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Continuing my 2020 Lenten Journey- with personal thoughts and commentary by Martha McDuff Wiggins on the book “Lord I Want To Know You” by Kay Arthur.

Day 6 & 7

EL Elyon, The God Most High…

“For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. And all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His Will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His Hand or say to Him, ‘What hast Thou done?’“ (Daniel 4:34-35 and a direct quote from the book)

El Elyon is our next name to study. It is the name that designates God as our sovereign ruler, as ruler over all the universe. It is the same El Elyon, The God Most High, from the Old Testament who delivered Abraham from his enemies, that today rules over the the affairs of men.

To trust in Him, to know His plans will be accomplished in your life, you must come to know Him as El Elyon, the God Most High. For if He is not sovereign, if He is not in control, if all things are not under His dominion, then where does that leave us? If He is not the God Most High, then we are either in the hands of fate, in the hands of man, or in the hands of the devil. A much better place for sure, is to be under the dominion or rule of El Elyon, the God who created you, loves you, and plans all for your good.

Because of His everlasting dominion over all, El Elyon is a name we can trust in to protect us from dangers, to set us securely on high!

And why? Because He loves us. Remember, we are created by His Love, in His Love, and for His Love. Wouldn’t you fiercely protect those you love and establish them in a Hightower above the dangers lurking below? Of course you would! So would El Elyon!

Listen to His plans to do so in
Psalm 91:14 (NAB):
“Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.”

In Psalm 91:14, He also gives another reason for His desire to protect us and set us securely away from danger. It fits perfectly with our study! He states implicitly it’s because we have known his name! (El Elyon, God Most High). We cannot ask for a more direct reference!

Remember I previously gave you a little formula to commit to memory:
‘Knowledge + Faith = Confidence’.

In Psalm 91:14 He also validates that formula. To have faith in Him, simply put, is to love Who He is. It is to believe in His sovereignty and provision for us.

Through the name of El Elyon, I am able to bring us full circle, to demonstrate what it means to call upon the name of the Lord. When we learn about the attributes, the character of, each of the names of the Lord, we have KNOWLEDGE. In learning the name of El Elyon, we come to know His sovereignty over all dominions, over all affairs of mankind. We learn His Hand cannot be warded off by anyone or anything. We see examples of His fierce but loving protection for us.

As we come to know Who He is, we come to love His Love for us and His desire to protect us. We begin to have FAITH in Him to be our personal God Most High. When we take this KNOWLEDGE and combine it with our FAITH (even if that faith is newly budding), we begin to trust in the name (El Elyon) and become CONFIDENT in His promises to us. In confidence we can now call upon the name of the Lord. We can run into His Everlasting Hightower of Love and Protection, afterward remembering to complete the circle in thankful praise, to boast in the name of our God!

The book discusses El Elyon, The God Most High over several days mainly using various Biblical passages that show His sovereignty over all. Instead of taking several days, I have tried to keep it to a shorter timeline, combining Days 6 & 7.

Hopefully, I pray to have brought a simplicity to a complex subject. Stay tuned, for tomorrow we will add the element of Satan to the mix.

Mental action to facilitate your Lenten Journey:
Remember  that He both desires and commands us to call upon His name. Try to see areas in your life today where El Elyon demonstrates His sovereignty and His Love for you. If you have a need, a fear, or a problem you need Him to take charge of, or set you on high from, call upon Him. He will hear you.,🙏🏻💖

Further action if so inclined:
The word Caim: (kyem) n. Sanctuary; an invisible circle ⭕️ of protection, drawn around the body with the hand, to remind one of being safe and loved, even in the darkest of times. [Scots Gaelic]

Imagine El Elyon drawing a circle of protection around you this very moment. Even draw it with your own hand and say this beautiful short prayer:

“Prayer For Protection”
by James Dillet Freeman

The light of God surrounds us;
The love of God enfolds us;
The power of God protects us;
The presence of God watches over us;
Wherever we are, God is!
🙏🏻😇

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Continuing my 2020 Lenten Journey- with personal thoughts and commentary by Martha McDuff Wiggins on the book “Lord I Want To Know You” by Kay Arthur.

Day 5
According to His Will…

On Day 4 we learned that our being exactly as we are was not an accident. It was not haphazard, chaotic, or incidental. In fact, we were created with intent, perfectly knit in our mother’s womb, according to His Will.

We also learned about the plurality component to the name Elohim. To further support that plurality, we need look no further than (Genesis 1:26).

