A New Breed of Workplace Believers

by Os Hillman
DESCRIPTION
Has He called you out of Egypt in order to do extraordinary things in your life for His Kingdom? Ask God to show you how He wants to use you in the workplace this year.
"Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people...." - Haggai 2:2

Zerubbabel was the governor of Judah 60 years after the great temple built by Solomon had been destroyed. The temple lay in ruins, and the Lord spoke to the prophet Haggai, "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?" (Hag. 1:4) God was calling for a remnant of His people to come out of their comfort zones and restore the glory of God's house.

God is doing this same thing today among Christian workplace believers throughout the world. He is raising up a remnant of workplace believers who are being handpicked to use their resources, skills, and experience to affect nations that have not heard the message of Jesus Christ. The only way they can hear is by commerce being brought into their nation through Christian workplace believers, because these are closed regions to normal missionary efforts.

"But now be strong, O Zerubbabel," declares the Lord. "Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land," declares the Lord, "and work. For I am with you," declares the Lord Almighty. "This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear" (Haggai 2:4-5).

The remnant of workplace believers God is calling today understand that they have to come out of Egypt from their past work life. Egypt signifies the way of the world. It represents sweat and toil. It is the flesh. This new way is exemplified by a pioneer spirit. God knows we need to have courage in order to move in this realm. Also, God assures us that His Spirit is with anyone who seeks to live in the realm of supernatural faith.

Are you one of these remnants He has handpicked in these days? Has He called you out of Egypt in order to do extraordinary things in your life for His Kingdom? Ask God to show you how He wants to use you in the workplace this year. Then act and "be strong, all you people of the land."

How to Get Out of the Pits

by Lead Like Jesus
DESCRIPTION
Are you in the pits of depression? Michael Hasha offers biblically based suggestions to help you find joy again.
Let’s think about some of the many benefits of praising God. Look at these verses:

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever (Psalm 30:11-12).

Are you in the pits of depression? Are you in desperate need of some encouragement? Here’s how you get out of depression’s grip: Gives praise and thanks to God, and He will turn your depression into dancing.

Take a look at this passage:

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing (Psalm 100:1-2).

We can look for other ways to find joy and gladness. The flesh promises joy, but never delivers what it promises. Pure joy and gladness is found in our praise of the Father.

Today, let’s do what these passages suggest we do. Let’s come before the Father and shout, serve, sing, and dance.

Written by Michael Hasha

Names for God

by Ignite Your Faith
DESCRIPTION
Learning the names of God can help add to your worship and praise of Him.
Wonderful Counselor

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)

It's comforting to have someone who will just listen when I'm hurt and need to cry.

I can come to you whenever I want.

You always have time for me.

You are a wise and Wonderful Counselor. (You run the whole world, after all, so I know I can trust you with my life.)

When I'm confused and need to talk, you always offer good advice.

I can always count on your wisdom.

Mighty God

I see your might in the waves that crash against a rocky seacoast.

I see your strength when lightning streaks through the sky, and when thunder shakes the earth.

I remember your power when fire blazes through a forest, turning everything into charred stubble.

With the power of life and death in your hands, nothing I ask could be too hard for you to accomplish.

When my requests are in your will, you'll shove aside mountains to answer my prayers.

Everlasting Father

You always understand, always forgive, always deliver on your promises.

You're always interested in me, concerned about even the smallest details in my life (not to mention your concern for the billions of other people on this planet).

Always providing for all my needs, always gentle, always patient, always kind.

People may let me down, but you will always be there.

I long to feel the warmth of your huge hugs, to climb into your lap and forget about grades and dates and who likes me and who doesn't.

I want to rest in your loving arms forever.

Prince of Peace

The news blares of violence in the streets, in the schools and everywhere.

And in my school, too.

Misunderstanding reigns among family and friends.

Stereotypes and racial tension push people apart.

And the poor hate the rich.

And guys use girls and girls manipulate guys.

Sometimes I wonder what kingdom you're prince over.

But then I see those who love you:

People of different races praying together.

The rich sharing with the poor.

