TRUSTING IN ADONAI ~ HE IS YOUR LORD

Lord is a deferential appellation or a title showing respect for a person or deity who has authority, control, or power over others; a master, chief, or ruler. ADONAI means "He is Your LORD"
The author of our study book (Trusting In The Names Of God) points out on page 123

"trusting in Adonai determines our purpose and direction in life."

She goes on to explain that Abram discovered Adonai as his Lord and Master when he asked in Genesis:

Genesis 15:2 “O Lord GOD, what will You give me, since I am childless, . . ."

"We can choose which ambitions to pursue, which master to serve, and which agendas to respond to. When Adonai is the one we follow, He is our motivation, our Master and our mentor. To serve the living God, we must say yes to His lordship in our lives. We need to trust in the name of Adonai. Who determines our decisions, who guides our actions, and who commands our obedience? His name is Adonai." ~ Catherine Martin , page 123 "Trusting In The Names Of God"

A related verse in Scripture is found in the book of Proverbs:

Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe."

Adonai is waiting for each of us to make that choice of making Him our LORD. Once He is truly the LORD of our life, the one who has authority, control, and power over us, the Master, Chief, and Ruler of our life, we will find peace knowing He is truly in control.
Listen to the words of this beautiful song today
Adonai ,
Tomorrow we will DRAW NEAR TO ADONAI.

DELIGHT IN EL ELYON

El Elyon is all powerful and protects us!

Psalm 91:1-2 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”

Decide now to live your life for El Elyon!

Psalm 83:18 That they may know that You alone, whose name is the LORD,
Are the Most High over all the earth.

Rejoice in knowing El Elyon, your Sovereign is, as stated in Psalm 97, THE LORD MOST HIGH, El Elyon!

Psalm 97:9 For You are the LORD Most High over all the earth;
You are exalted far above all gods.

Who is in control of your life?
Acknowledge that El Elyon is truly above everything else, and depend on Him.
Do you rely on yourself, or on El Elyon?
Think on these things.
If you have not already, I urge you to make El Elyon truly your Sovereign today!

Genesis 14:19-20 He blessed him and said,
“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,(El Elyon)
Possessor of heaven and earth;
And blessed be God Most High,
Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”

Listen to the words to this song. El Elyon

DEPEND ON HIS NAME

Psalm 20:7 "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God."

"Depending on the Names of God determines the stability and direction of your life." ~ Catherine Martin page 85 of her book Trusting In The Names of God

Catherine goes on to say that dependence on God's names requires yielding and surrendering our own control to God. We wrestle with an inner need for control, as Paul explains in Romans:

Romans 7:23 "In my inner being I delight in God's law, but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members."

Dependence on God means surrendering yourself, your loved ones, your circumstances, and your future to the only One who is trustworthy ~ God. This kind of unabashed surrender is not easy because trusting on a human level has taught us that people and things can disappoint us. But you can know that God is not like fallible human beings ~ He is good, perfect, loving, and faithful.

Lamentations 3:22-27 From The Message (MSG)

"God's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left. God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It's a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. It's a good thing when you're young to stick it out through the hard times."

I was reading through the lesson today in our study book, TRUSTING IN THE NAMES OF GOD, and I realized our family has actually lived through this lesson BIG TIME with our daughter-in-law Molly. I want to take the time right now for her to post her testimony on how she has truly depended on EL ELYON these past few years.

In August of 2009 God blessed me with the opportunity to face a life threatening illness. Yup, you got it... I said blessed. Let me start with a little back ground information. This journey started with a not so routine colonoscopy. I was in some major pain from what I thought was normal hemorrhoid issues for a woman with 3 kids. I was only 30 and my youngest was 1. The surgeon I went to see insisted I have this procedure done before she went any further fixing them. On August 12th 2009 I went in to humor the doctor and came out a stage 4 rectal cancer patient. No I did not feel blessed that day. I only felt total fear. Mainly I feared what my husband, children, family, and friends would have to watch me go through. I knew they wouldn't leave my side (and they never have). I feared my husband having to work even harder than he already did just to pay the bills. I feared my children seeing me look like " a bald cancer ridden skeleton mom". I feared not being able to continue my church ministries. I feared having to sit still all the time. This list will go on and on if I let it. The rest of the day was kind of a blur, My blessed feeling came the next day when I had my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th procedure done. I met a lady in her 70's who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She had been fighting for 6 years and was now bound to a wheel chair. We talked for a while in the waiting room and by the time my name was called she began to sob. I turned and asked if she was in pain. Her reply was the beginning of casting out fear in my life. She was crying because of me. She was so sad that I was so young and a wife and a mother and she knew my prognosis was grim. That terrible wall of fear built out of bricks of lies hand made by the devil fell away from my mind. I knew darn well that God had never let me go in my whole life. He has fought for me when I wouldn't even acknowledge His name. He saved me when I didn't think I deserved to be saved. He loved me when I didn't love Him. His plans for my life are always for good and not evil and I knew I would trust Him always. I told her not to cry for me. God will only allow me to go through what I could handle. And if He chose to bring me home into His kingdom and accept me as the sinner I was, then I would go through it and speak His Name with honor and glory to all that would listen. I went through a lot that year and a half. 25 radiation treatments and 5 weeks of oral chemo followed by a hysterectomy, appendectomy, part of my colon removed, three fourths of my rectum removed, a tumor, blood vessels and lymph nodes removed and part of my intestine brought out through my stomach so that I could pass waste into a handy dandy bag while I healed.. Then came 10 rounds (20 weeks) of chemo infusion that lasted for 3 days each, and another surgery to put my insides that were outside, back inside! Yes I had some really hard days. Days that I really felt sorry for myself and all the people taking care of me. But at the end of the day God was always El Elyon! He brought me through all of it and allowed me to use His strength when I had none. He allowed me to share my story with those around me so that they to might understand His love for them. He's given me wonderful family and friends that worship Him too. Jesus died a cruel and painful death so that He could bless us with eternal life. I tried to remember that when I was hurting. It helped me realize,if you trust in His sovereignty in all that goes on in your life (bad or good, hard or easy) everything that happens can be a blessing in disguise. Now I'm blessed with being cancer free!

