The Power of His Name
…protect them by the power of your name – the name you gave Me – so that they may be one as We are.
John 17:11
Redeemer
Son of Man
King of Kings
The Rock
I AM
The Way
The Truth
The Life
Lion of Judah
Savior
Ancient of Days
Lord
Son of God
Lord of Lords
The Christ
God With Us
Fully God – Fully Man
Immanuel
The Hope of Glory
Jesus
The Word
Wonderful Counselor
Almighty God
Everlasting Father
Prince of Peace
Messiah
Lamb of God
Advocate
Alpha
Omega
Bread of Life
Chief Cornerstone
Good Shepherd
Great High Priest
Deliverer
Morning Star
Resurrection
The Way
The Last Day
“…Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for the present life and the life to come.”
1 Timothy 4:8
If you received an official notice today that this is your last day to live, what would you do? Would you try to make more money, or stay late at the office working hard? Would you spend time with your family, or express thanks to those who’ve helped you along the way? Would you seek to get right with God?
We tend to focus on the material and the temporal, and neglect the eternal and relational. But none of us knows the number of days God has planned for us. Don’t put off until tomorrow the really important things you can do today—like getting right with God.
God became a man in the person of Jesus to show us how. Start there and show your family how much you love them. Surprise them by occasionally coming home early. Tell them you love them. Plan fun things to do with them. Help someone you care about—someone who needs you at the office, in the neighborhood, or maybe one who needs a friend.
It may not be the last day you live here on this earth, but it may become a great day for you and those you care about.
God’s Creation
“God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.”
Genesis 1:31
Isn’t God’s creation a wonder to behold? I’m always amazed when I watch the Discovery Channel or a National Geographic special, on an in-depth study of an animal I’ve rarely seen, gaining insight about what makes them unique and how they survive.
Even though God is rarely—if ever—mentioned on these shows, it causes my faith to soar. For I’m reminded that God thought of everything, every little detail in creating this living thing. Everywhere you turn in creation there’s evidence of intelligent design—the work of a master artist.
Let me ask you something. When you see a great painting, DaVinci’s Mona Lisa, a piece by Van Gogh, or a simple scene of American life by Norman Rockwell, do you have more awe of the art than the artist? Not likely. Yet we do this all the time with God’s creation. If we honor the creation and forsake the Creator, we miss everything. The best way to appreciate creation is to know and appreciate the creator.
The Basics of Money Management
“For where your treasure is, there your heart is also.”
Luke 12:34
Let’s talk about the basics of successful money management. Jesus says we have to choose where we’ll put our trust. He says we have to make a choice between God, and money.
God helps us to master our money, rather than letting money enslave us. He does it through some of these principles that can help:
• Spend less than you earn. A shocking un-American idea. A budget is key to knowing what you have, and where you spend it.
• Budget. Five key areas need to be in your budget:
1. Giving to God – Begin here. Giving first shows you trust Him, and not money.
2. Savings and Investments – Helps with short-term surprises and long-term needs.
3. Taxes – God’s Word tells us to pay what we owe.
4. Fixed Expenses – Includes things like mortgage, utilities, cars, etc.
5. Discretionary Spending – Includes entertainment, clothes, furniture, etc.
The five keys of a good budget show God’s ways for basic money management.
Suicide – An Option?
“…choose life…by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him.”
Deuteronomy 30:19-20
Through the years, we’ve heard in the news about Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the Doctor of Death (if that isn’t an oxymoron) who chose to make assisted suicide his cause. His actions elicit strong emotions, because no one wants to see a loved one suffer, and no one desires to endure long-term pain and disability. But it really comes down to a question of faith.
Long ago, a man named Job suffered incredible loss—all his possessions and his children—and he had to endure an agonizing illness. If anyone had a right to end his own life, it was Job. And yet, Job chose to put his trust in God. He asked, “Will I accept the good things God gives and refuse the bad?”
This is a question we should all consider. Is freedom from pain my right as a human being? Is life only worth living if everything is going my way? In the face of eternity, trusting a loving and sovereign God is really the best choice. Only God has the right to give and take life.
So, choose life by loving the Lord.
The Death of Communism
“Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”
Hebrews 4:7
I’ll never forget Christmas Day 1991. It’s not a special family memory, but a great day in history. The world watched as the Soviet Union’s leader resigned and the communist red hammer and sickle flag was lowered for the last time.
Isn’t it interesting that the very government which, for more than seventy years, tried to destroy Christianity, officially ended on Christmas Day? God’s sense of timing is perfect. He must have chuckled on that Christmas. Isn’t that amazing?
