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We often forget.  We see throughout history the Israelites and the church forgetting. We need to be reminded often of who God is in Scripture, church history and in our lives and churches. The names of God are important because these names are not just what God does, it is who He is.  I hope this will encourage you as you are reminded of how good, great, and awesome our God is. El Nehkumah El means God and Nehkumah means comfort. He is the God who comforts! 3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, (2 Corinthians 1:3) What it reminds me?  Have you faced recent loss?  Is life not going the way you planned? It is good to know we have a God who understands and comforts us in our difficulties. In this world, we will face trouble, but God never leaves us alone. He walks with us through it all.

We often forget.  We see throughout history the Israelites and the church forgetting. We need to be reminded often of who God is in Scripture, church history and in our lives and churches. The names of God are important because these names are not just what God does, it is who He is.  I hope this will encourage you as you are reminded of how good, great, and awesome our God is. Elohim   Elohim means one true God. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1) What it reminds me?  God is worthy of worship for so many reasons but His creation will cause us to praise and worship.  As I look around at humans, animals, flowers, mountains, oceans, and more, I see an amazing work of God.  He made all things.  If He has the power to create everything, then I trust His power over my life.

I used this song as part of a sermon about a month ago.  It is a great reminder of the lists we create for ourselves and others.  I love what God does with our lists.  Enjoy this song by Matthew West. Write 'em down one by one Every single mistake that you've ever made Every single wrong turn you wish you didn't take Keeping count, you can't let go In for life behind bars, but you're holding the key 'Cause the list tells your heart that you'll never be free But love keeps no record of wrong, no, no Love keeps no record of wrong, no, no Love keeps no record of wrong, no, no Listen to me, love keeps no record of wrong, no So let it go Let it go Love tears the list in million little pieces Cast your sins as far as the East is from the West Say goodbye to the list Love tells your heart it's time to start beating History will not be repeating anymore Yesterday is closing door Love keeps no record of wrong, no, no Let it watch over you...

Because God is Creator In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1) This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God . (Genesis 5:1)   Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. (Isaiah 40:28) Therefore, we are created in His image and new So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27) I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.  (Psalm 139:14) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation . The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17) 

Because God is Peace Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord Is Peace . (Judges 6:24 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace . (Isaiah 9:6)  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13) The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (Romans 16:20) For he himself is our peace , who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility (Ephesians 2:14) And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7) Therefore we have peace 25  the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26...

I am currently reading Everyday Grace by Jessica Thompson.  She is also the author of Give Them Grace and a family devotion called Exploring Grace Together. She has so many good things to say in Chapter 3 that my book is full of green highlighter.  Here are a few quotes to think about: We have too high a view of our ability to do things right if we just have the right instructions...we also have too low a view of God and his love for us. In our laser-like attention to the doing, we forget what has been done. We can get so caught up in the doing that we forget about the people we are supposed to love. Here is another reason I think most relationship books are off: They focus on the doing. As you taste (Psalm 34:8) this multifaceted relationship with God, it will transform all of your other relationships. There is no "one size fits all" when it comes to relationships. The whole Bible is written in such a way that in most verses we see the done before we see...

I am continuing to read The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification by Walter Marshall. It was recommended to me by my friend, Russell from Dallas.  It is heavy book, but it has a lot of gospel gold in it.  Here are quotes from Chapter 2: If you want to keep God's law, he must equip you to do it. Sheer willpower is neither holy nor unholy in and of itself. You can use your willpower to serve either God or Satan. You cannot truly live a holy life unless you are totally assured of your justification and reconciliation with God, totally apart from the works of the law. You will not be able to do any good works that please God unless God, in his great love and mercy, does them through you. You cannot love God if you are under the continual secret suspicion that he is really your enemy! You cannot love God if you secretly think he condemns and hates you. Forgiveness is the horse that pulls the cart of good works. Therefore, God wants you to know that you h...

