Beginning and the End

Alpha & Omega

Definition

The term Alpha and Omega comes from the phrase "I am the alpha and the omega" (Koiné Greek: τὸ Α καὶ τὸ Ω), an appellation of Jesus^[2] in the Book of Revelation (verses 1:8, 21:6, and 22:13). The first part of this phrase ("I am the Alpha and Omega") is first found in Chapter 1 verse 8, and is found in every manuscript of Revelation that has 1v8. Several later manuscripts repeat "I am the Alpha and Omega" in 1v11 too, but it does not receive support here from most of the oldest manuscripts, including the Alexandrine, Sinaitic, and Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus. It is, therefore, omitted in some modern translations. Scholar Robert Young stated, with regard to "I am the Alpha and Omega" in 1v11, that the "oldest [manuscripts] omit" it.^[3]Its meaning is found in the fact that alpha (Α) and omega (Ω) are respectively the first and last letters of the Classical (Ionic) Greek alphabet. This would be similar to referring to someone in English as the "A and Z". Thus, twice when the title appears it is further clarified with the additional title "the beginning and the end" (Revelation 21:6, 22:13).

What does the Bible say? 

Revelation 1:8   8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”   
Revelation 21:6  And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 
Isaiah 44:6  Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. 
Isaiah 48:12 “Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called! I am he; I am the first, and I am the last. 

Personally......

Today marks the final entry for the A-Z Challenge. I hope that my posts regarding the attributes of God have been a benefit to you and that you see Him in the light of the Scriptures. There are many things said about God that just aren't true. God is Just, Holy and Perfect. He sacrificed His Son to take on all the sins of the world and pay our penalty. No amount of good deeds can make us right with God. We must acknowledge our rebellion against Him as we have done things our own way. When accept Jesus Christ, follow Him, and turn from our selfish ways we become God's child and live with Him forever. If you have more questions on this topic my ministry website is: www.healingwoundedhearts.net 

Road to Emmaus - Movie

Y is for Yahweh

Definition

yah·weh  

/ˈyäˌwā/

Noun

A form of the Hebrew name of God used in the Bible. The name came to be regarded by Jews (c.300 bc) as too sacred to be spoken,..

What does the Bible say?

The answer is provided by www.gotquestions.org

Question: "What is YHWH? What is the tetragrammaton?"

Answer: The ancient Hebrew language that the Hebrew Scriptures were written in did not have vowels. In the original Hebrew, God’s name is given as "YHWH." This is known as the tetragrammaton. Because of the lack of vowels, Bible scholars debate how the tetragrammaton “YHWH” was pronounced.

Contrary to what some Christians (and at least one cult that uses this name) believe, “Jehovah” is probably not the Divine Name revealed to Israel. Due to the Jewish fear of accidentally taking God’s Name in vain (Leviticus 24:16), they basically quit saying it out-loud altogether. Instead, when reading, they substituted the actual tetragrammaton (which is only the consonants of the Divine Name “YHWH” since Hebrew is not usually written with vowels included) with the word Adonai (Lord). Even in the Septuagint (the Greek version of the Old Testament) the translators substituted Kurios (Lord) for the Divine Name. Eventually the vowels from Adonai (“Lord”) or Elohim (“God”) found their way into the consonants YHWH, thus forming “YaHWeH.” But this does not mean that was how God’s Name was originally pronounced.

Any number of vowel combinations are possible, and the Jews are as uncertain of the real pronunciation as are Christians. “Jehovah” is actually a much later (probably 16th century) variant in Latin. Here, the “Y” is substituted with a “J” (Hebrew does not even have a “J” sound), and the “W” with a “V,” plus another vowel combination, resulting in “JeHoVaH.” This vowel combination is composed of the abbreviated forms of the imperfect, the participle, and the perfect of the Hebrew being verb (English “is”) - thus the meaning of Jehovah could be said to be "he who will be, is, and has been."

