Open Your Eyes

 

    It is time to open your eyes to spiritual warfare.  It is real.  If you are a Christian, then you are in it.  Your battle is in the spiritual world, but it is affecting your life in many different ways.  Jesus gives you strength to follow Him, but Satan is doing everything he can to distract you, trip you up, or turn away.  Your soul is in a battle.  If you are Christian, then it belongs to God, but that makes you a bigger threat to Satan.  His goal is to kill, steal, and destroy you.

    You need the armor of God to fight and be victorious.  You need prayer to know how to proceed.  God is your general.  If you obey, then you will not be in danger.  If you veer off just a little, then you can be wounded.  Trust and obedience is so simple, but sometimes it seems to be so hard to do.  

    As you grow in your relationship with God, your prayer life will mature.  It will become more strategic as you start to see the world through His eyes.  You do not need to pray for blessings.  They are yours to have as you walk with Jesus.  You need to pray over the battle you are fighting.  Do not pray to have it removed, but pray on how to get through it.  

    The first step in preparing everyday for spiritual warfare is opening your eyes that it is real.  Go to your Bible and prayerfully read to have what you need for today.  You will not succeed if you do not learn how to prepare for battle.  Use what God has given you and take advantage of your access to Him.  He will reveal the abilities of your enemies, so you can fight with better skill and wisdom.  

    Take your eyes off of the people you deem threatening.  Stop the tunnel vision on your problems.  Pray for God to open your eyes to the bigger picture.  Ask Him to show you what you are really fighting.  The deeper you go into your prayer life, the more aware you become of what God is giving you, preparing you for, and the empowerment that He provides to do good.  He will give you the confidence you need everyday.   

2 Kings 6:15-17 & Ephesians 1:3-23, 3:14-19, 6:10-20

Know Your Enemy

 

    Life is hard for many reasons, but not knowing who the real enemies does not need to be one of them.  All your life you may have heard that God has a plan for you.  That is true and His plan began before you were born.  What you may not be aware of is that Satan, the real enemy, also has a plan for you.  His plan began when you started to follow Jesus.  The closer you get to God the harder Satan will work against you.

    The spiritual warfare is a struggle in your life.  At times it is a fight.  That is why you need to work on your faith and hope with perseverance.  If you know what you stand for and why it will make the fight a little easier.  When you are tired and worn out it is harder, but you are not alone.  You can let God take on the worst aspects of the battle.  He can help save your from stress, emotional instability, mental issues, exhaustion, or broken relationships.  

    Satan likes to attack your emotions, health, finances, and your thoughts.  What you allow yourself to listen to or read will either shut the door or crack it open for him.  The real battle is invisible, but the what you see is the struggle that it causes.  Satan wants to keep you distracted by the chaos so that he has control over you.  Let go of bitter anger, pride, unforgiveness, comparing yourself to others, insecurity, fear, and strife.

    Do not allow sinful habits to pin you down and mess up your testimony.  Your biggest problem will be your mind and emotions.  Emotions are important to indicate things in life, but they don't run on the truth.  Your thoughts feed what you think and how you feel.  You can either focus on God and what is good or the negative and evil thoughts.  This is why Satan attacks your mind.  It is also why God says refresh your mind daily in His Word.

    Your problems in life are the results of the world's circumstances, other people's decisions, and choices you have made.  You are not fighting any of that.  Your battle is spiritual.  You need to go to the center of the issue and fight there with prayer, God's Word, meditation, fasting, and your testimony.    

John 8:39-47, 2 Corinthians 2:9-11, 11:12-15, Ephesians 6:10-12, & Revelations 18:1-3

Seh Ha'Elohim

 

    Seh Ha'Elohim (SEH hah-el-oh-HEEM) is שֶׂה הָאֱלֹהִים in Hebrew.  It translates to "Lamb of God".  Seh (שֶׂה) means lamb or sheep.  Ha (הָ) means the.  Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) means God.  Seh Ha'Elohim is a name for Jesus to describe him as the perfect sacrifice.  He was pure, innocent, and the only one that could create the bridge between God and man.  

    Seh Ha'Elohim died and resurrected to be the sacrificial lamb for all sin.  His sacrifice opened the door for anyone who wants a relationship with God can have it.  His blood covered all sin, but only those who repent will reap the benefits of forgiveness.  He died for all nations, all people, over all time.  He is the lamb that gave you the ability to have an eternal future.

    When you pray using the name Seh Ha'Elohim you should be confessing your need for God.  It is humbling yourself to repent for you known sins.  Ask to have your unknown sins revealed, so you can repent.  Pray for mercy and to understand how much Jesus loves you.  

Genesis 22:6-8, Exodus 12, Isaiah 53:7-9, & John 1:29-34

Nechama

 

    Nechama (neh-KHAH-mah) is נֶחָמָה in Hebrew.  In Greek (נחמה) the word is Nechamah (nekh-aw-maw).  It is a feminine word that means "comfort", "solace", or "consolation".  The Holy Spirit is normally construed as feminine while God and Jesus are construed as masculine.  This lets you know that it is a name for the Holy Spirit that means "God of all Comfort".  It is the Holy Spirit that was sent to comfort and console you.  

