The Daily Grace - The Power of a Name

Nicknames are often descriptive of some noticeable aspect of a person's character or physical attributes. Growing up, my elementary school friends brutally called me "liver lips" since, at that stage of development, my lips seemed disproportionately large. Needless to say, I have always been glad that the name didn't stick. Unlike my nickname, I love the names of God that describe His magnificent characteristics. 

God is so wonderfully multifaceted that He has many names that communicate His capabilities and character. To name just a few, He is: 

Elohim, the God above all gods

Jehovah Jireh, the God who provides

El-Shaddai, the almighty God

Jehovah Rapha, our healer God

Jehovah Shalom, our God of peace

Jehovah Shamma, our God who is present

Jehovah Yahweh, our loving, covenant-keeping God

It's no wonder the writer of Proverbs encourages us to remember that "the name of the Lord is a strong tower", that in times of need God-fearing people run to it and "are safe" (Prov. 18:10). When unwelcome circumstances threaten you and you feel vulnerable, reflect on one of God's names. Be assured - He will be faithful to His name. God's names, which describe His character, can bring comfort when we need it most.

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, how wonderful it is to be able to enter into Your presence Lord. No matter what time it is and no matter which land I am in, I need only to speak Your name. Your words lead us to the calmness and greatness of Your Presence.

Your blessings every morning know no limit. And yet, I often rush by not seeing them, I fear. Let me take a moment this and every morning, I pray, to remember all of them, and know that You are here.

You created me to live in freedom. But mostly, I take this gift for granted. Inspire me to live in the freedom You intended, with a heart untroubled and with complete trust in You.

Amen

Today's Godly Reminder - Proverbs 18:10

His Name is powerful. It is like a very strong tower that cannot be shaken and moved easily. His Name is mighty. There is nothing that God cannot do.

If we run in His arms, we will be safe. If we will just be upright and in right standing with God, we will be safe. We will be set on high, far above evil. Run to the Lord consistently and be protected.

The Daily Grace - A Lesson Learned

Mary was widowed and facing serious health challenges when her daughter invited her to move into the new "granny apartment" attached to her home. Although it would involve leaving friends and the rest of her family many miles away, Mary rejoiced in God's provision. Six months into her new life, the initial joy and contentment threatened to slip away as she was tempted to grumble inwardly and doubt whether the move was really God's perfect plan. She missed her Christian friends, and her new church was too far away to get to independently. Then she read something that the great 19th-century preacher Charles Spurgeon had written. "Now contentment is one of the flowers of heaven, and it must be cultivated", he pointed out. "Paul says. . . 'I have learned to be content', as he if he didn't know how at one time".

Mary concluded that if an ardent evangelist like Paul, confined to prison, abandoned by friends, and facing execution could learn contentment, then so could she. "I realized that until I could learn this lesson, I wouldn't enjoy those things God had planned", she said. "So I confessed my inward grumbling and asked for His forgiveness. Soon after that, a newly retired lady asked if I would be her prayer partner, and others offered me a ride to church. My needs for a 'soul friend' and greater mobility were wonderfully met". Are there areas of life where you need to learn contentment? Ask God to help you now. God doesn't always change our circumstances, but He will change us.

Today's Godly Reminder - Philippians 4:11

Paul instructed us to one of his letters in Philippians to be content with whatever circumstances we are in. He himself had suffered prison for how many years. And, God let him learn a lesson and realize about being content. It is being self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where you are not disturbed or uneasy.

Contentment can also help you prioritize important things in life. It will also help you to be a good giver and responsible steward. Learn to be content with everything that you have. It is really okay to ask something for the Lord. But first, He will let you practice contentment in everything.

The Daily Grace - The Price of Involvement

While making his landmark documentary about World War II, filmmaker Ken Burns and his colleagues watched thousands of hours of military footage. Scenes of the devastating Battle of Peleliu often invaded their dreams at night. Burns told Sacramento Bee reporter Rick Kushman, "You're listening to the ghosts and echoes from an almost inexpressible past. If you do that, you put yourself into the emotional maelstrom".

There's a price to becoming involved in the struggles of others, whether artistically or spiritually. Paul experienced this in his work of sharing the gospel: "Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all churches. Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern?" (2 Cor. 11:28-29, NASB).

Oswald Chambers said we enter this spiritual struggle as we "deliberately identify ourselves with God's interests in other people" and "find to our amazement that we have the power to keep wonderfully poised in the center of it all". Paul realized that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). Jesus paid the greatest price to be involved in our world, and He strengthens us as we share His love with others. If we obey God's calling, He will provide the needed strength.

Today We Pray

Dear Lord, give me each day the wisdom to see which things are important, and which things are not. Show me how best to use the time and talents You have given me. Help me to use all my opportunities wisely, that I may share, through service to others, the good gifts I have received from You.

By Your death and resurrection You have made forgiveness for my sin possible; and having confessed and repented of my sin, let me have confidence in Your forgiveness. Let me not be ashamed; for to feel shame at my sin is to doubt Your power. Rather fill me with faith in my salvation, that I may boldly praise Your name before all the world, and live in love and constant growth in Your Spirit and holiness.

Now may the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the eternal high priest himself, the Son of God Jesus Christ, build up myself, and all Christians, in faith and truth, and in all gentleness and in all freedom from anger and forbearance and steadfastness and patient endurance and purity. Glory and honor to You alone. In Christ Name, I pray.

Amen