In this conversation, Rebecca and Jennifer discuss the significance of studying the names of the Lord to know Him better and to deepen our understanding of His character. Psalm 9:10 says, "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you."  To study the names of the Lord is to know Him better, and the more we learn about the Lord, the more we will understand that He is worthy of all of our praise and trustworthy to meet all of our needs. 

Two names discussed in this episode: 

The Vine 

John 15:5 - " I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing.'" 

John 13:35 - " 'By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.'”

Other Scripture references: John 15:1-4; Galatians 5:22-23

Advocate 

1 John 2:1, "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." 

Other Scripture references: John 14:16, 26; John 15:26; John 16:7-15 

To see examples of how advocacy worked in the Old Testament, before Christ, see Genesis 18:23-33; Exodus 32:11-14; 1 Samuel 7:8-9

Takeaways:We study the names of the Lord to know Him better.The names of the Lord teach us who He is and about His character.The more we know about him, the more we will trust him.

Jesus is the true vine, and we are the branches.Our goal is to bear much fruit through Christ.

Our lives should reflect Christ's love and character.

Abiding in Christ is essential for spiritual growth.Christ intercedes for us as our Advocate.The Holy Spirit is also our Advocate sent by Jesus from the Father.

The Holy Spirit is the Counselor, and He dwells in us.  In John 16:13-15, Jesus says, "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you."

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In this conversation, Rebecca and Jennifer discuss the significance of studying the names of the Lord to know Him better and to deepen our understanding of His character. Psalm 9:10 says, “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” To study the names of the Lord is to know Him better, and the more we learn about the Lord, the more we will understand that He is worthy of all of our praise and trustworthy to meet all of our needs.

Two names discussed in this episode:

Savior

Luke 2:11, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

2 Timothy 1:10, “and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

Other Scripture references: 1 John 4:14; John 4:42; Isaiah 42:6-7; Isaiah 49:6; Isaiah 49:26

I AM - From the Hebrew verb meaning “to be”

Exodus 3:14, “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And he said, ‘Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

Other Scriptures mentioned: John 8:23-24, 58; Hebrews 13:8 - “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Takeaways:We study the names of the Lord to know Him better.The names of the Lord teach us who He is and about His character.The more we know about him, the more we will trust him.

‘I Am’ signifies God’s all-encompassing nature.

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In this conversation, Rebecca and Jennifer discuss that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is declared to be the Son of God by God both at Jesus' baptism and at the Transfiguration. Rebecca and Jennifer also discuss the Lord's character of faithfulness, emphasizing that unlike humans, God remains constant and unchanging in His nature. Our perceptions of faithfulness can be influenced by our own experiences and emotions, but God's faithfulness is unwavering. Studying the names of the Lord allows us to know Him better and to deepen our understanding of His character. Psalm 9:10 says, "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you."  To study the names of the Lord is to know Him better, and the more we learn about the Lord, the more we will understand that He is worthy of all of our praise and trustworthy to meet all of our needs. 

Takeaways:

Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah.

Jesus Baptism - Matthew 3:17; the Transfiguration - Matthew 17:5

John the Baptist testifies that Jesus is the Son of God in John 1:29-34.

Peter declares Jesus is the Son of God in Matthew 16:16.

2 Timothy 2.13 highlights God's faithfulness, "If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself."God's character is unchanging and reliable.Understanding God's faithfulness can strengthen our trust in Him.

Two names discussed today: 

Son of God

Luke 1:35, "And the angel answered her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy - the Son of God.'" 

Faithful and True

Revelation 19:11, "Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war." 

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In this episode, Pastor Richard, share his personal testimony of being entirely sanctified and presents Biblical evidence of God's call for Holiness in our walk with Him.

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In this conversation, Rebecca and Jennifer discuss the significance of studying the names of the Lord to know Him better and to deepen our understanding of His character. Psalm 9:10 says, "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you."  To study the names of the Lord is to know Him better, and the more we learn about the Lord, the more we will understand that He is worthy of all of our praise and trustworthy to meet all of our needs. 

Two names discussed today: 

El Shaddai means God Almighty.

Genesis 17:1-2, "When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, 'I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.'" 

