El Elyon

El Elyon (el el-yone') - The Most High God



El Elyon - God is The Most High God, there are no others above Him. My God is greater than all other false gods. There is no one greater than my God, El Elyon. It is He who rules the heavens and earth, the sun, the moon and the stars. There is none like Him! No "god" is above Him - He is above all and rules all and in Him I can safely put my trust. Praise El Elyon that He sovereignly rules over all earth, including my own life! It amazes me that El Elyon is interested in my life, that He speaks with me, and that He sent His only, perfect son to die for me, sinner that I am! I thank El Elyon that He chose me, and I seek to glorify Him in all I do.





The following is copied from the site linked in the previous post:



Meaning and Derivation: El is another name that is translated as "God" and can be used in conjunction with other words to designate various aspects of God's character. Elyon literally means "Most High" and is used both adjectivally and substantivally throughout the Old Testament. It expresses the extreme sovereignty and majesty of God and His highest preeminence. When the two words are combined — El Elyon — it can be translated as "the most exalted God."(Psa 57:2)



Further references of the name El Elyon in the Old Testament: Gen 14:18; Gen 14:19; Gen 14:20; Gen 14:22; Psa 57:2; Psa 78:35



By His Grace,

Jessica

Names of God: El Shaddai

On Saturdays in preparation for Sunday worship, I have begun to look at the names of God. I have found this link to be of aid in my study. Beginning this week, I will be highlighting one of the names of God each week.

As we learn about His names, we begin to learn about the character of God. I am beginning this week with "El Shaddai" - All-Sufficient One, Lord God Almighty. All-sufficient to me means that He is all I need, He will take care of me. Though some may trust in man, I can and will put my trust in El Shaddai. Unlike man, He will never let me down, never leave me nor forsake me. He is all I need and I know He will take care of me. He is Lord God Almighty, ruler of all. I don't need to worry about anything, He has it all under control.

(The following info on the meaning of the name El Shaddai is from the above link)

Use in the Bible: In the Old Testament El Shaddai occurs 7 times. El Shaddai is first used in Gen 17:1.

Variant spellings: None

TWOT Reference: 2333

Strong's Reference: 7706

El Shaddai in the Septuagint: theou saddai — God Shaddai; pantokratôr (for Shaddai) — the Almighty

Meaning and Derivation: El is another name that is translated as "God" and can be used in conjunction with other words to designate various aspects of God's character. Another word much like Shaddai, and from which many believe it derived, is shad meaning "breast" in Hebrew (some other scholars believe that the name is derived from an Akkadian word Šadu, meaning "mountain," suggesting strength and power). This refers to God completely nourishing, satisfying, and supplying His people with all their needs as a mother would her child. Connected with the word for God, El, this denotes a God who freely gives nourishment and blessing, He is our sustainer.

Further references of the name El Shaddai in the Old Testament: Gen 17:1; Gen 28:3; Gen 35:11; Gen 43:14; Gen 48:3

Soli Deo Gloria,

BWSC: "Reasons Why a Christian Shouldn't Believe in Evolution" - Dr. John Morris

Dr. Morris gave some very good lectures during the week. Having followed Ken Ham/Answers in Genesis for quite a while, a lot was review to me. However, it is always good to be reminded of biblical truths!



As Creationists, we shouldn't be seeking to "prove" that God's Word is true - we know that it is! What we need to be doing is seeking to interpret it.



What is the first reason why Christians shouldn't believe in evolution? Because it didn't happen! It has never happened, and never will. What we see instead is variety, not one species mutating into another. In fact, there are no helpful mutations! Mutations always result in missing information, not adding - and I'm sure everyone know that mutations are what evolution is built upon.



The ultimate authority for Christians - God's Word - declares that it happened a different way. Genesis 1 declares that God created "after its kind". . .ten times! No question about whether or not God used mutation there. Neither was it that each day stood for, say, a thousand years. The Hebrew word used for day is "yom". It is always used to describe a literal day in other passages in scripture.



This is no light matter. The very character of God is at stake when a Christian thinks it is okay to believe in evolution. Christianity's very cornerstone rests on the death of the most "fit" of all, Christ Jesus. And without Christ, all is naught.

BWSC - The Nature and Purpose of Worship (Dr. Pipa)

I very much enjoyed Dr. Pipa's teaching on worship during the week. Worship is not a particular topic I have study before, so the ideas he presented in his lectures and sermons I found intriguing. This particular lecture was the first lecture of the week, given Monday evening. I've written up the following from my notes, but I would encourage you to listen to the audio for yourselves (I will be posting the link later). The reference is Psalm 100:

A major problem in the church today is that not enough people understand the nature and purpose of worship. What happens when we use something that is inconsistent with its purpose? We break it. If we use our computer's CD tray as a cup holder - well, I think you know what would happen. If we don't use worship in a way that is consistent with its nature and purpose, then it, too, will be broken.

