Names of the Holy Spirit

I found a pleasant surprise in a book called Bible Word Search by William C. Gordon.  I'm not a big "word search"enthusiast, but it was the content which I found more compelling than the puzzle.  One of the word searches was a list of names of the Holy Spirit.  Gordon wrote, "The third person of the Trinity is referred to by many different names, both in the Old and the New Testament."  In case you are curious, here is list from those provided:

• Spirit of adoption (Romans 8:15)
• Spirit of burning and judgment (Isaiah 11:2)
• Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9)
• Spirit of counsel, knowledge, might, and understanding (Isaiah 11:2)
• Spirit of faith (2 Corinthians 4:13)
• Spirit of the Father (Matthew 10:20)
• Spirit of glory (1 Peter 4:14)
• Spirit of God (Genesis 1:2)
• Spirit of grace (Hebrews 10:29)
• Spirit of holiness (Romans 1:4)
• Spirit of life (Romans 8:2)
• Spirit of love (2 Timothy 1:7)
• Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13)
• Spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10)
• Spirit of revelation and wisdom (Ephesians 1:17)
• Spirit of supplication (Zechariah 12:10)
• Spirit of truth (John 14:17)

The names of God reveal much about Him, and these names are all consistent with the revealed character and nature of God in His Word.  Though the word "trinity" does not appear within the pages of scripture, it is consistently affirmed by these and many other passages.  The claim of Jesus Christ to deity was one touted often by His enemies who slandered Him as being demon possessed.  It seems fitting to sign off with 2 Corinthians 13:14:  "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen."

The Humble Heart Repents

"Bad company corrupts good habits," the scripture says, and an example of this is seen in the life of David.  David was a man after God's own heart, but he still was not impervious to the influences around him.  Though David did make mistakes as all men do, I admire how he received correction and did not repeat the same error.

David had fled from his king and father-in-law Saul with 400 men who gathered themselves to him.  An organised band of this size could basically do what they wanted without reprisal, but they were honourable according to David's commands.  In the land of Judah they protected the sheep of a wealthy man named Nabal, and being in great need humbly asked for help.  Nabal answered the delegation David sent roughly with contempt.  He would provide no food but spouted insults.

Upon hearing what Nabal said, David told his men to gird on their swords and prepare for a fight.  His plan was to go up to Nabal's house, take what he desired by force, and kill all males by dawn.  1 Samuel 25:21-22 reads, "Now David had said, "Surely in vain I have protected all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belongs to him. And he has repaid me evil for good. ²² May God do so, and more also, to the enemies of David, if I leave one male of all who belong to him by morning light."  As David approached Nabal's home, he was fuming.  He spoke of himself in third person, his angry complaints sprinkled with the personal pronouns "I" and "me."  He was deeply offended and reacted a lot like his father-in-law King Saul.

The words of David were similar to what Saul spoke concerning the Philistines in 1 Samuel 14:24:  "And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had placed the people under oath, saying, "Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies." So none of the people tasted food."  The self-focus seen in Saul was reflected in David.  But David's heart was not like Saul's:  Saul would not repent at the rebuke of the prophet Samuel, but David repented at the correction of Nabal's wife Abigail.  1 Samuel 25:32-33 says, "Then David said to Abigail: "Blessed is the LORD God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! ³³ And blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand."  Though Saul and David sinned by selfish motives and pride, Saul brought a curse but David repented with blessings.

Here is the difference between a proud heart and one that is after God's own heart.  The proud heart justifies itself and seeks honour before men, yet the heart which honours God is humble and responds gladly to correction--even when it is before hundreds of people.  Praise the LORD for giving those who trust Him a new heart which responds to correction and delights in God's wisdom.

Speaking When Opposed

This morning I read a chapter of the book of Amos, and I appreciate the boldness and dedication of this man who continued to speak God's truth in the midst of opposition.  Amos was a man who worked as a herdsman and harvester who God called and ordained as a prophet to Israel.  He was not the son of a prophet or long had aspirations of such a calling.  Amaziah the priest of Bethel was not impressed by the word of the LORD through Amos and reported him to the king, that Amos was conspiring against him.

