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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.

El Shaddai, The All-Sufficient One
Day 12

This is the other name I mentioned at the beginning as being one of my favorites. Why? The first name, El Roi, The God Who Sees, was a favorite because my parenting heart could always lean on Him. He was my ‘second pair’ of parent eyes. In Him my parent heart could find rest and refuge. This second name, El Shaddai, The All-Sufficient One, is a favorite for me on a personal level.  He knows the real me; He ‘gets’ me. He responds to all of my needs and enwraps me in His Loving Arms. He is always there for me, even when I don’t know or feel it.

We learned previously that the prefix El, carries the meaning mighty, powerful, and is used to reference gods. The study book, referencing Genesis 31:29, states that El is one of the oldest and most widely used terms for Deity (God/Divinity) known to the human race. Whenever you see God Almighty in the Old Testament it is El Shaddai!

The word Shaddai can also be described as mighty and powerful. But, rather than a power of force and violence, it is thought to mean more of a power of provision, all-bountifulness, or as here, all-sufficient.

We see El Shaddai, The All-Sufficient One, in the Old Testament clearly at work in Abraham’s life. A childless couple, Abram (99 yrs old) and Sarah (89 yrs old) had given up hope. God seeks him out and changes his name to Abraham, promising (establishing a covenant with) to make him the father of a multitude of nations, from whom Kings shall arise! Abraham, in the waning days of his life, accepts His promise/covenant with great faith in the God he has served an known all his life, both in good times and in bad, his Elohim. It is here, however, he recognizes Him as El Shaddai, The All-Sufficient One (God Almighty), falling on his face in complete humility before Him. Oh how his Lord provided going forward! And though not immediately, Abraham continued on if faith and trust, and was eventually given a son, Isaac. Through Abraham’s willingness to trust in all things, even to the point of sacrificing his own son, we can draw a straight lineage line to God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. And we are his descendants, his heirs.

Through Abraham we too are children of God, El Shaddai, The All-Sufficient One! He is the ‘Pourer-forth’ of blessings, who says, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.” (NASB John 7:37)

The same God who spoke to Abraham thousands of years ago is the same God who  speaks in your heart today. Just as Abraham did, we must renounce our own will. As scary as that may be, we do have a beautiful name  which we can call upon to help us! And when we do call upon our very personal El Shaddai, The All-Sufficient One, we unleash His almighty, yet loving, power in our own lives. We receive His All-bountiful care; He meets all our needs.

We also see El Shaddai, The All-Sufficient One’s, presence in the New Testament when we read Paul’s comments in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10.
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

Imagine! When you are weak your El Shaddai, The All-Sufficient One, is made strong! In our weakness, we see once again that His power, all sufficient to meet our every need, will be unleashed. When you call upon His name in your weakness you give Him free reins to make everything right; you give Him free Reign in your life to work all for your good.

Mental action to facilitate your Lenten Journey:
Do you feel a lack in some part of your life? Do you lack the willpower or strength to carry on? Or, do you just need to know someone cares about you and truly wants to meet all your needs, wants you to be happy? Please pause for a moment and think what the name of El Shaddai, The All-Sufficient One, could actually mean in your life, your faith journey.
Please call upon His name and greet Him with a desire to trust in His loving power and bountifulness for your own personal life situation. The desire alone will pull Him right to you. Rest assured. 🙏🏻💖

Further action if so inclined:
If you haven’t read in the Bible in awhile, maybe read the full story of Abraham, Chapters 12-25. See how many times can you recognize El Shaddai, The All-Sufficient One, at work in his life. Try to internalize that the same El Shaddai is waiting to do the same in your life. Write it on your heart. 🙏🏻😇

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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.

El Roi, The God Who Sees, Part 2
Day 11

At the very beginning of this study and personal commentary, I mentioned that this was one of my most favorite names to call upon.