Dear God, As always I pray that You use this testimony you have allowed me to call my own and use it to touch the heart of someone who is facing fear of the unknown. Give them the peace that passed all understanding that only You can give them. Give them strength to get through it. Show them your will for their life and the wisdom to follow it. Thank you for the gift of eternal life. Amen

To call upon the name of God is to turn over every aspect of your life to Him; to yield all that is within you to Him, and to allow Him to truly be your EL ELYON. Are you ready to take that step? Are you ready to make God your Sovereign? Please meditate on the words in Psalm 116 as we close out our study today.

Psalm 116 Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Death. 1 "I love the LORD, because He hears My voice and my supplications. 2 Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live. 3 The cords of death encompassed me And the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow. 4 Then I called upon the name of the LORD: “O LORD, I beseech You, save my life!” 5 Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is compassionate. 6 The LORD preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me. 7 Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. 8 For You have rescued my soul from death, My eyes from tears, My feet from stumbling. 9 I shall walk before the LORD In the land of the living. 10 I believed when I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” 11 I said in my alarm, “All men are liars.” 12 What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? 13 I shall lift up the cup of salvation And call upon the name of the LORD. 14 I shall pay my vows to the LORD, Oh may it be in the presence of all His people. 15 Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His godly ones. 16 O LORD, surely I am Your servant, I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid, You have loosed my bonds. 17 To You I shall offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving, And call upon the name of the LORD. 18 I shall pay my vows to the LORD, Oh may it be in the presence of all His people, 19 In the courts of the LORD’S house, In the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD"

DECLARE EL ELYON

1 Chronicles 29: 11-12

"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone."

Whenever you have that little twinge of doubt that El Elyon is there for you,that He is indeed YOUR SOVEREIGN, reflect on this prayer of David to YOUR El Elyon! And when you are discouraged because you are not hearing the answers to the questions about your life, Declare in your mind, in your heart and in your spirit this verse from the Psalms:

Psalm 57:2

"I will cry to God Most High, (EL ELYON) To God who accomplishes all things for me."

And when those around you question the ways and works of God, DECLARE the ways of El Elyon as in the book of Daniel:

Daniel 4: 34-35

“But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High (EL ELYON) and praised and honored Him who lives forever;

For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom endures from generation to generation. “All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’

As you close out your study time today, reflect on this verse from the Psalms"

Psalm 47:2

"For the LORD Most High (EL ELYON) is to be feared, A great King over all the earth."

TRUSTING JESUS AS SOVERIEGN

I love the song Holy, Holy, Holy.
Notice there is not just  one Holy, but three.  Just like in the scripture verse in Revelation:

Revelation 4:8
And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night ^[they do not cease to say,
“HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME.”

2 Peter 1:16 "For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty."

Do you trust Jesus? I mean REALLY REALLY TRUST  Him?
Do you believe who He is?
Do you know who He is?
Jesus is the Son of God. He is God the Son. He is your Creator. He is your Savior. He is God. Jesus is not just some fictitious character in a fairy tale. He came to earth for you and for me. He was a real blood, bone and flesh man. He became man so we might know Him, so we might accept Him. He died a horrendous death, suffered the humiliation of bearing our sins, our guilt and our pain so we could live eternally with Him in heaven. There is no accomplishment, nothing that will make you feel complete like Jesus can. There is nothing on this earth worth more than the love of Jesus Christ. No person can love you as much and especially not more than Jesus. Nothing can give you more pleasure than Jesus. And nothing can give you the joy and peace you can feel through Him. If you have not made Jesus Your Sovereign, Please take the time to do it right now! He is waiting for you! And He has made a way for you to become part of the family!

