07 - JESUS: OUR INTIMATE FRIEND

Read | Matthew 26:47-50

I’ve counselled plenty of folks who argue that they are not worthy of God’s love. Of all the passages I could point to that describe the Lord’s devotion, today’s is the one I think best showcases the unqualified friendship He offers His followers.

As Jesus was praying in the garden of Gethsemane on the night before His crucifixion, Judas Iscariot approached him with a band of men. The betrayer stepped forward and kissed the Lord’s cheek. And what was Jesus’ response? According to another disciple, Matthew, He called the man “Friend” (Matt. 26:50).

Judas expected Jesus to establish His kingdom on earth and drive the Romans out of Israel—anyone who could calm a storm at sea could easily remove an oppressive government! But Judas’s interest in Jesus was more personal and political than spiritual. In fact, John reported that his fellow disciple stole from the money box (12:6). Today the man’s name is synonymous with those who betray others for personal gain.

In spite of Judas’ greed, blind ambition, and betrayal, Jesus never stopped loving him; He still used the word “friend” to address the one-time disciple. The Lord does not place conditions on His love or reject people who fail to meet certain standards. He simply cares for us as we are.

People cannot earn Jesus Christ’s love and friendship. He takes the initiative, reaches out, and draws into fellowship those who are willing. We are not worthy, but we are privileged to live in His love anyway. In the Lord, we find a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Prov. 18:24).

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06 - THE SEEKING SAVIOUR

Read | Revelation 3:14-22

The Christians at Laodicea were self-deceived, picturing themselves as rich and self-sufficient, when in reality, their spiritual blindness and self-righteousness had prevented them from seeing their true poverty. Though they had “closed a door” between themselves and Jesus, He never gave up on them. Can you relate to this idea of a loving Saviour reaching out to you?

Stands at the door - Jesus takes the initiative. He’s ready and willing to seek us, even when we’ve erected a barrier.

Knocks at the door - He tries to get our attention through a variety of means: circumstances, needs, pain, trials, conviction, sleeplessness, or His Word. Then He patiently waits for us to respond.

Invites us to open the door - Though Christ is omnipotent, He never pushes His way into a relationship with us. He lets us choose whether or not we will respond.

Enters through the door - If we open up to Him, He’ll come into our lives. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, we’ll actually partake of Christ’s divine nature and be transformed into His image.

Dines inside the door - Now that nothing stands between us and Jesus, we can begin to enjoy all the benefits of an intimate relationship with Him and be nourished by His Word.

Where are you in this process? Have you built a barrier between yourself and the Lord? The Laodiceans show us how miserable and wretched we are when we try to keep Jesus at arm’s length. Only when we let Him have unhindered access to our lives will we experience the joy of intimacy with Him.

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05 - THE MISSION OF CHRIST

Read | John 10:1-18

Christ’s mission on earth was to do the will of His Father. Throughout His life, He continually surrendered Himself to God. We see this early on when He was separated from His parents. He told them, “Did you not know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49).

The Father desired that the lost be brought back to Himself. That’s why Jesus, though a king, came not to be served but to serve—even unto death (Matt. 20:28). His ultimate purpose was to become the sacrifice needed to atone for humanity’s sin and gain us access to the Father.

To accomplish His mission, Jesus suffered greatly. But even in His darkest hour, He did not turn from His calling (26:39). Ever the faithful Son, He gave us the only way to the Father and eternal life: Himself (John 14:6). Those who trust in Him are His church, and they will see Him in glory when they die.

Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father” (14:9), and in fact, the two are one (10:30). Today, He sits at the Father’s right hand, making intercession for us (Rom. 8:34). One day, He’ll return to judge sinners and reward the saints. Are you ready to face Him? The only way you can be prepared is to receive Jesus as your personal Saviour and Lord.

Because the Father’s love for us is limitless, He gave His Son the mission of paying humanity’s sin debt so that every person can have eternal life. When you place faith in Jesus Christ as your Saviour, you are united with the Father now and throughout all eternity.

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04 - WE HAVE A TRUSTWORTHY GUIDE

Read | Psalm 32:8-9

Hanging on my office wall is a print that I use to have for many years. It shows the Lord Jesus standing behind a young man whose eyes are focused in the direction that the Master is pointing. Jesus’ hand is on the man’s shoulder, and I imagine He is saying, “This is the way we’re going. I will get you to the destination.” Although the road will be marked with both joy and suffering, the Lord leads His followers all the way to their eternal home.

