Who do you say that I am?
I’ve tasted many facets of his character
I’ve glimpsed many pieces of his heart
In his word and through the lives of his people-
I’ve seen many true and wonderful repesentations of his Being
I know he is the Christ, the Son of the living God
I know he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life
I know he is the Captain of Angel Armies
I know he is healer and he is provider
He is my Savior, he is my Lord, and he is my God
All real
All true
But when I hear those words…
Who do you say that I am?
In the very depths of my being
What my heart knows
What my heart knows, that it knows, that it knows
Who I’ve experienced him to be
Over and over and over and over again…
Is Emmanuel
The God who is with me
The One who is forever by my side
The One who is near
So very, very near
The One who always holds my hand
I’ve tasted his power
I’ve glimpsed his glory
I’ve relished his faithfulness
I’ve bowed low and worshiped him as God
But the One I know
The One I know, that I know, that I know
Is Emmanual
The One who is with me…
Always
***************
God has many names – each representing another facet of his marvelous character. I believe he highlights different facets of his character to each of us in different seasons of life. We will never get to the end of who he is and it will be our unfathomable privilege to discover more and more about his character and nature throughout eternity.
But for right now, I have discovered that one of the deepest anchors of my own relationship with him is centered around one very simple but amazing facet of his character: The unshakeable reality that he is always with me. He is Emmanual – God with us.
I love that there have been no rules for these spontaneous devotions – which leaves a creative freedom for things to go where they will. This week, as we were praying about the idea of Emmanuel–God with us–Aeron saw a picture of a little girl in a library. There were shelves upon shelves filled with volumes upon volumes of books – each containing the revelation of another name and character trait of God. But the little girl had one special book that she clutched to her heart – it was her own special and personal revelation of God. As she clutched it to her heart and held fast to its truth, it not only became a part of her, it also became the foundation for her understanding of other facets of his character. I love the way he drew the “books” taking flight as she internalized the truth they represented. I also love the creative flow of the Spirit – often taking us places we had no idea we were going! The only thing we do know is that he always goes with us.
He is Emmanuel – but he is also so much more. Who do you say he is? Hold that truth close to your heart. Let it become a deeply rooted part of who you are, and then … let it soar.
Cindy Powell 
Thanks so much Cindy Lou We Finished our Service with the God who is Emmanuel This Week so God is on this at the moment Bless you for sharing your heart and Aeron’s Insightful Picture Hugs xx
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Thanks Joy. I love it when God gets on corporate themes. 😊 I hope you are well and enjoying the presence of the God who is always with you. xoxo
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Emmanuel is the whole point of the incarnation. My favorite name for Jesus. In fact, He is so…..near that He’s not only with us, He’s in us, and we’re in Him. You can’t get any more intimate than that!
Loved the spontaneous thoughts and the idea of the books taking flight. Going from glory to glory in greater revelation of who He is, and who we are in Him, is mindboggling, to say the least!
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Amen! Thanks for your ongoing encouragement Mel. I often think my revelation/understanding of God is so basic and simple–and yet those simple truths really are the most stunning and spectacular. I sometimes feel like people say, “Yeah, yeah, I know that–what else you got?” They want what they “think” is meat. But since they’ve never internalized the crazy-amazing depths of the “simple basics” they have no real foundation for intimacy with Him. And, as you so brilliantly pointed out, Emmanuel IS the foundation and, really, the whole point. Thanks for making me feel not quite so crazy for still being undone by the “simple” things. Blessings to you! 😊
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So true. And thank you for staying on the “better thing.” 😊
There’s nothing deeper, or more important, than intimate relationship with Him. I think this idea scares people, they would rather do something practical for Him. But, as Heidi Baker says (and proves), lovers get more done than workers. And it’s in this communion where we are truly transformed.
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For sure! Heidi is one of my heros–a true mother (and mentor) in the faith. ❤
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Bridegroom! “Christ in you, hope of glory” “My delight in her!” “The two become one!” Oh heavenly marriage on earth! (there is no marriage in heaven!) “I have found the one my soul loves!”
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Amen, amen, amen, amen…and amen! Such amazing riches in the depths of of who He is! ❤
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yes! so true! such depth of riches! Name above all names!
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So beautiful, true and uplifting. Immanuel, God with us and in us through His Precious Holy Spirit. I find myself adoring Him more through each new season of my life and He is altogether lovely. Just another of His matchless and endless attributes.
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Amen Glenda 😊 He IS altogether lovely! I love that the knowledge of Him does get even sweeter with time – hard to even imagine what it will be through eternity ❤️ So glad we get to keep discovering more and more of Him! Blessings and hugs to you~
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