John 1:12 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,"

So the next step is up to you. He wants you. Will you make Him your Sovereign today? He will never leave you! He has made that promise to us. And nothing can keep you from Him and His perfect love.

Romans 8:38-39 "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

He is your SOVEREIGN.
He wants you to come to Him. Revelation Song

DRAW NEAR TO EL ELYON!

Yesterday I sent a text to my son, Matthew, who is in Utah this weekend, doing work with Plant Utah. I asked him how Utah was treating him, and his reply was something along the lines of "The owner of Utah is treating me great! We are staying with one of the Owner's stewards." I loved that response, and thought how it fit in with our subject matter today, Draw near to El Elyon, the sovereign God, possessor of heaven and earth, yes the owner of Utah . How wonderful when we can think in terms of serving El Elyon, the owner of EVERYTHING! When we read Genesis 14, we learned how the two kings responded to Abram. Melchizedek, king of Salem, and a worshipper of the true God, brought gifts, food and praise to Abram and to El Elyon. On the other hand, the king of Sodom, attempted to bribe Abram. Abram responded as he should have, he gave praise to El Elyon and told the king of Sodom he would not accept anything from the king, because he would not allow that king to claim the glory for what God had delivered into his hands.

Genesis 14:22-23 "But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the LORD, God Most High, (El Elyon) Creator of heaven and earth, (Elohim) that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’"

May we learn to always draw close to God, and give Him the praise and glory He deserves for everything in our lives. Draw near to El Elyon. Learn to depend on Him. Remember He is your sovereign! We saw in our Scripture readings in Genesis 39, how Joseph also drew near to El Elyon. How Joseph made sure everyone knew it was indeed God who gave him the interpretations of the dreams. Joseph gave credit where credit was due. And God indeed did bless Joseph.

Genesis 39:21-23 "the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did."

Genesis 41: 14-16 "So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

And then again when Joseph encounters his brothers, he gives the glory for all that has happened in his life to El Elyon.

Genesis 45: 4-11 "Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.[ “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have. I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come. Otherwise you and your household and all who belong to you will become destitute.’

Joseph acknowledges that all his problems, all the bad things others have done to him were actually all worked out for the greater good by his Sovereign, El Elyon.

How very awesome is one of my favorite verses of Scripture, found in the book of Romans. Let's meditate on it as we close out this study today.

Romans 8:28 And we know that [God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:37 "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."

DISCOVER EL ELYON

If you did not get to it yesterday, please take the time now for these Scripture Readings:

Genesis Chapter 14
Genesis Chapter 39
Genesis Chapter 45

They will help us to know El Elyon better. El Elyon is your Sovereign. He rules over all things. He is in control.
He is really the only one you can ALWAYS count on.
Yes, He is in control of your life, you can trust Him,
and His name is El Elyon, your Sovereign.
Abram discovered God as El Elyon through Melchizedek in Genesis 14:19-20.
But who is Melchizedek? From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Melchizedek Priest, King of Salem Meeting of Abraham and Melchizedek — by Dieric Bouts the Elder, 1464–67 Melchizedek or Malki Tzedek (Hebrew מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק malḵ-i ṣédeq) translated as "my king (is) righteous(ness)") is a king and priest mentioned during the Abram narrative in the 14th chapter of the Book of Genesis. He is introduced as the king of Salem, and priest of El Elyon ("The highest God"). He brings out bread and wine and blesses Abram and El Elyon.

If you remember, this is our KEY VERSE for El Elyon

Genesis 14:19-20
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
"He blessed him and said,
“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
And blessed be [c]God Most High,
Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”
He gave him a tenth of all."

NOW LET'S TAKE TIME TO DISCOVER EL ELYON!

According to our study book, Trusting In The Names Of God by Catherine Martin, on page 116,

"The Hebrew words translated "God Most High" are El Elyon and mean elevated, high, exalted ~ the Supreme Being (the true God)
Henry Morris, founder of the Institute for Creation Research, says the revelation of El Elyon stressed "the absolute superiority of God to the multitude of gods and goddesses worshiped in Canaan." El Elyon is introduced into the life experience of Abram, who later was renamed Abraham by God Himself. The name El Elyon occurs 4 times in Genesis 14:18-22 and approximately 40 times throughout the Old Testament, including 20 times in Psalms and 12 times in Daniel."

We are on a really exciting journey!
Tomorrow we will learn how to
DRAW NEAR TO EL ELYON!
^{Genesis 14:22-24} But Abram told the king of Sodom, "I swear to God, The High God, (EL ELYON)Creator of Heaven and Earth, (ELOHIM) this solemn oath, that I'll take nothing from you, not so much as a thread or a shoestring. I'm not going to have you go around saying, 'I made Abram rich.' Nothing for me other than what the young men ate and the share of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; they're to get their share of the plunder."