We have seen how El Roi ,The God Who Sees can be the name to call upon if we have suffered from abuse or are living in darkness. While I didn’t need El Roi in that particular attribute, I found another most cherished attribute of His to call upon. El Roi can actually serve as our eyes when we cannot see what needs to be seen.

As a parent, you can never be everywhere, especially if raising multiple children. As my three grew into teenagers and were experiencing the many new freedoms that independence and distance from home often presented, I found a need and a confidence to call upon El Roi, The God Who Sees. He could be where I could not. He could see what I could not. He could also see who and what they were being influenced by. He knew exactly where they were and what they were up to every moment. I would often call upon Him and ask Him to watch over them.

Imagine the unimaginable. What if you had a run away teen, an abducted child, an elderly parent or relative who wandered off, or a spouse who didn’t return at the expected time? It would a horrific and terrifying experience to not know where they are or what is happening to them; to not be there to rescue them or to comfort and care for them. Once you have alerted the proper civil authorities, to whom could turn? No human being on earth could calm your mind or ease your fears in those moments of anxiety and fear. Only El Roi, The God Who Sees, has the ability to see exactly where your loved ones are, what is happening to them, and be there with them. It is into His name you can run, asking Him to watch their every move, to make His presence felt, and to guide those searching right to where they are. It is in His name you can run into His Hightower and take refuge in His promises with confidence, knowing no matter what is happening at that very moment, no matter the outcome, He sees the whole picture (past, preset time, and future) and will work all to the good.

These are but a couple of examples where El Roi can be your eyes and see what you cannot. My children are now grown with kids of their own. I still call upon El Roi, The God Who Sees, to be my second set of eyes in times of need.

Today, we have learned how El Roi is The God Who Sees all and is a name of God you can find comfort and rest in many ways. We have also now learned about several of the wonderful names of God. As we learn more of them, you will come to know Him better, and through His names have a greater understanding of the character and attributes, the truths and promises behind each. In His names you will personally come to find healing, comfort, hope, protection, guidance, mental stability, rest, and even vindication. Hopefully, at least one name, if not more, will resonate in your heart and be a name you can confidently call upon in your day of trouble.

Mental action to facilitate your Lenten Journey:
Are there things in your life that you need to see, but can’t? Do they cause you worry or fear? Is there somewhere you need to be, but can’t? Try asking El Roi to look in on the situation and show you how to bring stability to it, how to calm your anxieties. Remind yourself that He sees the past, the present, and the future. Remind yourself He intends your situation to be for your good. 🙏🏻💖

Further action if so inclined:
Practice seeing through God’s eyes today. Look at a situation and ask, ‘What can I not see?’ Then ask El Roi, The God Who Sees, to see it, and to give you the wisdom and guidance to work it out for the good of all involved. 🙏🏻😇

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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.

El Roi, The God Who Sees
Day 10

“Where can I go from Thy Spirit? Or where can I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend to heaven, Thou Art there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, Thou Art there. If I take the wings of dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Thy hand will lead me, and Thy right hand will lay hold of me.  If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to Thee, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to Thee. (Psalm 139:7-12)

El Roi is the God Who Sees. Nothing can escape His knowing about it, nothing can be hidden from Him. He sees all, both good and evil. The verses from Psalm 139 can be both comforting and disconcerting at the same time. If you live in the dark fearing the light because of things that happened to you in your past, that were out of your control, then El Roi is the God for you. Maybe you were abused as a child, physically, emotionally, or even both. Maybe you were unloved or abandoned by a parent, a spouse, or even your own child.  Maybe you have have locked certain memories away and try hard to keep them there on a daily basis. You may  also have gotten some professional help to deal with the pain, the rejection, the bewilderment of it all. However, you may never have reasoned out the why of it all, or come to terms about it with God. Maybe you hide in the darkness, weary and afraid. You have probably asked in your heart a thousand times why a God who loves you would permit such things to happen. That’s a very difficult question to answer.