"Shaddai is translated as “Almighty” forty-eight times in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the Greek equivalent is used in 2 Corinthians 6:18 and Revelation 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7 and 14; 19:6 and 15; and 21:22. It is translated “Almighty” except in Revelation 19:6 (“omnipotent”)"(God Almighty (17:1-2) - Warren Wiersbe BE Bible Study Series - Bible Gateway).

El Olam - God of Eternity

Isaiah 40:28, "Have you not known? Have you not heard?  The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable."

Takeaways:We study the names of the Lord to know Him better.The names of the Lord teach us who He is and about His character.The more we know about him, the more we will trust him.

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In this conversation, Rebecca and Jennifer discuss Delilah's nagging that eventually draws Samson's secret from him. When he tells her the secret to his strength, he does not realize that when she took his hair, the LORD left him. When Samson gave away the secret to his God-given strength, his over confidence in his ability to escape again, created a situation where he was vulnerable and unable to save himself. He did not realize the LORD had left him because he had surrendered everything to his enemy. As a result, he ends up a prisoner of the Philistines. It is the LORD who restores him after he prays and asks the LORD to remember him and strengthen him one more time. The LORD empowered him for one final blow against the Philistines. Takeaways:Surrendering to the schemes of the enemy results in consequences, sometimes heavy ones.The LORD never leaves us nor forsakes us (Deuteronomy 31:8), but we must come to Him in repentance.  

If we call on Him in repentance, He will restore us.

He is always our help and strength.

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Rebecca and Jennifer discuss Samson's character based on his actions. Two events take place in this week's reading and the discussion addresses them both. Samson continues to place himself in situations, due to his own desires, that allow his enemy, the Philistines, to seek to capture him. Samson's God-given strength helps him even when he uses it for his own gains, and he continues to put himself in situations where he can be tempted by the enemy and where he is accessible to them. Delilah continually seeks to find out the secret of his great strength for her own gain. How far will he go before Delilah's push for the truth trips him up and causes his downfall? Takeaways:Sometimes the enemy will openly reveal the truth. Delilah asks Samson how he can be tied up and subdued.

Samson continually put himself in compromising situations that allowed the enemy access to him. 

Although Delilah reveals she cannot be trusted, Samson continues to go along with her deception. 

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The conversation explores the theme of faith and God's power that is not limited by our expectations and our own limitations. The conversation emphasizes that circumstances do not define what is possible with God. Handed over to the Philistines by his own people, Samson becomes a one man army, equipped with power when the Spirit of the LORD comes upon him, and he slays 1.000 men. His victory is met with an incredible need, and God meets him there. This shows a different side of Samson as he calls on the LORD after the battle when he is very thirsty.  We see God strengthen and provide for him in battle and right after, revive his depleted strength. 

Takeaways:Our circumstances do not box in the LORD. His power is not limited by our circumstances. 

The LORD is our protection and our help.

Faith allows us to see beyond our current situation. 

God meets all of our needs.  

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In this episode, Rebecca and Jennifer delve into Lesson Six when Samson returns to the Philistines to see his wife. When he finds she's been given to his friend, the battle begins. Samson seeks to harm the Philistines and unleases destruction on their crops. His action is met with a devastating response, and revenge and retaliation fill these verses. Samson again returns the Philistines' action with deadly consequences. Samson flees Philistine territory and returns to Judah hiding "in a cave in the rock of Etam" (Judges 15:8). 

Takeaways:Samson returns to the Philistines and is upset to find his wife has been given away.

Retailaton ensues and causes a match for match reaction that escalates and intensifies the battle. The Philistine grain, vineyards and olive groves are destroyed.

Samson's attack of fire on their livelihood is returned with fire, killing his wife and her father. Revenge leads Samson to attack and kill many of the Philistines. 

This retaliation battle brings loss to the Philistines both in men and in their livelihood.

Samson returns to Judah.

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In this episode, Pastor Richard discusses how important faith and belief is in our daily walk with Christ; and that it is possible to grow our faith and to increase our ability to believe. He explains that we do this by focusing on the biblical truth that we are to live by faith and not by sight. Regardless of what a person may be experiencing, touching Jesus with believing faith allows God's power to alter the outcome of whatever one is facing.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit notourwordsministry.substack.com