TRUSTING IN EL ELYON ~ HE IS YOUR SOVEREIGN

KEY VERSE:

GENESIS 14:19-20
"Blessed be Abram of God Most High; and blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand".

Please prepare today for our lessons on El Elyon by reading the following sections of Scripture:

Genesis Chapter 14
Genesis Chapter 39
Genesis Chapter 45

And then read these verses:

2 Peter 1:16 "For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty."

Romans 8: 38-39 "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

John 1:12 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,"

1 Chronicles 29:11-12 "Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone."

Psalm 57:2 "I will cry to God Most High, To God who accomplishes all things for me."

Psalm 47:2 "For the LORD Most High is to be feared, A great King over all the earth."

Romans 9:20-21 "On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? "

Psalm 83:18 "That they may know that You alone, Whose name is the LORD, Are the Most High over all the earth."

Psalm 97:9 "For You are the LORD Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods."

Jeremiah 18:3-4 "Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something on the wheel. But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make."

In 1902, Adelaide A. Pollard, a Bible teacher and hymn writer, was hoping to go to Africa as a missionary but found herself unable to raise the needed funds to make the journey. Greatly discouraged, she attended a prayer service one evening and as she sat there, she overheard an elderly woman say "It really doesn't matter what you do with us, Lord, just have your own way with our lives." The elderly woman inspired Pollard and she contemplated the story of the potter from Jeremiah 18:3 and, upon her return home that evening, wrote all four stanzas before retiring for the night. Five years later George Stebbins wrote a tune titled "Adelaide" to accompany the text.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.

Click HERE to hear Jim Reeves singing this song

My Response to Elohim

KEY VERSE:

Genesis 1:1
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

FOR FURTHER THOUGHT:

Page 114 of the book, TRUSTING IN THE NAMES OF GOD, Catherine Martin asks this question:

"What is the most important truth you learned about Elohim? Write a prayer to Elohim, expressing all that is on your heart. (As you read about God's names, you may want to summarize what you learn on the "Trusting in the Names of God " worksheet in appendix 2 by writing out each Hebrew name, English name, meaning and related Scripture."

MY RESPONSE: A prayer to Elohim
If you would like to share here, feel free to click the comment button and share, or if you would rather keep your response private, grab a notebook and write a prayer to Elohim, our creator.

Please give your response to the lessons on Elohim.

Tomorrow we will begin TRUSTING IN EL ELYON ~ HE IS YOUR SOVEREIGN

DELIGHT IN ELOHIM!

read the words to this beautiful hymn! Holy Holy, Holy Lord God almighty! Our God, our Creator, Elohim! Is indeed worthy to be praised!

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns
around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.
Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name,
in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

In the book of Job, chapters 38-42, we read about our wonderful Creator, Elohim. All He is, all He created. Please take a few minutes to read those chapters now. I have copied them for you here:

