GodandMe2theMax

Grow my roots...

Colossians 2:6  "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

Roots.  It's what a plant needs to keep growing stronger.  A root anchors the plant and absorbs nutriments and moisture to help it grow.  You can have the biggest, healthiest plant ever, but speaking from experience, if left unwatered without sunlight, the roots will begin to surface and the plant will eventually die.  A green thumb, I have not.  In fact, with the exception of one, I have successfully neglected all plants I've ever had to the point of no return.

Well, this last week, God has been teaching me the importance of growing my roots deeper.  You see, I kind of think I know my Bible pretty well.  I don't mean to sound proud when I say that.  It's just that I grew up in a Christian home, went to a Christian school for thirteen years, went to a Christian college, and well, I've been growing in Christ a long time.  But sometimes it's easy to be complacent and forget the need for continual growth.  Our pastor has been challenging us about this very directive of growth from God the last few weeks at church, too. 

Well, last Wednesday, when our worship team finished practicing a song, our worship pastor opened up his Bible and started reading a passage from Revelation.  Now, I've read through the Bible, cover to cover, several times.  But as he read, I heard some things I don't remember hearing before about how John describes the return of Christ.  In it, he said Jesus will have written on His robe and thigh, "King of Kings and Lord of Lords."  Hmmm...yep, I definitely never remember reading this description of Jesus.  Sure, I knew Jesus is called the "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" but does that mean Jesus will have a tattoo on his thigh with this title?  I'm not sure, but it kind of sounds like that, doesn't it?  And then another thing in the passage caught my ear.  It said Jesus will bear a name that no one knows but He Himself.  I listened as Pastor Steven kept reading.  I stood there captivated by this phrasing from the Bible that I just had never remembered hearing before.  How could I have missed this in all my years of being a Christian?  I got home and re-read the passage.  In fact, I've probaby read it at least 5 times since.  We know so many names for God, and yet, there is one name that will not be revealed to us until He returns.  Take a look for yourself at the passage - Revelation 19:11-16. 

Now take a look at the verse to memorize for this week in Colossians.  Paul says, just like we've received Christ, we should continue to live in Him.  Continue.  It's a verb, but it's one that calls for action in the present tense.  We need to persist.  Last.  Endure.  And how do we do this?  By building up our roots in Him.  This strengthens our faith, and the bi-product is an overflow of thankfulness.

The story from Revelation is just one example of how God hit me upside the head this week with the need to grow my roots.  Sometimes when you've been a Christian a long time, it's easy to not look for new things in Scriptures.  "Been there, done that" should never be a mantra of a Christian.  Instead, it should be "Show me.  Teach me.  Help me learn."   The more I learn, the more my roots grow, the more I realize so little I know.  I wrote this poem this week, in response to the passage from Revelation.  God, keep growing my roots so that I am a life-long student of Yours.

A Name No One Knows...
Revelation 19:11-16

We think we know Him, this Jesus of ours,
but is that really the case?
If He returned today, right in front of our eyes
would we recognize His face?

Provider, Healer, Messiah, Friend
Lover of our souls, No Beginning, No End
Righteous Judge, defeating all foes
And He’ll bear a name that no one knows.

His eyes will be like a blazing fire. 
On His head will be many crowns.
He’ll be dressed in a robe dripped in blood
And His name is the Word of God.

King of Kings and Lord of Lords
Will be written on His thigh and robe
He’s faithful and true.  Immeasurably pure.
And He has a name no one knows.

Such a mystery, this Christ in me.
I spend my days trying to know Him more
Realizing I’ve got so far to go 
To really know that name no one knows.

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

The perfect remedy...

Proverbs 18:10  The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run into it, and they are safe.

I have some friends that are hurting so deeply in the pit of their soul right now.  They can't see God at work.  They are grieving.  Some are literally fighting for their life.  Others are struggling with deep depression.  why? Why?  WHY?... 

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 7:6 that God uses indivudals in our lives to comfort us, and when we allow ourselves to be used, God in turn comforts us.  It's times like this I realize that the only time I will be able to offer comforting words to my friends who are reaching out is if I know God and the Bible more.  Yes, it's a 'theme' of mine, as of late.  Know him more.  Dig deeper.  Memorize.  How else can I be the friend I need to be?  How else can I be a reflection of Him if I can't share His promises with others?

But what do you say to a teenager who just lost her mom and best friend?
What do you say to a friend who has been told she has less than a year to live?
What do you say to a friend whose husband isn't living for the Lord?
What do you say to a friend whose household is in utter distress due to finances?

I don't have the answers.  But I know someone who does.  Run to God.  When you feel like you're at the end of your rope and all hope is gone, don't give up.  Make a knot and hold on tight.  Don't let go.  God holds us with a two handed-grip. (John 10:28)  He promises He won't let go. 

