Experiencing God Through His Names
Part 1 of an Interview with Sheryl Giesbrecht,
Author of Experiencing God
Through His Names
What’s in a name? Names are more than groups
of letters that represent a person or identify objects. Names are powerful. A
person’s character and destiny can be influenced by his or her name. When it
comes to God, His attributes and personality support His unique and distinct
names. In Experiencing God Through His Names (Bold Vision Books), author Sheryl Giesbrecht leads
readers in a study to discover truths about God’s character by a study of His
various titles and names.
Q:
You wrote Experiencing God Through His
Names after some very personal encounters. Please share what led you to explore
the different names for God.
I was a stressed-out pastor’s wife, working a
full-time job outside of our home, mothering a preschooler and kindergartener,
exhausted from the demands of family and ministry. I was full of fear with one
child in a public school and the other with a daycare provider. I needed the
connection of women friendships but was afraid of rejection and how I might fit
in since I was a working mother. I wanted to learn how to trust God in a
practical way. I joined a Moms in Touch group (now known as Moms In
Prayer International) to pray for my child in school.
Through this amazing group of women, I learned how to pray specifically for my
own needs and the needs of my family by understanding the names of God. Added
bonuses were learning to worship using the names of God and drawing near to God
by calling on His specific names.
Q:
The book takes an in-depth look at 31 names for God. Are these all of the names
for God found in the Bible?
No, these 31 names of God are not an all-inclusive
list. Of course, some of the names of God are listed more times in the Bible than
others. The name “Father” is a distinguishing title used more than 390 times in
the New International Version of the New Testament. The name of God, “Elohim”
(Creator), is used more than 2,500 times in the Old Testament. Other names such
as “El Bethel” is used only once in the entire Bible. There are many more names
of God, and this study is just an entry point for an exciting new way to
experience God.
Q:
Describe the imagery you use when comparing the study of the names of God to
looking at a postcard of the Grand Canyon.
Postcards are single, small photographs of an
expansive, panoramic view. In the same way, studying the names of God one at a
time is like stopping to examine intricately the beauty and detail of a solo
shot of a single postcard one at a time. When we observe one individual name of
God at a time and consider the cross-section of His personality traits
associated with it, we can access strength, wisdom, patience, grace, love and
much more of God’s presence for our needs and the needs of others. We can
understand the reality of His presence and apply the capability of His
character.
Each of the names of God is my favorite —
depending on how He wants me to praise Him or submit my needs or the needs of others
to Him. Some that come immediately to mind are: “El Shaddai” (the God who is almighty
and all-sufficient), “Jehovah Rohi” (the Lord my shepherd) and “El Roi” (the
God who sees).
Q:
How has getting to know God more through His names helped the focus of your own
ministry?
Before the ministry was launched
in 1996, I learned to trust God and began to understand how to let go of my
emotional, relational and physical brokenness. I found complete independence
when I traded my bondage for spiritual breakthrough. Through the process of
standing firm in my identity in Christ and understanding His character through
studying His names, I was able to move from captivity to freedom by believing
God and taking Him at His Word.
God has fashioned my personal walk
with Him by graciously revealing more of His character to me through studying
His names. The habit of studying His names and praying His names has helped me to
pray more effectively for myself and my family. I use the same method to pray
for others efficiently. The practice has deepened my prayer life as I seek actively
to trust our Almighty God and let Him lead the ministry He has called me to.
The same breakthrough freedom is
possible for anyone who chooses to dedicate themselves to find out what God
thinks. When we seek to find Him by examining His names, we are able to
understand His character further. God helps us untangle the knots of deception
so we can walk intentionally in our identity in Christ. The result will be
transformation into the best version of ourselves we can be. This complete
makeover is what gives God glory. “Then you will know the truth and the truth
will set you free,” says John 8:32.
Learn
more about more about Experiencing God
Through His Names and Sheryl Giesbrecht at www.FromAshesToBeauty.com, or follow her on Facebook (AuthorSherylGiesbrecht) and Twitter (SGiesbrecht).
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