Job 38 God Speaks Now to Job 1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, 2 “Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge? 3 “Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me! 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, 5 Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? 6 “On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy? 8 “Or who enclosed the sea with doors When, bursting forth, it went out from the womb; 9 When I made a cloud its garment And thick darkness its swaddling band, 10 And I placed boundaries on it And set a bolt and doors, 11 And I said, ‘Thus far you shall come, but no farther; And here shall your proud waves stop’? God’s Mighty Power 12 “Have you ever in your life commanded the morning, And caused the dawn to know its place, 13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, And the wicked be shaken out of it? 14 “It is changed like clay under the seal; And they stand forth like a garment. 15 “From the wicked their light is withheld, And the uplifted arm is broken. 16 “Have you entered into the springs of the sea Or walked in the recesses of the deep? 17 “Have the gates of death been revealed to you, Or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? 18 “Have you understood the expanse of the earth? Tell Me, if you know all this. 19 “Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And darkness, where is its place, 20 That you may take it to its territory And that you may discern the paths to its [f]home? 21 “You know, for you were born then, And the number of your days is great! 22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, Or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, 23 Which I have reserved for the time of distress, For the day of war and battle? 24 “Where is the way that the light is divided, Or the east wind scattered on the earth? 25 “Who has cleft a channel for the flood, Or a way for the thunderbolt, 26 To bring rain on a land without [g]people, On a desert without a man in it, 27 To satisfy the waste and desolate land And to make the seeds of grass to sprout? 28 “Has the rain a father? Or who has begotten the drops of dew? 29 “From whose womb has come the ice? And the frost of heaven, who has given it birth? 30 “Water becomes hard like stone, And the surface of the deep is imprisoned. 31 “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades, Or loose the cords of Orion? 32 “Can you lead forth a constellation in its season, And guide the Bear with her satellites? 33 “Do you know the ordinances of the heavens, Or fix their rule over the earth? 34 “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, So that an abundance of water will cover you? 35 “Can you send forth lightnings that they may go And say to you, ‘Here we are’? 36 “Who has put wisdom in the innermost being Or given understanding to the mind? 37 “Who can count the clouds by wisdom, Or tip the water jars of the heavens, 38 When the dust hardens into a mass And the clods stick together? 39 “Can you hunt the prey for the lion, Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, 40 When they crouch in their dens And lie in wait in their lair? 41 “Who prepares for the raven its nourishment When its young cry to God And wander about without food? Job 39 God Speaks of Nature and Its Beings 1 “Do you know the time the mountain goats give birth? Do you observe the calving of the deer? 2 “Can you count the months they fulfill, Or do you know the time they give birth? 3 “They kneel down, they bring forth their young, They get rid of their labor pains. 4 “Their offspring become strong, they grow up in the open field; They leave and do not return to them. 5 “Who sent out the wild donkey free? And who loosed the bonds of the swift donkey, 6 To whom I gave the wilderness for a home And the salt land for his dwelling place? 7 “He scorns the tumult of the city, The shoutings of the driver he does not hear. 8 “He explores the mountains for his pasture And searches after every green thing. 9 “Will the wild ox consent to serve you, Or will he spend the night at your manger? 10 “Can you bind the wild ox in a furrow with [n]ropes, Or will he harrow the valleys after you? 11 “Will you trust him because his strength is great And leave your labor to him? 12 “Will you have faith in him that he will return your [o]grain And gather it from your threshing floor? 13 “The ostriches’ wings flap joyously With the pinion and plumage of love, 14 For she abandons her eggs to the earth And warms them in the dust, 15 And she forgets that a foot may crush [q]them, Or that a wild beast may trample them. 16 “She treats her young cruelly, as if they were not hers; Though her labor be in vain, she is unconcerned; 17 Because God has made her forget wisdom, And has not given her a share of understanding. 18 “When she lifts herself on high, She laughs at the horse and his rider. 19 “Do you give the horse his might? Do you clothe his neck with a mane? 20 “Do you make him leap like the locust? His majestic snorting is terrible. 21 “He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength; He goes out to meet the weapons. 22 “He laughs at fear and is not dismayed; And he does not turn back from the sword. 23 “The quiver rattles against him, The flashing spear and javelin. 24 “With shaking and rage he races over the ground, And he does not stand still at the voice of the trumpet. 25 “As often as the trumpet sounds he says, ‘Aha!’ And he scents the battle from afar, And the thunder of the captains and the war cry. 26 “Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars, Stretching his wings toward the south? 27 “Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up And makes his nest on high? 28 “On the cliff he dwells and lodges, Upon the rocky crag, an inaccessible place. 29 “From there he spies out food; His eyes see it from afar. 30 “His young ones also suck up blood; And where the slain are, there is he.” Job 40 Job: What Can I Say? 1 Then the LORD said to Job, 2 “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who reproves God answer it.” 3 Then Job answered the LORD and said, 4 “Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth. 5 “Once I have spoken, and I will not answer; Even twice, and I will add nothing more.” God Questions Job 6 Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm and said, 7 “Now gird up your loins like a man; I will ask you, and you instruct Me. 8 “Will you really annul My judgment? Will you condemn Me that you may be justified? 9 “Or do you have an arm like God, And can you thunder with a voice like His? 10 “Adorn yourself with eminence and dignity, And clothe yourself with honor and majesty. 11 “Pour out the overflowings of your anger, And look on everyone who is proud, and make him low. 12 “Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him, And tread down the wicked [x]where they stand. 13 “Hide them in the dust together; Bind them in the hidden place. 14 “Then I will also confess to you, That your own right hand can save you. God’s Power Shown in Creatures 15 “Behold now, Behemoth, which I made as well as you; He eats grass like an ox. 16 “Behold now, his strength in his loins And his power in the muscles of his belly. 17 “He bends his tail like a cedar; The sinews of his thighs are knit together. 18 “His bones are tubes of bronze; His limbs are like bars of iron. 19 “He is the first of the ways of God; Let his maker bring near his sword. 20 “Surely the mountains bring him food, And all the beasts of the field play there. 21 “Under the lotus plants he lies down, In the covert of the reeds and the marsh. 22 “The lotus plants cover him with [ad]shade; The willows of the brook surround him. 23 “If a river rages, he is not alarmed; He is confident, though the Jordan rushes to his mouth. 24 “Can anyone capture him when he is on watch, With barbs can anyone pierce his nose? Job 41 God’s Power Shown in Creatures 1 “Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook? Or press down his tongue with a cord? 2 “Can you put a rope in his nose Or pierce his jaw with a hook? 3 “Will he make many supplications to you, Or will he speak to you soft words? 4 “Will he make a covenant with you? Will you take him for a servant forever? 5 “Will you play with him as with a bird, Or will you bind him for your maidens? 6 “Will the traders bargain over him? Will they divide him among the merchants? 7 “Can you fill his skin with harpoons, Or his head with fishing spears? 8 “Lay your hand on him; Remember the battle; you will not do it again! 9 “Behold, your expectation is false; Will you be laid low even at the sight of him? 10 “No one is so fierce that he dares to arouse him; Who then is he that can stand before Me? 11 “Who has given to Me that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is Mine. 12 “I will not keep silence concerning his limbs, Or his mighty strength, or his orderly frame. 13 “Who can strip off his outer armor? Who can come within his double mail? 14 “Who can open the doors of his face? Around his teeth there is terror. 15 “His strong scales are his pride, Shut up as with a tight seal. 16 “One is so near to another That no air can come between them. 17 “They are joined one to another; They clasp each other and cannot be separated. 18 “His sneezes flash forth light, And his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. 19 “Out of his mouth go burning torches; Sparks of fire leap forth. 20 “Out of his nostrils smoke goes forth As from a boiling pot and burning rushes. 21 “His breath kindles coals, And a flame goes forth from his mouth. 22 “In his neck lodges strength, And dismay leaps before him. 23 “The folds of his flesh are joined together, Firm on him and immovable. 24 “His heart is as hard as a stone, Even as hard as a lower millstone. 25 “When he raises himself up, the [av]mighty fear; Because of the crashing they are bewildered. 26 “The sword that reaches him cannot avail, Nor the spear, the dart or the javelin. 27 “He regards iron as straw, Bronze as rotten wood. 28 “The arrow cannot make him flee; Slingstones are turned into stubble for him. 29 “Clubs are regarded as stubble; He laughs at the rattling of the javelin. 30 “His underparts are like sharp potsherds; He spreads out like a threshing sledge on the mire. 31 “He makes the depths boil like a pot; He makes the sea like a jar of ointment. 32 “Behind him he makes a wake to shine; One would think the deep to be gray-haired. 33 “Nothing on earth is like him, One made without fear. 34 “He looks on everything that is high; He is king over all the sons of pride.” Job 42 Job’s Confession 1 Then Job answered the LORD and said, 2 “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. 3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” 4 ‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’ 5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You; 6 Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.” God Displeased with Job’s Friends 7 It came about after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has. 8 Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you. For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD told them; and the LORD accepted Job. God Restores Job’s Fortunes 10 The LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD increased all that Job had twofold. 11 Then all his brothers and all his sisters and all who had known him before came to him, and they ate bread with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversities that the LORD had brought on him. And each one gave him one piece of money, and each a ring of gold. 12 The LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; and he had 14,000 sheep and 6,000 camels and 1,000 yoke of oxen and 1,000 female donkeys. 13 He had seven sons and three daughters. 14 He named the first Jemimah, and the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch. 15 In all the land no women were found so fair as Job’s daughters; and their father gave them inheritance among their brothers. 16 After this, Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons and his grandsons, four generations. 17 And Job died, an old man and full of days"

