What a Name! Yes, the Name of Jesus!

Hebrews 1:1-14 (New International Version)

¹In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, ²but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. ³The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. ⁴So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

 ⁵For to which of the angels did God ever say,
   "You are my Son;
      today I have become your Father"? Or again,
   "I will be his Father,
      and he will be my Son"? ⁶And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says,
   "Let all God's angels worship him." ⁷In speaking of the angels he says,
   "He makes his angels winds,
      his servants flames of fire^{. 8}But about the Son he says,
   "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever,
      and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.
 ⁹You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
      therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
      by anointing you with the oil of joy." ¹⁰He also says,
   "In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth,
      and the heavens are the work of your hands.
 ¹¹They will perish, but you remain;
      they will all wear out like a garment.
 ¹²You will roll them up like a robe;
      like a garment they will be changed.
   But you remain the same,
      and your years will never end."^{] 13}To which of the angels did God ever say,
      "Sit at my right hand
   until I make your enemies
      a footstool for your feet"? ¹⁴Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

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The name Jesus conveys different things to different people. Depending on the individual, it can mean an historical figure, a good teacher, a prophet, or a curse word. Yet to many throughout the world, that name is synonymous with "Lord and Savior."

What is it about that name? Why do some respond in praise and worship while others react in profanity and anger? The answer is that Jesus isn't simply a person; He's an issue. And our response to who He is determines not only our way of life, but also our eternal destiny.

The name of Jesus Christ represents all He is and all He does. Scripture identifies Him as the Son of God, equal to the Father in character and attributes: He is eternal, all-powerful, sovereign, and ever-present. The Bible also says He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." (Col. 1:16).

Jesus came to earth as the God-man for the purpose of saving mankind. Because He lived a perfect life, Christ is the only person in history who is qualified to pay the penalty for someone else's sin. He secured our forgiveness and offers us the gift of salvation on the basis of faith.

One day Christ will sit as mankind's ultimate, final judge. Those who have accepted His payment for their sins will live with Him forever.

Have you chosen to receive Christ's offer of salvation? A transformed life now and an eternal kingdom in heaven await all who call Him Savior and King. If you've never made the wise decision to accept His free gift, why not do so now? Then rejoice in the fact that Jesus will return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

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On The Winning Side

Colossians 2:6-15 (New Living Translation)

Freedom from Rules and New Life in Christ

 ⁶ And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. ⁷ Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. ⁸ Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. ⁹ For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. ¹⁰ So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

 ¹¹ When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. ¹² For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

 ¹³ You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. ¹⁴ He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

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You've get to be On the Winning Side

Few today believe the pagan idea that the world is under the control of warring gods like Artemis, Pan, and Appolo. Yet even sophisticated skeptics readily acknowledge the reality of "forces" over which we have no control. For example, they attribute our inability to prevent violence in various places around the world to what they vaguely call "international forces". And they speak of "economic forces" beyond our control. For example, millions of people are starving despite the fact that there is more than enough food in the world to provide for every person on the earth.

The Bible clearly acknowledges the presence of invisible but very real spiritual beings, or powers. In Ephesians 6:11-12 the Apostle Paul declared that our primary warfare is against an army of rebellious angels headed by Satan, let's read it: "Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." (New Living Translation)

The bad news is that this battalion of demons are more intelligent and powerful than we are. The good news is that Jesus Christ defeated them by His death on the cross: "In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross" (Colossians 2:15).

There are many thing beyond our control, but we need not fear. We who have place our trust in Jesus, and received Him in our heart as our personal Savior and LORD, we are on the winning side. If you realized that you are not on this winning side, today is the day to receive this free gift of salvation given by God to all mankind.

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Lamb of God! You now are seated

High upon Your Father's throne,

All Your gracious work completed,

All Your mighty victory known.

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Remember:

Satan may win some battles,

but he cannot win the war.

Taking Jesus at His Word

John 4:46-54 (New International Version)

 ⁴⁶Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. ⁴⁷When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.

 ⁴⁸"Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe."

 ⁴⁹The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies."

 ⁵⁰Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live."
      The man took Jesus at his word and departed. ⁵¹While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. ⁵²When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, "The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour."

 ⁵³Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he and all his household believed.

 ⁵⁴This was the second miraculous sign that Jesus performed, having come from Judea to Galilee.

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Taking Jesus at His Word

The man took Jesus at His word and departed. He was not used to taking people at their word like this. Usually he needed more proof. But this was his moment of greatest need. His son was deathly ill, and the doctors could not help him. His last resort was to turn to Jesus and plead for His help.

"Lord", he pleaded, "please come now before my little boy dies."

