Most English translations of the Bible refer to the Creator with just a handful of well-known terms: God, Lord, and LORD. But behind these titles is a wide range of colorful and evocative Hebrew and Aramaic names for God—names like Yahweh, El Shadday, El Elyon, and Adonay.

While the titles “God” and “Lord” are perfectly acceptable translations, they have the effect of obscuring the variety of the original titles and names used to describe God. And so The Names of God Bible, the newest addition to our online library, restores thousands of names and titles to their Hebrew equivalent. The result is a unique reading experience in which you’ll see how the authors of Scripture referred to the living God who inspired and rescued them.

Here are a few examples of well-known Bible passages as translated in The Names of God Bible:

In the beginning Elohim created heaven and earth.

The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep water. The Ruach Elohim was hovering over the water. — Genesis 1:1-2

Listen, Israel: Yahweh is our Elohim. Yahweh is the only God. Love Yahweh your Elohim with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words that I give you today. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you’re at home or away, when you lie down or get up. Write them down, and tie them around your wrist, and wear them as headbands as a reminder. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. — Deuteronomy 6:4-9

But Moses said to Elohim, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the people of Israel out of Egypt?”

Elohim answered, “I will be with you. And this will be the proof that I sent you: When you bring the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship Elohim on this mountain.”

Then Moses replied to Elohim, “Suppose I go to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The Elohim of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ What should I tell them?”

Elohim answered Moses, “Ehyeh Who Ehyeh. This is what you must say to the people of Israel: ‘Ehyeh has sent me to you.’”

Again Elohim said to Moses, “This is what you must say to the people of Israel: Yahweh Elohim of your ancestors, the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever. This is my title throughout every generation.” — Exodus 3:11-15

O Yahweh, our Adonay, how majestic is your name throughout the earth! — Psalm 8:1

It’s interesting how a simple change in name or title can make even very familiar passages seem fresh. Particularly when combined with a good Bible commentary, you’ll find that there is much to be learned in the nuances of God’s names and titles. We hope you find The Names of God Bible to be an inspiring addition to your Bible reading, and we’re grateful to Baker Publishing Group for making it available on Bible Gateway.

You can read more about The Names of God Bible or start reading. Print copies (which include commentary and many additional features by author Ann Spangler) are available at the Bible Gateway store.

If you aren’t familiar with this key event in church history, read the story of Pentecost in Acts 2:

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them…. read the rest of the Pentecost story.

Pentecost fulfilled Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit to empower the church. Jesus’ promise, and the multilingual nature of Pentecost, made it clear that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was meant to be shared with all people, regardless of language or culture. And Peter’s sermon at Pentecost continues to serve as a blueprint for witnessing and evangelism to this day.

If it’s been a while since you’ve thought about the events of Pentecost, this weekend is a good opportunity to re-acquaint yourself with this miraculous event!

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his imagewith ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

One large truth keeps dropping in front of my face ever since the death of philosopher and author Dallas Willard last week.

I’ve read numerous tributes by friends and associates of Willard’s and they keep bringing up this one large truth. I had just one conversation with Dallas Willard years ago, but it confirmed to me that he was driven by this one large truth. Many of my friends who have promoted spiritual formation in the last twenty years have also been speaking about this one large truth since Willard’s death.

John Stott spoke about this one large truth in his last public address given in the summer of 2007, saying that this truth is the sum of the Christian life.

The one large truth I am speaking about is this: the whole purpose of discipleship is for us to become more and more like Jesus.

This we already know. But just think of the consequences if we actually made this one large truth a singular focus, the one thing that really matters, in our lives.

