You Are Wonderful: A Devotional Insight into the Names and Descriptions of God and Jesus in the Bible

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Published by AuthorHouse   07/24/2015

ISBN: 978-1-5049-4667-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-4665-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-4666-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015911520

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CONTENTS

About The Author

Preface

How To Use This Book

1       Wonderful

2       The Lifter Up Of My Head

3       My Light

4       My Bright And Morning Star

5       The First And The Last

6       The Almighty

7       My Strength

8       My Rock

9       My Sanctuary

10     My Refuge

11     My Father

12     My Potter

13     A Man Of Sorrows

14     My Prince

15     My Chesed

16     My Mercy

17     My Goodness

18     My Lovingkindness

19     My Steadfast Love

20     Jealous

21     My Beloved

22     Chief Among Ten Thousand

23     Immanuel

References

Other Publications:

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Scripture quotations are from Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations from The Authorized (King James) Version. Rights in the Authorized Version in the United Kingdom are vested in the Crown. Reproduced by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press

Scripture taken from THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE, Old Testament copyright © 1965, 1987 by the Zondervan Corporation. The Amplified New Testament copyright © 1958, 1987 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture taken from the New Kings James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

The NIV and New International Version trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.

The Darby Bible PC Study Bible formatted electronic databaseCopyright © 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Daily Study Bible, by William Barclay. Second Edition © 1975 William Barclay

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Along with his wife, Moira, Paul was the pastor of Elim Pentecostal churches in Northern Ireland, Eire and England for about 25 years.

For some time they sensed that God was leading them to leave the pastoral ministry and to allow Him to guide them in a different way. It was going to be a big step for them as they had no job and no means of support. But then, through events out of their own control, the doors closed on them continuing in the pastoral ministry. So now they had to rely totally on the Lord.

Paul took qualifications to teach other people to drive, as a means of supporting the family. There were times he had to ask people to stop praying for pupils to teach as he had too many to take! Such was God’s goodness. But it was all part of learning to trust upon God.

Later, as Paul was writing a letter to a friend, God showed him what had happened. He revealed that they were like young eagles in the nest. When it was time for the eaglets to fly and they were unwilling, the mother eagle would break up the nest and force them into the air. If the young eagles had difficulty in flying, then the mother would dive underneath them and carry them on her wings (Deuteronomy 32:11). It was God who had closed the door on continuing in pastoral ministry at that time, and He was teaching Paul and Moira to rely upon him and not look to anyone else. Without knowing what was going on in Paul’s life, someone prophesied over him that he had a message to give, and that he was going to soar on wings like eagles.

Paul’s main ministry is teaching. Over the years, people joined the church, where he was pastoring, to hear him teach. So he started some Bible Studies and put them into booklets so others could benefit from them. It has always been his heart to help people develop an intimate relationship with God.

Moira’s ministry is music and prophetic intercession. With some friends, a music ministry began. Songs are composed and recorded onto CDs along with a short message from Paul, and these CDs are distributed free in the UK and three other countries. In 2007, this ministry was called Kingdom Lifestyle Ministries, but as the ministry has developed, we changed the name to Upon Eagles Wings. The aim is to help people come into a place where they can soar on wings like eagles. (Isaiah 40:31.)

PREFACE

When God wants to reveal Himself, He does it by telling us His name. His name reveals His character, His nature, His personality, indeed His entire being. For example, He tells us that His name is Holy (Isaiah 57:15). This means that His nature and personality is holy. When you look at God you will see His holiness, for His holiness pervades His whole being. He acts and speaks according to His holiness; His holiness determines His will, plans and purposes. His holiness pervades His love, His goodness and all His other characteristics. Similarly, His love and goodness saturate His holiness.