“Then God (Elohim) said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image’”

It’s almost incomprehensible, but this means we are created in the image of The Triune Godhead, The Holy Trinity. A most simplistic explanation of this greatly important truth is that if the Holy Trinity were a mirror you would be its reflection. You were made to reflect Elohim’s glory to the world. And, it is His Will that you do so.

So, what better way is there to glorify our God than to strive daily to live in His Will for us? None. But how do we actually know His Will for us? He says by always calling upon the name of Elohim and asking Him to show you. Who better than the Father who created you and knows your inner most parts; the Son Jesus, who walked the earth as one of us to show us the Way; and the Holy Spirit whose purpose is to counsel, enlighten and inspire us? Three for the price of one in Elohim!

And then, how do we know we are actually following His Will for our life? I’ve found that, when when I am, there is an inner peace, a knowing confidence. Does this mean no obstacles? No, for when we attempt to live in God’s Will, Satan throws everything he can in our way… temptations, self-doubt, persecution from others, etc. and even vanity! However, despite the onslaught, I still find that inner peace is there, and a confidence to push forward, to accomplish what He is asking of me. I sense His Presence and His Approval. Yes, living in His Will is a hard fought battle, but He is our Elohim. It is to Him we can run and call upon His name for all it gives us.

To summarize the last couple of days:
Elohim, The God of Gods, The Triune Godhead, created you to be you. You are formed perfectly according to His Will, even if according to the world’s standards you are in some way imperfect. You are formed in His image and likeness and made to be a reflection of His glory. To live in His Will is to glorify Him, and the only way to know His Will for you is to call upon His name, the name of Elohim.

In the book, Kay Arthur, says:
“You are to live for Him, to accomplish His Will. To miss this is to miss fulfillment. It is to have existed rather than to have lived.”

Mental action to facilitate your Lenten Journey:
Ask  yourself the important questions about your life. Ask if you are fulfilling God’s purpose for creating you. Or, ask what is keeping  you from doing so?  Do you need to make some changes?  Be honest with yourself. Ask Elohim for clarity, direction, and counsel. Be open to His answers, even if they aren’t what you expected or wanted to hear. 💖🙏🏻

Further action if so inclined:
Look in the mirror. Be still and continue to look yourself in the eye. (Not often easy) Say to yourself slowly and confidently, “I am the willful creation of Elohim, the God of Gods. I am a reflection of all that He is and I bring glory to His name.”  Repeat again and again to write it upon your heart. Then, walk out that door and into your day enwrapped in and empowered with this Truth. 💖😇

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Continuing my 2020 Lenten Journey- with personal thoughts and commentary by Martha McDuff Wiggins on the book “Lord I Want To Know You” by Kay Arthur.

Day 4
Elohim, The Creator…
On day 3 we came to realize that God both desires and expects us to call upon His name in our day of trouble. We know that first and foremost He is LORD, our Creator, a strong tower into which we can run and be safe.
As we go forward, with our new understanding of His desire for us to call upon Him, we will learn many of His beautiful names and how each can be specifically called upon in our individual circumstances. We will come to know the many and varied facets of God’s love for us.
In the book we read the primary word translated as God in the Old Testament is the name Elohim. In Genesis it is used as the name for God, The Creator. In Deuteronomy 10:17 we read “The Lord your God (Elohim) is the God of Gods…”
For us to know Elohim as a name we can run to, we first must understand it’s meaning. The beginning part, El, means mighty, strong, and is used in reference to gods. The ending part, him, is a plural ending in the Hebrew language that denotes three or more. Using the name Elohim, Genesis 1:1 would be translated “In the beginning Gods created the heavens and the earth.”  This does not mean there is more than one God. What it does is reference, or give credence to, the triune Godhead, the Holy Trinity. Together, God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit, (Elohim!) created the heavens and earth, every living being; you and me. The first time I read this in my non-denominational Bible Study years ago, I found it very enlightening. The Trinity is at best a difficult concept to grasp. The name of Elohim brought a new clarity for me.

If Elohim, God the Creator, the triune Godhead, gave us life and created us for Him that He May be glorified, then we are truly wonderfully made. Not one of us is an accident! (Let that sink in.) We are formed exactly as Elohim desired us to be. This includes even the parts of us that we may look upon as imperfect, or damaged in some way.

In Exodus 4:11 we hear the Lord say, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him dumb or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?”

We wonder why would He do that… make a being who is not perfect? It’s another hard concept to grasp, but yet one we all need to understand. When the disciples questioned our Lord about a man blind from birth, Jesus informed them, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:3 and directly quoted from the book).