Just think about all His power, all His power as He created the earth and all that is in it! All that power, The huge mountains, the raging sea, The gorgeous, yet powerful tiger, The adorable little shetland pony, That beautiful baby, and all those intricate little details important to the earth and it functions. so small, so minute they cannot even be seen by the naked human eye/ All created by the amazing hand of God! Elohim. Take time now to meditate on all of His creation, and delight in what He has done for you and for me! He is an amazing God indeed!. What an AWESOME God!
Click on the link and listen to the words to this song as you meditate on Him!
Our God is an Awesome God

DEPEND ON ELOHIM

DEPEND ON ELOHIM

The author of the study book today, shared the story of Ethel Waters. What a beautiful story developed from tragic circumstances! Her mother was raped when only 12 years old, and Ethel was conceived. According to many today she would have been a prime case for abortion. Many would have seen her as a mistake... and would have encouraged her 12 year old mother to have an abortion. But Elohim had plans for this "mistake" What could possibly be good about a 12 year old girl having a baby from such a horrendous act? What a horrible reminder of the awful crime! BUT Elohim had plans for this "mistake." Ethel could sing! And Ethel loved Elohim! from 1957 - 1976, Elohim opened the doors for Ethel to sing on tour with Billy Graham. If you have never heard Ethel sing "His Eye is On the Sparrow", Please take a moment to listen now. Click on this link: ETHEL WATERS I don't know about you, but when I read her story, and listen to her Declaring Elohim, like I talked about in the last lesson, I just tear up. I just love listening to her sing her praises to Elohim,

"Others may have thought Ethel Waters was a mistake, looking only at her humble beginnings, but Ethel Waters knew Elohim and remained confident she was on earth by His design. And you can know that same truth. You are God's design. Draw near to Elohim today and depend on Him to weave His design into your life." ~ Catherine Martin, from Trusting in the Names of God

Ethel learned to depend on her creator. Read the words to her signature song:

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,  

Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,

When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.  