In my desire to know God better, I delved into the study of some of God’s names. This has been such a blessing to me so I decided to put them into a book. There are well over 300 names or descriptions of God or Jesus in the Bible. I have dealt with some in my previous books. Love me passionately… is devoted to the name the Lord my Shepherd. In You Are Everything. I look at some of His personal names such as The Lord is There and The Lord my Peace. In this book, I look at some more personal names, such as Father and Almighty, and some descriptive names, such as the Lord is my light and the Lord is my strength.

When I finished a series of studies, God gave me no peace about putting them into book form. I knew there was something else to add. Sometime later, I was reading Psalm 144:2, where it says that God is my lovingkindness (NKJV). Suddenly the Holy Spirit opened my eyes, and revealed some wonderful truths about God’s names. The chapter on God’s chesed introduces them.

While doing some of the studies, the Holy Spirit so blessed me, that tears came to my eyes. I went through these studies with a house group, and there were those precious moments when we shed tears. There was one wonderful moment after we looked at the study that Jesus was a Man of Sorrows. We broke bread together, and the presence of God was very profound. It was a moment we will never forget.

As you go through these studies, it is my prayer that the Lord will reveal Himself to you. He will surely bless you and minister to you.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

This book is different. It is designed to encourage you to speak out aloud the word of God. This is encouraged in both the old and new Testaments of the Bible (Joshua 1:7-8; 2 Corinthians 4:13-14; Hebrews 13:5-6). Maximum benefit from this book will be achieved if this is done. This book can be studied alone, or in a small group.

The most important thing is to ask the Holy Spirit to inspire you and to implant the truth into your heart. He will guide you into all truth and will make the truth come alive to you. He will reveal something of God’s glory to you. If you do not ask the Holy Spirit for help, the book will be just words and will not profit you.

In each chapter, some of the text is in italics. These are either comments to guide you through the study, or small portions of study to help you understand the truth under discussion. The other paragraphs are confessions of faith and are to be spoken aloud, whether you are on your own or in a group. The scripture references in brackets after the confessions do not need to be read out. They are there for you to look them up if you so desire. They will confirm the truth of what you have spoken, or lead you into further study.

Take your time as you read each paragraph. Pause between each one; give the Holy Spirit the opportunity to minister to you. If you are in a group, each person in turn reads one paragraph. At the end of each chapter, allow time for anyone to share briefly any truths that blessed them.

Do not rush through the chapters. Spend time over it. Pray over it. Respond to the truth. Perhaps one or two chapters a week is enough.

By speaking the word of God aloud from your mouth, by meditating at day and night, and doing all that is written in it, God will richly bless you. (Joshua 1:8.) You will not only get to know about God more, but you will get to know Him in a deeper way. Then you will begin to soar with Him as on wings like eagles. (Isaiah 40:31).

Boldly speak the truth

Read this book with your heart

not your head.

CHAPTER 1

WONDERFUL

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV.)

This amazing scripture gives a beautiful promise of the coming Messiah’s reign. A child is born – that is human. A son is given – that is divine. God would become a man. A new born baby would be called ‘Mighty God, Everlasting Father.’ Jesus became a man – He shall be called ‘Wonderful’.

Something is described as ‘wonderful’ because it is magnificent, tremendous, awesome, phenomenal, exceptional and outstanding. It is sensational, superb and staggering. Words cannot describe it adequately. It causes reactions of wonder, surprise, amazement, admiration and astonishment. It is breathtaking.

Wonderful Jesus

Lord, Your Name is Wonderful. You cause my heart to stir in admiration to You for everything about You is wonderful. Your love, Your words, Your deeds, Your care, Your help, Your presence, Your touch… Yes Lord, I gladly put myself into Your hands and give my life to You, for everything about You is wonderful.

Jesus, even though You are God – for You were in the beginning with God, and You are God – You came into this world. For You are the Son of God who is given, You are the child who was born, and You became flesh to live among us. You came to reveal Your glory, full of grace, love and truth. (John 1:1, 14.)

Even though You are God, Jesus, You came into this world as a servant, not to promote Yourself as God. You came into this world in the likeness of men, You partook two natures both human and divine, for You had to reconcile both parties, God and man. As a man You would be like us in feeling hurt and pain, and to experience suffering and death. You came into this world to die on the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8.)