• Our discussions about discipleship would focus primarily on who we are, and what we do would never be an end in itself;
• We wouldn’t be accused of crass bigotry when we are in honest discussions about same-sex marriage;
• People who are lost would see qualities of personhood they would be attracted to;
  We would be offering a gospel that truly makes a difference in our communities and the world-right here, right now;
• We would need fewer books and seminars on how to be good husbands or wives, moms or dads, because the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control—would shape all our actions and reactions;
• Christian witness would never be about joining our club, but gaining one’s life;
• We would have free and open faith discussions with Muslims and Hindus and atheists because our exchanges would be about the pursuit of truth, not power or control;
• Rancor would sicken us, we’d have no interest in gossip, we wouldn’t have the time or interest to do probing inquiries to figure out who is “in” and who is “out”;
• Prayer, worship, Scripture reading, and other disciplines would be real-time interactions with God, not means to certain ends.

So if this one large truth is true, and it it really is so large, why is it not sufficient for us? Why are our efforts at discipleship askew and ineffective? How is it that we can misbehave so badly, act in ways that are so un-Christlike, and not see our behavior as undermining the very thing we say we stand for? I ask myself this because even on a good day I slip so easily into interactions that would make me shame-faced if Jesus walked in the room.

Is it that we always want to improve on God’s simple things? Is it that we consider love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control insufficient? Is it that we want to do things for which we can take credit?

Is it that when we start a new week or a new day the voices in our ears that dominate belong to the people we want to please, the bosses we must impress, the “important” people we want to like us, the problem people we are in never-ending dances with?

What a shame. When God has made his desires for our lives entirely unambiguous, it is a crime when we make other things more important. Maybe even idolatrous. When God shows us one large truth, we must keep it large in our vision.

Here is where I must say I cannot point fingers at other people—that there is no one who more disappoints me than me. That is true—but insufficient. Like everyone else, I cannot live swinging between overconfidence and paralyzing discouragement. Nothing much comes of zig-zag lives. Somehow we need the steadying power of focus on Christ.

Whether you have benefited from the thoughts of Dallas Willard or not, this much is true: he certainly helped us all by focussing on one large truth, which is this (in the words of another author, John Stott): “God wants His people to become like Christ. Christlikeness is the will of God for the people of God.”

For a study of the fruit of the Spirit, love joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control, and spiritual disciplines, see Mel Lawrenz’s Patterns: Ways to Develop a God-Filled Life.

You can now have each “morning” and “evening” reflection read to you by Charles F. Koelsch. To listen to Morning and Evening, simply visit the Morning and Evening page on Bible Gateway and click on the appropriate audio button:

The addition of audio means you can now access Morning and Evening in three different ways: online text, via email, and as audio. Morning and Evening has been a favorite of Bible Gateway visitors ever since we first added it to the site, and we hope that the addition of an audio version makes it even more useful to you.

It seemed an obvious question to posit, considering that over 1 billion smartphones are actively sending and receiving data across the world. But while few of us would dispute the ease and convenience of this fast access to digital books, we also wondered: what if digital pocket access to the Bible isn’t necessarily better? Is there something to be said about holding to our analog, leather-bound roots?

Obviously, at Bible Gateway we love being able to read and study the Word of God online and on our mobile devices. It’s fast, simple, and makes it possible to access a plethora of resources we might not otherwise be able to turn to. With an app, we can confidently walk into church not just with a Bible, but with many Bibles—and perhaps commentaries, devotionals, and other useful resources as well. No, I don’t have a book with me. Yes, I brought my Bible. It fits in the palm of my hand.

So we asked you whether digital Bibles have positively affected your Bible reading… and you responded with a firm “Yes. Digital access to the Bible allows us to read God’s Word more!”

Here are the results of the poll.

• Yes. I read the Bible much more than I did before, thanks to Bible apps. (42%)
• Yes, I read the Bible somewhat more than I used to. (23%)
• I don’t use an app to read the Bible. (19%)
• No, my Bible reading habits haven’t changed. (12%)
• Yes, I read the Bible LESS than I used to. (4%)

A few things to think about as you consider these poll results:

1. Do you engage with Scripture as deeply when you’re accessing it through an app?
2. Do fast digital access to Scripture help you to spread Scripture to others?
3. If you haven’t downloaded a Bible app, should you? Why or why not?