The way Jesus said "Your son will live" changed this man's life on the spot. There was such conviction in Jesus' voice, such authority and confidence that the man immediately believed him and went on his way.

He didn't need to see the results to believe, because the Son of God has spoken them. He didn't need the opinions of others, because the author of creation had spoken. The simple word of God calmed his heart in the most dire situation he had ever faced.

This is what happens when you encounter the Word of God. It rings in your soul and inspires your faith. It supersedes all other opinions and banishes all doubts. It addresses your heart's fears and sets you back on course for the adventure of your life.

In what areas of your life do you need to hear the simple and clear Word of God? What situations in your life need God's insight? Ask God to provide His wisdom in these areas, and then read the Bible expecting to hear from Him, and He will answer you.

Let's pray:

"God, I need to hear from you. Give me the faith to believe what you tell me to do, just as the man whose son was deathly sick believed. I believe that Jesus is my Savior and I confess Him as the Lord of everything in my life. I can't do this on my own, so help me my Lord God."

There Is Hope After Death

John 11:25-26 (New International Version)

²⁵Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; ²⁶and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

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Even though you are still alive in the body, you MUST repent from your sins, and your sinful way of living and accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and LORD in order to not die the eternal death. This decision has to be made while you are still in this earth life. After death, there is no other chance, but a judgment day waiting for you. So, this decision has to be made while you are still in this earth life. Think about it!! - Let's read what the Bible has to say for us:

Acts 3:19 (New International Version)

¹⁹Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

Romans 10:9-10 (New Living Translation)

⁹ If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.

Hebrews 9:27 (New International Version)

²⁷Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.

--- ooo ---

But there is hope right now, receive Jesus Christ in your heart, confess publicly with your mouth that He is your LORD, and you will be saved. And if Jesus Christ comes to rapture His people before your death, then you will be taken unto heaven with Him and all the saints together:

John 14:1-3 (New Living Translation)

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. ² There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? ³ When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 (New Living Translation)

¹⁵ We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. ¹⁷ Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. ¹⁸ So encourage each other with these words.

Turn On The Lights !!

Matthew 5:13-20 (New International Version)

Salt and Light

 ¹³"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

 ¹⁴"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

 ¹⁷"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. ¹⁸I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. ¹⁹Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus Wants You  to Represent Him!

People often ask me what I miss most about serving as president of Moody Bible Institute. Without question it’s the students. I love their passion for Jesus and the way they demonstrate it to the world around them. Non-Christian employers often told me of the student’s exemplary work ethic. Chicago’s police superintendent once said, “When the Moody students return to campus, it’s like somebody turned on the lights on the near North side.”

This is exactly what Jesus had in mind when He said, “You are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14). It’s a powerful word picture of the impact of contrast. There should be a recognizable difference between the integrity of Christians and the prevailing darkness of our world.

It’s not about making speeches for Jesus; it’s about people observing us as Jesus’ followers. Even though they may not want to hear about Jesus, you can be sure they’re watching to see if He makes a difference in our lives. When Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works” (Matt. 5:16), He was saying that before we can speak up we have to show up. Our capacity to shine Jesus is measured by our good works, which reveal His compelling reality in our lives.

Let’s turn on the lights in our lives. (By Dr. Joseph Stowell)

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Jesus is calling you, with a holy calling for the light of the world to be, to lift up the lamp of the Savior, that others His light may see. No matter what you are, no matter the place you live, Jesus is calling you to be His ambassador and represent Him.

Insight:
In the Biblical passage we read today, Jesus used two common objects: salt and light, to show the impact a Christian ought to have on the society he lives in. Salt has been used as a preservative, a flavor enhancer, and a thirst stimulant. A lamp is intended to shine and give direction; to illuminate and give light to others. The light also serves as a sign. The light must necessarily be placed in a conspicuous position to attract and to be effective.

To lead others out of the darkness of sin, let them see the light of Christ in your life.

A New Career - Jesus Has a Calling for You...

Matthew 4:18-22  

(New International Version)

The Calling of the First Disciples

 ¹⁸As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁹"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." ²⁰At once they left their nets and followed him.

 ²¹Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, ²²and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Jesus Has a New Career for You

For some guys, the annual fishing trip is the highlight of their calendar. They stay in cozy cabins and spend long days fishing just for the fun of it. You can be sure it wasn't that way for the disciples at Jesus' time. They weren't on vacation when they met Jesus. Fishing was their career and they were very busy into it.

Our careers often demand much of our time and attention. But Jesus has an interesting way of interrupting our business-as-usual agenda. In fact, He invites us to join His business even today, right now no matter where you are or no matter what it your career.