Anyone who is honest will admit that he or she is ill-equipped to go through life alone. Our all-knowing God created us with a need for His guidance. In our own strength, knowledge, and reasoning power, we are simply not able to figure out how to make the wisest decisions. But the Lord’s assuring hand at our shoulder can lead us down right paths to good choices.

The Lord is willing and able to guide us, if we will let Him. It isn’t difficult to fall in step with Him. Acknowledge that you have wandered down paths of life that led to sin and disobedience. Choose to follow His lead instead by reading the Word of God and applying biblical principles to your life. And learn to pray through both large and small decisions as you seek the path He has set for you.

Just beyond our last heartbeat lies eternity. That’s where our Saviour is pointing us. The path may not be clear to our eyes, but Jesus is leading us there with a steady and sure hand. Our part is to follow in obedience so that we may reach heaven and hear the Father say, “Well done.”

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03 - THE PATH OF LIFE

Read | Jeremiah 10:23-24

Life is like an untraveled trail with complex twists and turns. Appealing activities can be detours that lead to the quicksand of sin. And engaging philosophies may form side paths that end up in a mire of muddled thinking. Even the best route isn’t all sun-dappled meadows and quiet riverside lanes. We may at times have to journey over hard terrain or shadowed valleys. The only way to be sure we’re walking right is to follow one who knows the way perfectly.

God is the perfect, full-service Guide. No one can go wrong by keeping to the pathways He selects. Consider that He lovingly and intentionally created you for this time and this place. The Lord watches over your steps because He desires to see your purpose fulfilled and His plan come to fruition through you (Prov. 3:5-6). Therefore, He promises to counsel those who follow Him (Ps. 25:12). When God warns His children away from a tempting sidetrack, it is because He foresees the dangers that lurk on that road.

There’s a correlation between ignoring God’s guidance and ending up in trouble: the one who stumbles off course has trusted his own “sense of direction”—his emotions, desires, or personal version of morality. He’s been pursuing what feels good or looks right instead of seeking the Lord’s will.

God has mapped out the path before you. He is aware of every obstacle and miry pit, and He knows exactly which side-tracks will tempt you. What’s more, He has committed to walk beside you as a Guide and Comforter so that you never face the twists and turns of this life alone.

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02 - GOALS FOR FRUITFUL LIVING

Read | 2 Samuel 7:18-22

In the 70s, I experienced a turning point in my walk with Christ. It started with 2 Samuel 7, which inspired me to follow in King David’s footsteps. He spent time alone with God, offering praise and thanksgiving. He would also listen as the Lord revealed truth and offered insight about the future. Because of what he learned, David was able to set goals and stay aligned with them.

Desiring that kind of solitude, I spent several days alone in God's presence. Most of the time, I was silent, listening intently for God’s voice. I asked Him to speak to me regarding my future, and He answered. Using a journal, I recorded the goals He inspired. The things He communicated so impacted my choices and so greatly blessed me that I continued the discipline every couple of months.

Let’s discuss how to establish aims in this manner. First, come before the throne of Almighty God with a repentant heart, praise, and thanksgiving. Then, ask Him for direction in areas such as spiritual life, career, and family. In silence, wait patiently and attentively—as you read and meditate upon God’s Word, He will speak. Most often, His guidance is experienced as a prodding or conviction in the heart. When that happens, be sure to write down what you’re “hearing” so you can review it later.

In order to stay on the path God intends for our lives, we should plan times to stop, ask, and listen for guidance. The world throws confusing messages at us all day long, and we need to check our course frequently. These conversations with the Lord are vital for a thriving life of godly impact.

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01 - KEEPING OUR EYES ON HIS GOALS

Read | Philippians 3:13-15

Have you ever attempted to walk in a straight line while looking at your feet? Try this on the beach sometime so you can look back at your footprints. You’ll probably be surprised at how crooked the path is. But fix your eyes upon something faraway, and each step will point in the desired direction—toward that distant focal point.

Our lives are like this. If we set goals, then our decisions, actions, and thoughts will lead to the desired end. On the other hand, if we bumble along in life without specific aims, we will wander and waste much precious time and energy.

Goals are crucial to the well-lived life. Why, then, do so many people fail to formulate purposeful aims? Some simply do not see their importance, while others are too lazy to devise a plan or don’t know how to go about it. And then, there are individuals who lack faith in God’s ability to help them achieve their aspirations.

Think about the many goals Jesus had—they drove everything He did. In fact, His life centred around a primary purpose that was set even before time began: to lay down His life on the cross in order to save mankind from sin and glorify the Father. Jesus also had daily aims, such as teaching those who sought righteousness and serving others.

