Monthly Archives: May 2017

Jehovah-Shammah (Ezekiel 48:35), May 31, 2017

Today’s Podcast

Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Today we explore God’s name Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord who is present.
Scripture
1. Ezekiel 48:35
2. The total distance around the city will be 6 miles. From that day forward, the name of the city will be The Eternal One Lives There.
Devotional
1. It might seem like an unusual verse to talk about God’s name, Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord who is present
  1. Ezekiel given a vision of heaven, the home of God, the place He resides on His throne of glory
  2. Jehovah lives there
  3. Indescribable by those who say they have seen it in near death experiences
    1. Music
    2. Color
    3. People
  4. Many talk about the brilliance of the light, but no one talks about the presence of a sun
2. Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord who is present
  1. Whenever the Israelites followed Him and called on Him, He was there for them
  2. Jesus promised His followers never to leave us or forsake us
  3. Promised His spirit to live with us and within us to help us on this journey of life
  4. Promised His presence eternally for those who believe He is the Son of the living God and ask forgiveness of their sins.
  5. Everywhere, at all times, in every circumstance
3. Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord who is present
  1. Today, knowing Jehovah-Shammah is always by your side,
  2. How will you live today?
  3. How will you act today?
  4. How will you demonstrate His love to someone around you today?
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved. In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Jehovah-Rohi (Psalms 23:1), May 30, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Today we look at another name of God, Jehovah-Rohi, the Lord, my shepherd.
Scripture
1. Psalms 23:1
2. The Eternal is my shepherd, He cares for me always.
Devotional
1. Jehovah-Rohi, the Lord my shepherd.
2. From “Around the Mediterranean with My Bible”: “Shepherding does not change much in Palestine, where wild beasts may descend still upon unsuspecting sheep and suddenly destroy them. The Palestine shepherd lives night and day with his animals. He establishes a degree of intimacy with them that is touching to observe. He calls them all by name and they, knowing his voice and hearing him only, heed. He protects the sheep from thieves and preying animals who would devour them at night, by sleeping in the often makeshift sheepfold and they, sensing his watchfulness, ‘fear no evil.’ He provides pasture and water even in the wilderness and the presence of enemies and they, casting all their anxiety on him, are fed. There is a singular communion between shepherd and his sheep which, after one has visited Palestine and observed it, makes the symbol of the Good Shepherd peculiarly apt and the Twenty-third Psalm strangely moving.”
3. If you’ve ever had an opportunity to watch a shepherd at work, you understand just what a meaningful title Jehovah-Rohi is.
  1. Provides food and water
  2. Cares for us
  3. Protects us from the enemy of our souls
  4. When we deserve nothing, He puts a banquet in front of us
  5. He never sleeps
  6. He never tires
  7. He keeps vigilance like no other because He is Jehovah and He is Rohi, the Good Shepherd
4. Writers of the Old Testament called Him Jehovah-Rohi, Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd, Rohi.
  1. Explains His love and care
  2. Explains another aspect of God’s great character
5. Jehovah-Rohi, the Lord, my Shepherd
  1. Today, think of the way God asks as your shepherd
  2. Provider
  3. Protector
  4. Guide
  5. Spend some time today worshiping Him as Jehovah-Rohi, the Lord, my Shepherd.
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

Jehovah-Maccaddeshem (Exodus 31:13), May 29, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Topic Introduction with headline.
Scripture
1. Exodus 31:13
2. Eternal One: Speak to the Israelites and tell them, “You must be careful to observe My Sabbaths. For the Sabbath Day serves as a sign between Me and you for all generations, so that you will know I am the Eternal One who has set you apart from all the other nations.
Devotional
1. Jehovah-Maccadeshem, the Lord who makes you holy
  1. The King James translates this name, the Lord, who sanctifies [sanctifieth] you.
  2. NIV and several more modern translations, the Lord, who makes you holy.
  3. Easy to Read version, says, the Lord, who makes you his special people.
  4. We just read from The Voice, the Eternal One who has set you apart.
2. All have the same meaning, sanctify, set apart for sacred use, special people, holy, separate.
  1. The God we serve sets apart from the world
  2. He makes us different, special, sacred for His use
  3. He sets apart for His special use
3. Today, everyone wants to be unique
  1. It’s interesting because everyone who seems to want to be unique looks and acts just alike in the world
  2. Hippie movement, Gothic look, whatever fashion the world thinks sets you apart all look and act alike in their attempt to be special
  3. Doesn’t bring happiness because those attempts to form into what the world wants doesn’t satisfy, doesn’t fit the purpose for which we are individually created
4. Set apart for God’s purpose
  1. God gives unique skills, talents especially designed for the purpose He has for you
  2. Created you to fulfill a specific purpose within the scope of His will
  3. His will, that all will come to know Him as their personal Lord and Savior
  4. Uses people to carry out His will and fulfill His ultimate purpose
  5. Sets us apart to accomplish that mission
  6. Does He need us? No. Will He use us? Yes, if we let Him.
5. Jehovah – Maccaddeshem, the Lord who sanctifies you, who makes you holy, who sets you apart from the world. He is the God we serve.
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