Refrain: I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,  

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.  

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,  

And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; 

Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;  

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;  

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.  

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,  

When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,  

I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;  

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;  

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

DECLARE ELOHIM

When I was in college, I was taking a microbiology class. I was so totally blown away every time I looked into the microscope and saw the absolutely beautiful handiwork of my beloved Creator, Elohim! How could any thinking intelligent being even question that all that intricate workmanship came from anywhere but from an intelligent creator. It simply could not have evolved, nor could it have just happened in a big bang. Big bangs destroy, tear apart, they do not build together. We must be sure we acknowledge Him! We must declare Him! Shout from the housetops

Psalm 91: "I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Tell everyone you know:

Isaiah 40:28-29 "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power"

When others you meet show doubt the creation, the presence, power and person of God, tell them about Elohim!

Deuteronomy 10:17 "For the LORD your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe."

Go ahead share Elohim with everyone you contact today!

TRUSTING JESUS AS CREATOR

If you have the book, "Trusting In The Names of God" Today's lesson is from Day 13, beginning on page 110.


Please read Hebrews 1:8

"But of the Son He says,
“YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER,
AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF IS KINGDOM".
In this verse the author of Hebrews is sharing a verse out of the Psalms:

Psalm 45:6
"Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;
A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom."

He is referring to Jesus, The Son, making it clear that God Himself refers to Jesus as Elohim; that Jesus has an eternal throne; that Jesus is the second person in the Triune God, eternal and self existent. He was involved in the act of creation.

John 1:1-12

The Deity of Jesus Christ
" In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

The Witness John
There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,"

How wonderful is our God! Elohim, God the Creator, Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
Spend some time reflecting on the wonderful God who created you! Give Him praise and glorify His name in all you do today!

Trusting Jesus as Creator

TRUSTING JESUS AS CREATOR

If you have the book, "Trusting In The Names of God" Today's lesson is from Day 13, beginning on page 110.


Please read Hebrews 1:8

"But of the Son He says,
“YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER,
AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OFH IS KINGDOM".

Elohim♡He is your Creator! Trust in Him♡

TRUSTING IN ELOHIM ~ HE IS YOUR CREATOR

If you have the book, "Trusting In The Names of God" Today's lesson is from Day 13, beginning on page 107.

I thought This a very good place to begin learning the names of God, Right in the beginning.

Genesis 1:1"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

The Hebrew word translated "God" in Genesis 1:1 is Elohim and means "God, the one true God" with the root El referring to "mighty one, strength" Its plural construction points to the triune nature of God, The first and preeminent name of God, Elohim stresses God's might, power, majesty. and omnipotence. The Mighty name of God, the Creator... ~Catherine Martin~ from "trusting in the Names of God"

God proceeds to tell us that He not only created the heavens and the earth, but also created man

Genesis 1:27
"In the image of God He created him; male and female He created them."

God is the origin of life. So our first Name of God is Elohim, and it means Creator. And something really really cool is that He has shared with us that He has created us in His image!!!!
From page 108 in the book, we read:

Elohim, self existent and eternal, is the author of all beginnings. He is outside the realm of time, wholly other and infinite. And yet He is profoundly and intensely personal. He has chosen to create The name Elohim reveals much about God!
In the plural construction of His name, we see Elohim is a mystery, for He is triune ~ three in one ~ Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When you contemplate God, you step onto the ground of the incomprehensible, gaze at the majestic Godhead, and contemplate what you cannot wrap your head around. You are in the territory of what Tozer calls "mystery"(The Knowledge of the Holy)

The name Elohim is a plural, but throughout the Bible, this name is paired with the singular, thus One God in Three. Pretty much impossible for us in out finite minds to grasp. But then it is even more to grasp the fact that He created us in His image! Here are a few scripture verses for you to look up. Please let us know your thoughts as you contemplate Elohim today.
Genesis 1:26
Genesis 3:22
Genesis 11:7
Deuteronomy 10:17
Isaiah 48:16
Genesis 1:1
John 1:10
Then go to Psalm 139:13-16 to learn about the very intimate details of your creation!

Psalm 139:13-16
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
13 "For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them."
Footnotes:
Psalm 139:13 Lit kidneys
Psalm 139:14 Some ancient versions read You are fearfully wonderful
Psalm 139:15 Lit bones were

After reading and thinking about Isaiah 43:7

"Everyone who is called by My name,
And whom I have created for My glory,
Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.”

Let us talk about what it means to be created in His glory.the Hebrew word translated "glory" is kabod and refers to the splendor of God's presence. Catherine Martin points out in her book that

"your life is meant to show the greatness and glory, and in fact, the very presence and existence of God"
She goes on to explain that "When you trust in Elohim, relying on Him, your life becomes the platform where He displays His magnificence."