Imagine the impact our lives could have if we asked God to guide our goals. Ask Him today, “What do You want to change about my life? What do You want to accomplish through me? On what and on whom should I focus?” You were created to glorify the Lord and to be fruitful in His service.

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6. GOD’S POWERFUL COVENANT NAMES

✿ A - GOD’S POWERFUL ‘JAWEHISTIC’ COVENANT NAMES ✿

1. THE LORD JESUS CHRIST - ADON YESHUA HAMA’SHI’ACH.

• ADON = YOU ARE LORD.

• YESHUA HAMA’SHI’ACH = JESUS CHRIST, THE ANOINTED ONE.

2. GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT - EL RUACH HAQODESH.

• EL = YOU ARE A PERSON AND YOU ARE GOD.

• RUACH = THE BREATH OF GOD.

• HAQODESH = THE HOLY SPIRIT.

3. GOD THE FATHER - HASHEM ELOHIM ABBA YAHWEH ADONAI.

• HASHEM = THE NAME OF GOD.

• ELOHIM = YOU ARE GOD THE CREATOR.

• ABBA = YOU ARE MY FATHER.

• YAHWEH (YHWH) OR JEHOVAH = THE COVENANT NAME OF GOD. THE GREAT GOD,

THE LORD “I AM, WHO I AM”, THE SELF-EXISTING ONE. THE EVER LOVING ONE.

• ADONAI = YOU ARE MY LORD AND MY MASTER.

MORE COVENANT NAMES OF GOD AND THEIR MEANINGS

4. ADONAI ELOHEINU ADONAI ECHAD - O LORD, MY GOD, YOU ARE ONE

5. YAHWEH - EL HAGADOL - THE GREAT GOD.

6. YAHWEH - EL ECHAD - GOD IS ONE.

7. YAHWEH - HA-ADONIM - THE SUPREME MASTER AND ULTIMATE RULER.

8. YAHWEH – ELIJAH - YAHWEH IS GOD.

9. YAHWEH – ELEAD - YOU ARE WITNESS.

10. YAHWEH – ELOHAY - THE LORD IS MY GOD.

11. YAHWEH – ELIHOENAI - MY EYES ARE FOCUSED TOWARDS THE LORD.

12. YAHWEH - EL ELYON AND EL MARON - SUPREMELY EXALTED. THE HIGHEST GOD.

13. YAHWEH – ELEALEH - THE EXALTED GOD.

14. YAHWEH – KEDEM - GOD OF THE BEGINNING.

15. YAHWEH - ELOHIM AND HABORAY - CREATOR OF HEAVEN & EARTH.

16. YAHWEH - ELOHAY ELOHIM - GOD OF ALL GOD’S.

17. YAHWEH - HOSENU AND O’SAYNU - MY MAKER.

18. YAHWEH - KOL BASAR - GOD OF ALL FLESH.

19. YAHWEH - HARUCHOT LEKOL BASAR - GOD OF THE SPIRITS OF ALL FLESH.

20. YAHWEH – AVOTAYNU - GOD OF OUR FATHERS.

21. YAHWEH - ELOHIM MELECH OLAM - THE GREAT KING FOREVER.

22. YAHWEH - ELI’DAD - THE GOD OF LOVE.

23. YAHWEH - ELOHIM ELOAH - THE ONE AND ONLY TRUE GOD.

24. YAHWEH - ELOHIM OLAM - GOD OF ETERNITY.

25. YAHWEH - EL HASHAMAYIM - GOD OF THE HEAVENS.

26. YAHWEH - ELAH SH’MAYA V’ARAH - GOD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH.

27. YAHWEH – ERETS - YOU OWN THE WHOLE EARTH.

28. YAHWEH - EL DE’OT AND EL DEAH - ALL-KNOWING GOD, SOURCE OF ALL KNOWLEDGE.

29. YAHWEH - EL ROI AND EL RAH’EE - THE ALL-SEEING GOD.

30. YAHWEH – ELISHAMA - THE ONE WHO HEARS EVERYTHING.

31. YAHWEH - QODESH AND EL HAKADOSH - THE GOD WHO MAKES ME HOLY?

32. YAHWEH - SHAPHAT AND MISHPAT - THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE.

33. YAHWEH – ELZABAD - GOD GIVES.

34. YAHWEH – YESHUATI - MY SAVIOUR AND MY SOURCE OF SALVATION.

35. YAHWEH - ELOHIM TSUR YESHA - THE ROCK OF SALVATION.

36. YAHWEH - KEREN-YISHI - THE HORN OF MY SALVATION.

37. YAHWEH - CHANUM RACHUM - YOU ARE FULL OF COMPASSION, MERCY AND GRACE.

38. YAHWEH - EL-SHADDAI - THE ALL-MIGHTY GOD. MY BIG CHEST OMNIPOTENT FATHER

THE ALL-SUFFICIENT ONE - THE GOD WHO IS MORE THAN ENOUGH.