Proverbs 18:10 says the "name" of the Lord is a strong tower.  What do we need when a storm is hitting?  A safe place to run.  That's exactly what God is, in so many ways.  All of life's answers are hid in Christ - Philippians 2:3.  Hid.  Sometimes we have to go looking for them...but He is the only one who can provide the answers!

I searched for an exhaustive list for the names of God and found the list below.  It is pretty incredible, to say the least.  How can anyone say that God is not the remedy for anything they might encounter in life!

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Used with permission, from http://www.smilegodlovesyou.org/names.html

THE NAMES OF GOD

OLD TESTAMENT NAMES FOR GOD

ELOHIM......Genesis 1:1, Psalm 19:1

meaning "God", a reference to God's power and might.

ADONAI......Malachi 1:6

meaning "Lord", a reference to the Lordship of God.

JEHOVAH--YAHWEH.....Genesis 2:4

a reference to God's divine salvation.

JEHOVAH-MACCADDESHEM.......Exodus 31:13

meaning "The Lord thy sanctifier"

JEHOVAH-ROHI......Psalm 23:1

meaning "The Lord my shepherd"

JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH.......Ezekiel 48:35

meaning "The Lord who is present"

JEHOVAH-RAPHA.........Exodus 15:26

meaning "The Lord our healer"

JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU......Jeremiah 23:6

meaning "The Lord our righteousness"

JEHOVAH-JIREH.........Genesis 22:13-14

meaning "The Lord will provide"

JEHOVAH-NISSI.........Exodus 17:15

meaning "The Lord our banner"

JEHOVAH-SHALOM........Judges 6:24

meaning "The Lord is peace"

JEHOVAH-SABBAOTH......Isaiah 6:1-3

meaning "The Lord of Hosts"

EL-ELYON..............Genesis 14:17-20,Isaiah 14:13-14

meaning "The most high God"

EL-ROI................Genesis 16:13

meaning "The strong one who sees"

EL-SHADDAI............Genesis 17:1,Psalm 91:1

meaning "The God of the mountains or God Almighty"

EL-OLAM...............Isaiah 40:28-31

meaning "The everlasting God"

MORE NAMES OF GOD

ABBA.............................Romans 8:15

ADVOCATE.........................I John 2:1 (kjv)

ALMIGHTY.........................Genesis 17:1

ALPHA............................Revelation 22:13

AMEN.............................Revelation 3:14

ANCIENT OF DAYS..................Daniel 7:9

ANOINTED ONE.....................Psalm 2:2

APOSTLE..........................Hebrews 3:1

ARM OF THE LORD..................Isaiah 53:1

AUTHOR OF LIFE...................Acts 3:15

AUTHOR OF OUR FAITH..............Hebrews 12:2

BEGINNING.........................Revelation 21:6

BLESSED & HOLY RULER..............1 Timothy 6:15

BRANCH............................Jeremiah 33:15

BREAD OF GOD......................John 6:33

BREAD OF LIFE.....................John 6:35

BRIDEGROOM........................Isaiah 62:56

BRIGHT MORNING STAR...............Revelation 22:16

CHIEF SHEPHERD.....................1 Peter 5:4

CHOSEN ONE.........................Isaiah 42:1

CHRIST.............................Matthew 22:42

CHRIST OF GOD......................Luke 9:20

CHRIST THE LORD....................Luke 2:11

CHRIST, SON OF LIVING GOD..........Matthew 16:16

COMFORTER..........................John 14:26(kjv)

COMMANDER..........................Isaiah 55:4

CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL...............Luke 2:25

CONSUMING FIRE......................Deut. 4:24, Heb. 12:29

CORNERSTONE.........................Isaiah 28:16

COUNSELOR...........................Isaiah 9:6

CREATOR.............................1 Peter 4:19

DELIVERER..............................Romans 11:26

DESIRED OF ALL NATIONS.................Haggai 2:7

DOOR...................................John 10:7(kjv)

END....................................Revelation 21:6

ETERNAL GOD............................Deut. 33:27

EVERLASTING FATHER.....................Isaiah 9:6

FAITHFUL & TRUE........................Revelation 19:11

FAITHFUL WITNESS.......................Revelation 1:5

FATHER.................................Matthew 6:9

FIRSTBORN (3)........................................Rom.8:29,Rev.1:5,Col.1:15

FIRSTFRUITS............................1 Cor.15:20-23

FOUNDATION.............................1 Cor. 3:11

FRIEND OF TAX COLLECTORS & SINNERS.....Matthew 11:19

GENTLE WHISPER.........................1 Kings 19:12

GIFT OF GOD............................John 4:10

GLORY OF THE LORD......................Isaiah 40:5

GOD....................................Genesis 1:1

GOD ALMIGHTY...........................Genesis 17:1

GOD OVER ALL...........................Romans 9:5

GOD WHO SEES ME........................Genesis 16:13

GOOD SHEPHERD..........................John 10:11

GREAT HIGH PRIEST......................Hebrews 4:14

GREAT SHEPHERD.........................Hebrews 13:20

GUIDE..................................Psalm 48:14

HEAD OF THE BODY.......................Colossians 1:18

HEAD OF THE CHURCH.....................Ephesians 5:23

HEIR OF ALL THINGS.....................Hebrews 1:2

HIGH PRIEST............................Hebrews 3:1

HIGH PRIEST FOREVER....................Hebrews 6:20

HOLY ONE...............................Acts 2:27

HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL.....................Isaiah 49:7