Why do we worship - is it just to give us an emotional high? We don't worship for our own reasons, we worship because it is our duty. We are even commanded to worship - particularly corporate worship (note the particular emphasis on the temple in this Psalm). All the earth is to praise God. For us as Christians, the responsibility is even more so, for God redeemed us for this purpose.

What then does this duty look like? Often worship is too passive. However, part of our duty of worship is the careful diligence of listening. We aren't to just tune out when others are offering up prayers on our behalf - we are to be listening, making their prayer our prayer, that we will be able to respond with a hearty amen. We are also to pay attention to how we dress. We are in the special presence of God when we are meeting together for corporate worship, but too often we don't show this in our dress. If we are expected to dress nicely if we meet the president of the United States, how much more so when meet with the King of Kings?

Our acts during worship are to be acts of praise and adoration. Love words spoken to God in our prayers are often missing. When we forget who we worship, our worship becomes dull. We are to worship God exuberantly. As we gaze on God's beauty and holiness, we become more like Him. Our corporate worship will truly define the rest of our week.

What then is to be our motivation for worship? God has designed these things for our edification. Corporate worship is a means of grace by which God has designed to grow, deepen, strengthen and edify us. We are to know Him, think on Him, worship Him. When we come into Jehovah's presence knowing who He is, we will come as worshipers. When we don't prepare to worship Yahweh, worship becomes dull and meaningless. We need to reflect on His names, attributes, and works. If we prepare better, we will worship better.

Worship is about God, not man. It is a covenantal affair, a family affair - not geared toward the visitor or unconverted. We may interpret the worship service for those who do not understand, but we may not change or cater the way we worship for their comfort. Once we do, our worship becomes man-centered instead of God-centered. We need to be certain that our worship continues to be focused only on Jehovah at all times.

Saturday Psalm & Praise

This Saturday I am highlighted Psalm 98A, O Sing A New Song to the Lord. I was first introduced to this psalm about two years ago, at an annual spring conference my family was attending for the first time. As far as I can remember, this was one of my first experiences of congregational singing in parts. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to everyone sing, though I admit I was quite confounded as to how you knew which part to sing at which point! Since then I have really fallen in love with this type of singing and this piece has become my favorite sacred piece of music.


To give you a taste of the beauty of this psalm, take a peek at this video. It is only the first verse, but it gives you a glimpse of beauty of this psalm:



The words to all seven verses (shamelessly stolen from Sarah's blog!) :

O sing a new song to the Lord
For wonders He has done,
For wonders He has done;
His right hand and His holy arm
The victory have won,
The victory have won,
The victory have won.

The great salvation wrought by Him
Jehovah has made known.
Jehovah has made known.
His justice in the nations' sight
He openly has shown,
He openly has shown,
He openly has shown.

He mindful of His truth and grace
To Isr'el's house has been.
To Isr'el's house has been.
The great salvation of our God
All ends of earth have seen,
All ends of earth have seen,
All ends of earth have seen.

O all the earth, sing to the Lord
And make a joyful sound.
And make a joyful sound.
Lift up your voice aloud to Him;
Sing psalms! Let joy resound!
Sing psalms! Let joy resound!
Sing psalms! Let joy resound!

With harp make music to the Lord
With harp a psalm O sing!
With hard a psalm O sing!
With horn and trumpet raise a shout
Before the LORD, the King,
Before the LORD, the King,
Before the LORD, the King.

Let seas in all their vastness roar,
The world, it's living hoard.
The world it's living hoard.
Let rivers clap, let mountains sing
Their joy before the Lord!
Their joy before the Lord!
Their joy before the Lord!

Because He comes, He surely comes,
The judge of earth to be!
The judge of earth to be!
With justice He will judge the world,
All men with equity,
All men with equity,
All men with equity.

When you get together a room full of saints raising their voices to God with this Psalm, it really is like a small taste of heaven on earth!

Through Him,

Quote of the Day

I came across this quote, and wanted to share. Spurgeon hits the nail right on the head!

“The devil has seldom done a cleverer thing than hinting to the church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them...providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the Scriptures as a function of the church...the need is for Biblical doctrine, so understood and felt that it sets men aflame.” - Charles Spurgeon

Watch Out!

Well, I'm finally getting around to updating the old blog. I spent a delightful week in Tennessee the first week of June at the Biblical Worldview Student Conference. I would encourage all my friends to consider attending next year's conference! I enjoyed the fact that the focus of the conference is on learning, though allowing free time to fellowship and dance. (Can you beat great lectures all day and then ECD every night? ) I was able to learn so much, and review points that I knew, but could always use a reminder. I look forward to sharing what I have learned with you all! I am tempted to say that you just had to be there, or just listen to the audio (though I will be posting the link so you can listen to the lectures if you so desire ;-) ) but it was explicitly mentioned to share what one learned and to not say that. Thus, I look forward to sharing with you all what I have learned. For some, it may be review, but my hope is that all will be able to enjoy and learn from it.



Soli Deo Gloria,

Jessica