    Nechama derived from the word nacham (נחם) which signifies great emotional comfort or being comforted.  When applied to the Holy Spirit it indicates spiritual healing after a hardship or mourning.  With Nechama you become more resilient to life struggles.  This comfort that the Holy Spirit provides changes your mindset.  It gives you hope and purpose, so that you can have an inner strength to handle more than you think.  The Hoy Spirit comforts and heals you so well that you are able to comfort and help other people in return.

    When you pray using the name Nechama you are seeking soul comfort.  Maybe you hurt so bad that you can't see clearly.  Maybe you can't find the words.  It is okay Nechama knows your heart and soul.  Nechama is with you and will translate what needs to be said to God.  Nechama will provide you the rest that you mind and soul need.

    In prayer ask Nechama for clarity to be able to see how to move forward.  Ask for fear and anxiety to be removed.  Ask for healing so this pain will not interfere or mess up your future.  Ask to have your perspective shifted, so that you can see God and your purpose more clearly.  Trust that Nechama will get you through this and whatever else may come up.  Trust that God is in control.

Psalms 119:49-56, Isaiah 40:1-2, 66:13, Jeremiah 31:12-13, Matthew 5:3-10, John 14:27-29, & 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Rabbi

 

    Rabbi (RAB-eye) is רַבִּי in Hebrew.  It means "my teacher", "my master", or "my great one".  This name refers to Jesus.  It is a name of respect for the spiritual leader.  It is a formal title of a distinguished scholar.  The name was used in the Old Testament as a description of Jesus to help people understand what to expect when he came.  It was used 12 times in the New Testament as a title of respect.

    Many people he met understood that he was powerful and different, but they also only believed he was a rabbi.  Jesus was special and people knew it even thought they did not understand that He was so much more than Rabbi.  Jesus held the authority of God so his teachings are spiritual as well as practical.  

    Rabbis were know as teachers of the law.  It was not common for people to be able to read and really study the torah, so a rabbi was known to be educated and considered a pillar in the community.  They held the understanding of God's word and the community depended on them to be able to learn.

    You would never pray to a Rabbi, but when you pray to Jesus using this name it is to display respect and your need to knowledge or wisdom.  When you pray the purpose is to submit to God's authority.  Go to him with your doubts and concerns.  Ask him to teach or show you how to follow him faithfully.  Ask him how to humbly use the authority that he put in your when you became a Christian.

Matthew 23:8-12, Luke 9:1-6, & John 1:38-49, 3:1-2

Goel

 

    Goel (GOH-el) is גואל in Hebrew.  It means "redeemer" or "kinsmen-redeemer".  A kinsmen-redeemer was the nearest male relative that would step up and take care of the family if the husband died to secure the family lineage.  However, in this context is is describing God as the redeemer of His people.  Jesus is your redemption story.

    Goel offers to redeem you from your sins if you are willing to believe and follow obediently.  He paid the price of your sins so that you no longer are a slave to sin.  He is the groom that makes you pure to spend eternity in Heaven.  He is the vengeance for anyone who comes against you so that you do not have to hold onto your bitterness or hurt.  God will make sure His people are taken care of and you have the security that you will be in Heaven with Him for eternity.

    When you pray using the name Goel you are seeking redemption.  Even if you are a Christian sometimes you need to seek forgiveness.  You go to Him to help you forgive, so that you are not a slave to your anger and resentment.  Meditate on His Word to stay in your heart and words be pleasing to His ears.

    Whenever you feel the door of sin trying to open turn to Goel to take care of it before it gets a foothold into your life.  Give it to Him so you can enjoy the benefits of living with the Holy Spirit and allow it to glorify God.  Pray with your heart seeking His desires and plans for your life.  This is how you will succeed.

Leviticus 25:23-55, Ruth 4:1-9, Job 19:25-27, Psalm 19:14, Isaiah 41:11-16, 54:4-8, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, Ephesians 1:3-8, Colossians 1:11-14, & Titus 2:11-14

Mashiach

 

    Mashiach (mah-SHEE-ahkh) is מָשִׁיחַ in Hebrew.  It is used for the modern name Messiah, but it literally means "anointed one".  It's origin is from the root word mashach which means "to anoint or swear with oil".  

    Mashiach is a name used for Jesus before Messiah because he was consecrated by God.  People would anoint their kings, priest, and prophets but it was always meant to be done in submission to God.  Jesus is the only divine savior.  He is the one that provides peace through a relationship with God.  

    Mashiach is the son of God and the ultimate sacrifice for you and me.  He brought the good news into the world, but the world did not understand.  The good news is that he is the one that sets you free.  He fulfilled the prophecies revealing God's splendor.  Walk with him in faith and you become the righteous display of God.  

    When you pray using the name Mashiach it is to humble yourself to submit to Jesus' authority.  You use it to seek to know Him.  You pray for anointment over your service to him.  You seek his guidance on how to serve him.  You are turning your ministry or service over to him because you recognize that you can't do it without him.

2 Samuel 7:12-16, Psalm 22:11-18, Isaiah 7:13-16, 9:6-7, 11:1-5, 53:1-9, 61:1-3, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Micah 5:2-4, & Zechariah 9:9-13