Paul and Christie Johnson

Missionaries in Rochester, MN

God is…

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Last Sunday night at the Rock Underground we talked about  how focused we can get on ourselves especially when we get busy or stressed. One huge tool I use to break out of this way of thinking is to search the scriptures for attributes of God.

We broke up into a group focused on the Old Testament and a group focused on the New.

Here are the rough lists that we came up with. Let them push your eyes upward – and relax. 🙂

  1. God is Gentle, 1 Kings 19:11-13
  2. God is Mighty, God is Present,  Joshua 1:9
  3. God is a Protector, our Strength, Psalm 3:3-4, Psalm 62:2
  4. God is a Righteous Judge, Psalm 7:11
  5. God is the Creator, Genesis 1:1
  6. God is compassionate and Faithful, Lamentations 3:22-23
  7. God is righteous and Kind, Psalm 145:13, Isaiah 42:6
  8. God is a Shepherd, Psalm 23:1
  9. God is a Glorious King, Psalm 24:8
  10. God is our light, our salvation, Psalm 27:1
  11. God is full of steadfast Love Psalm 136
  12. God hears, and is faithful Proverbs 15:29
  13. God desires relationship Zephaniah 3:17
  14. God is our Rock and Fortress, Psalm 76:3
  15. God is interested in our good always Deuteronomy, 6:24
  16. God takes delight in the spreading of His salvation, Isaiah 52:
  17. God is Holy, Psalm 77:3
  18. God knows us, 130:9
  19. God love unity, Psalm 133:
  20. God is Jealous for us, Zephaniah 8:2
  21. God is purposeful, Proverbs 6:4, Jeremiah 29:11
  22. God is Perfect, Psalm 18:30
  23. God is Unique, Isaiah 46:9
  24. God is Just, Psalm 11:7
  25. God is a Warrior, Psalm 24:8
  26. God is a Rescuer, Joel 2:32
  27. God is fulfilling, makes known the way of life, Psalm 16:11
  28. God is rewarding, Proverbs 25:22
  29. God is a Redeemer, Isaiah 43:13
  30. God is Everlasting, Tireless, unfathomable, understanding Isaiah 40:28
  31. God is Peaceful, Psalm 29:11
  32. God is personable, Genesis 5:24
  33. God is Wise, Daniel 2:20
  34. God is Sovereign, Daniel 4:34-35
  35. God is Good, Lamentations 3:25
  36. God of Vengeance, Psalm 94:1
  37. God is Omniscient, Jeremiah 23:23-24
  38. God is Gracious, Isaiah 30:18

 

  1. Eternal Power and Divine Nature – Rom 1:20
  2. God is light – 1 John 1:5
  3. God is love – 1 John 4:8
  4. Righteous Advocate – 1 John 2:1
  5. Kindness, Patience and Tolerance – Rom 2:4
  6. Holy, Holy, Holy – Rev 4:8
  7. Great high priest – Heb 4:14
  8. Beginning and the word – John 1:1
  9. Savior – Phil 3:20
  10. Forbearing – Rom 3:25
  11. Sufficiency – Phil 4:19
  12. Alpha and Omega – Rev 22:13
  13. Wrathful against unrighteousness – Rom 1:18
  14. Kindness – Titus 3:4
  15. Father and Lord – Phil 1:2
  16. Consuming Fire – Heb 12:29
  17. Spirit of Truth – 1 John 4:6
  18. Creator – John 1:3, Rom 1:25
  19. Trustworthy – Titus 3:8
  20. Justifier – Rom 8:33, 5:9
  21. Interceder – Rom 8:34
  22. Reconciler – Rom 5:10
  23. I AM – John 8:58
  24. Way, Truth, Life – John 14:6
  25. Stern – Rom 11:22
  26. Bread of life – John 6:48
  27. Light of the world – John 9:5
  28. Severe – Rom 11:22
  29. Not of this world from above – John 8:23
  30. Healer – Matt 8:32
  31. Working – John 5:17
  32. Encouragement and gives endurance – Rom 15:5
  33. Good Shepherd – John 10:11
  34. Witness to the truth – John 18:37
  35. Sustainer to the End – 1 Cor 1:8
  36. Faithful – 1 Cor 1:9
  37. Comforter – 2 Cor 1:4, Matt 5:4
  38. God of Peace – Rom 16:20
  39. Holy – 1 Peter 1:16
  40. Wise – 1 Cor 1:20
  41. Impartial – Rom 2:11
  42. Example – John 13:15
  43. Author and perfector of our faith – Heb 12:1
  44. Author of life – Acts 3:15
  45. Worthy – Rev 5:12
  46. Empowering – 1 Cor 12:11
  47. Helper – John 14:26
  48. Merciful – Rom 11:52
  49. Victor over death – 1 Cor 15:55
  50. Against those who do evil – 1 Peter 3:12
  51. King of King and Lord of Lords – Rev 19:16
  52. Justice and love – Luke 11:42
  53. Master – Col 4:1
  54. Friend – James 2:23
  55. Owner of Everything – Gal 4:1
  56. Gives freedom – John 8:32
  57. Able to keep us from stumbling – Jude 1:24
  58. Gives us blessings – Eph 1:3
  59. Chooses us – Eph 1:4
  60. Adopter – Eph 1:5
  61. Sovereign – Eph 1:5
  62. Almighty – Rev 1:8
  63. Forgiver – Eph 1:7
  64. Foundation – 1 Cor 3:11
  65. Patient and not slow, wishing all to reach repentance – 2 Peter 3:9
  66. Ruler – 1 Tim 6:15
  67. Above everything – Eph 1:21
  68. Chief Shepherd – 1 Peter 5:4
  69. Our Peace – Eph 2:14
  70. Knowledge surpassor – Eph 3:19
  71. Provider – 1 Tim 6:17
  72. Unifier – Eph 4:3
  73. Equipper – Eph 4:12
  74. Teacher – Eph 4:11

Thoughtful Thursday

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I was reading this week in 1st Cor and have been pondering what Paul says in chpt 4

18 Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

I think that the power that Paul is talking about is supernatural power – the power to perform miracles. This power authenticated the message of the gospel as it went into new areas. It said “This is from God for who else could do these amazing things”. I believe that those same miracles are not needed now because we have the word of God clearly established with his new covenant through the blood of Christ.
But then what stands behind our words? What authenticates our stance on the truth? I think that we still can use something to raise the flag of the gospel in the eyes of the world.
Could the modern miracles of living a life that is continually being renewed and changed into the life God wants not only in ourselves but in those that we’re discipling be that flag?
Are we seeing true life change in ourselves?
What about those that we’re discipling and the lives around us?

What can technology do for the gospel?

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When I started college (a long long time ago) cell phones were just gaining popularity with maybe 1 in 10 students having one. By the time I graduated five years later they were pretty much everywhere and texting was next the big thing.

But now it’s taken another turn altogether with maybe 1 in 100 not having a phone and maybe 1 in 3 people having a smart phone that is connected to the web (facebook/twitter/google) ALL the time.

Students have a new sort of friendship through frequent connection with people online that they rarely see face to face.

Obviously there will always be a need for face to face communication and fellowship. A virtual pat on the back doesn’t feel the same as a real one.

But, I do believe that we have new opportunities for the gospel to get out through the connectedness of this new generation as long as we use it well. There are more opportunities for distraction, distance and hiding yourself from others but if given to God it can be used well.

Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Google, blogs, websites – I believe that they all can be useful in spreading the gospel.

How is the next question.