Kay Arthur offers her thoughts. Directly quoting from the book…
“God saw it. He knows the sin that was committed against you. And someday He will vindicate you. There is forgiveness, but to those who refuse to receive the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, there is also a day of judgment. And it will be a righteous judgment, for God saw it all.” (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10)

Continuing in the book… “After you realize that He sees, you need to know that in His sovereignty He permitted it. Therefore, as horrible and as destructive as it seems, in God’s economy it will be used for good if you will but know Him, believe Him, and put your trust in His name, for He does not forsake those who seek Him.” (Psalm 9:10)

Talk about hard to hear words! I have never suffered the kind of abuse or abandonment mentioned. All I can do is share my thoughts on it in relation to this name of God, El Roi, The God Who Sees. I find three very important truths worth repeating to hopefully help in understanding it at all.

First, He saw it all.
He didn’t stop it from happening, but He was there suffering with you through it all. He cried with you and He wept for the sin committed against you. It was not your fault, yet you bear the burden of the lifelong scars. The blame, all of the blame, lies with the sinner who exercised his or her free will to perpetrate evil. Again, none of the blame is yours; not one thing you did, or didn’t do; not one thing you said, or didn’t say, caused it to happen. El Roi knows this.

Second, He permitted it to happen.
This truth is exceptionally hard to hear. In our human way of thinking, it is also exceptionally hard to explain and defend. But, El Roi, The God Who Sees, has a viewpoint, a vantage point,that we don’t. He can see the past, present, and the future of everything that happens in the universe. He sees the big picture of how everything works together. As difficult as it may personally be, He asks us to trust in His name, to believe that He will use what happened for our own personal good, and the good of all. A sinner’s free will interrupted His plan for good, but El Roi, The God Who Sees, will reroute His plan, and His Goodness for your life will prevail.

Third, you will be vindicated.
As hard as the first two truths above were to hear and process in our heart, this truth is easy to understand and is welcomed in our heart. As a believer, a child of God who knows His name, you will be vindicated on the day of final judgment! He saw it all and He remembers every last detail. The sinner, the perpetrator of the evil that befell you, will stand before El Roi. He will have to hear and see every detail of his sin against you and God. He will then be righteously sentenced and punished. In other words, El Roi, The God Who Sees has got your back! 

Tomorrow we will learn about a different set of life circumstances in which we can also call upon El Roi, The God Who Sees.

Mental action to facilitate your Lenten Journey:
If anything here in Day 10 rings true for you, know that you are not alone. Pray to see it in the Light of El Roi’s Eyes. Claim His truths for your own situation. 🙏🏻💖

Further action if so inclined:
If nothing in Day 10 rings true for you, it may for someone you know. Either way, if you know someone who would benefit from knowing these truths, please reach out to them. Share it with them either by messaging or a real face to face conversation. Resist the urge to control, influence, or manipulate the outcome. Leave all in His all seeing, all knowing eyes. He will work all to the good. 🙏🏻😇

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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 8 & 9
EL Elyon vs Satan

(Genesis 50:20)
We know Satan to be the evil one, the fallen archangel who dared to defy God’s (El Elyon) sovereignty. After which, a mighty battle led by St Michael The Archangel ensued. Satan was defeated and cast into hell. And yet, to this day He roams the earth seeking the ruin of souls, seeking souls to claim dominion over. He has many to choose from, for there are many weak and tired souls who, not knowing the name of their God, fall prey to Satan’s temptations and false promises of grandeur. It begs the question, “Does The God Most High have sovereignty over Satan?”