39. YAHWEH – MIKAROV - GOD IS NEAR.

40. YAHWEH - EL NOSE’ - GOD OF FORGIVENESS.

41. YAHWEH – MEKADDESHKUM - GOD THAT SANCTIFIES ME.

42. YAHWEH - TSIDKENU AND TZIDKAYNU – GOD MY RIGHTEOUSNESS.

43. YAHWEH - EL TSADDIQ - YOU ARE THE JUST.

44. YAHWEH - JEHOZ’ADAK - YOU JUSTIFY ME. YOU CLEANSE ME, AS IF I NEVER SINNED.

45. YAHWEH – ORI - THE LIGHT OF MY LIFE.

46. YAHWEH - EL EMET - THE GOD OF TRUTH.

47. YAHWEH - EL CHAI - THE LIVING GOD, WHO GIVES NEW LIFE.

48. YAHWEH – ROHI - MY GREAT SHEPHERD.

49. YAHWEH – ELEAZAR - GOD IS MY HELPER.

50. YAHWEH - EL AMAN AND EL EMUNAH - A FAITHFUL AND RELIABLE GOD.

51. YAHWEH - EL’TEKON - MY FOUNDATION AND ROCK.

52. YAHWEH – ELNAAM - A PLEASANT GOD.

53. YAHWEH - EL HAKABODH AND EL HAKAVOD -THE GOD OF GLORY.

54. YAHWEH - ELOHAY KOL HANECHAMAH - GOD OF ALL COMFORT.

55. YAHWEH – CHASDI - GOD OF KINDNESS.

56. YAHWEH - EL SIMCHAT GILI - YOU ARE A SOURCE OF TREMENDOUS JOY TO ME.

57. YAHWEH – SHALOM - GOD WHO GIVES PEACE, WHOLENESS AND COMPLETENESS.

58. YAHWEH – SHILOH - GOD WHO BRINGS PEACE AND REST AND ORDER.

59. YAHWEH - JEHALLELEL AND TEHILATI - GOD WHO LOVES PRAISE AND WORSHIP.

LORD, YOU ARE SUPREMELY WORTHY OF PRAISE.

60. YAHWEH – JEHONADAB - GOD THAT ENLARGES.

61. YAHWEH - EL KANNA AND EL SHEMO - A JEALOUS GOD.

62. YAHWEH - EL JADA - GOD OF INTIMATE FELLOWSHIP.

63. YAHWEH – ELKANAH - GOD THAT POSSESSES ME.

64. YAHWEH – JEZREEL - GOD WILL SOW. (Hosea 2:22)

65. YAHWEH – ELISHEBA - YOU ARE MY FULLNESS.

66. YAHWEH - EL SHAMMAH - GOD THAT IS PRESENT HERE.

67. YAHWEH – ELADAH - GOD THAT ADORNS ME WITH YOUR SPLENDOR.

68. YAHWEH – IZUZ EL GIBBOR MILCHAMAH - GOD THE MIGHTY WARRIOR

THE STRONGEST FORCE IN THE UNIVERCE!

69. YAHWEH - ELIZ’APHAN - GOD MY PROTECTION.

70. YAHWEH - MACHSEH METSUDAH - GOD MY REFUGE AND FORTRESS.

71. YAHWEH – MISHGABBI - GOD MY HIGH TOWER.

72. YAHWEH – ELJACHBA - GOD THAT HIDES ME.

73. YAHWEH – ELIZAPHAN - GOD THAT CONCEALS ME.

74. YAHWEH - UZZI, MAUZI AND TSURI - GOD MY STRENGTH.

75. YAHWEH – HAGEVURAH - GOD MY POWER.

76. YAHWEH - E’LEPH - GOD THAT MAKES ME AS STRONG AS AN OX.

77. YAHWEH – NISSI - GOD MY BANNER.

78. YAHWEH – CHEREB - GOD A TWO-EDGED SWORD.

79. YAHWEH – MEGAN - GOD MY SHIELD.

80. YAHWEH – ELIPHELET - GOD MY DELIVERANCE.

81. YAHWEH -EL MOSHAOTH AND EL MEPHALTI - GOD MY DELIVERER.

82. YAHWEH - ELIZUR, TZUR AND SALI - YOU ARE A MIGHTY ROCK.

THE MIGHTY ONE, MY DEFENDER, MY STRONGHOLD, PROTECTION FROM ALL ATTACKS.