Respect flowing from guy to girl and back again.

Your people love you and this spills out to a hate-filled world.

Wonderful Counselor, guide me forever by your wisdom. Mighty God, help me trust in your strength. Everlasting Father, keep me in your care. Prince of Peace, I want you to rule my heart.

Written by Diane Eble

Praying the Names of God

by Sylvia Gunter
DESCRIPTION
God is the name above all names. When we praise Him using His names, we gaze at the One who wants us to draw near.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower.
The righteous run into it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

In Hebrew and Greek, a personal name communicated something indispensable for distinguishing that person's character and personality. All the many names of God present some aspect of his inexhaustible, awesome glory.

When God revealed Himself to man, he often used his name. God revealed his name in the Bible after people experienced him in a deep way in response to their immediate need. When man first began to worship, he called on the name of the LORD(Gen 4:26). He revealed Himself to Abraham, who came out of polytheism, as El Elyon, God Most High (Gen 14:18), El Shaddai, God Almighty (Gen 17:1), and Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who provided the lamb (Gen 22:14). He revealed Himself to Hagar as El Roi, God who sees (Gen 16:13). He revealed Himself to Moses as "I AM WHO I AM," Yahweh LORD (Exo 3:14). He revealed Himself to the people of Israel as Jehovah-Rapha (the Lord the Healer), as Jehovah-M'Kaddesh (the Lord my holiness), and as Jehovah-Nissi (the Lord my banner).

Why Pray The Names Of God?

We are obeying a command. "Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together" (Ps 34:3). We do what Jesus modeled. He said, "This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name'" (Matt 6:9). He taught us to give His Father the honor and worship He deserves. Knowing the names of God causes us to know the riches we have in Him, and we rejoice His heart when we know Him. When we pray the name of Jesus, we understand His significance. "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil 2:9-10).

In the space of two short verses, Psalm 86:11-12 illustrates the use of the three most important names of God in the Old Testament: LORD, Lord, and God.

LORD
Yahweh means "I am I AM, I am eternal, self-existent. I am the only uncaused cause. Worship me." Six thousand times this name calls from the pages of the Old Testament, "Worship me." Will we worship Him?

Lord
Adonai means "I am ruler, master, absolute authority, sovereign. I am the one who rightfully commands obedience. Serve me." Will we serve Him exclusively?

God
Elohim means "I am infinite in power, absolute in faithfulness. I am able. I keep covenant. Trust me." The Bible opens with "In the beginning Elohim..." 2700 times the name Elohim/God says, "Trust me." Will we trust Him implicitly?

Can you find the 61 names or titles and 300 attributes of God in Psalms? How about the 64 names and titles of God and 150 attributes in Isaiah? There are 37 names and 120 ways and attributes of God in Revelation. We orient ourselves upward to the one who has the legal jurisdiction, authority, power, and desire to intervene in our affairs as the Sovereign one. He is the name above all names. When we praise Him using His names, we gaze at the One who wants us to draw near.

Jesus said that making the Father's name known was one of His continuing functions, so that we will love Him more and live in His abiding presence (John 17:26). Focus your attention on the overcoming God of the universe. Make it your ambition to glorify Him and enjoy Him in His many names. The King of kings wants you to personally know Him in all his fullness.

Think of it! The Living Water invites you to drink deeply of Him.
Think of it! The Bread of Life invites you to feast upon His Word.
Think of it! You are privileged to walk with the LORD of hosts.

God Knows Our Names

by Family Matters
DESCRIPTION
Angie Ryg, for Family Matters, shares a personal story to remind us that we are all still learning. But the One who created us is also the One to teach us.
“I said, ‘Can you put two Splendas into the tea please?” knowing full well that I am not going to understand what she says back to me. Somehow the drive- thru window takes whatever I say and whatever the person answers and turns it into gibberish that I usually cannot understand.

It was a long day.  I had been driving the kids to crazy amounts of practices and games and rehearsals. They were tired and I was tired. I was in a hurry and I just needed some tea.