Notice the sequence of His statement to the fishermen: "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men" (Matt. 4:19). We are tempted to think that we should make something of our lives and at the same time follow Jesus. WRONG!! He calls us first to follow Him, and then He makes something of our lives. He leads us to prioritize so that we see the needs of people and their eternity as the goal of all our endeavors. 

And while God may not require you to give up your career, following Him will guarantee that you will never see your career in the same way again. Where  you "fish"  is not important. But if you follow, you must fish.

What are you waiting for? Drop your nets, accept Jesus as your Savior, follow Him, and let Him make something of your life. He can use you in a mighty way that you had never thought about it.

International Women's Day - A Prayer For You Brave Woman!

By Dr. John Piper 

 

My earnest challenge and prayer for you is . . .

 

. . . That all of your life—in whatever calling—be devoted to the glory of God.

. . . That the promises of Christ be trusted so fully that peace and joy and strength fill your soul to overflowing. 

. . . That this fullness of God overflow in daily acts of love so that people might see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in Heaven.

. . . That you be women of the Book, who love and study and obey the Bible in every area of its teaching; that meditation on biblical truth be the source of hope and faith; that you continue to grow in understanding through all the chapters of your life, never thinking that study and growth are only for others.

. . . That you be women of prayer, so that the Word of God will be opened to you, and so the power of faith and holiness will descend upon you; that your spiritual influence may increase at home and at church and in the world.

. . . That you be women who have a deep grasp of the sovereign grace of God which undergirds all these spiritual processes; and that you be deep thinkers about the doctrines of grace, and even deeper lovers of these things.

. . . That you be totally committed to ministry, whatever your specific calling; that you not fritter away your time on soaps or women’s magazines or unimportant hobbies or shopping; that you redeem the time for Christ and His Kingdom.

. . . That, if you are single, you exploit your singleness to the full in devotion to God (the way Jesus and Paul and Mary Slessor and Amy Carmichael did) and not be paralyzed by the desire to be married.

. . . That, if you are married, you creatively and intelligently and sincerely support the leadership of your husband as deeply as obedience to Christ will allow; that you encourage him in his God-appointed role as head; that you influence him spiritually primarily through your fearless tranquility and holiness and prayer.

. . . That, if you have children, you accept responsibility with your husband (or alone if necessary) to raise up children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord—children who hope in the triumph of God—sharing with your husband the teaching and discipline they need, and giving them the special attention they crave from you, as well as that special nurturing touch and care that you alone are fitted to give.

. . . That you not assume that secular employment is a greater challenge or a better use of your life than the countless opportunities of service and witness in the home, the neighborhood, the community, the church, and the world; that you not only pose the question: career or full-time homemaker? but that you ask just as seriously: full-time career or freedom for ministry? That you ask: Which would be greater for the Kingdom—to work for someone who tells you what to do to make his or her business prosper, or to be God’s free agent dreaming your own dream about how your time and your home and your creativity could make God’s business prosper?

And that in all this you make your choices not on the basis of secular trends or upward lifestyle expectations, but on the basis of what will strengthen the faith of the family and advance the cause of Christ.

. . . That you step back and (with your husband, if you are married) plan the various forms of your life’s ministry in chapters. Chapters are divided by various things—age, strength, singleness, marriage, employment, children at home, children in college, grandchildren, retirement, etc. No chapter has all the joys. Finite life is a series of tradeoffs. Finding God’s will, and living for the glory of Christ to the full in every chapter is what makes it a success, not whether it reads like somebody else’s chapter or whether it has in it what only another chapter will bring.

. . . That you develop a wartime mentality and lifestyle; that you never forget that life is short, that billions of people hang in the balance of heaven and hell every day, that the love of money is spiritual suicide, that the goals of upward mobility (nicer clothes, cars, houses, vacations, food, hobbies) are a poor and dangerous substitute for the goals of living for Christ with all your might and maximizing your joy in ministry to people’s needs.

. . . That in all your relationships with men (not just in marriage) you seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in applying the biblical vision of manhood and womanhood; that you develop a style and demeanor that does justice to the unique role God has given to man to feel responsible for gracious leadership in relation to women—a leadership which involves elements of protection and provision and a pattern of initiative; that you think creatively and with cultural sensitivity (just as he must do) in shaping the style and setting the tone of your interaction with men.

. . . That you see the biblical guidelines for what is appropriate and inappropriate for men and women not as arbitrary constraints on freedom, but as wise and gracious prescriptions for how to discover the true freedom of God’s ideal of complementarity; that you not measure your potential by the few roles withheld, but by the countless roles offered; that you look to the loving God of Scripture and dream about the possibilities of your service to him.