The Name Of Jesus

"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:9-11


The name Jesus, to the believer, is the sweetest and most precious name that there is.  There is none sweeter or more precious!  The Bible tells us that God the Father has given Jesus a name that is above every other name.  There is no other name that is more important or worth more than the name of Jesus Christ.  The Lord Jesus Christ should be the most important and precious person to you and I.

Here is what Charles Spurgeon said about the Lord Jesus Christ:

"When a person is dear, everything connected with him becomes dear for his sake. Thus, so precious is the person of the Lord Jesus in the estimation of all true believers, that everything about him they consider to be inestimable beyond all price."

When Christ is precious to us, everything connected with Him, everything about Him, becomes precious to us as well.  We will love the things that Jesus loves and we will hate the things that Jesus hates.  What are some of the things that Jesus loves?  Christ loves His Heavenly Father, Christ loves the lost, Christ loves the Church, Christ loves humility and meekness.  You and I should also love our Heavenly Father, we should love and have a burden for the lost, we should love the Church and show our love by being faithful, and we should seek after humility and meekness.  What are some of the things that Jesus hates?  Christ hates our sin (not the sinner), Christ hates pride, and Christ hates self-righteousness.  You and I should also hate our sin instead of justifying it and making excuses for it.  You and I should hate pride in our hearts, for pride is at the root of each of our sins.  You and I should hate self-righteousness in our lives; may we exalt Christ and His righteousness and not our own.

Is the name of Jesus precious to you?  Are the things connected with Jesus precious to you?  His name has been set above all other names by God the Father.  May the Lord help us to never bring the name of Jesus Christ down to the level of mortal man.  May the Lord help us to never bring reproach upon His most holy and precious name.  May the Lord help us to never drag His name through the mud, and cause the most holy and precious name of Jesus Christ to be blasphemed by others.

What does the name Jesus Christ mean to you?

Prayer For Today:

Heavenly Father, thank You so much for exalting the name of Jesus above every other name.  It is my prayer that I would never do anything to bring reproach on or cause the holy and precious name of Jesus to be blasphemed.  Thank You for the most precious and holy name of Jesus.  It is my desire to exalt His name through my life.  In Jesus name, Amen!

Forgiveness

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9


I just wanted to share a quick thought today on forgiveness.  I personally think this verse is one of the greatest promises ever given to us!  As a child of God, if we are willing to confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness.

When you ask Christ for forgiveness, He will give it.  Despite your sins, Christ offers immediate forgiveness.  It doesn't matter what you have done or how bad you have been, Jesus Christ offers forgiveness to those who confess their sins to Him in repentance.  Do you have unconfessed sin in your life?  If so, it is time to take Christ up on His promise!

It is such a blessing to know that when it comes to forgiveness God doesn't play favorites!  Since God doesn't play favorites when it comes to forgiveness, neither should you and I.  God's Word commands us to forgive ALL that have wronged and hurt us, not just the ones who have asked for forgiveness or who have made things right with us.  If you are a child of God, Jesus Christ has completely forgiven you, and you must completely forgive others.  Anything less is disobedience to God's Word!

Lord, help us today to forgive others as You have forgiven us!

"God's heart of mercy provides for us not only pardon from sin but also a daily provision of spiritual food to strengthen us." - Jim Cymbala


Prayer For Today:

Heavenly Father, thank you so much for Your faithfulness!  Thank you for Your promise of forgiveness if we confess our sins to You.  Father, forgive me for any sin or iniquity that is in my heart this day.  Help me to forgive others as well, not just the ones who ask for it, but even those who don't.  Lord, help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me!  In Jesus name, Amen!