God's Alphabet
/I thought it would interesting to create an alphabetical list connected with God and His Word. Typically I think there is an expectation that ABC lists are elementary or simplistic, but the following list is intended to include some advanced and unexpected words while also touching on a broad reach of overarching Biblical teachings and Truth.
A is for alpha
Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet just as God is the beginning of creation. Through The Alpha all things are established and composed.
Colossians 1:15-18 and Revelation 1:8
B is for blood
Because of Adam’s grievous and selfish error, blood is needed to dismiss sin. Isn’t it marvelous that God The Father’s son Jesus came in flesh and blood to spill His life-giving blood for the purpose of washing and remitting sin on behalf of any man who receives His gift?!
Leviticus 17:11 and Hebrews 2:14, 9:6-26
C is for communion
This English word has two meanings, both of which are worth considering. First God wants connection and communication with people. Another way to say this is He wants communion and a relationship with us. This has been evident since Eden where God desired to walk and talk with Adam. And secondly the church has a service known as communion. For our church this is the Threefold Communion service, composed of foot washing, a full meal (The Lord’s Supper) and the eucharist (the bread and wine). All facets of this service are for the purpose of intimately connecting saints to God through Christ. Communion is both connection and sharing.
John 13:5-10, Exodus 33:11 and James 2:23
D is for “do not be afraid”
How many times in The Bible do we see this charge? Fear is connected with sin and death, and Jesus is in the process of defeating both of these ancient enemies, so let us fear not!
Genesis 3:9-10, Luke 1:11-13, 1:26-30, 2:8-11, 5:6-11, 8:49-50, 12:4-5
E is for exhort
This word is about words and communication that helps or assists others, particularly through entreating, encouraging or strengthening. It’s about requesting good choices and inviting others to productive, forward motion. Say you invite a young believer to walk beside you in the way towards the kingdom of heaven — you have just practiced exhortation!
1 Corinthians 1:10, Philippians 4:2 and 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12
F is for faith
Belief in The Father’s plan, promises and Word are essential to approach Him. You must trust in Him and His Word to live! Faith is also productive and leads to good works and another word that also begins with f — fruit.
Hebrews 11:1, 6, John 3:17-18 and Galatians 5:5-6
G is for The God-Man
Jesus of Nazareth is The Christ. He is The Perfect One, being fully God and fully man at the same time since He was conceived of God’s Spirit and born into the flesh through woman.
Mark 16:13-17 and Luke 1:34-38
H is for holiness
The Word clearly tells us that God is holy, but the concept of holiness seems to foreign to many Americans. Holiness is a sacredness or separateness that is connected with spiritual purity and wholeness. Two examples that help to convey this quality are a virgin bride who has saved herself for the bridegroom and fine china which is cherished and reserved for specific uses. The china is special because it’s use is uncommon. Unholy people will forever be apart from The Perfect God, but holy people (the saints) will forever be with Him.
Leviticus 11:45 and Hebrews 12:14
I is for Immanuel
As we noted above under the letter C, from the beginning God has shown His desire to communicate with and relate to mankind.
Jesus’ arrival on earth in human flesh and His name “God with us” (or Immanuel) are more
evidence of His intent to dwell with or among His people.
Isaiah 7:14 and John 1:1, 14
J is for justice
Because of my name and it’s meaning (the name Justin relates to what is fair and just) this quality is near and dear to my heart. Not only God is equitable, but as The Judge of all, He will judge rightly! Through Adam there is much injustice and oppression in the world today, but in the end God will perfectly set everything right. I very much look forward to that day and I hope that you do too!
Psalm 106:3, Proverbs 21:3, and Matthew 12:15-21
K is for kindness
In a world that is increasing hostile and violent, be kind. God has showed a tender kindness towards mankind and you can be like Him by showing and sharing this spiritual trait.
Galatians 5:22, Titus 3:3-7, Joshua 2:12-13 and Ephesians 2:4-7
L is for like
Mankind was created in God’s image and likeness to reflect well upon Him. When Adam disobeyed and sinned, our race became unlike our Maker, but true believers are transformed to become similar to their true spiritual Father. And how does one once again become like God? Why, by listening to His Word, of course!
Genesis 1:26, 1 John 3:1-3 and Matthew 17:5
M is for Melchizedek
Once Abraham was returning from a battle when he met God’s priestly king named Melchizedek. As it turns out, Melchizedek was a pre-incarnate manifestation of Christ, meaning Melchizedek was Christ on earth before His own birth in Bethlehem (I know that’s a mouthful). The “pre-arrival, arrival” of Christ shows us that God is interested in bringing about what’s better. Melchizedek has an everlasting priesthood and He is King of both peace and righteousness! Simply put, Melchizedek is better Levi’s priestly lineage.