We definitely need the answer to that question If we are to believe in all that El Elyon, The God Most High, says He is and to trust in His promises to us. In the study book we are asked to look in the biblical Book of Job.  For brevity’s sake, I will paraphrase the story of Job. Satan had just come from roaming the earth and was having a discussion with the Lord, who brought up the subject of Job, a blameless and upright man in the eyes of the Lord. Satan argued it was easy for Job to be so as the Lord had built a hedge of protection around him and all that was his. He claimed if that protection were removed, Job would curse the Lord. The Lord then gave Satan permission to test Job. He gave Satan power over him, but warned him not to touch Job. In spite of Satan, Job remained remained blameless and upright, even praising the Lord in his ruin. Satan argued again, which led to the Lord giving Satan even greater power over Job, even to touch him, but to spare his life. Covered in skin boils from head to toe and taunted by his wife to curse God, Job remained steadfast in his praise, accepting His sovereignty in both the good and bad circumstances, saying to his wife,
“Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10)

It is important to note that throughout, the Lord remained sovereign, maintaining the ultimate authority. First, Satan had to have El Elyon’s permission each time to penetrate El Elyon’s circle of protection in order to tempt Job. Second, even then the Lord set limitations upon him each time. Yes, He allowed horrible things to happen to His faithful servant. No, He did not withdraw completely from Job. His promise of protection and provision remained steadfast throughout. Each time, Job also remained faithful and trusted in His God’s name and provision, because Job knew who His God was. Even in his terrible trials he had confidence in and boasted in the name of his God! Job glorified God and God rewarded Job.

We see Satan leave empty handed because the name of El Elyon, The God Most High, was called upon!

Another instance where Satan’s involvement proved God’s ultimate and steadfast dominion, is in the biblical story of Joseph.
To recap: Joseph, being the youngest son, and thought to be more favored by his brothers, was sold by them into slavery out of anger and jealousy. He was taken to Egypt, where he suffered many transgressions, even a stint in prison after a wrongful accusation. Through it all he remained faithful and steadfast to his God. (El Elyon). He longed for his family, but he believed God was with him, even if waiting nearby in the shadows to fulfill His purpose, His plan. Over many years, because of his knowledge and trustworthiness, Joseph found favor with his new earthly master, the Pharoh, who eventually appointed him 2nd in command (only to Pharoh), to rule over Egypt’s affairs prior to and during a great famine that threatened all on the earth. Hearing about the stored up grain in Egypt, his brothers traveled afar in the hope of being given some and then returning home to their father. Not recognizing Joseph, they stood before him in their request for grain. When he exposed his truth, they were grieved by and sorrowful for their previous actions. Instead of punishing them or harboring hate in his heart, Joseph said, “And now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life… it was not  you who sent me here, but God… And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” (Genesis excerpts)

Here we see Satan at work in the hearts of men ripened with anger and jealousy. In the beginning, appearing that his evil rule will win out, we witness how evil minds banded together can reek havoc in others’ lives. However, we then come to see El Elyon’s Hand at work, turning evil into good!

Here again, it is because Joseph knew who His God was. Even in his terrible trials he had confidence in and boasted in the name of his God! Joseph glorified God and God rewarded Joseph.

Once again, we see Satan leave empty handed because the name of El Elyon, The God Most High, was called upon!

This is pretty powerful stuff! Knowing the Truth of God’s sovereignty in our lives should give us the confidence to call upon Him, and then trust in His outcomes even when we can’t see the forest for the trees, so to speak!

Mental action to facilitate your Lenten Journey:
Knowing that El Elyon, The God Most High, has complete control over all aspects of our lives and the lives of all others, and knowing He created you in His Love for you, read the following slowly with intent:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

If you are confused about things going on in your life, and/or the lives of others, try calling upon the name of El Elyon today, leaving all with Him. Praise and thank Him for hearing and answering you, even if you can’t see just yet where all is headed. 💖🙏🏻

Further action if so inclined:
 Reflect on how God turned what was meant for evil into good for all concerned in the above biblical stories. Looking back can you see where God might have done something similar in your life? In another’s life? If so, boast in the name of El Elyon giving Him thanks and praise. If not, keep your eyes and  heart open going forward while asking Him to show His Hand at work, that you might truly KNOW His name! 🙏🏻😇

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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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