I must confess I am usually pretty impatient at the drive-thru. I always think to myself, “If it is fast food, why am I not getting it faster?”

But this last trip to McDonald’s was different…

I drove around to the “second window” and had my money ready.

I asked the worker,  “Are you having a good day?”

I will never forget that look of insecurity, confusion and anxiety.

She paused for a moment and said, “Maria.”

All my sinful impatience and need for speed went out of me with my breath.  With a smile, I said quietly, “It’s nice to meet you, Maria. My name is Angie.”  And then came her smile…

So, the next time any kind of impatience hits you, whether it’s the store clerk who has to change the ticker tape or the waitress that forgot to get the ranch dressing again, whether they know English or not, whether the impatience is with your child or even with yourself… everyone has a name.

And the greatest thing is that God knows your name. And He knows your child’s name.  He knows you. He created you to be the perfect parent for your child. Not the perfect parent, but the perfect parent for your child. And the perfect wife for your husband. We are all still learning. But the One who created us is also the One to teach us.

By His sweet grace, He gave us His word to know Him better and in the end, we will know Him better. And we will know the name of Jesus.

Written by Angie Ryg

The Names of Christ

by Charles Spurgeon
DESCRIPTION
Jesus has many names - Mighty Counselor, Wonderful, Emmanuel, and more - but one name, perhaps, is sweetest of all: Jesus.
Matthew 1:21  Thou shalt call his name Jesus.

When a person is dear, everything connected with him becomes dear for his sake. Thus, so precious is the person of the Lord Jesus in the estimation of all true believers, that everything about him they consider to be inestimable beyond all price. "All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia," said David, as if the very vestments of the Saviour were so sweetened by his person that he could not but love them. Certain it is, that there is not a spot where that hallowed foot hath trodden--there is not a word which those blessed lips have uttered--nor a thought which his loving Word has revealed--which is not to us precious beyond all price. And this is true of the names of Christ--they are all sweet in the believer's ear. Whether he be called the Husband of the Church, her Bridegroom, her Friend; whether he be styled the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world--the King, the Prophet, or the Priest--every title of our Master--Shiloh, Emmanuel, Wonderful, the Mighty Counsellor--every name is like the honeycomb dropping with honey, and luscious are the drops that distil from it. But if there be one name sweeter than another in the believer's ear, it is the name of Jesus. Jesus! it is the name which moves the harps of heaven to melody. Jesus! the life of all our joys. If there be one name more charming, more precious than another, it is this name. It is woven into the very warp and woof of our psalmody. Many of our hymns begin with it, and scarcely any, that are good for anything, end without it. It is the sum total of all delights. It is the music with which the bells of heaven ring; a song in a word; an ocean for comprehension, although a drop for brevity; a matchless oratorio in two syllables; a gathering up of the hallelujahs of eternity in five letters.

"Jesus, I love thy charming name,

'Tis music to mine ear."

Why Study the Names of God?

by Revive Our Hearts
DESCRIPTION
God is so amazing, so complex, so vast and so awesome, one name just can't describe Him!
Do you know the story behind your name, why your parents chose the name they did? I love knowing I was named after my great-grandmother. My youngest is named after my grandfather. My husband, after his father. Sometimes we choose names for their meanings or because they remind us of someone special.

Names in the Bible are of particular significance. When God gave someone a name, it defined who they were, who they would become, what they would do, or even described what would happen to the nation of Israel. Abram's name was changed to Abraham which means "father of many." Simon's name was changed to Peter which means "rock."

When it comes to the name of God, the meanings for His name have extraordinary significance for us. God is so amazing, so complex, so vast and awesome, one name just can't describe Him. In fact, there are hundreds of names in the Bible that describe who God is.

The Great "I Am"

When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush and told him he was to lead his people out of Egypt, Moses asked:

"If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you'" (Ex. 3:13–14).

The most common name for God in Scripture is the one our Bibles write as LORD in all capital letters. It is the name YHWH, which we pronounce Yahweh. The Jewish people had such reverence for the name that they never said it out loud; instead they used the name Adonai.

