Sorry, Gideon, there are still too many!”  I can imagine what was going on in the minds of the 10,000.  They were probably thinking, God must be crazy, or Gideon has lost his mind.  Out of the 10,000, God’s instructions reduced Gideon’s army (if you can call it that) to three hundred.  God’s instructions could be translated, choose the ready, the watchful, and watch Me do my thing. 

If the battle is the LORD’s, then, trust must be at its zenith.  God reduced the number to the point that it would be impossible in the natural and there would be no way Gideon or anyone could take credit for the victory.  This is God’s Pattern!

It is always vital that we follow God’s orders exactly.  God had chosen a man to lead a group of people into a battle that when it was over, only God could get the credit.  He gave Gideon the plan and Gideon followed His orders precisely.  God then performed what only God could do and gave them an undeniable miracle. 

The message for us is, do not look at the immensity of the problem or the impossibility.  Obey the directive of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and the voice of God.  Never mind the popularity of the action or the unpopularity, be obedient to God’s directive.  Public opinion does not win victories it may make us palatable to the crowd, but lasting victory is won in obedience to God.

If God is in it, it will not fail.  Obedience to the LORD is the only pathway to victory!  My question is, What has God directed you to do, that seems impossible?  Will you trust Him and follow His plan?  If you will, the Victory is assured.  It may not be easy, but God never fails.

Have a fantastic day in Jesus!

Exodus 5:2 – “But Pharaoh said, “Who is Adonai, that I should listen to His voice and let Israel go? I do not know Adonai, and besides, I will not let Israel go.”

The question of the Pharoah brings to light an especially important and interesting question.  Who is the LORD?  Another way of asking that would be “Who Is He In Our Lives?”  “Who Is He In Our World?”  Psalms 14:1 declares, “The fool has said in his heart there is no God.”  I find it impossible to look at creation and not believe there must be a creator.  The design of this world demands the existence of a designer.

Pharoah’s question suggests that there is no God.  He was the epitome of Psalms 14:1 because if we look with our eyes, we see the evidence of God everywhere.  We see Him in nature.  We see Him in the universe, the intricate detail and necessity of order scream there is a God who created everything.  When we consider the design of the human body and the world itself, we are at a loss to explain other than God.

There is a clock in Strasbourg, Germany that in addition to its regular features has a combination of moons and planets moving through the days and months coinciding with the heavenly bodies with amazing accuracy.  To say that it just happened would be an insult to the creator of the clock and intelligence.

The book Pilgrim’s Progress is an amazing work of literature.  No one would suggest that the author took a railroad car full of printers type and a shovel and began to heave the type in the air and this book just happened.  That would be so utterly ridiculous that the one suggesting it would be laughed to scorn.

If we consider the insect world, the Staghorn Beetle we discover something amazing.  The male has a horn twice the length of its body and the female has no horn.  As grubs, there is no difference between the two, but the male will dig a hole twice as deep as the female.  Why?  Where did he get his wisdom and instinct to do that? 

So, to Pharoah’s question, if God exists then, “Who Is The LORD?”  The biblical view gives us a valuable reality and understanding.  God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.  A cursory review of the Names of God will lend a powerful understanding.

He is Elohim (God).  It is used wherever the creative power and Omnipotence of God are described or implied.  He is the Creator God.  The plural signifies the fullness of the power of the Trinity.   He is Jehovah (LORD).  It comes from the verb ‘to be’ and includes all three tenses of the verb (past, present, and future.)  Since Jehovah is the God who reveals Himself to man, the name means – I have manifested, do manifest, and will continue to manifest Myself.

God’s relationship with the nation of Israel is expressed in His Covenant Names. 

• Jehovah-Rapha – (Exodus 15:26) – “The LORD that heals.”
• Jehovah-Nissi – (Exodus 17:8-15) – “The LORD our banner.”
• Jehovah-Shalom – (Judges 6:24) – “The LORD our Peace.”
• Jehovah-Ra’ah – (Psalm 23) – “The LORD my Shepherd.”
• Jehovah-Tsidkenu – (Jeremiah 23:6) – “The LORD our Righteousness.”
• Jehovah–Jireh – (Genesis 22:14) – “The LORD who Provides.”
• Jehovah-Shammah – (Ezekiel 48:35) – “The LORD is there.”