HOLY SPIRIT............................John 15:26

HOPE...................................Titus 2:13

HORN OF SALVATION......................Luke 1:69

I AM....................................Exodus 3:14, John 8:58

IMAGE OF GOD............................2 Cor. 4:4

IMAGE OF HIS PERSON.....................Hebrews 1:3 (kjv)

IMMANUEL................................Isaiah 7:14

JEALOUS..............................Exodus 34:14 (kjv)

JEHOVAH..............................Psalm 83:18 (kjv)

JESUS................................Matthew 1:21

JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD................Romans 6:23

JUDGE................................Isaiah 33:22, Acts 10:42

KING.................................Zechariah 9:9

KING ETERNAL.........................1 Timothy 1:17

KING OF KINGS........................1 Timothy 6:15

KING OF THE AGES.....................Revelation 15:3

LAMB OF GOD...........................John 1:29

LAST ADAM.............................1 Cor. 15:45

LAWGIVER..............................Isaiah 33:22

LEADER................................Isaiah 55:4

LIFE..................................John 14:6

LIGHT OF THE WORLD....................John 8:12

LIKE AN EAGLE.........................Deut. 32:11

LILY OF THE VALLEYS...................Song 2:1

LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH............Revelation 5:5

LIVING STONE..........................1 Peter 2:4

LIVING WATER..........................John 4:10

LORD..................................John 13:13

LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.....................Revelation 15:3

LORD JESUS CHRIST.....................1 Cor. 15:57

LORD OF ALL...........................Acts 10:36

LORD OF GLORY ........................1 Cor. 2:8

LORD OF LORDS.........................1 Tim. 6:15

LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS..............Jeremiah 23:6

LOVE.................................1 John 4:8

MAN OF SORROWS.........................Isaiah 53:3

MASTER..................................Luke 5:5

MEDIATOR................................1 Timothy 2:5

MERCIFUL GOD............................Jeremiah 3:12

MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT................Malachi 3:1

MESSIAH................................. John 4:25

MIGHTY GOD...............................Isaiah 9:6

MIGHTY ONE...............................Isaiah 60:16

NAZARENE.................................Matthew 2:23

OFFSPRING OF DAVID.......................Revelation 22:16

OMEGA....................................Revelation 22:13

ONLY BEGOTTEN SON........................John 1:18(kjv)

OUR PASSOVER LAMB........................1 Cor. 5:7

OUR PEACE................................Ephesians 2:14

POTTER...................................Isaiah 64:8

POWER OF GOD.............................1 Cor. 1:24

PRINCE OF PEACE..........................Isaiah 9:6

PROPHET..................................Acts 3:22

PURIFIER.................................Malachi 3:3

RABBONI (TEACHER)........................John 20:16

RADIANCE OF GOD'S GLORY..................Heb.1:3

REDEEMER.................................Job 19:25

REFINER'S FIRE...........................Malachi 3:2

RESURRECTION.............................John 11:25

RIGHTEOUS ONE............................1 John 2:1

ROCK.....................................1 Cor.10:4

ROOT OF DAVID............................Rev. 22:16

ROSE OF SHARON...........................Song 2:1

RULER OF GOD'S CREATION..................Rev. 3:14

RULER OVER KINGS OF EARTH................Rev 1:5

RULER OVER ISRAEL........................Micah 5:2

SAVIOR...................................Luke 2:11

SCEPTER OUT OF ISRAEL....................Numbers 24:17

SEED.....................................Genesis 3:15

SERVANT..................................Isaiah 42:1

SHEPHERD OF OUR SOULS....................1Peter 2:25

SHIELD...................................Genesis 15:1

SON OF DAVID.............................Matthew 1:1

SON OF GOD...............................Matthew 27:54

SON OF MAN...............................Matthew 8:20

SON OF THE MOST HIGH.....................Luke 1:32

SOURCE...................................Hebrews 5:9

SPIRIT OF GOD............................Genesis 1:2

STAR OUT OF JACOB........................Numbers 24:17

STONE....................................1 Peter 2:8

SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.....................Malachi 4:2

TEACHER...................................John 13:13

TRUE LIGHT................................John 1:9

TRUE WITNESS..............................Revelation 3:14

TRUTH.....................................John 14:6

VINE......................................John 15:5

WAY........................................John 14:6

WISDOM OF GOD..............................1 Cor. 1:24

WITNESS....................................Isaiah 55:4

WONDERFUL..................................Isaiah 9:6

WORD.......................................John 1:1

WORD OF GOD................................Revelation 19:13

 

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com