Jehovah – Yahweh (Genesis 2:4), May 28, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Today we look at God’s name Jehovah-Yahweh. They are one and the same, the first a Christian transliteration of the latter.
Scripture
1. Genesis 2:4
2. This is the detailed story of the Eternal God’s singular work in creating all that exists.
Devotional
1. Yahweh, the name God called Himself when Moses asked who he should tell the Israelite sent Him.
  1. Meanings attributed to the name
    1. “He Who Makes That Which Has Been Made”
    2. “He Brings Into Existence Whatever Exists”
    3. other interpretations have been offered by many scholars.
2. Written as a tetragrammaton, four letters YHWH without vowels
  1. Reminder to never say His name because of its sacredness
  2. Later transliterated to Jehovah by Christians
  3. Adonai was the spoken name of God
  4. One of the seven names of God that should never be erased
3. We hear the name Jehovah fairly often, Yahweh not as much, but they are the same
  1. Transliteration on one to the other beginning in ancient Israel
  2. God, the one who makes that which has been made
  3. He is the creator of all things
  4. If it’s been made, He is the one who brought it into existence
  5. We might think we are creative, but Yahweh created the creative mind
  6. Nothing exists without Him
4. Today, think about God’s name, Yahweh.
  1. What does His creative name mean to you?
  2. What has He created for you and in you that you can give thanks and glorify Him for it
  3. What has He brought into your life that you recognize come from Him
  4. Reexamine your life and see how Yahweh has made possible every good thing in your life
5. He who makes that which has been made; He brings into existence whatever exists
  1. Good descriptions of the God we serve
  2. He is the one worthy of our worship
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

Adonai (Malachi 1:6), May 27, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Topic Introduction with headline.
Scripture
1. Malachi 1:6
2. Eternal One: (to the priests who despise the name of the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies) A son respects his father, and a servant fears[b] his master. If I am your Father, then where is My respect from you? And if I am your glorious Master, then where is your fear of Me? From your self-centered oblivion you ask, “How have we despised Your name?”
Devotional
1. Most often in the NIV, CEV, King James and other versions, Adonai is translated as “LORD”. The Voice translates it as “glorious Master”. Adonai was spoken when the tetragrammaton YHWH was written.
2. We don’t understand the concept of Lord the way the people of England did when King James authorized the translation of the Vulgate into a language the common man could understand
  1. Watch TV shows with lords and ladies
  2. Hear about the titles when we hear about Great Britain’s royalty
  3. Still don’t realize the power lords held over their subjects
  4. The title is believed to have come from an old English word meaning “bread keeper”.
  5. Lord refers to someone who has authority, control, or power over others acting like a master, a chief, or a ruler.
  6. In feudal system, the landowners that provided protection, work and food for tenant families
3. Adonai is one of the seven names the Hebrews used for God that once written could not be erased.
  1. Sacred name of God, Lord of lords,
  2. owner of all things
  3. creator of all things
  4. Everything is His
  5. He has authority, control, power over everyone and everything
  6. Creation turns at His bidding
4. May not understand the term Lord the way those who translated YHWH did
  1. May not feel the weight of lordship the way those in the middle ages did
  2. May not understand the power the lord held over His subjects
  3. We can understand God has authority, control, power over all things
  4. He wants us to recognize who He is as Lord, Adonai
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

Elohim (Genesis 1:1), May 26, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Today we start looking at the names of God. He is called a lot of different things in scripture. We will start looking at what His names mean to us today.
Scripture
1. Genesis 1:1; Psalms 19:1
2. In the beginning, God created everything: the heavens above and the earth below.
3. The celestial realms announce God’s glory;

the skies testify of His hands’ great work.