We have the combination names of God “El” (God).  He is El-Elyon (Genesis 21:33) – “The Most High God!’  He is El-Shaddi (Exodus 6:3) – “The God Who is Sufficient For the Needs of His People.”  He is El-Olam (Genesis 21:33) – “The Everlasting God.”

Back to the question, “Who Is God or Who is the LORD?”

He is Adonai – “The LORD and Master.”  He is Father – “The producer of all things! And the creator of man!”

Who is the LORD?  My question is “Who is He to You?”  To me, he is the one who is sufficient to supply every need and solve every problem.  He is the I AM THAT I AM!   He is my all in all!

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day God has given us to live!

Genesis 2:24 – “This is why a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife; and they become one flesh.”

Ephesians 5:31 – “For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

In today’s modern society there are a host of so-called authorities on every subject that is discussed.  The tragedy is that too many times these authorities do not consider the greatest source of information there has ever been or will ever be – God’s Word, the Bible.

There are authorities on things they have first-hand knowledge of and those who have only theoretical knowledge.  If one is an authority with first-hand knowledge, then their resource materials must be of the highest possible quality and flawless if possible.

The subject of Marriage, it seems, is one of those topics that there are as many authorities as there are people.  Some of them have experienced failed marriages. Some have never experienced marriage and write about it out of their opinion rather than experience.  Some are wonderfully married and write according to their experience and preferences.  Those all may have some value, but they are not the Ultimate Authority on the subject.

The Bible, God’s Words speaks about marriage from the viewpoint of the one who instituted the institution.  That would be God Himself.  The Bible’s instructions are completely accurate, totally fair, impeccably honest, and above reproach.  The Bible informs us that “God is Love!”  So, who would be in a better position to give guidelines for a union of love that is to be for Life than the one who is Love?

If we view marriage based on the Word of God and conduct ourselves according to His pattern, we will enjoy the most wonderful union known to man outside our union with Him.

In Genesis 2:21-24 we discover some unique things worthy of consideration:

God made Eve from Adam’s Rib.  She was not taken from man’s head to be lorded over by him.  She was not taken from his feet, to be trampled on by him.  She was taken from his side, to be equal with him, from under his arm to be protected by him, and from near his heart to be loved by him.

God prepared the woman to be a helper to complete the man and that the marriage of one man and one woman would result in the two becoming one flesh, one unit, one in the union.  Both maintain their distinct personalities and abilities but now function as one family unit.

Adam referred to Eve as ‘bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh.’  They had become One!

In the writings of the apostle Paul in his discourse in Ephesians 5:28-31, he gave these instructions:  Men were to love their wives as their own bodies.  He taught that if a man genuinely loves his wife, he loves himself also.  Because the two have become one, then a man is to leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife.  He concluded with the great insight that husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the Church and gave Himself for her.

In Genesis 2 the language is stronger than that of Ephesians.  The man is to leave and cleave.  He is to step out from under the tutelage and governance of his parents and assume the responsibilities of adulthood.  He is to cleave to his wife indicating that the marriage vows are sacred and that this union unites a man and a woman into one single unit.  They become one working together in their pursuit of life.

We have allowed a dilution of this God-given directive and that has opened the door for man marital problems and divorce.  We have forgotten that the two are to be One.  We have lost sight of that oneness and allowed the condition where the two pull against each other in selfishness and misguided application of some biblical principles, to be the accepted norm.

If a man and a woman who love each other understand their new relationship in marriage, their responsibilities, their privileges, and their priorities, the marriage will have heaven’s blessings.  Their union establishes a new family unit.

When difficulties arise and they will, because we are all human and flawed vessels, those difficulties must be addressed with Love, Prayer, and a willingness to listen and surrender to God.  The Bible in 1 Corinthians 7, Proverbs 30, and Titus give powerful information about how marriage should be.

I know what becoming one is because my late wife, Bonnie, and I had become one in Christ and joined each other inseparably.  We each sought the highest good of the other.  We would each, at times, set our preferences aside to bring to the other their greatest joy.  We choose to agree with God not with the flesh and from a foundation of Love we had a wonderful marriage based on biblical principles and enjoyed God’s blessings upon that union.

God bless you as you enjoy this day in Him!