It is this name Yahweh that's used in Exodus 3. This passage is important because God is in essence defining His name for Moses. He is telling Moses that He has always existed and that He is not dependent upon anyone else. Unlike humans, He is not created and does not rely upon anything outside of Himself to sustain Him. He is also unchangeable—He always is and always was. This name—Yahweh, I AM—was the name Jesus used in response to the questioning Jews in John 8: "Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am'" (v. 58).

Knowing God's Names

As believers, it's important that we learn and study the names of God in His Word. Psalm 9:10 says, "And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you." While the name Yahweh is the most common and important name for God, there are hundreds more names for God in Scripture. Each one describes a particular characteristic or attribute of God. They help us understand more of His power, wonder, and might. They describe what He does, how He acts, and how He moves in our lives. They also describe how He responds toward us as His people. And as Psalm 9 tells us, knowing God's name helps us trust Him.

One name for God that I find comforting is Jehovah-Rohi, which means, "Our Shepherd." The most well-known passage where this name is found is in Psalm 23: "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want" (v.1) Jehovah-Rohi reminds us that God is our Shepherd who watches over us, guides us, and protects us.

Jesus referred to Himself as a shepherd in John 10, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (v. 11). Jesus is the Good Shepherd who became the Lamb of God and died in our place. This name also tells us that He loves and knows each one of us. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27). In Luke 15, Jesus told a parable about a shepherd leaving ninety-nine sheep to seek one that was lost. Jesus is our Shepherd who knows us, loves us, and who has gone to great lengths to rescue and save us.

Another name for God is El Roi, the God who sees, which comes from the story of Hagar in Genesis 16. After being hurt by her mistress, Hagar ran off into the desert. God saw Hagar crying. He saw her misery and had compassion on her and helped her. In response to God's kindness, Hagar gives God the name El Roi: "She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: 'You are the God who sees me,' for she said, 'I have now seen the One who sees me'" (v. 13 NIV).

My own heart has been filled with worry and fear. I've felt alone and uncertain about the future. Many times anxiety has taken over my heart, paralyzing me. I, too, have run and hidden from all that frightens me. But no matter where I go, God is always there. He sees, He knows, and He cares about all the burdens on my heart. He sees the weight on my shoulders and the way worry holds me hostage.

El Roi tells me that He is not a distant God, watching things from afar. He not only sees my pain, but He meets me right there in my desert wanderings and rescues me. When I think of the name El Roi, it reminds me of just how much God cares. I can trust Him, and that trust leads me away from fear, worry, and anxiety and back to the God who sees.

Here are just a few more names of God:

El Shaddai: God Almighty (Gen. 17)

This name tells us that God is all-powerful; nothing is too hard for Him. He has proven this over and over in Scripture and in our lives. He has conquered sin and defeated our enemy. He has freed us from slavery and rescued us from sin. No matter how big our problems, He is bigger still.

Jehovah-Jireh: The LORD will provide (Gen. 22, Matt. 6)

God not only sees everything that is happening in our lives, He knows just what we need. This name reminds us that God is our provider and sustainer. The name Jehovah-Jireh comes from the story of Abraham and Isaac where God provided a ram in the thicket, a substitute taking Isaac's place on the altar. This event pointed to the day when God would provide His very own Son as a substitution and payment for our sins. If He would provide His Son for us, won't He also provide for us all our daily needs?

Strong Tower (Prov. 18:10)

Just as a strong tower provides safety and shelter from a storm, so too is God's name a place of safety for us. Proverbs 18:10 says, "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." When we trust Christ as our Savior, we are safe from evil and sin forever. Nothing can take away God's love for us. Our eternal hope is firm and secure in Christ.

And there are many more names of God in Scripture. The more we study His names and their meanings, the more we trust Him. When we are lost, wandering in our own desert wilderness, uncertain and afraid, we can call out to our Strong Tower, El Shaddai, Jehovah-Jireh, Jehovah-Rohi, and El Roi and know that He is all powerful, all mighty, and that He provides, He protects, and He sees.

Which of God's names hold special significance for you?

By Christina Fox