Devotional
1. The Bible starts with the words we just heard, In the beginning, God created everything.
  1. Elohim is an interesting name for God.
  2. Hebrews used it as singular, but ‘im’ usually makes the word plural
  3. Usually means the God of great power
  4. Can mean God of gods, power of powers
2. Hebrews began their basic understanding of God with this word
  1. God of gods, supersedes anything or anyone we might try to put in His place
  2. Power of powers, Elohim is greater, more powerful than anything or anyone Satan may try to use to defeat us.
  3. God is above all
    1. In strength
    2. In knowledge
    3. In wisdom
    4. In goodness
    5. In grace and mercy
    6. In dealing out justice for those who deserve His wrath
  4. Before anything was, God was there and created it
3. When we think about the name Elohim, we also see the triune God-head encapsulated in the name
  1. The word is plural
  2. Singular when referencing God, the creator
  3. Recognition that God is more than one, but one, three in one, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
  4. Those who wrote the words believed in one God, monotheistic society
  5. Still used the plural name, inspired by God
4. As you think of this first name used by the Hebrews to describe our God, think of what qualifies Him to carry this name
  1. Creator
  2. God of gods
  3. Power of powers
  4. Here before the beginning to put in place all there is, nothing exists apart from His spoken word bringing it into existence
5. Elohim, God of power and might
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

Better than Christmas (Revelation 22:20), May 25, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
This is better than Christmas…maybe. It depends on who you believe.
Scripture
1. Revelation 22:20
2. The Anointed One: Yes. I am coming soon.
Devotional
1. I enjoy watching my grandkids as special days start to approach.
  1. Birthdays
  2. Christmas
  3. Start counting very early
  4. Anxious for its arrival
2. We sometimes do the same with
  1. Vacations
  2. Weekends
  3. New jobs
  4. Retirement
3. Jesus talks about an event without a date
  1. He says He is returning soon
  2. His disciples have been looking for that day since He ascended into heaven a few days before Pentecost
  3. Some did some things Paul and others warned them against
    1. Sold all their belongings
    2. Stopped working
    3. Sat and waited
4. We’re not to stop everything and just sit in a room and wait
  1. We have a task to complete
  2. Told us to teach
  3. Share the message
  4. Make disciples
  5. We should be growing in grace and becoming more like Him
  6. That takes work and can’t be done by sitting and waiting for His return
5. Also says He will return at a time we don’t expect
  1. Only the Father knows the time and day of His return
  2. Comes like a thief in the night
  3. Promised to return
  4. Wants to give us every opportunity to come to Him
  5. His delay is not failure to keep His promise
  6. Opportunity to see His grace and mercy at work
  7. Wants all to come to know Him as Lord
6. He will come
  1. Soon is relative when thinking about eternity
  2. But He is coming soon to claim His own
  3. Be ready
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

Who Am I? (Revelation 22:16), May 24, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
People spend a lot of money trying to figure out who they are and what they should be doing. Jesus was pretty clear about His own identity.
Scripture
1. Revelation 22:16
2. Jesus: I, Jesus, have sent My messenger to show you and guide you so that you in turn would share this testimony with the churches. I am the Root and the Descendant of David, the Bright Morning Star.
Devotional
1. The self-help industry is huge
  1. 2014 estimated $10 Billion business
  2. Books
  3. Coaches/mentors
  4. Programs
  5. Across all disciplines
    1. Business
    2. Health
    3. Relationships
    4. Mental acumen
    5. Spiritual growth
2. We want to know who we are and how to get better because we don’t like the way we are right now
  1. Improvement is good
  2. Obsession over finding something you are not is not so good
  3. There is a place to find help in knowing yourself and the path you should take
  4. Jesus gives us the answer to following the right path
3. “I have sent my messenger to show you and guide you
  1. Holy Spirit knows what’s best for us and how our lives should progress through the journey of life
  2. He was there at the creation, the beginning of all things
  3. He will be here at the end, when time stops
  4. His task from the Father and Son
    1. Teach
    2. Guide
    3. Convict
    4. Convince
    5. Comforter
    6. Advocate
4. John tells us in His letter the words Jesus spoke about this messenger that will help us through this life.
  1. God’s presence with us and in us
  2. He is the best helper we can get
  3. Better than self-help because we don’t know the path God wants us to take unless we ask and allow Him to guide us
  4. Doesn’t tell us what next year will be like or even tomorrow
  5. Gives us the next step to take on the journey

