The Name of the Lord - Multi-faceted

 

As Believers, we are called by the name of the Lord. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture (Isaiah 43:7; Jeremiah 14:9). In His name we are washed, sanctified and justified in the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 6:11).

God chooses individuals to stand and serve in His name; and requires that some cities and houses are dedicated to His name (Acts 9:15; Deuteronomy 18:5, 7; 1 Samuel 17:45; 1 Samuel 7:13; 1 Kings 8:19, 18:24; 2 Kings 21:4, 7; 2 Chronicles 7:16, 12:13; Nehemiah 1:9).

Jesus is the King who came in the name of the Lord (Luke 19:38); His name is also Emmanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). When we call on His name, we are saved (Acts 2:21).

Those who believe in the name of God's Son receive eternal life (1 John 5:13). Those who do not believe in His name condemn themselves to eternal judgement (John 3:18).

When we receive Jesus and believe on His name, He gives us the right to become His children, and we receive forgiveness for all of our sins (John 1:12; Acts 10:43).

If we realize our reliance on God, obey His Word and do not deny His name, God opens doors for us, which no one can shut (Revelation 3:8). The power, provision and protection of His name are always near to us (Psalm 75:1).

The Lord appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as God Almighty, but He did not reveal Himself to them as Lord (Exodus 6:3). He set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the Ark, to serve Him and to bless His name (Deuteronomy 10:8; 18:5).

The one hundred and forty-four thousand will have the name of the Lord and the Father written on their foreheads (Revelation 14:1, 4). We also overcome our enemies in the name of the Lord (Psalm 44:5).

When we come in the name of the Lord, we are blessed (Psalm 118:26). The Father keeps and protects us in His name, which He gave to Jesus (John 17:11-12).

Prayer:

Father God, if we are hated, ostracize and insulted for our stand for the name of Christ, we are also blessed, because Your Spirit and glory rest on us (Matthew 10:22, 24:9; Luke 6:22; 1 Peter 4:14). We rejoice when we realize that we are considered worthy to suffer for Your name (Acts 5:41).

Remind us to make disciples from all nations and to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Help us to cast out demons and to heal the sick in Your name (Mark 9:38; Acts 3:6); and whatever we ask, for the sake of Your name, we know that You will do it (John 14:13-14).

Thought for the Day:

The Holy Spirit, our Helper, comes from the Father in Jesus' name to teach us all things and bring them to our remembrance when we need them. - John 14:26 

Many thanks to Matt Milligan Photography for photo.

Freedom from Sin

So often we humans cry out to God to free us from the addictions of the flesh, which harass us continually. However, we are more interested in being free from the effects of these sins than in living an ethical life.

We have no interest in being justified from our sins or having a personal relationship with God, we just want to be free from the consequences of our obsessions.

Then we wonder why God does not answer our prayers. Our pride and rebellion against God, and our insistence on living life according to our own plans, prevent God from showering us with His blessings (Romans 1:18:26).

Actually, sin is not our problem. A lack of relationship with Jesus Christ is at the root of our sin and all of our other problems. The cessation of sin can only be accomplished through the presence of God in our life.

Satan will not easily give us up; yet, when we receive a new heart of flesh, then we are more sensitive to the conviction of God's Spirit, and we more readily submit our flesh to Him for sanctification (Ezekiel 36:26).

Once we fully come to Christ for our salvation and totally surrender our life to God, we seek Him rather than His benefits, regardless of the trials and unhappiness we experience. We live and walk in His Spirit (Romans 8:5).

As we set our mind on things above, the things of this earth have no more attraction for us. Our mind is renewed with the mind of Christ (Romans 12:2). God's Spirit crucifies the desires of our flesh for us (Romans 8:13).

As we submit to the leading of God's Spirit, He replaces our carnality with the fruit of His Spirit (Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:22:23). This only occurs once we are children of our Daddy God (Romans 8:15-17).

 

Prayer:

Father God, expose Satan's lies in our life and help us to cast down his arguments and to take captive every thought, word or deed, which fights against our relationship with You (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Thank You for setting us free from sin, so that we can be slaves of righteousness instead. Now we can reap the blessings of a moral life (Romans 6:18). We are so grateful also that you sent Christ to purchase our salvation on Calvary's Cross (John 3:16-17).

Thought for the Day:

In Christ, who is our life, we are forgiven and given the holiness of God in Christ. 

- Colossians 3:4; 2 Corinthians 5:21

Overwhelming Love

Eros love is physical and human; Phileo love is what we feel for our friends; but Agape love comes from God. It does not depend on how we feel or even if we like the person or not. Agape is contingent only on Christ within us. God loved us while we were still vile sinners, and He calls us to allow Him to use us to love others in this same way (Romans 5:8).

We love God, because he first loved us and gave Himself for us as a ransom for our sins (1 Timothy 2:6). If we truly love Him, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15). God’s love for us does not depend on our lovableness, and does not require that we act in a loving manner. God’s love is unconditional; however, any negative behavior on our part will break His heart.

God would not love us any more if we walked in perfection before Him, and He does not love us any less if we fail unexpectedly (1 John 3:6; Hebrews 10:26). His love for us is contingent upon His dependability, not on our deportment. Christ’s death on the cross is love in action (John 3:16). If we accept this sacrifice as the payment for our sins, we are justified and have peace with God (Romans 5:1).

Although we all deserve an eternity of condemnation, at the moment of our salvation, our spirit is reborn and our over-riding desire for sin dies. We are in Christ, and He is now our whole life (Colossians 3:3-4). As authentic Believers, we no longer need to wonder if we are pleasing God or doing enough to earn His love, because Christ’s sacrifice already made us an acceptable member of His beloved family (Ephesians 1:6).

Prayer:

Father God, due to the saving work of Christ on the cross, we can draw near to You and enjoy Your overwhelming love, blessings and presence every moment of every day (James 4:8). We enjoy our continual fellowship with You. Our sins are forgiven and Christ in us makes us suitable to fellowship with You (Galatians 3:16). 

Remind us to set aside time for You every day and to remain in Your presence all day long regardless of the duties of family and employment. We give You all of the praise, glory and honor for everything we are, everything we accomplish and everything we have in this life.

Thought for the Day:

We enjoy the privilege of being near to God, because we made Him our sovereign Lord; He is our refuge, and we enjoy His overwhelming love and all of His generous benefits. – Psalm 73:28, 103:2