Genesis 14:18-20 and Hebrews 7:1-12
N is for new
Our world is corrupted by sin and broken by God’s curse, but...in time God will make everything new. He will remake both heaven and earth and even give His people new and improved bodies!
Revelation 21:3-5 and Romans 6:1-4
O is for overcoming
Jesus is very clear that humans (and particularly saints) will have challenges and struggles in this world. However He is also clear that He has already had victory over all that was and will be thrown at Him by mankind. Towards the end of The Bible Jesus calls His own people to overcome to become part of His family.
John 16:33, 1 John 5:4-5 and Revelation 21:7
P is for the 3 Ps
Through Israel’s history God gave different types of leaders to guide His people. These positions of leadership included prophets, priests and princes. There was both overlap and differences between these roles, but God’s gist was that these men were to proclaim and carry out His Word and will. And interestingly, we can find examples of men in each of these positions (Moses, David and Amos) who were first shepherds!
Nehemiah 9:32, Hosea 4:4-6, 7:16 and 1 Kings 1:32-35
Q is for quail
And quail reminds us that The Lord’s arm is never shortened. Can He save? Yes He can!
Numbers 11:16-32
R is for rebirth
One of the most well known verses of The Bible (John 3:16) is located within Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus where shockingly Jesus states that people must be born again to see God’s kingdom. This spiritual rebirth isn’t just salvation, it’s the receipt of a new spiritual Father (note the capital “F”) by faith. Because Adam can only offer spiritual death, those who desire to have life must be ‘birthed again’ through The Everlasting Father — Christ.
John 3:3-8, 1 Corinthians 15:20-24 and Isaiah 9:6
S is for spirit and soul
Humans aren’t only physical, we are spiritual beings. Your skin and eye color come from your father and mother, but your soul and spirit come from God. These two spiritual parts will exist forever and also show that all indeed our works and choices are spiritual in nature.
Zechariah 12:1, Isaiah 57:16, Ecclesiastes 12:7 and James 2:26
T is for Truth
From the beginning the honest God has been telling man The Truth. I always intend to capitalize the word Truth because Truth and God cannot be divided. Truth gives life and is established against the destructiveness of lies and death. In the end Truth will have the final and ultimate victory!
Deuteronomy 32:4, Zechariah 8:19 and 2 John 3
U is for understanding
Spiritual understanding flows from God and is connected with obeying His Word.
Psalm 111:10 and 1 Kings 3:4-15
V is for valiant
Last year our church’s theme was “Valiant for Truth.” I found this phrase in Jeremiah 9:3 where treacherous men are described as not being valiant for Truth. Through Christ, Truth defenders will win the final victory and enter into a life free of death, pain and sin!
1 Corinthians 15:55-57, Matthew 12:18-21 and Revelation 15:2-4
W is for the way
“The way” is phrase used in the book of Acts to describe the path to God and His kingdom. I think of the brilliant book Pilgrim’s Progress and the struggles and pitfalls that Christian overcomes (remember the letter O above?!) to reach the heavenly city. The Christian faith truly is an arduous and trying journey.
Acts 9:2, 19:9 and 24:14
X is for Xerxes
Okay, so technically the Persian King Xerxes isn’t named in The Bible, but his offspring Artaxerxes is — and to be honest, I had difficulty coming up with a word that begins with x! Seriously though there are many kings listed in The Bible, kings of Persia, Egypt, Syria, Israel and even Rome. Whether good or evil, God allowed each king to rule. These authorities flowed from Him, for He is The King of Kings and Lord of lords. God’s mind is clearly fixed on eternally royalty as His desire is to forever rule and reign with His saints!
Ezra 7:1, Romans 13:1, 1 Timothy 6:13-16 and Revelation 22:3-5
Y is for yield
God is a God of order — in the beginning and throughout history He has appointed both the head and the follower. Children are to yield to their parents, sheep are to follow God’s shepherd, wives are to submit to their husbands and man is to be subject to Christ. In God’s kingdom there is order structure that always leads up to God The Father. In the end literally everyone will bow to God!
1 Corinthians 11:3, 14:40 and 15:23-28
Z is for Zion
God’s chosen place is Jerusalem. This royal city is positioned on the mountain where God will always live among His people.
Psalm 9:11, Jeremiah 50:4-5 and hebrews 12:22-23