That’s hard to hear. It’s especially hard if you are born with a physical or some other kind of impairment, have a child or grandchild with one, or know and love someone who does. But, it can also be freeing to know that God intended it, and did so that He May be glorified. It’s often difficult to see the why and how it is to glorify Him, and that’s where you find Elohim as a name you can call upon in your distress for you (or your loved ones). He made you for Himself. He alone knows what He has asked of you. He alone knows where it is taking you.

He is Elohim! – God The Father, God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit. In His name you find your Creator, your Savior, and your Enlightenment. You have answers to the Why, the Way, and the Wisdom: which are that You were created with intent, not by accident; that He both desires and commands calling upon His name, promising He will hear and come to be with you in your distress; and that confidently boasting in the name of God, you bring glory to Him, thereby lighting the path for others to also know and call upon His name.

Mental action to facilitate your Lenten Journey:
If you are not happy with yourself the way you are, or with your child, spouse, or another loved one, call it what it is, and then run straight into the strong tower that is the name of Elohim! Ask Him to show you how wonderfully made you (and they) are. Ask Him to help you use whatever it is to bring Him glory. If you are sincere He will know, and He will hear and answer you. 💖🙏🏻

Further action if so inclined:
Commit to memory: ‘Knowledge + Faith = Confidence’.
Use it to help you remember that to know His Name and to call upon Him in faithful trust is to be confident in His promises.💖😇

Will not be posting on Sundays… Next post will be on Monday. The day referenced at the beginning of each post does not coincide with the actual day of Lent. 😁

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Continuing my 2020 Lenten Journey- with personal thoughts and commentary by Martha McDuff Wiggins on the book “Lord I Want To Know You” by Kay Arthur.

Day Three
Glorify Me…
On Day 2 we found out how learning and knowing His names gives us confidence in Him, in who He is, His character and nature. In the following Biblical quote from the book we hear Him actually commanding us to call upon Him in our times of need.
“Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me” (Psalm 50:15, KJV).

He not only wants us to, He expects us to. He goes even further and says when we do He will deliver us! What more could we ask for? And yet there is more.

When we call upon, or boast in the name of the LORD, we bring glory to His name! This is a very important point for us all to understand. You, puny wretched sinner that you are, call to God in your hour of desperation and need. He hears and answers you. He delivers you from your trouble, and yet, it’s you who glorifies Him!

You ask how can that be?
By your example you bear witness to the mighty and good works of the LORD. By calling upon His name, letting Him help you, and then boasting your confidence in His name, you bring glory to His name that others can see. Your confidence in Him will then lead others to call upon Him too, bringing Him even more and greater glory!

We should all find great comfort in knowing He, The LORD our God, wants us, even expects us, to turn to Him in all of our needs. And when we do, we should be humbled by, yet confident in, the knowledge that He will hear and answer us, and be justly glorified.

Mental action to facilitate your Lenten Journey:
In the book we are asked to meditate on Psalm 20. Take an extra minute to read it slowly and realize the fullness of its message.
“May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high! May He send you help from the sanctuary, and support you from Zion! May He remember all your meal offerings, and fulfill all your counsel! We sing for joy over your victory, and in the name of our God we will set up banners. May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven, with the saving strength of His right hand. Some boast in chariots, and some in horses; but we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God. They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stood upright. Save, O Lord; May the King answer us in the day we call.”💖🙏🏻

Further action if so inclined:
Try to to stand a little taller today in the knowledge that God’s got your back. Humbly thank Him for His saving grace in your life and the lives of others. Today, try to remember to confidently call upon His name, LORD, in any of your needs, big or small, reminding yourself that He will hear and answer you from His holy heaven. 💖😇

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Continuing my 2020 Lenten Journey- with personal thoughts and commentary by Martha McDuff Wiggins on the book “Lord I Want To Know You” by Kay Arthur.

Day Two:
On Day One we got to know God a bit more by His Name, LORD. He created you. He loves you like no other being can. And yet, there are many who are not able to approach Him in their times of need. Why is that?

In the book, Kay Arthur, says it is because we cannot boast in the name of our God. We cannot boast because we lack confidence, and probably not in the way you are thinking right now. “To boast in means to have confidence in, to trust in.” (A Direct Quote).

Yes, we often lack confidence in ourselves, especially in living up to expectations; those put on us by others, and most especially our own expectations to be whom He created us to be. However, our greatest lack of confidence is actually in God Himself.

Kay Arthur also writes, “To boast in God’s name means to have confidence in His name. In Biblical times, a name represented a person’s character. God’s name represents His character, His attributes, His nature. To know His name is to know Him. To boast in His name is to have confidence in who He is!” 