So, what is God's name and what does it mean? The most likely choice for how the tetragrammaton was pronounced is "Yahweh" or something very similar to that. The name "Yahweh" refers to God's self-existence. "Yahweh" is linked with how God described Himself in Exodus 3:14, "God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" God's name is a reflection of His being. God is the only self-existent / self-sufficient Being in the universe. Only God has life in and of Himself. That is the essential meaning of the tetragrammaton / YHWH / Yahweh.

If I flee on morning wings (with Lyrics)  performed by Fernando Ortega

X

X is for the Abbreviation X

Definition

X, the twenty fourth letter of the English Alphabet, is borrowed from the Greek. In the middle and at the end of words, it has the sound of ks, as in wax, lax, luxury. At the beginning of a word, it has precisely the sound of z. It is used as an initial, in a few words borrowed from the Greek.

As a numeral, X stands for ten. It represents one V, which stands for five, placed on the top of another. When laid horizontally it stands for a thousand, and with a dash over it, it stands for ten thousand.  

As an abbreviation, X. Stands for Christ, and in Xn. Christian; Xm. Christmas.

What does the Bible say?

Esther 1:1  This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush:

Personally......

According to the 1828 Webster's dictionary there was only 13 words entered at that time. The only word I found in the Bible was the name Xerxes who was King of Persia and husband of Queen Esther. I do have the urge to change up my Christmas Cards and somehow incorporate the abbreviations. How about this?
Merry Xm!     X is born   or maybe not......

"See What A Morning"
Keith Getty and Stuart Townend
As recorded on Irish Hymns 2
Copyright © 2003 Kingsway Thankyou Music

Wrath

W is for Wrath

Definition 

WRATH, n. [L.]

1. Violent anger; vehement exasperation; indignation; as the wrath of Achilles.

When the wrath of king Ahasuerus was appeased--Esther 2.

O Lord--in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3.

2. The effects of anger. Proverbs 27.

3. The just punishment of an offense or crime. Romans 8.

Gods wrath, in Scripture, is his holy and just indignation against sin. Romans 1.

What does the Bible say? 

John 3:36  Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.                                                                          

Hebrews 9:22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.                                                                      

Romans 5:10  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.                                          

John 15:6  If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.                                                          

Galatians 2:16  Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.                             

Romans 3:23  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God                                              

John 14:6  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.                                               

John 20:31  But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Personally.....

 This is a heavy blog today, I know. My goal is simply to share the truth as it is revealed in the Bible. The good thing here is that there is hope in Jesus Christ. It's true that no one can love more than God in that He sent His only Son to die for our sins out of love so that we could share eternity with Him!

 

The Son of God Came Down performed by  Sovereign Grace

 

Victorious

V is for Victorious

Definition

VICTO'RIOUS, a.

1. Having conquered in battle or contest; having overcome an enemy or antagonist; conquering; vanquishing; as a victorious general; victorious troops; a victorious admiral or navy.

2. That produces conquest; as a victorious day.

3. Emblematic of conquest; indicating victory; as brows bound with victorious wreaths.

What does the Bible say? 

Psalm 18:35

 You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me,
and your gentleness made me great.

1 Corinthians 15:54-58

  54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." 55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

John 6:33  ³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Personally.....

I know that the battles of life are not mine to fight and that I can rest in the fact that God is in control and that the battle against Satan is won.  I may still struggle in life but I can lay them at the cross where the victory lies!

It Is Not Death To Die - Sovereign Grace

 

 

 

Unfathomable

U is for Unfathomable

Definition

UNFATH'OMABLE, a.

1. That cannot be sounded by a line; as an unfathomable lake.

2. So deep or remote that the limit or extent cannot be found. The designs of Providence are often unfathomable.

What does the Bible say?

Romans 11:33  Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!
Hebrews 1:3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
John 1:3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
1John 4:9-10 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Personally.....

What better way to use such a word but in the context of expressing who God is. It's hard for me to wrap my brain around how great He is. This is why I trust Him. He knows me better than I know myself. He cares for me in a way no human being can. I hope you believe this too.

