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.

Enemies of God

 

We were all enemies of God at one time, but He reconciled us to Himself through the death of His righteous Son, Jesus. Those who repent of their sins and call on His name we are saved by His life (Romans 5:10). We pass from death to eternal life through all the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Lord (John 14:19). Death no longer reigns in the spirit, body and soul – mind, choices and emotions - of those who believe in Christ as their Savior (Romans 5:17). Our sins are paid for, and we are absolved of their penalty.

Through Jesus, the Kingdom of God is now within each Believer (Luke 17:20-21). Jesus purchased our salvation from corruption, by His death and resurrection. Now, He is the first-born of many brethren (Romans 8:29), the head of the body (1 Corinthians 12:12) and the light of the world, which is lost in darkness (John 8:12). Christ in us also makes us the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16). We are bound to the fathomless Christ forever. We live in a personal union and intimate communion with Him.

God gave us His spirit as His sons. The Stone, which the builders rejected, is now our chief cornerstone (Psalm 118:22; 1 Peter 2:4-8). He made us living stones in a temple made without hands, as well as His royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:4-5; 1 Corinthians 3: 16-17; 2 Corinthians 5:1, 6:16). In ages past, God tried to reach man through dispensations of innocence, human government, promise, law and grace. We are now in this age of grace, which is also called the “day of the gentiles” and “the church age”.

There is only one era left before eternity; the millennial reign of Christ and His Bride on the earth. We will rule with Him for 1,000 years and live in His mansion with Him in glory (Revelation 20:4 - 21:1; John 14:2-3). Even now, God dwells in us and walks with us and considers us His People and the Sheep of His pasture (2 Corinthians 6:16). God teaches us the mysteries of His Kingdom (Matthew 13:11). He bids us to enter His rest and to cease from our own labor as we do His will each day of our life (Hebrews 4:10).

The triune God moves in and exchanges our carnal nature with the righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:12). He changes our heart of stone to one of flesh, which is pliable in the hands of His Spirit (Ezekiel 11:19). He raises us up to sit in heavenly places with Christ, and through Christ He shows us the richness of His grace and His kindness toward us (Ephesians 2:6-7). At the culmination of time, He will give us gladness, and joy and all sorrow and sighing will pass away forever (Isaiah 35:4; Revelation 21:4).

Prayer:

Father God, at Your command, the universe was set into motion, the earth was formed, and life was raised up by the power of Your Word. You brought Christ forth as a righteous branch from the lineage of King David (Psalm 148). One day soon, You will send our Savior and King to the earth to reign in prosperity for all. Through His justice, He will execute judgment in the earth. You will save Israel, just as You promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and they will dwell in safety in the land of Your promise. Jesus will reign as Lord of Righteousness forever (Jeremiah 23:5-6). All of Your Saints will serve You and praise You for eternity.

Thought for the Day:

The Kingdom of God is within us. – Luke 17:20-21