Sisters in Faith meets women where they are: looking for Christ as they navigate relationships, careers, marriage, motherhood, and more. Sisters in Faith consists of a weekly reflection written by a talented writer like Tia McCollors, Michele Clark Jenkins, and others.

Each writer brings their unique perspective to a particular issue, whether it’s managing anger, finding time for prayer, or lending a helping hand to other women in your community. And each weekly reflection is short and accessible—not too hard to fit into your insanely busy Monday morning routine.

Sisters in Faith begins next Monday, May 20, and is emailed out each week to everyone who signs up on our Newsletters page. If you’d like to see examples of what Sisters in Faith is like, we’ve put them online in our Devotionals section as well.

We hope you’ll give Sisters in Faith a look—we think they bring an important new perspective to our devotional library!

The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” — Judges 6:12

When I first became a mother, I wanted my son to see for himself the hand of God moving in his life. So I began to pray with him when he was only two. Almost every day Jake and I kept our appointment with God. We would ask Him to use us to do His work that day, and I was so encouraged to see a little boy be so passionate for prayer.

When Jake turned thirteen, I prayed that God would help him understand the true joy of giving. At the time, we lived in a small town in central Oregon where there was no mall. One day Jake and I drove to Portland for a big shopping spree. We had saved our money all year for our big day at the mall. As I drove, I prayed with Jake for a divine appointment—and our God didn’t waste any time answering that prayer.

We walked into the mall and Jake was immediately off to the computer store. As I followed behind him, I happen to notice a young teenage girl curled up on a bench, shaking. It was freezing outside and she did not appear to have a coat. I couldn’t see her face, but I could tell that she was very cold and in emotional pain. My heart broke for her. I couldn’t help myself, I wanted to do something to help, so I approached her and said, “Please let me pray for you.”

To my surprise she totally mocked me by responding sarcastically, “Whatever”—to which I shot back, “I’m not leaving until I pray for you.” She looked at me with anger in her eyes and said, “Go ahead and get it over with.” Jake walked up to us just as I began to pray this prayer:

“Dear God, I don’t know what this girl has been through, but You do, so please let her know You love her and that You can and will help her. Please show her today, somehow, that You see her broken heart and You can restore all she has lost. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”

This precious girl went from cold and distant to crying uncontrollably. Then she began to share her story through her tears. She had gotten pregnant, but her parents had wanted her to abort the baby. She wanted to keep the baby and marry her boyfriend, who was the father of the child. Her parents had kicked her out on the streets. She and her boyfriend kept the baby, slept under a bridge, and still went to high school. But because they were homeless, they had given the baby up for adoption.

The girl’s boyfriend walked up while she was sharing their story, and my son said out loud, “Mom, it’s time to shop.”

I said, “Jake, did you hear their situation?”

He said, “Yes, that’s why we need to spend our shopping money on them.”

That day Jake took the young man and bought him clothes, a sleeping bag, new shoes, and a backpack. I took the girl and did the same. At the end of our time with them, we got to pray the greatest prayer of all—the prayer for salvation. Then our ministry cut a check to get them in an apartment and off the streets.

As Jake and I drove back home without any shopping bags in our car, Jake said to me, “Mom, that was the best day I have ever had!” At that moment I realized that Jake will never remember anything I bought him when he is old, but he will never forget the day God used his life as a gift to someone else.

If you found this devotional helpful, be sure to check out Sheri’s Bible Life Coaching with Sheri Rose Shepherd email devotional. Each weekly installment of the devotional includes a video, devotional message, and “letter from God.” And be sure to to visit Sheri at BibleLifeCoaching.com to learn more about her ongoing ministry.

What does this mean for you?

If you missed Crazy Love the first time around, this is your chance to find out what all the buzz is about! This devotional is drawn from Francis Chan’s bestselling book of the same name. In the course of ten weekly reflections, Chan challenges Christians to define our lives with selfless, Christ-like love. That might sound like a vague or unremarkable challenge, but Chan is gifted with an amazing ability to take abstract-sounding concepts like “Christ-like love” and put them in practical, everyday terms.