My friends, God is in control of all of history. His plans are sure. His timing is perfect, from the birth of His Son to the end of the Soviet Union on Christmas Day. And, one day, in His perfect timing, Jesus will return. The way history is moving, it won’t be long. Let us all be ready for His coming by walking in God’s will every day, through faith in Christ.
Visited by an Angel
“…the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people…’”
Luke 2:10
Have you ever been visited by an angel? A popular TV series was built around people who were “touched by an angel” and usually weren’t aware of it. But, say you’re a security guard on the late night shift patrolling the grounds of a business. Suddenly an angel appears before you, hovering in the sky. You know right away that it’s an angel, and you’re so scared you can’t move, yell for help, or grab your gun—you’re just scared speechless. Then the angel speaks and says, “Easy, don’t be afraid. I’ve got good news to share. A Savior has been born and God wants you to be the first to know.”
Pretty wild, eh? But this same type scenario happened about 2,000 years ago to some shepherds manning their watch one night on the hills of Bethlehem. It must have been something! More importantly, they believed the angel. They went and worshipped Jesus that first Christmas. You can, too, when you seek Jesus in Scripture, and believe
Folks Who Found Christmas
…he who comes to God must believe that He is and
that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6
It’s easy to miss the real meaning of Christmas, but the story of Christmas tells us who found it.
1. The Shepherds – They were social nobodies – yet God sent them a supernatural birth announcement through the angels. They believed God’s word, and they searched in faith to find Jesus, and they did. They found Christmas.
2. The Wise Men – Pagans from another culture. They studied the stars for insight. God spoke to them where they were, and they stepped out on faith to follow a star that appeared in the sky – thinking it meant the birth of a special king, and they found Christmas – when they found Jesus.
The shepherds found Christmas because they believed the word of God. The wise men found Christmas because they sought Jesus. Find Jesus as Savior and Lord, and you’ll find Christmas – guaranteed!
Giving at Christmas
“…they fell down and worshipped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:11
Giving and Christmas go hand in hand, but have you ever thought about where giving gifts at Christmas originated? Some will suggest giving began with St. Nicholas, commonly known as Santa Claus, but it was really long before St. Nick.
It began with three men who visited Jesus when He was a young child. They were known as the Three Wise Men. They brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Gold is the gift for a king, an expensive gift symbolizing belief that Jesus was born to be a king. Frankincense is the gift for a priest, reminding us that Jesus is the ultimate High Priest, a mediator between God and man. But myrrh was an unusual gift for a child. It’s a precious spice or perfume used to anoint a body at death. Why myrrh? It was a prophetic gift. Jesus was born to die to be our Savior – to give His life for our sins.
King. Priest. Savior. Three gifts which reveal to us, at Christmas, who Jesus is. What are you giving to Jesus this Christmas?
Folks Who Missed Christmas
…seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
Matthew 13:13
Christmas comes – Christmas goes, but many miss out on the real meaning of Christmas. It’s always been that way, and the first Christmas reminds us of those who missed Christmas.
1. The Innkeeper – He was so busy – a full hotel – so many customer needs. No time or place in his inn for Jesus at Christmas.
2. Religious leaders around King Herod – When the wise men came inquiring about the birth of a kingly Messiah, the religious leaders told Herod that God’s word said Bethlehem. Yet, they were so focused on staying close to worldly power that they didn’t take God’s word seriously, and they missed Jesus at Christmas.
3. Herod – He tried to eliminate Christmas before it got off the ground – to eradicate Jesus from Christmas – and people are still seeking to use political power to do that today.
Will you miss Christmas as well? If you find Jesus personally through faith, you will never miss Christmas again.
Alone, But Not Lonely
“…I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20
Some feel it in a crowd; others feel it when alone. Sociologists say that never before in history have so many people lived so close together and felt so far apart. Loneliness is a major problem for many today. There’s no doubt that singles bars are filled with people battling loneliness. A divorced person, tired of one-night stands, recently said, “Sex is readily available in the American singles scene, but friendship is not.”
I propose to you that one can be alone but not lonely. As a matter of fact, a person will never find victory over loneliness until they learn to enjoy being alone. You see, at the root of all loneliness is alienation from God.
Years ago, a man named Augustine espoused that God has made us for Himself. Our soul is restless until we find rest in Him. We may seek to fill the void of a restless soul with activities, crowds, and noise, but a nagging loneliness will always be there until we have a personal relationship with God. When we find that, we have found the key to being alone, but not lonely.