If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

Barred from the gate (Revelation 22:14-15), May 23, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Today’s words remind me of the pictures I’ve seen of those high end nightclubs. I’ll tell you how in just a moment.
Scripture
1. Revelation 22:14-15
2. Jesus: Blessed are those who wash their garments. In the end, they have rightful access to the tree of life and will enter the city through its gates. 15 The dogs, the sorcerers, those who commit immoral acts, the murderers, the idolaters, and all who love and practice deception must remain outside the gates for all eternity.
Devotional
1. I’ve never been to a club, but if the most popular are anything like depicted on TV shows and some documentaries, they remind me of these words of Jesus.
  1. Someone larger than the average NFL linebacker stands at the door
  2. A line stretches around the corner filled with people wanting to party
  3. The linebacker keeps the number of people inside just below the maximum allowed by the fire marshall
  4. Some of the more attractive or that look like special partiers are pulled out of line to enter ahead of the crowd
  5. Anyone the linebacker thinks wouldn’t add to the atmosphere of the party inside is barred from entering the door
2. Heaven will be more selective than those nightclubs
  1. At the end of time there will be a judgment
  2. Those who believe in Jesus will have their names written in the Book of Life, authorization for entry
  3. Those not found worthy because of their unrepentant heart, their unforgiven sin will be barred from entry
  4. Jesus gives us a short list of the kinds of characters barred
    1. The dogs,
    2. the sorcerers,
    3. those who commit immoral acts,
    4. the murderers,
    5. the idolaters,
    6. all who love and practice deception
3. Jesus has something much better than the NFL linebacker
  1. Remember the Garden of Eden
  2. Angel blocked the entrance to keep Adam and Eve from returning
  3. Pillar of fire blocked the Egyptian army from reaching the Israelites before they reached the Red Sea
  4. Jesus has a legion of angels at His disposal to block the unforgiven from the entrance
4. Those who enter will live eternally without evil destroying the kingdom
  1. All evil banished
  2. All will be finally separated from the broken world in which we live
  3. All there will be surrounded by nothing but good
  4. No tears, no dying, no evil
  5. Only God’s presence, His holiness, His grace
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

What will your check look like? (Revelation 22:12-13), May 22, 2017

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Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
Everyone likes payday. What will your check look like when Jesus comes?
Scripture
1. Revelation 22:12-13
2. The Anointed One: See, I am coming soon, and I will bring My reward with Me. I will pay back every person according to the deeds he has done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the First One and the Last One, the beginning and the end.
Devotional
1. I don’t know anyone that doesn’t like payday.
  1. Gets confusing
    1. Retirement comes on one day
    2. Part-time work on another
    3. Consulting work comes at odd times
  2. Never get the days straight and it just appears since most of them are direct deposit into my accounts
2. We like to get paid what we expect to be paid
  1. First check was a disappointment
    1. Taxes
    2. Social security
    3. medicare/medicaid contribution
    4. Insurance
  2. Seemed like other people got more of my check than I did after working for two weeks
  3. Tax Freedom Day this year was April 23, the day the average American earned enough to pay his or her taxes
  4. Jesus told a parable about some workers in a vineyard who agreed to wages and then thought they had been gypped because they didn’t get more than what they agreed
  5. We’re like that sometimes
    1. Put in extra effort
    2. Come up with more efficient ways to do things and reduce the time required and reduce our hours
    3. Want recognition, award, strokes
3. Jesus is coming back
  1. We have a payday coming
  2. We will receive what we earned
  3. Payday based on our deeds Jesus says
  4. I used to wonder how our whole past could be recorded for all to see
  5. With the advent of video, iPhones, security cameras everywhere, digital storage, I’m not longer surprised that our whole life could be stored somewhere
  6. Jesus knows our deeds
  7. We’re just now smart enough to think He could really know everything
  8. He can play it back for all to see
4. Payday is coming. What will your check look like?
If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”