Name of Jesus

The Name of Jesus -Part 1

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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

The Highest Name

/ pastorpete51 / 1 Comment

20170724_202952For this reason God raised him to the highest place above and gave him the name that is greater than any other name. Philippians 2:9 GNB

When I am facing new battles and unknown roads ahead I sometimes forget things. I forget what things I had set out to do this morning. As difficult news struggles to take over page one news in my life it is calming and quietly joyful to remember that there is a name greater than mine. His name is greater than any human friend or enemy. His name is higher than the authority of any diagnoses financial crisis or uncertainty. His is the name calms waves rebukes hurricanes and calls the dead from the grave. It is no joke, no exaggeration, and totally abundantly in control of the universe. What an awesome name! What an awesome God we serve!

Prayer in the Name of Jesus

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As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years.  “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord Acts 9:32-35

Praying in the name J-E-S-U-S is not like using an incantation.  Using Jesus’ name is reserved for those who belong to Him and are doing His will. Peter was traveling to visit other Christians when he found Aneas. Truly believing in the name of Jesus means just going forward in the direction God is leading. Believing in Jesus means belonging to him. As in a traditional marriage there is both a change in name and in relationship. He becomes our new life!kimg1625

In the fourteenth chapter of John Jesus says that in His name we will do even greater things than He did. Considering that He walked on water, multiplied bread and raised the dead that seems unlikely and astonishing! What could be greater than the works of Jesus? But in this story because Peter did this single act, an entire city turned to God! Peter was only one disciple. What would happen if an entire church began to do the things that Jesus did? Jesus’ main ministry was to the people of Israel, but through the church God has chosen to draw people from every nation, culture and language

 

When Jesus said that if we asked anything in His name He would do it He meant for us to pray both in His will and in His way. Whenever we are doing things “In the name of Jesus” we must have the same motives and the same heart as He. If God gave us everything we prayed for, what will people remember? Will it be how amazing we were, or how amazing the name of Jesus? Only when the name of Jesus becomes our life will God get all the glory!