I decree according to Malachi 1:11, that: From the “rising of the sun, even to its going down, My Name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My Name, And a pure offering; For My Name shall be great among the nations,” Says the LORD of hosts!

 - THESE NAMES DEPICT THE COVENANT CHARACTER OF GOD - 

✿ B - A GENERAL LIST OF GOD’S ELOHISTIC COVENANT NAMES ✿

1.1. EL: "to be strong, powerful, mighty." It is in the singular.

It is used of the FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT.

The FATHER is EL. (Genesis 14:18-22)

The SON is EL. (Isaiah 7:14) EL (Isaiah 9:6-9 - lmmanu-EL)

The HOLY SPIRIT is EL. (Job 33:4; 37:10)

1.2. Elohim: Plurality of divine Persons:

Used about 2500 times in the Old Testament. (Genesis 1:1)

Used of the triune God. (Exodus 3:1-6,15)

Used also of the fullness of the Godhead in the Son. (Psalm 45:2,6)

1.3. EL – Elyon: The Most High God. (Genesis 14:18)

1.4. EL - Roi: The God that sees. (Genesis 16:13-14) Omniscience.

1.5. EL - Shaddai: God Almighty, God all sufficient. (Genesis 17:1)

1.6. EL - Olam: God, the everlasting. (Genesis 21:33) Eternity of Being.

1.7. EL - Beth - EL: God of the House of God. (Genesis 31:13; 35:7)

1.8. EL – Elohe - Israel: God, the God of the Prince of God. (Genesis 33:20)

1.9. EL - Oah: The one God. (Deuteronomy 32:15; Daniel 2:11)

1.10. EL - Gibbor: The mighty or great God. (Isaiah 9:6; Jeremiah 32:18-19))

1.11. Elohim - Elyon: God, The Most High. (Psalm 91:1-2; 78:56) 

1.12. Elohim - Saboath: God of Hosts. (Psalm 80:7,14) Omnipotence.

1.13. Adon or Adonai: Master, Owner or Masters, Owners, Ruler of all.

(Psalm 147:5; 86:12) 

1.14. Immanu - El: God with us. God made flesh. The Incarnate Logos.

(Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:21-23) (John 1:1-3; 14-18)

✿ C - JESUS’S PURPOSE WAS TO FULFILL THE COVENANT ✿

Jesus Gives Us The Ability To See ‘Heavenly Meaning’ ‘In Earthly Words’…As Written In The Bible…For Jesus’ WORKS Are A Revelation Of The Fathers POWER…And Jesus’s WORDS Are A Revelation Of The Fathers CHARACTER…So If You Want To Know God…Internalize The WORD Of God Which Is JESUS…And Follows The Example Of HIS Actions…And So You Too Can Show JESUS To The World - MVღ

‎- PROFESS THEM IN WORSHIP REMINDING GOD OF HIS COVENANT –

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5. FOLLOWING JESUS MEANS

Read | Matthew 4:18-25

When Jesus called His disciples, they immediately dropped everything and followed Him. We might think, The Christian life must have been simpler for them than for us. When Jesus started walking, they fell in line behind Him. As He taught, they heard His voice. By watching His interactions with people, they learned from His example. But how are we to follow Jesus, since He’s no longer on earth? We can’t touch, see, or hear Him the way they could.

When Christ was about to leave this earth, He promised His disciples that He would send them a Helper who would never leave them. In fact, this Helper would actually live within them (John 14:16-17). Today we follow Jesus by hearing and heeding His indwelling Holy Spirit—that’s the closest guidance we can ever have.

The Spirit does for us all the things Christ did for His disciples. He guides us each step of the way and teaches us the truths of God. But His work actually goes beyond that. The Holy Spirit transforms us from the inside out and enables us to serve and obey the Lord. He helps us discover God’s will for our lives and then give us the desire and strength to follow the path He’s planned for us. All we have to do is follow.

An essential requirement for following Jesus is sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s voice. The more yielded you are to His guidance as He speaks to you through God’s Word and during prayer, the greater your spiritual hearing will become. Hearing Him is the only way you’ll ever progress in your Christian life.

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