Belief in the Virgin Birth
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel.”
Luke 1:34
Christmas is about a virgin birth. Do you believe it? Think about what it means if it isn’t true:
1. It means Joseph and Mary lied about Jesus’ birth, which makes them despicable or delusional.
2. It means the Bible contains lies, which makes it an untrustworthy book.
3. It means the true nature of Jesus is missed. For without it, He’s just a man, conceived like you and me.
Question: Do you believe Jesus rose from the dead?
The Bible is clear. A person can’t be a Christian if he doesn’t. Yet some so-called enlightened Christians believe in Jesus’ resurrection, but not His virgin birth. Often motivated by a desire to have fire insurance and yet be sophisticated, their intellectual inconsistency of believing one miracle and not another is a wonder to behold. And if Jesus rose from the dead, what’s the big deal about His virgin birth?
With God, nothing is impossible. I believe it’s true because I believe the Bible is trustworthy. What about you?
Christmas, without the virgin birth, is just an empty shell.
The Creator and His Creatures
I will be a father to him and he shall be a son to me…”
Hebrews 1:5
One day, a bird, caught in our chimney, flew into our house. We tried desperately to get it out the door. But it didn’t get the message. After a while, totally frustrated, I had the ridiculous thought, “If I could become a bird for a few seconds and talk its language, I could show it how to be free.” Then, I remembered that God did just that.
The Creator of the universe became one of His own creatures – a man – to communicate perfectly with mankind. Jesus took on a human body and personality, with all its limitations, so you and I could understand how to be free from captivity to sin and have a relationship with God.
This is really what Christmas is all about. God chose to reveal Himself to us in the form of a baby, Jesus Christ. When we get to know the God who loves us so much that He would humble Himself to become a man, then Christmas always has a sense of wonder.
Birth Announcement
“…you shall call his name Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:21
One type of letter we get often is a birth announcement—someone announcing the birth of a new child in their home. It’s a wonderful time of celebration and excitement. But do you know that, when Jesus Christ was born, the ultimate birth announcement—straight from heaven—occurred when God, through His angels, said, “Today in the city of David has been born for you a savior who is Christ the Lord.”
You may ask, “Why do I need a savior?”
Well, God’s Word is clear that we need a savior because all of us sin and, in the process, find ourselves separated from God. If we die separated, that means hell, and that’s bad news. But Christmas is about good news. Christ came to pay the penalty for our sins so that we could be forgiven and made right with God. For those who believe, He saves us from sin and ultimately, hell—and that’s mighty Good News.
So as you rush around getting ready for Christmas, remember why He came, and believe it. That’s the key to having a merry Christmas.
Seekers
“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?”
Matthew 2:2
There are all sorts of seekers today, searching for truth and the answer to life. Would you describe yourself as a seeker? The original seekers were three guys from the East. They weren’t Christian or Jewish, but they were searching for meaning.
God spoke to them through the heavens with the appearance of a new star. They stepped out on faith, believed that what they were seeing signified the birth of a new king. Along the way, God spoke to them through scripture, prophesizing the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. They stepped out on faith and went there seeking.
When they arrived, they found the answer to life in a little boy named Jesus. They believed that He was God, who had become a man, and our Savior. They found what every seeker needs—Jesus…the King…the answer to life. Today, wise men still seek Him.
The Incomparable Christ
All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
Matthew 28:18
No person has had more impact on history than Jesus Christ. It is undeniable that He lived and walked in the land of Judea and Israel almost 2000 years ago. But who is He? (Colossians 1 tell us.)
He is the visible image of the invisible God. He is God in a person. You want to know what God is like? Look to Jesus. The fullness of God dwells in Him.
He is also the Creator of all creation. He holds all creation together. It is His masterpiece. Creation reveals the greatness of God.
He is the Savior Who saves us from our sins. He came to reconcile us with God.
He is the head of the church. He is to the church what the head is to the body.
Once you know who He is, you have a choice—a decision to make. It’s the biggest one ever—to trust Him as your Savior and Lord or to reject Him. Who is Jesus? The Bible is clear, but the important thing for you is, do you believe it?
Mary – A Great Example of Faith
But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
Luke 2:19
The Bible could never be accused of whitewashing the heroes of the faith. Abraham – Jacob – Moses – David – Peter – all had some pretty serious flaws and failures. So when we come across a biblical personality of which there were no recorded obvious flaws and sins, we take note. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is one of those who was always found faithful. And what faith she had! A Jewish teenage virgin – visited by an angel and told she would give birth to God’s son.