Amos 7:12-13 reads, "Then Amaziah said to Amos: "Go, you seer! Flee to the land of Judah. There eat bread, and there prophesy. ¹³ But never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is the royal residence."  What Amaziah did with Amos who spoke as directed by God remains common to this day.  People are fine with the concept of people having faith in God and His Word, but they don't want to hear it.  They want those abhorrent views as far away as possible! Amaziah questioned the authority of Amos as a prophet, and by speaking against the messenger he hoped the message could be silenced.  The ones who will not be silent will be censured, blocked, or discredited.  Search algorithms are changed to make Christian content harder to find online.  To Christians who are bold to speak truth in love the world says, "Go away!"

Amos didn't flee, and he didn't stop speaking as directed by God either.  This boldness in the face of opposition marks those who are called by Jesus Christ to follow Him.  Our motive for speaking or writing is not to make a name for ourselves as prophets or ministers but obedience to God who created mouths, ears, and godly counsel.  Proverbs 25:12 says, "Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear."  As earrings are designed to be worn on ears, so a wise rebuker and obedient ear go together.  Amos was such a man who spoke in obedience to God concerning the state of the nation Israel, but sadly Amaziah nor the king had an obedient ear.  They refused Amos and his message, but this did not deter the man who feared God.  Let us be as Amos, humble messengers of the most High who fear God and continue to speak truth in love.

The Beauty of Kintsugi

In the book The Third Option, author Mile McPherson referenced "kintsugi," an artistic Japanese pottery repair technique.  Instead of trying to conceal fractures, kintsugi emphasises cracks by making repairs with precious gold or silver.  This process can actually improve the beauty and value of pottery rather than the piece being designated for scrap or the bin.

Quoting from the "My Modern Met" website, "Since its conception, Kintsugi has been heavily influenced by prevalent philosophical ideas. Namely, the practice is related to the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which calls for seeing beauty in the flawed or imperfect. The repair method was also born from the Japanese feeling of mottainai, which expresses regret when something is wasted, as well as mushin, the acceptance of change."  It is fascinating how philosophy can find expression in how a broken pot is repaired rather than thrown away.  In the west we live in what some call a "throwaway" culture, where items are almost cheaper to buy new than to have them fixed.  "If it's not broken, don't fix it," the cliche goes, but I have never heard the reverse:  "If it's broken, fix it."  In most cases there is an attraction to what is new, and we place greater value upon new than old.

In kintsugi, brokenness brings out new potential.  If a bowl, cup, or pitcher was never broken, there would be no opportunity to adorn it with precious gold.  And when things are broken--even when the broken thing is a person--we do our best to conceal the damage done.  We admire the work tradesmen do to repair holes in walls or gouged furniture by saying in amazement as we carefully examine for faults, "Wow, you never would have known."  This is something we do with our bodies and past as well.  Money is spent every day to conceal blemishes, to lighten or darken skin, and the removal or covering of unwanted tattoos.  We work to hide our scars rather than being open about our past hurts or faults.  It is for our benefit to humbly confess we are shattered so God might be our Saviour and strength.

The world seeks perfection it can never attain, but those who discover the love of God find themselves accepted by Him in spite of flaws.  God does more than a kintsugi master could ever dream of doing, for we are born again by faith in Jesus Christ and transformed into a new creation and provided eternal life.  Our bodies look the same, but the glory of God dwells within us.  2 Corinthians 4:6-7 says, "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. ⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us."  In our brokenness we came to Christ for salvation, and through the hurts of the past God's glory shines bright as Redeemer.  No longer must we labour for approval of men or self by a veneer of vanity, for God's grace and power is revealed in our weakness.  It is He who makes us new; it is God who makes the weak strong.