Jesus, because You are wonderful, everything about You is wonderful – Your character, Your nature, Your personality and Your temperament; Your love and compassion, Your attitude and motives; Your works, deeds and words – all these are wonderful; indeed, they cannot be anything else.

Jesus, You are motivated by Your wonderful compassion. Your compassion causes You to heal the sick and feed the hungry. You are moved with compassion to comfort those who sorrow and deliver those who are bound by evil habits or depression. Lord, how wonderful You are. (Matthew 9:36; 14:14; 20:34; Luke 7:12-15.)

Wonderful Birth

Your birth was such a wonderful occasion – God being born into this world as a man – that heaven celebrated this event in various and magnificent ways. Your Father prepared the way by sending angels to speak to Your future mother and father, Mary and Joseph, telling them of the great and miraculous event that was about to happen. (Matthew 1:20-24; Luke 1:26-38.)

Your coming into this world was such an incredible event that Your Father wanted other people to join heaven’s celebrations. Shepherds were invited by angels to see You. With them was a choir of angels, accompanied and surrounded by God’s glory, celebrating Your birth and singing Your praises. (Luke 2:8-14.)

Your Father also chose wise men from the east to celebrate Your birth. Even the heavens declared Your glory as the invitation came to them by a star, which guided them by moving across the sky until it stopped over the place where You were. When they arrived, they joined in heaven’s celebrations, as they worshipped You with treasured gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Psalm 8:1-5; Matthew 2:1-2, 8-12.)

Lord, when You were forty days old, Your parents brought You to the Temple in Jerusalem to dedicate You to God. Your heavenly Father made sure that this was going to be a special event. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Simeon took You in his arms, praised God and prophesied that You were the Saviour of the World. The prophetess Anna pointed You out to others as God’s Redeemer. (Luke 2:21-38.)

Wonderful Mission

Jesus, the reason why You came into this world – Your mission – was wonderful. You came to seek and to save the lost; to forgive and not condemn. You came to give rest to the weary and relief to the burdened; to heal the broken hearted, deliver those who are oppressed and free those who are bound. (Matthew 11:28-30; Luke 4:18-19; 19:10.)

Jesus, Your mission was so important and wonderful that Your Father wanted many to know about You. Therefore, He prepared the way by sending John the Baptist who pointed You out as the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world. Even though many people flocked to see and hear John, he said that You are mightier than he was, that he was not worthy to stoop down and unfasten Your sandal. (Mark 1:7; John 1:29.)

Lord, as You were baptised by John, You declared to all that You were submitting to Your Father’s will and dedicating Yourself to Your mission. Your Father was so pleased with You, that He rent open the heavens, sent His Holy Spirit to rest upon You and, declaring with a loud voice, said, This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. (Luke 3:13-17.)

Wonderful Works

Jesus, everything You did was wonderful. You cured many who had diseases and sicknesses. You raised the dead, gave sight to the blind, made the deaf hear, the dumb speak, cleansed the lepers and caused the lame to walk. You changed water into wine, stilled the storm, calmed the sea and walked on water. You did marvellous and miraculous things. (Luke 7:21-22; Mark 4:39-41.)

People praised You for the miracles they saw. They were overcome by astonishment and overwhelmed with amazement saying that You had done all things well, You had done everything excellently, and that they had never seen anything like it. They marvelled, praised and glorified God. (Mark 2:12; 5:42; 6:51; 7:37.)

Jesus, as people heard about the wonderful things that You were doing in healing all kinds of sicknesses and diseases, more came to You to be healed. They also brought to You the paralysed and epileptics, and all who were afflicted with disease or suffering severe pain, and You healed them. Great multitudes followed You because of the great things that You did. (Matthew 4:23-25; Mark 1:28-34; Luke 5:15.)

Wonderful Words

Lord, You