Matthew 5:16 TNIV "Jesus says your light is to shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven"

Now check this out: Philippians 2:15- 16

Philippians 2:15-16
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
15 "so that you will [a]prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you [b]appear as [c]lights in the world, 16 holding [d]fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain".
Footnotes:
Philippians 2:15 Or become
Philippians 2:15 Or shine
Philippians 2:15 Or luminaries, stars
Philippians 2:16 Or forth

I would love to hear your thoughts on today's study, and even if you do not share some thoughts, hit the Like button on the Facebook version, and one of the other responses in my blog to let me know someone is actually reading this study!! Have a great day in Jesus! And think about His name Elohim

Today:
Theme is:
GOD HAS REVEALED HIMSELF TO YOU
Key verse for today is:

Romans 1: 19-20
"that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse."

Catherine Martin, the author of the study book I am using explains in today's lesson this way:

"God may be known because He has chosen to make Himself known. You cannot discover anything about God except for what He has revealed. The amazing truth is that He has actually revealed Himself by declaring His names, His character, His works, and His ways. Can you imagine a human being bending down to ground level to reveal anything to an ant? Any illustration of the ways of God will be inadequate, but the picture will still make the point."

He has revealed Himself through Jesus, The Son.
Please read Philipians 2:7

"rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,being made in human likeness."

And read Hebrews 11:3

"By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible"

Please join in on the comments link and share your comments on thses verses.
Have a great day!

Today we will actually learn about how much God wants us to know Him.
The Theme for Day One of the Study is:
"THE GREAT ADVENTURE OF KNOW ING GOD"
Please read this verse:
Jeremiah 9:23 -24

Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.

Read in other versions, and share your thoughts.
Remember the greatest claim you can make in your life is that you KNOW God! The Hebrew word "Yada" means know. It means intimate knowledge. Read Exodus 34:6-7 and share your thoughts on these verses.


Exodus 34:6-7 (NASB)

6 Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and [a]truth; 7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

God is inviting us to know him. Please read and respond to this section of Scripture:

Isaiah 55:3 (NASB)

“Incline your ear and come to Me.
Listen, that you may live;
And I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
According to the faithful mercies shown to David

Isaiah 55:6 (NASB)

Seek the LORD while He may be found;
Call upon Him while He is near

I will be waiting to hear from YOU as soon as I get responses to this post telling me YOU are on board and ready to do the study, I will start posting the daily lessons So... let me know by replying to this post that you are ready to get started on this great adventure of learning the Names of God, thus learning more about Him!

This is a new study group I am starting today. You can participate as much or as little as you wish, and can invite other to join if you wish. I will be posting every day if I can a new name of God, and would like to see individual contributions, scriptures, comments and questions concerning the name posted If you wish I can remove your name from the list. Have a great day in Jesus Name!!!!

Who is God? Because this is an open study for the moment, let us get a perspective of who God really is. He is the creator of the universe, He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. He is aTriune God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He is the Great I Am. The study will go into the attributes of God by studying His names. He is perfect, holy and wonderful. God is love. Please join in and share now!


Three verses to ponder and comment on today:

1. Jeremiah 29:13(NASB)
" You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart."
2. Psalm 46:10(NASB)
"Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
3. Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NASB)
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD
And whose trust is the LORD.
'For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit'."

Follow us on Facebook if you cannot remember to sign in on this blog for our new study on the Names of God! You can get to the Facebook page by clicking on the link:
Names of God
I will be using the Book "Trusting in the Names of God". Here are the links for ordering,

Kindle Book
Hard Copy Book
Meanwhile lets talk about who God is.

I have been sending my family members devotionals.
The theme is the Anderson symbol, the Mighty Oak Tree, and the Clan motto, Stand Sure. My sister suggested I share this morning's on the internet, so I will in the comments below:
When I was in my second year of 4-H, the Herrera family wanted to join our Happy Jack 4-H Club. One parent said "absolutely no , this family was not to join our club". My dad said "yes they are joining" and they did. Those who agreed with the other parent, formed the Crow Creek Crew 4-H club. My dad stood firm. I was proud of him. The family only... stayed in the club for one year. But my dad was no respecter of men.
He would go to town, hire a bum to work on the ranch, and that bum would sit at our table and take his meals just as if he were a member of our family. And my father was equally comfortable with Governor Hanson, and even entertained President Bush on our ranch. He was literally all things to all men. Never ashamed to share his faith in Jesus Christ along the way. It seemed to just come naturally to him. His faith was strong, and when he was president of the school board, he stood on these same principles. He was flexible and free like the branches of a Mighty Oak tree, yet he Stood Sure in his faith in Jesus Christ, and was a protector of the underprivileged, and a friend of men from every walk in life. My dad was my hero.
Read the following from

1 Corinthians: 19, 22 -23
"though I am free and belong to no man,I make myself a slave to everyone to win as many as possible ... I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the Gospel, that I might share its blessings."