365 Ways FRONT.qxd 3/7/07 12:35 PM Page 5 365 Ways to Know God © 2004 CLICK HERE For More Information FOREWORD Talking to God on a First-Name Basis Elmer Towns knows a lot about the names of God. He has lectured on the names of each of the three Persons of the Godhead and has written three best-selling books on them: The Names of Jesus, My Father’s Names and The Names of the Holy Spirit. The Names of the Holy Spirit won the Gold Medallion award from the Christian Booksellers Association in 1995. He also has compiled the most extensive lists of the names of God (see the appendices at the back of the book). Now he has written this daily devotional on 365 names of God in the Bible. Elmer wrote the first three books to give us information on God’s names and to help us understand the nature of God from His names. Many people have used them in their Bible studies or Sunday School classes. Now, in this devotional, he writes to our hearts so that we can feel and apply God to our everyday living. Through the names of God, we can touch God each day in a new and different way; but most important, God can touch us daily. This book could be called Talking to God on a First-Name Basis, because it contains prayers for you to talk to God with—using one of His person- al names each day. This book can be an exciting journey into knowing God more intimately through His many names. Elmer prayed that he would be anointed to write a book through which readers could feel the presence of God. I believe God has answered his prayer, because I felt the presence of God as I read these devotionals and talked personally to each Person of the Godhead. Tim LaHaye Coauthor, the Left Behind Series 5 Receive a New 'Names of God' Devotional Each Morning Subscribe for FREE to 'Prime Time With God' CLICK HERE 365 Ways FRONT.qxd 3/7/07 12:35 PM Page 6 365 Ways to Know God © 2004 CLICK HERE For More Information Introduction The Bible has more than a thousand names, titles and metaphors for God. Why does God have so many names? For the same reason we do. Each name and title represents a different position, function or charac- teristic. For instance, I am called husband, father, grandfather, dean, fac- ulty, golfer, author, Sunday School teacher and so on. The more you are and do, the more names and titles you have. Since God is greater than anyone in the universe, wouldn’t you expect Him to have the most titles and names? Every time you learn a new title or name of a person, you learn more about that person. As you read through this devotional, you’ll learn more about God than you ever have before, because you will explore 365 of His names, one for every day of the year. So be prepared to know God intimately this year. And when you learn about God and His relation- ship to you, you’ll learn more about yourself. Be prepared to live closer to God than ever before. There’s one reading for each day of the year. Also, there’s a suggest- ed daily Bible reading to expand your understanding of the name assigned for that day. Get ready to be transformed this year as you expe- rience 365 ways to know God. Elmer L. Towns Written from my home at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains 2004 6 Receive a New 'Names of God' Devotional Each Morning Subscribe for FREE to 'Prime Time With God' CLICK HERE 365 Ways CHAPTERS 10/12/04 14:05 Page 159 365 Ways to Know God © 2004 CLICK HERE For More Information M A Y 27 The Father: His Name Is Father I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. JOHN 5:43 His Name is Father; this means that “Father” is more than a title. Men on Earth are called by the title “Father” because that is a description of all who sire children. But throughout eternity past, the first Person of the Trinity was known by His name “Father.” He was called Father by His Son, Jesus Christ. Why is “Father” His name? The title reflects the intimacy of relationship that He had with Jesus and that He can have with you. The most important aspect of God is not His awesome power or His omniscient knowledge; the most important characteristic of God is His relationship with people—He is Father. I worship You as My God because of Your almighty power. I magnify You as my Lord because of all You’ve done for me. I follow You as my Master because of Your wisdom and miracles. But I know You intimately because You are my Father. People did not pray to God in the Old Testament using the name “Father,” so Jesus came to teach them to pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name” (Matt. 6:9). As a child goes to an earthly father with his needs, so you can take your requests and call Him by name. My heavenly Father, hallowed be Your name in my thoughts, actions and service. Father, I love Your name. It cheers me when I am down. It gives me strength to serve when I am weak. It guards me against evil when I’m tempted. Because I know You by Your name, I come calling You Father. Amen. Reading: John 12:27-50 Key Thought: Call Him by His name “Father.” 159 Receive a New 'Names of God' Devotional Each Morning Subscribe for FREE to 'Prime Time With God' CLICK HERE 365 Ways CHAPTERS 10/12/04 14:05 Page 160 365 Ways to Know God © 2004 CLICK HERE For More Information M A Y Jesus: A Prophet Mighty 28 in Deed and Word And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.” LUKE 24:19 God sent prophets to speak His message, but many times people wouldn’t accept their message. So some prophets predicted the future to give them credibility; other prophets did miracles to get people to believe their message. The Bible describes these “prophets . who have . pre- dicted signs or miracles” (Deuteronomy 13:1-2, NLT). Just as God’s prophets in the Old Testament came with supernatural predictions and miracles, so Jesus came doing supernatural things as He preached to the multitudes. Jesus was a Prophet Mighty in Deed and Word. Lord Jesus, I believe in the miracles recorded in the Bible. Lord Jesus, I believe the truth You spoke in sermons. But I mostly believe because You came into my heart and saved me. Jesus did miracles for many reasons. He healed because He had com- passion on those who suffered. He did supernatural acts to demonstrate His deity. Jesus did signs and wonders because the Old Testament pre- dicted that the Messiah would do them. Jesus worked miracles so that His disciples and others would believe in Him. Jesus did miracles because it’s only natural for God to do the supernatural. Today, let Jesus speak to you as a Prophet Mighty in Deed and Word who has God’s message for you. Today, let Jesus do something supernatural for you. Jesus, thank You for doing miracles while on Earth; they give credibility to Your message. But thank You for the miracles of my new nature and spiritual sight. Amen. Reading: Luke 24:13-35 Key Thought: Jesus did miracles to give credibility to His sermons and His claims of deity. 160 Receive a New 'Names of God' Devotional Each Morning Subscribe for FREE to 'Prime Time With God' CLICK HERE 365 Ways CHAPTERS 10/12/04 14:05 Page 161 365 Ways to Know God © 2004 CLICK HERE For More Information M A Y 29 Jesus: The Just One Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers. ACTS 7:52 Stephen preached a convicting sermon to those ready to kill him (see Acts 7:1-53). The Jewish leaders stoned Stephen, just as they had been responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus. Stephen said that the coming of Jesus, the Just One, was foretold in Scripture. Stephen was suggesting that Jesus was not guilty, but that He had been crucified unjustly. Jesus did not die because He broke a law; rather, His death was a substitute for everyone who had broken the Law. Jesus died on the cross so that people wouldn’t have to die eternally in Hell. Lord Jesus, You are the Just One, who died for me. Thank You for taking my place. The title “Just” comes from the Greek word dikaios, which also can be translated as “righteous.” Jesus was always right—He never sinned. He was right in character and actions. The Father made Jesus, who never sinned, to become our sin, so we might have His righteousness (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). There is a double transfer in this verse. First, our sins were transferred to the sinless One; and second, His righteousness was transferred to us.