God the Spirit is with Me <br> <br>Tuesday, August 21, 2012 <br> <br>For nearly 20 years the Christian world has read the beginning of the Bible and debated. We’ve argued over creation and evolution. We’ve sometimes bitterly discussed whether the earth was created in six literal days or a much longer period of time. Religion and science have butted heads over Genesis 1 and the modern atheist movement looks at Christians as fools and for starters it is over a Christian’s belief that God created the heaven and the earth. In the next few minutes I’d like us to consider the names of God from the very beginning of God’s Word. To not do that causes us to miss out on a very important name for God. <br> <br>Welcome to HT, I’m CM sharing the GS that’s all about Jesus and a program called God the Spirit is with Me. <br> <br>We’re in the second week of a series called Knowing the Names of God. In a few minutes we’ll be joined again by Ann Spangler, the general editor of the Names of God Bible. I’m not suggesting you replace your normal Bible, but I do ask you to consider getting to know God better by understanding the names he gives to himself in scripture as a way to know him more deeply and pray more intentionally and to build up your faith in the God who redeemed you by sending his only son Jesus. You can call us after the program for your copy of the Names of God Bible. Our number is 1-800-654-2836. That’s 1-800-65-HAVEN. Or you can visit our website, make your gift to the ministry, and ask for the Names of God Bible in hardback or mahogany leathersoft. Just head over to haventoday.org. That’s haventoday.org. We’ll also talk with Christian musician Steve Wiggins who has pondered and been blessed by this special name for God that shows up the first time in Genesis 1, in beginning. Speaking of Steve Wiggins, HT opens with the newly reformed Big Tent Revival as we worship the Lord together. <br> <br>SONG – I Worship You – Big Tent Revival – Choose Life <br> <br>Steve Wiggins and Big Tent Revival from their Choose Life album, a song called “I Worship You”. <br> <br>In the beginning, God created heaven and earth. We’ve all heard Genesis 1:1 and some of us even believe it. The word for God in the early verses of the Bible is Elohim. I count thirty times this name is recorded in chapter one. In the beginning Elohim created heaven and earth. It’s not until the opening of the second chapter of Genesis that we first are given the name I AM – YHWH – the Great I AM. In the second telling of the creation, we are told in Genesis 2:4, “This is the account of heaven and earth when they were created, at the time when YHWH Elohim made earth and heaven. <br> <br>Back in chapter one we are provided the first hint that YHWH Elohim has another dimension and this is revealed in one of his names. In between verse one when there is darkness, chaos, and emptiness and just before verse three of Elohim saying, “let there be light and there was light,” this special name of God is revealed. Genesis 1:2, “the earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep water. The Ruach Elohim was hovering over the water.” There it is. Ruach Elohim. What does it mean? Ruach is a Hebrew word that can be translated spirit, just like pneuma in the New Testament Greek. It can also mean wind, the same as pneuma, which shows up in the book of Acts at the giving of the Holy Spirit. But in Genesis 1:2, the word Ruach is added to Elohim. In the first two verses of the Bible, everything that takes place is described as being effected by God. The meaning is deeper than even God controlling the wind. We are told that in the creation Ruach Elohim hovered or brooded over the water in creation. But then there is this word about what Ruack Elohim is doing. I used the word hovering. The word has been translated “move” or “to brood”. Before God moved, there was a shroud of darkness. A shroud is the clothing of death. Corpses in times past and still today in some of the world are wrapped to keep the horror of death from being too apparent. God shrouded the world with the mantle of darkness. It didn’t hide the earth from Him, for he can see in both darkness and light according the Psalms. If God didn’t move, there could be nothing but death. That word for move or brood or hover is beautifully translated elsewhere. It shows up in only two other places in the Hebrew Bible. One place is Deuteronomy 32:11, “Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreads its wings to catch them,
and carries them on its feathers.” Isn’t that beautiful? That’s how the Lord moves on behalf of his people. Our hearts may be in darkness, we may be living in an abyss of sin, but the Lord comes and moves and hovers with desire to have light invade our hearts. Notice how it all fits together – God’s Spirit moves and the voice of God speaks creating light. But that’s not all. We are told the light distinguished from the dark is good. John in the fourth gospel tells us in the beginning was the word. When we read, “and God said” … we have the going forth of the Word. As the revelation in scripture becomes more clear, we hear that Christ Jesus was the creator. Count the number of times in the first chapter of the Bible where is says “God said …” That’s the word in action. That’s why we read in John 1 that “through him – Christ – all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made.” Mass equals energy. Matter is power moving very fast. God spoke and it happened. Psalm 33:6 and 9: <br> <br>“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth … For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.” <br> <br>God is sovereign. He is the creator of the world. Ruach Elohim was hovering as the voice of God spoke and the words of the Lord caused an effect. There was power behind those words. There was light and it was good. But stay with me, in a little while, I want to share why Ruach Elohim has great meaning to us today as a name of God. But first, let’s go back to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Ann Spangler, the general editor of the Names of God Bible. <br> <br>Spangler clip <br> <br>Thanks Ann Spangler. Last week, our executive producer, Troy Lamberth, met up with Christian musician Steve Wiggins of Big Tent Revival. Steve is also a Bible teacher and he’s pondered this name for God … <br> <br>Now a while ago, I asked you to stay with me to see the future implications of Ruach Elohim … Spirit of God. The words of the prophet become clear from the Old Testament to the New following the death of Christ on the cross for our sins. <br> <br>“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, 
your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. <br> <br>Joel 2:28-29 and we saw this fulfill on Pentecost as Peter was preaching outside the temple and people were responding as he quoted this passage and revealed that that day the prophecy was coming to pass. <br> <br>But there’s more. Here’s another promise associated with this name of God: <br> <br>Jesus speaking in John 6:63, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.” <br> <br>A little later in John 14:26, Jesus speaking to us again, “The helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything.” <br> <br>Prayer: <br> <br>Spirit of the Living God, Ruach, breathe your life into me. Purify, counsel, encourage, convict, and enable. Give us your gifts that we may use them wisely in your service, to lift high the cross of Christ so that others may have the light invade their hearts. Father, Son, Spirit. Bless us this day as we claim these promises you have given to your people. Come upon us now, Holy Spirit. <br> <br>SONG –
The Names of God Bible (Hardcover)
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One of the best ways to get to know God on a deeper level is to know the names and titles both he and his people give to him. Now the bestselling author of Praying the Names of God reveals the richness of God's character and love found in his...
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The Names of God Bible (Leathersoft)
For a gift of $40.00 or more
One of the best ways to get to know God on a deeper level is to know the names and titles both he and his people give to him. Now the bestselling author of Praying the Names of God reveals the richness of God's character and love found in his...
[Get It Now]