You can read more about Crazy Love here. And if that sounds interesting, just hop over to our Newsletters page to subscribe.

If you’ve already read the Crazy Love devotional and enjoyed it, why not encourage your circle of friends, small group, or family to sign up as well? Crazy Love is written to spark good conversations, and talking through each reading with friends is one of the best ways to get the most out of the devotional. Just point your friends and family to our Newsletters page.

If you’re already signed up for Crazy Love but don’t want to participate in its second run, you’ll receive an email today explaining how to unsubscribe.

We’re very happy to make the Crazy Love devotional available again, and hope you find it both challenging and inspiring!

Ascension Day is the 40th day following Jesus’ resurrection. On this day, Jesus completed his God-given mission, charging his disciples with a task that Christians today continue to work towards: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to every creature.”

Jesus’ ascension—his physical return to heaven—is mentioned briefly in Luke 24 and Mark 16. The most complete account of Jesus’ final days on earth is found in Acts 1:

Before he was taken up, working in the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus instructed the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed them that he was alive with many convincing proofs. He appeared to them over a period of forty days, speaking to them about God’s kingdom. While they were eating together, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised. He said, “This is what you heard from me: John baptized with water, but in only a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

As a result, those who had gathered together asked Jesus, “Lord, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now?”

Jesus replied, “It isn’t for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority. Rather, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

After Jesus said these things, as they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going away and as they were staring toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood next to them. They said, “Galileans, why are you standing here, looking toward heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you saw him go into heaven.” — Acts 1:1-11 (CEB)

Matthew’s account doesn’t describe Jesus’ ascension, but does contain this memorable final charge to his followers:

Jesus came near and spoke to them, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.” —Matthew 28:16-20 (CEB)

Some churches commemorate Ascension Day with special services or prayer vigils; others don’t. But either way, you can celebrate Christ’s ascension to heaven by dedicating yourself to obeying his final command. What are we waiting for? Go and make disciples!

The Bible speaks highly of mothers who raise children and guide their families in a righteous manner; in the oft-quoted Proverbs 31, the “wife of noble character” is honored by her husband and children for her virtues.

Motherhood wasn’t a requirement for godly women in Bible times—and just as today, not every woman who wanted children was granted her wish. But the mothers and matriarchs of the Bible exhibit qualities that all of us, male or female, parent or not, should strive to emulate. Here are a few of the famous mothers of the Bible, with links to their stories:

Mary, the mother of Jesus: perhaps no more famous mother exists than Mary, who at a young age learned from an angel that she would give birth to the long-awaited Messiah. Her song of praise in response, and the well-known events of Christ’s birth, are what usually spring to mind when we think of Mary. But her role as mother brought her grief as well as joy; we can only imagine what it must have been like for her to witness Jesus’ crucifixion.

Mary’s was not the only miraculous birth recorded in the New Testament. Elizabeth was a godly woman who was “righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly”—and yet she and her husband were unable to conceive a child. God answered her prayers late in her life and she gave birth to John the Baptist, but is perhaps best known for her prophetic encouragement of the young (and perhaps frightened) Mary: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Hannah is one of the most inspiring mothers in the Bible, although her story is less well-known. Despite years of patience and prayer, she remained unable to have a child. One day “in her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly”—and God answered her prayer at last. But Hannah’s character truly shone when, in gratitude to God, she dedicated her newborn son to His service. Her son would one day become one of Israel’s greatest prophets.

Sarah, the wife of Abraham, is one of the great matriarchs of the Bible—yet she didn’t become a mother until very late in life. In fact, her reaction to God’s promise that she would have a son was to laugh, as memorably recorded in Genesis 18. Nevertheless she did give birth to a son, and her lineage would include Jesus Christ himself.

There are many more famous mothers described in the Bible; many of them righteous, some not so much, but all used by God to bring about His design. This weekend, as we give thanks for the mothers in our lives, consider how you can embody the traits that define a godly mother—patience, kindheartedness, faithfulness—and consider how you can encourage the mothers in your community, young and old, as they work to meet that same standard.