The Power of Choice

Recently on a run, I heard someone quote Dr. Tony Evans, a pastor in Texas. Dr. Evans’ statement about freedom and choices resonated in my heart. “Freedom means you get to control the choice, but because God is the sovereign ruler over his creation, you don’t get to control the consequences.” Dr. Tony Evans People make a big deal about freedom. No one likes someone barging in on their freedom. I’m free, I’m free, I’m free! “Free” is the chant heard across humanity. “Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do!” “You’re not my boss!” Free means you can control your choices. You can go where you want, eat what you want, drink what you want, smoke what you want, spend where you want, or say what you want. You are free! Dr. Evans correctly observed, “Freedom means you get to control the choice.” Because freedom is real, the scripture has a lot to say about choices. One of the key verses regarding choices and results is in Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia. “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.” Galatians 6:7-8 (NLT) Paul was saying, you can choose whatever you want, but you’ll get what your choices produce. Dr. Evans said it a little differently. You can choose what you want, but “you don’t get to control the consequences.” You can choose to do anything you want, but the results are out of your control. You don’t get to control the consequences! There are few things more true in life. I can say what I want or write what I want, but once the words are out of my mouth, I have lost complete control of them. The only control I have over my words is before I say them or type them. If you are like me, there have been plenty of times in life when I wished I could take back my words. I have wished I could unsay them or untype them. Once they are gone from the cage of my mind, heart, mouth or fingers, they are in the wild. Be careful what you choose. You can’t control the consequences.

The Name That Is Above All Names

Years ago, when I first started following Jesus, someone gave me a poster of Jesus’ names. I had it hanging on the wall of my first apartment in Renton. After working and usually playing some basketball, I would lie down on my bed and there was the list of Jesus’ names. I read them over and over. Soon they became part of my vocabulary in worship and prayer. Over time, I located each of the names in the various books and letters in the Scriptures. Jesus’ names have become part of the inner framework of my soul. Here are some of those names. I encourage you to read them slowly. Don’t skim over them. Jesus, Christ, Emmanuel, Son of God, Son of Man, Wonderful, Prince of Life, Counselor, Almighty God, Savior, Lord, Master, Friend, Prince of Peace, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, Author and Finisher of our Faith, the Good Shepherd, Shepherd and Overseer of our Souls, the Gate, the Gatekeeper, the Vine, the True Vine, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Bread of Life, the Way, the Truth, the Life, Lamb of God, AMEN, Beloved Son, Cornerstone, Creator, Deliverer, Everlasting Father, Holy One, I AM, King of the Jews, Light of the World, Man of Sorrows, Messiah, Morning Star, Passover Lamb, Living Stone, Prince of Life, Redeemer, Resurrection and Life, Offspring of David, Rock of Ages, Our Great God and Savior, Rose of Sharon, Root of David, Son of the Highest, Word, Nazarene, Word of God, Advocate, Lord of Heaven, the Physician, Bridegroom, Rabbi, Master, Living Water, High Priest, Teacher, Servant, Captain of our Salvation, Faithful and True Witness, Lily of the Valley, Fairest among 10,000, Living One, Ruler of God’s Creation, the Stone the Builders Rejected, Head of the Church, Mediator, Fountain of Living Water, the Bright and Morning Star, the Image of the Invisible God. Jesus has many other names and titles. I encourage you to take some time and meditate or think about the names and titles of Jesus. Looking up and reading each of the names and titles in their context in Scripture would encourage and feed you. Your thinking about Jesus’ names and titles will breathe life into you. There is no one like Jesus!

The All-Sufficient One

The Hebrew names of God reveal significant character attributes of God and how God works. The insights learned from considering the names of God feed and strengthen the soul. God revealed himself to Abraham when he was 99 years old, saying, “I am El Shaddai – ‘God Almighty.’” (Genesis 17:1 NLT) When God revealed himself as “El Shaddai” he promised Abraham he would be the father of nations. Abraham would be extremely fruitful. God changed Abram’s name to Abraham. The Old Testament writers used the name El-Shaddai 48 times. El-Shaddai reveals God as “the All-Sufficient One.” God is sufficient to meet any need a person experiences. God provides, protects, guides, disciplines, heals, stabilizes, and anchors. Jesus’ brother James wrote, “God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens, … never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” James 1:17 (NLT) God never changes AND HE is bigger than any problem, challenge, or need. The great Jewish prophet Jeremiah prayed, “O Sovereign LORD! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!” Jeremiah 32:17 (NLT) Nothing is beyond God’s ability. Nothing is beyond God’s care. God is more! Psalm 91 records Moses’ words about El-Shaddai: “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalms 91:1 (NLT) Moses declared, “He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.” Psalms 91:2 (NLT) Living in the shelter of the Most High brings peace! Even amid stress, strain, and struggles, God can breathe peace upon you. El-Shaddai actually uses stress, strain and struggles to strengthen those who are resting “in the shadow of the Almighty.” My PRAYER for you. “El-Shaddai, God-Almighty. Reveal your power, your love, and your care to every person who reads these words. Heal, set-free, strengthen, encourage, lead, provide, guide, discipline, and give peace. El-Shaddai, nothing is too difficult for you. Help us and teach us to surrender to you, El-Shaddai. AMEN.”

The Lord Is Peace

I have been writing about the Hebrew names of God. The various names of God reveal God’s character and His behavior. People don’t address God by chance, they address God in line with his character and actions. Gideon, and the people of God, were under the constant stress and fear of the Midianite army. The Midianites were terrorizing the Jews with violence and plundering. Many of the Jews were hiding in seclusion in the mountains and caves around their villages. Fearful of terrorist attack, Gideon was threshing grain in a winepress, hidden from the Midianites. The angel of the Lord visited Gideon with instructions to lead the Jewish people in battle against the Midianites. The angel reminded Gideon that the Lord had been with them and delivered them throughout their history. The angel also assured him that the Lord was with him, and He would deliver His people. Gideon was beside himself with awe because of the angel and his instructions. He worshipped God and named the place “Jehovah-Shalom” – “The Lord is Peace.” This is the first time that the name Jehovah-Shalom – The Lord is Peace appeared in writing. The truth that God is Jehovah-Shalom became a constant source of strength and stability to God’s people. God is not just Jehovah-Shalom – The Lord is Peace. He is and does more than that. The Messiah, Jesus, was to be called “Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (NLT) God promises “perfect peace” to those who trust Him and focus on Him. “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) David declared: “Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.” Psalms 119:165 (NLT) The Apostle Paul gave these instructions to the believers in Philippi: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) Life is full of turmoil, uncertainty, instability that all create stress. Jehovah-Shalom – The Lord is Peace, is the solution for the stress. The Lord is Peace – is the Prince of Peace who promises perfect peace, great peace, and peace to guard your hearts and minds. Jehovah-Shalom’s peace “exceeds anything we can understand!” So, turn your gaze towards the Prince of Peace. Focus in on Jehovah-Shalom – The Lord is Peace.