I have enjoyed reading a small book published by Mockingbird Publications called Law and Gospel. It is helpful in understanding how both words shape and influence the Christian life.  I finished the book last week so here are some quotes to think about: the Law must continue to convict us of our utter unrighteousness, and the Gospel must continue to save us...So where the Law is a closed fist, the Gospel is an open hand. Gratitude is a natural response to salvation. It does not require coercion or encouragement; to the extent that individual understands what has happened, gratitude will flow organically and abundantly from their heart. The precise form it takes will be different every time, but such is the nature of fruit. Belovedness can actually beget love itself. God's presence and promise are objective comfort, not to be conjured or obtained but only recognized. Thus the wild, absurd, unconditional truth of God's love in Emmanuel--"God with us," just a...

This one was recommended by Byron Yawn. The back says "A classic novel about faith and the power of grace."

Here's another new feature on the blog.  I am amazed at how God is working in our world.  The message of grace is everywhere you turn.  It started as more and more churches/pastors preaching grace to more and more people talking about grace to more and more songs on the radio.  I decided to share songs that are gospel drenched (point to Jesus and what He has DONE).  Enjoy this first installment with a new song from Plumb. Songs is called "Exhale" and lyrics are below.   It's okay to not be okay This is a safe place This is a safe place Don't be afraid Don't be ashamed There's still hope here There's still hope here No matter what you've done or who you are Everyone is welcome His arms Just let go let His love wrap around you And hold you close Get lost in the surrender Breathe it in until your heart breaks Then exhale Exhale Spirit come tear down the walls That only You can That only You can Reconcile this heart to Yo...

We have different gifts, according to the   grace given to each of us.” (Romans 12:6)

I am still reading Show Them Jesus by Jack Klumpenhower. The second section of the book talks about how to teach the good news.  Here are some quotes: Don't: Look for a moral lesson about a human character. Instead: Look for the worth and work of the main character, God. The only way to avoid either the softie God or the monster God is with the God of the cross. The full good news regarding any of God's rules is that believers are (1) eternally forgiven for breaking that command and counted righteous in Jesus, no matter how badly they mess up; (2) made eager to follow that command in gratitude and hope as children of the Father; and (3) made able to follow it by relying on the Holy Spirit's transforming power. The difference between the Old and New Testaments isn't the attributes of God they reveal, but the point we're at in the great story. 7 Methods for getting to Jesus from an Old Testament passage: (1) what God does; (2) who God is; (3) Jesus solves t...

Our love of Jesus is rooted in His love for us first. Enjoy this hymn about his love and how He demonstrates it to us.

Here is another great hymn of the faith by Chris Rice.  Enjoy being reminded of our great God!

If you have been reading this blog for awhile, you will remember that I enjoyed and quoted often Jesus Is ______ by Judah Smith.  I started reading his new book, Life Is ________ a few weeks ago.  Here are a few quotes from introduction and Chapter 1: Life is to be loved and to love. The order of those two phrases is intentional, because until we realize we are loved, it's tough--probably impossible--to truly love. The major theme of the Bible is that God's love passionately pursues humankind. He (God) genuinely loves us and wants the best for our lives. When it comes to God, love isn't just an action--it's a state of existence. God is love. God is saying that his love is not like ours. Against all common sense, in contrast to our human ideas about justice and commitment, God's love never quits.       

Here are selected promises of God from Micah compiled by Kenneth Boa: “He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide.   They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.   Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore” (4:3). “Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken.   All the nations may walk in the name of their gods; we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever” (4:4-5). “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” (5:2). “He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.   And they will live securely, for then his greatn...

I am posting today at 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting.  Go here to see post on what helped us through our daughter, Mackenzie, being in the NICU when she was born.

Go over to http://www.1corinthians13parenting.com/blog/ today to see my New Year's post on being "new". What does this mean for our relationships?  I'm thankful for Jesus making me new and taking care of my sin.

As I mentioned yesterday, I am sharing Psalms in preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Yesterday was Psalm 23 and today is Psalm 100. Psalm 100 A psalm. For giving grateful praise. 1  Shout for joy to the Lord , all the earth. 2       Worship the Lord with gladness;      come before him with joyful songs. 3  Know that the Lord is God.      It is he who made us, and we are his;      we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4  Enter his gates with thanksgiving      and his courts with praise;      give thanks to him and praise his name. 5  For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;      his faithfulness continues through all generations.