Truth

T is for Truth

Definition

TRUTH, n.

1. Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall be. The truth of history constitutes its whole value. We rely on the truth of the scriptural prophecies.

My mouth shall speak truth. Prov.8.

Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth. John. 17.

2. True state of facts or things. The duty of a court of justice is to discover the truth. Witnesses are sworn to declare the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

3. Conformity of words to thoughts, which is called moral truth.

Shall truth fail to keep her word?

4. Veracity; purity from falsehood; practice of speaking truth; habitual disposition to speak truth; as when we say, a man is a man of truth.

5. Correct opinion.

6. Fidelity; constancy.

The thoughts of past pleasure and truth.

7. Honesty; virtue.

It must appear

That malice bears down truth.

8. Exactness; conformity to rule.

Plows, to go true, depend much on the truth of the iron work. [Not in use.]

9. Real fact of just principle; real state of things. There are innumerable truths with which we are not acquainted.
10. Sincerity.

God is a spirit, and they that worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. John 4.
 11. The truth of God, is his veracity and faithfulness. Psalm 71.

Or his revealed will.  I have walked in thy truth. Ps.26. 

12. Jesus Christ is called the truth. John 14.
13. It is sometimes used by way of concession. She said, truth, Lord; yet the dogs eat of the crumbs-- Matt 15.

That is, it is a truth; what you have said, I admit to be true.In truth, in reality; in fact.

Of a truth, in reality; certainly.To do truth, is to practice what God commands. John 3.

Personally.....

The definition of truth posted today is taken straight out of Webster's Dictionary (1828). Back in those days scripture was an everyday part of life for the majority of people. Unfortunately, today we don't have such liberty. With so much dysfunction, deception, and immoral activity going on it is hard to even decipher truth. Life's reality can be seen clearly in the pages of the Bible. Every word is God-breathed and can be trusted. 2Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 

There is a Fountain performed by Selah

 

Shield

God is a Shield

Definition

SHEILD, n.
1. A broad piece of defensive armor; a buckler; used in war for the protection of the body. The shields of the ancients were of different shapes and sizes, triangular, square, oval, &c. made of lether or wood covered with lether, and borne on the left arm. This species of armor was a good defence angainst arrows , darts, spears, &c. but would not protect against bullets.
2. Defense; shelter; protection; or the person that defends or protects; as a chief, the ornament and the shield of the nation.

What does the Bible say?

Proverbs 30:5  Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 28:7  The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.
Psalm 3:3  But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, My glory, and the One who lifts my head.
2Samuel 22:3 My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My savior, You save me from violence.

Personally......

One thing is certain, if I choose to take refuge in the Lord, He will shield me from harm. As someone who lives alone I rely very heavily on this attribute of God. I not only feel safe, I am safe. There is no need for me to fear!  Gen. 15  Fear not, Abram; I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.

 "Just as I am"  performed by Fernando Ortega

 

Refuge

R is for Refuge

Definition

REF'UGE, n. [L. refugium, refugio; re and fugio, to flee.]

1. Shelter or protection from danger or distress.

What does the Bible say?

2Samuel 22:32  For who is God, besides the LORD? And who is a rock, besides our God?
Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You.
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 
Psalm 34:22  The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned.
Heb 6:19    This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,
Isa 57:13  “When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry all of them up, And a breath will take them away. But he who takes refuge in Me will inherit the land And will possess My holy mountain.
Psalm 142:5  I cried out to You, O LORD; I said, “You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.

Personally....

It's hard to even fathom how I would even consider someone as a refuge that I can't even see.  What makes God an anchor for me is that the total of all I have been through in my adult life; the many troubles, disappointments, and consequences I did not tackle alone.  I have the confidence to endure trials because I know God is my strength and He will never leave me. It's a promise!
I hope that my sharing with you for the last 20 days on the topic of who God is, has mad this fact more believable for you too.

 "I Need Thee Every Hour"  performed by Selah

 

Quicken

Q is for Quicken

Definition

To revive; to cheer; to reinvigorate; to refresh by new supplies of comfort or grace.

