Praying Bigger Prayers!

J.B. Phillips besides translating the New Testament also wrote a short book titled, Your God is too Small”. Though I enjoyed the book I have sadly discovered in looking back over 4 decades of walking with Jesus, that my own smallness of thinking acting and praying has limited what God in my life. The bad news is I can not go back and change even the smallest selfish or sinful attitude of the past. But the great news for us all is that if we woke up this morning then our mighty God and His limitless power and love is still ready to answer prayers. What is the biggest and outrageous thing you can ask for today? If it is only for yourself it is way too tiny! Can we shock our Father with any request? What lies beyond the horizon of our little world is just the beginning of what God longs for and will do!

The Name of Jesus – Part Two

And she will have a son and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins Matthew 1:32

Where ever Jesus went, whatever He was doing, when he would turn to the sound of His name He would be reminded of the reason He had come. At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in Nazareth when He began to explain that He was coming to fulfill the prophecies of Isaiah, the Bible tells us that they were so angry that they took him out and were ready to through him over a cliff! Yet miraculously Jesus slipped away because “His hour had not yet come” He always had an awareness throughout his ministry and teaching of that approaching hour. He told his brothers one day, “Any time is good for you, but my hour has not yet come”

As Jesus prayed in the garden, struggling with the thoughts of the cross He said, “… should I pray, ‘ Father, save me from this hour.’ ? But this is the very reason I came.” John 12:27 Later when he finished praying he went back to the disciples and found them sleeping he said, “…Are you still sleeping and resting? Look the hour has come…” 1512168036553_image.jpg

All that God had promised in the name Jesus was fulfilled as Jesus began the terrible process of paying for our sins. He was determined that no obstacle would keep him back. He accepted no protection and looked for no escape. To the very end Jesus was true to His Name – the Name that is now above all names. Jesus is the name before which every knee will bow in both heaven and earth. It is a mighty name. It is a name that gives hope in dark places. Jesus is a name that brings healing and a name that forgives sins. Jesus is the name that never loses power and it is the name given for us all! Jesus is the name given just for you. Jesus is the name of Christmas!

 

The Name of Jesus -Part 1

And she will have a son and you are to name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins Matthew 1:32 

“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her,” for you have found favor with God.”  You will conceive and give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus.” Luke 1:30-31

When God gave the name Jesus it is interesting to see that he spoke both to Joseph and to Mary. To Mary Gabriel explained all that Jesus would do as the Messiah, but to Joseph God defined the name. The name Jesus was given because God had given His Son, not only to teach us the ways of Heaven, heal our sickness, or give us a comfortable life; Jesus came to save His people from their sins.
One of the most beautiful sounds in the entire world to each of us is the sound of our own name. We love to hear our name mentioned especially if it is linked with assurance, love or praise. The sound I want most to hear as I cross into eternity is my own name being called by God himself with the phrase “Well done good and faithful servant” Our name is what calls our attention at any moment.
Imagine Jesus entering the world cradled in Mary’s arms. One of the first words Mary and Joseph would say was, “Jesus!”  God had kept His promise to them just as He said. From that day forward every time Jesus heard His own name it would be a reminder of why He had come. When He was growing up in the home with His brothers and Mary called out, “Jesus” he would remember that he was different. God had sent Him not just to be born in the humble stable, but also one day to give His life as a sacrifice for us!

Name of Jesus