Faith Filled Family Magazine December 2016 | Page 18

than 2,500 times in the Old Testament. Other names such as
“El Bethel” is used only once in
the entire Bible. There are many
more names of God, and this
study is just an entry point for an
exciting new way to experience
God.
Do you find that people relate
to a particular name at one
time and then another for a
later circumstance?
Yes, absolutely. In our study of
God by examining his names,
we are exposed to a personal
view of God as we get acquainted with Him. This brings us to
a “close encounter of a sacred
kind” with Him as we never have
experienced before.
An example: He is our “Elohim”
(Creator). God made man and
woman in His image. We are
fearfully and wonderfully made.
Using this name, “Elohim,” to
worship Him enhances our
praise experience. At another
time, we might admire the features of a newborn baby, reflecting praise to our Creator (Psalm
139:14).
Additionally, He is “Jehovah Sabaoth” (The Lord of Heaven’s
Armies). As a victorious warrior
and leader of the heavenly host,
He is a sure victor to win the battles raging in our lives (I Samuel
17:45). There are battles raging on many other fronts in our
world: turf wars in communities,
tension in politics and the highs
and lows economics. Yet The
Lord of Heaven’s Armies has everything handled.
One last point, He is the King,
“Jehovah Hamelech,” righteous

In business, people are always
told to use a new client’s name
three times to make sure they
remember it and remember
the client. Is it the same with
the Names of God?
Yes, using the various names of
God in our prayer and worship
time increases intimacy with
Him. If we choose to let God’s
endearing titles roll through our
minds as we contemplate on
them throughout the day, we
become more familiar with His
presence, His ways and His purpose for our lives. In this way,
What is it about knowing the believer’s walk with God is
someone by name that is so strengthened by meditating on
emotionally powerful?
God’s characteristics because
Names are emotionally power- God wants us to know Him betful. I remember as a child, when ter. God does not hide from us,
my mother called me by my yet waits for us to seek Him.
first, middle, and sometimes, Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call to
last name, I knew I was in big me and I will answer you and
trouble. In grade school, it al- tell you great and unsearchable
ways felt good when teachers things you do not know.” At the
pronounced my name correctly times we do not know what to do
during roll call. Now as adults, next, if we doubt God cares or
there is a whole social dynamic wants to help, we must remind
attached to the use of our name. ourselves in prayer from Psalm
When a friend speaks to us and 9:10, “those who know Your
uses our name they know us. It name will put their trust in You,
is wonderful to be known and for You, O Lord, have not forsakloved as we are called by our en those who seek You.”
name. We notice things like tone
that’s used, facial expressions How do you personally reand how many times our name member the names of people
is mentioned in the conversation. you meet?
This is where the true power of I began learning the art of memsomeone’s name can be found. orizing names at a young age
Believers must know God’s - probably 5 or 6 years old. I
names so we better understand continue to do now what my dad
His character, faithfulness, love, taught me then. At the time, I
and provision. When we grasp didn’t realize dad was teaching
the impact of God’s love and sen- me the Forbes method:
sitivity by studying His nature in
this way, we can apply this truth 1. Meet and repeat. When you
to all areas of our lives - parent- get someone’s name, don’t just
ing, marriage, marketplace and nod and continue the conversapersonal communication.
tion, try to plug the name into
ruler over all mankind, even in
situations that seem chaotic. His
plan is fulfilled as we look forward
to His coming kingdom (Revelation 21:1-4). God is greater than
our problems. We can remind
ourselves of this when we affirm
God’s supremacy, authority and
power. We commit ourselves to
surrender our issues to His will
be done. Our “giants” then take
their proper place, minimized to
manageable proportions, under
the shadow of God’s presence,
power and purpose.