 

 

 

What does the Bible say? 

 Psalm 71:20  You, which have showed me great and sore troubles, shall quicken me again, and shall bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Psalm 119:159  Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy loving kindness
Isaiah 57:15  For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. 
Psalm 119:107  I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word!

Psalm 85:6  Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? 

John 16:33  In this world ye shall have tribulations, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world

Personally....  

 I shared with a friend of mine earlier today what I call my other life. It was when I was in my late 20's still heavy into partying and had no clue what a life surrendered to Christ was. One particular evening my ex-husband had a scare that nearly rushed him to the ER. I bargained with God that night and said if he survived the morning, I would never touch alcohol or drugs again. What I didn't realize at the time was that sobriety would open my eyes, clear my mind and offer me a taste of a different kind of life. Now, 30 years later I may not have learned a lot, or made much of myself but this I do know, I fully understand the Gospel of Jesus Christ and when I die I know exactly where I am going! 

Song performed by Sovereign Grace   "O Great God"

Provider

P is for Provider

Definition

PROVI'DER, n. One who provides, furnishes or supplies; one that procures what is wanted.

What does the Bible say? 

 Psalm 54:54  Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.
John 6:32 Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
Philippians 4:19  And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
1Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
John 3:16  For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Personally.....

I have come to realize that there is no kind of security outside of Christ. I have tried every which way and it never satisfies. Most of the time I have to exhaust myself before I see clearly...human nature I guess. Anyway, as the song below expresses. He is all I need!!!!!

All that I need  performed by Sherri Youngward

The 3 O's

O is for Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient

Definitions:

OMNIP'OTENT, a. [supra.]

1. Almighty; possessing unlimited power; all powerful. The being that can create worlds must be omnipotent.

2. Having unlimited power of a particular kind; as omnipotent love.

OMNIPRES'ENT, a. Present in all places at the same time; ubiquitary; as the omnipresent Jehovah.  

OMNIS'CIENT, a. Having universal knowledge or knowledge of all things; infinitely knowing; all-seeing; as the omniscient God.

What does the Bible say? 

Psalm 33:6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,

and by the breath of his mouth all their host. 

Daniel 2:21 He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;

Mark 4:37 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked ..

Matthew 6:53 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? 

Psalm 139: 7-12 Where can I go from your Spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend into heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, you are there; if I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

 

Genesis 28: 15-16  Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it" 

1John 3:20 20 for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.

Matthew 9:4 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?

John 1:47-48 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”

John 4:18 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 

 

Personally....

Here are three things impossible for man but part of who God is. This is clearly where commonality with man ceases! Really, who do you know that has unlimited power, can be everywhere at one time, and possesses all knowledge? There is no one. "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:" -Romans 1:20 
I have many friends and I love them dearly but none of them hold a candle to my relationship with God. Realizing what He has done for me and who He is, creates in me a strong love and devotion to Him. To think I am His and you can be too. What a wonderful God!

 

Name

N is for Name above all Names

Definition

That by which a thing is called; the sound or combination of sounds used to express an idea, or any material substance, quality or act; an appellation attached to a thing by customary use, by which it may be vocally distinguished from other things.
In Scripture, the name of God signifies his titles, his attributes, his will or purpose,, his honor and glory, his word, his grace, his wisdom, power and goodness, his worship or service, or God himself. 

What does the Bible say? 

Philippians 2:9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.
Acts 4:12 for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Colossians 1:16 -17 by (Jesus) 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. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Isaiah 43:10  Before Me there was no God formed, Nor shall there be after Me.
John 17:11  I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.
1 John 4:2 Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
Acts 4:12 for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Personally...
What is in a name? We are all given a name when we are born. Sometimes we add a nickname but no more. In contrast Jesus, the name above all names has many names. I write this morning with a grateful heart that I know Him. I want so much for everyone to know Him and what He has done for all mankind. Oh, that we would all accept this wonderful gift!