”To know His name is to know Him“.   Let that sink in. Write it upon your heart. So, in learning about and knowing the various names of the Lord, as we are doing here, we will be able to boast. We will become confident in who He is and will be able to approach Him more easily. And, calling out His name, maybe even run into His loving, waiting arms.

Mental action to facilitate your Lenten Journey:
You know His name- LORD
You know Him- Your Loving Creator

Repeat a few times slowly with intention: “Your are my LORD. I am created by Your Love, In Your Love, and For Your Love.”
 Your goal is to mentally write it on your heart and feel confident in its TRUTH.  Return to it mentally and repeat often throughout your day. 🙏🏻💖

Further action if so inclined:
Find a way at least once today to boast in the name of the LORD. Let someone else know your confidence is in Him who loves you. He will hear, and you will feel His Love for you in a very special way. 💖😇

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Not sure how many are still really here, but I will post here for Lent, also on Martha’s Orbit, and Catholic Orbit FB page.
I Invite you to come along in my 2020 Lenten Journey – accompanied with the book “Lord I Want To Know You” by Kay Arthur

On A Personal Note:
-Over the years this book ha shown me the many and varied facets of God’s Love for me. It made Him more approachable in each and every part of my life. I have often found the need to run to Him for solace, courage, or peace, calling on one of these beautiful Biblical Hebrew names, and He would hear and provide in perfect ways for my life. Yes, there is only one true God, but there are so many facets to His Ever-Loving care for us. This book calls them individually by their name, giving me the exact Name, in affect, to run to for my need, desire, fear, or loss of the moment; the Name to call upon in desperation. It gave me the confidence that I, puny wretched little me, would be heard and answered! My two favorite Names are El Shaddai (The All-Sufficient One) and El Roi (The God Who Sees). El Roi was especially important to me when my three children were teenagers, and often away from me being influenced by others. He could see all that I couldn’t and protect them from what I couldn’t.

Study Note: I will be following the same pattern of the book. I will include the pertinent points set forth about each name, but framing them in my own thoughts and commentary. (Direct quotes will be noted.) In this way it will be a shorter and faster approach, making it suitable for a quick and easily accomplished daily Lentin meditation on the Names of Our Lord. I highly recommend this book and hope this brief encounter with its content will lead to a full and deeper study on your own.

Let’s begin!
Day One:
The Question presented- Where do you run; To Whom do you run when in trouble, when hurting, when ill, when desperate, when lost, or feel that you can no longer go on? Do you run to friends, mentors, secluded places, books for help? Do you turn to music, TV, computers, or some other form of distraction and hide?

Do you realize that God, your Creator, Protector, and Friend, waits for you to run to Him? Maybe you do know this on some mental level but cannot fathom He is waiting for you, the puny wretched sinner you are. Or maybe you know He does mean you, but are unsure of how to approach Him, how to just run to Him. So, you hang back in the shadows.
Here you will find the exact Names to run to, to call upon in desperation. Knowing exactly to Whom you run will make clear a straight path right into His loving and merciful arms. You will become focused on His Grace and Wisdom for your exact needs. You will feel and see His Hand at work in your life.
Does all this sound too good to be true? If so, I pray you will approach this content with an openness, if not a true desire just yet, and see if He can prove His desire for you and pull you right into His loving arms.🙏🏻💖

To begin, let’s us acknowledge, first and foremost, He is LORD! Our first Name to call upon… “The Name of the LORD is a strong tower, the righteous runs into it and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10). (Also a direct quote from the book)
The LORD created you. He loves you as no other being can. He knows you as no other being can. He is LORD over all life.

Mental Action to facilitate your Lenten Journey:
Describe for yourself God.
What words would you use?
As you go through the day try to think of Him as LORD, your Lord.

Further action if so inclined:
Ask Him why He created you. Try to look beyond the not so good things you know about yourself, and see the good qualities your Lord endowed or graced you with. Try to come up with at least three and embrace at least one of them for the day. Recognize it as a blessing and try to nurture it within and without by utilizing the quality in some way. Feel good about it and thank your Lord for it! Feel His love for you in doing so. 💖😇

My personal description of God if asked?
God is my Creator. I am created by His Love, In His Love, and for His Love. I am His Love Personified. He is IN me and I am In Him.
I pray and try hard to live this, and I fail Him miserably daily. His Love, Grace, and Forgiving Mercies allow me to start anew over and over again, minute by minute, if need be.

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