Monthly Archives: November 2012

Nov25

Knowing Christ by Name (part 4)

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When we pray, it helps to know who we are praying to. Jesus took the time to tell John some of his names in Revelation 1:8. Each of His names reveal something about him.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. -Revelation 1:8 KJV

The last name he lists here is The Almighty. This is the Greek word pantokrator, which means: Ruler Over All, All Powerful.

In our culture, we are used to athletes and celebrities announcing that they are The Greatest. It is easy to become immune to the truth of Almighty when we are immersed in human hyperbole.

Let’s play an imagination game. Imagine that each of the greatest athletes in the world are pebbles (makes them rock stars, huh?). Imagine that the greatest rock stars are pebbles, too. Imagine the greatest political leader alive is a pebble. Now, line them up. You can have your favorites be twice as big as their peers- but they are still pebbles. Now, imagine God the Son, Jesus- He’s Mt. Everest… or more probably, the entire Milky Way Galaxy.

His power is omnipotent (power without end or bounds).  His power is full of justice, love, grace,and holiness. Another imagination game: imagine a hurricane made up of love, holiness, and justice. Kind of weird, I know, but He is omnipotent, almighty in these ways. When He chooses to exert his Almighty Rule over man and nature, amazing, miraculous things happen- like Calvary, for instance.

Think about The Almighty Christ. Spend some time meditating on this name. How does it affect how you pray?

Nov12

Knowing Christ by Name (Part III)

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Prayer is conversation with God. If we know Him well, we can pray more comfortably. Jesus gave us some of his names in Revelation 1:8:

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. -Revelation 1:8 KJV

The name Lord is the Greek word, Kyrios. It means “master”- a superior person with the right to hold authority. Kyrios is the New Testament translation of the Hebrew word, Jehovah (or Yaweh). Jehovah is God’s name for Himself when He is showing us that He is the Superior, the Covenant Maker and Grace Giver.

A lot to think about: superiority, authority, graciousness all at once. Power and grace. We submit to His authority because of His greatness and His love.

In your prayer time, can you pause and think on His name: Lord– and worship Him?

 

Nov4

Knowing Christ by Name Again

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Prayer is relationship with God. It is easier to have relationship with someone if you know his name. Christ, being God, can’t fit into just one name. Here is another name from Revelation 1:

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. -Revelation 1:8 KJV

Another one of Christ’s names: Which is, and which was, and which is to come.

That’s a long and descriptive name. God told Moses a version of this name in the book of Exodus: “I am that I am“ (Exodus 3:14).

He is the God who IS. There never was a time that He wasn’t. There will never be a time that He isn’t.

We, humans live in linear time. There was a time we weren’t here, we are here right now, but there will come a time we aren’t here (but we will be somewhere else eternally).

God, on the other hand, lives outside of time. He isn’t affected by time, but He can affect time. (Joshua 10 has a story about that).

Since God isn’t stuck in time, He can guide our footsteps. He knows where He is taking us.

As we talk to Christ, who is, who was, and who is to come, we can turn each day and all our future over to Him. He can handle it- He knows what He wants for us.