The Name of Jesus

 

Mercy

M is for Mercy

Definition taken from Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant. In this sense, there is perhaps no word in our language precisely synonymous with mercy. That which comes nearest to it is grace. It implies benevolence, tenderness, mildness, pity or compassion, and clemency, but exercised only towards offenders. Mercy is a distinguishing attribute of the Supreme Being.

The Lord is long-suffering and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty. Numbers.14

 

What does the Bible say?

Joel 2:13 And rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. 

Psalm 103:8  The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Titus 3:5  He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

Luke 1:50 And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.

Lamentations 3:22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Ephesians 2:4  But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us;

Matthew 12:7 And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.

Psalm 116:5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful. 

Nehemiah 9:17  They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them.

Personally...... 

Today I would like to provide a favorite poem by William Shakespeare

The Quality of Mercy

The quality of mercy is not strain'd.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes.
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown.
His scepter shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptered sway;
It is enthroned in the heart of kings;
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice.       

William Shakespeare

 Depth of Mercy performed by Selah

 

 

Love

L is for Love

Definition- Benevolence; good will  

 

Love has many meanings, but today I will be addressing the noun and answering the question; What is love?

 

There are many who talk about the love of God, who are total strangers to the God of love. The divine love is commonly regarded as a species of amiable weakness, a sort of good-natured indulgence; it is reduced to a mere sickly sentiment, patterned after human emotion. The truth is that on this, as on everything else, our thoughts need to be formed and regulated by what is revealed in Scripture. That there is urgent need for this is apparent not only from the ignorance which so generally prevails, but also from the low state of spirituality which is now so sadly evident everywhere among professing Christians. How little real love there is for God. One chief reason for this is because our hearts are so little occupied with His wondrous love for His people. The better we are acquainted with His love—its character, fullness, blessedness—the more our hearts will be drawn out in love to Him.  A.W. Pink

What does the Bible say?

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

1 John 4:8 The person who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

John 4:19-20 We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

Proverbs 8:17  I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. 

Romans 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved

1 John 4:9-11 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:9-11 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Personally......

I grew up in a home full of conditions. Love and acceptance were not freely given, there was always a catch. If I was good then I was accepted and loved, if I did something wrong I was shunned and affection was withdrawn from me. When I came to understand God's unconditional love it was very hard for me to even grasp. It took me years to break down the constant pull to do good so that I would be loved and accepted. Today I know that I am fully loved and accepted by God because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross. I no longer need the approval of men but seek only to please God by obeying His Word. 

How Deep is You Love  performed by Sovereign Grace

Kindness

 K is for Kindness

 

Definition- 

Disposed to do good to others, and to make them happy by granting their requests, supplying their wants or assisting them in distress; having tenderness or goodness of nature; benevolent; benignant.

What does the Bible say?

Ephesians 2:7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 
Romans 2:4  Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?
Romans 11:22  Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.

 Biblical instruction for us.

Ephesian 4:32   Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Collosians 3:12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.    
Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

Zechariah 7:9  “Thus has the LORD of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice, and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother;" 

Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Personally...

 Knowing of God's kindness is a humbling thing especially when I realize I really don't deserve it. It causes me to want to be kind to others; so much so that I can even be kind to someone who does not return that kindness. When I focus on what God has done for me through His Son Jesus Christ, I am able to be kind and compassionate towards others because I am filled with a heart of gratitude.

 

 

Judge

J is for Judge

  Definition
 a magistrate charged with the administration of justice

What does the Bible say?

Acts 17:31 Because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
Matthew 25:31-46 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ...
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me
Acts 10:42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.
Romans 2:5-11 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, ...
Romans 2:16 On that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-10  And to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.

Personally ......

On a personal level none of us has the right to judge others. As Christians we are called to obey God through His Word and encourage each other not to sin against Him.  This must only be exercised in a loving, compassionate, and humble way. The great thing is that God sent His Son to pay the penalty for our sins and this is where our hope lies!

"Before the Throne" performed  by Selah