I love Mary’s realness. She initially responded like any teenage virgin would today. Disbelief – shock – bewilderment – probably wondering what her fiancé and her family would think. She asked, “How can this be since I am a virgin?” But after the initial shock, she chose to believe God’s word. She’s the first one to believe in Jesus as her savior and lord – while she carried Him in her womb. Amazingly!
She’s the true first lady of the faith. Do you believe like Mary did? What God’s word says about Jesus is true.
Supernatural Birth
“…the angel of the Lord said to him, ‘Joseph, son of David do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife; because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.’”
Matthew 1:20
Imagine your high school honey, whom you love and believe is a good person because she doesn’t believe in sex before marriage, says, “I’m pregnant but don’t be mad ‘cause I’m still a virgin.” Now, how would you respond?
This scenario really happened about 2000 years ago. In fact, the guy was named Joe and his pregnant girlfriend was named Mary. She went on to tell him that God had caused her to become pregnant.
At first, Joe didn’t believe Mary and he decided to drop her. Then an angel appeared to Joe and let him know Mary was telling the truth. So he stayed with her believing the Lord in faith.
For the rational, secular, scientific mind of the 21st century, this story is incredible. But, it’s the story of Christmas—the story of Jesus’ birth. The question is; Do you believe? Be it Jesus’ birth or His resurrection, I want you to know you’ve got to believe it fully to experience the wonder of Christmas.
Time
“Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to your works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.”
2 Timothy 1:9
Do you hear the clock ticking? Time keeps moving on. It never stops for anyone—no matter how important you are. We just can’t find enough of that stuff. The late Jim Croce sang about bottling time. But one thing’s for sure…God wants us to be good stewards of our time, but we’ll never be able to until we’re clear on our purpose for living. The starting point is knowing why we’re here.
First, ask God to help you develop a life purpose statement. It will take some time, but it’s the best time you’ll ever spend. Know why you’re here. Second, decide, each day, what’s most important for you to do that day, and do it. By having a clear purpose, and doing the most important thing each day, God can revolutionize your life and help you make the most of your time.
Playing God
“….the way of a fool seems right to him. “
Proverbs 12:15
Dr. Jack Kevorkian has belittled the medical profession, those who are religious, the government, the courts, and the press. He once said, “Pass any law you want—I don’t care. I know what’s right. I’m going to do what’s right.”
Dr. Kevorkian was then asked, “Is there no higher authority on earth to which you will submit?”
He replied, “Oh, well, I don’t know of one.”
I sat there stunned. A man who submits to no authority but himself is a dangerous man. The man who most comes to mind with that kind of mindset was Adolf Hitler. He, too, decided there was no higher authority to submit himself to, and certain lives weren’t worth living—about seven million Jews!
Even more shocking was the statistic that 73% of the American public agrees with what Dr. Kevorkian was doing. That means that the overwhelming majority feels it’s okay to play God. When man decides to do that, man soon justifies almost any evil in a self-righteous way.
America—wake up! We are called to trust God, not play God. For when we play God, we act like the devil. And that’s bad for us all.
One Man’s Sin: Long Term Consequences
“I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.”
Romans 7:18
Very often, we rationalize sin by thinking nobody will be hurt…no big deal. But sin has a way of having lasting consequences. Do you know the origin of the Middle East conflict? It goes back to the sin of one man, Abraham, the father of three faiths: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
God promised that He would bless Abraham and his wife, Sarah, with a son He would use to build a great nation. But they were very old. So Sarah suggested to Abraham that he sleep with her younger maidservant, and have their child through her. This was a legally acceptable solution, but it wasn’t in God’s will. The servant gave birth to Abraham’s first son, Ishmael. Abraham’s wife became resentful, and the maidservant and Ishmael fled to the desert.
But God eventually gave Abraham and Sarah the son He promised—Isaac. From Isaac, came the Jews and Israel; from Ishmael come the Arabs and even Islam. The descendants of these two sons of Abraham have been in conflict ever since. One man’s sin—long-term consequences. So let’s trust God and do right.
The Intrusion of Jesus
…whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Romans 10:13
Despite man’s efforts to eliminate Christ out of Christmas – out of everyday life – out of government – out of schools – out of the marketplace, He just won’t go away.
Peter Larson writes, “Despite our efforts to keep Him out, God intrudes. The life of Jesus is bracketed by two impossibilities: a virgin’s womb and an empty tomb. Jesus entered our world through a door marked ‘No Entrance’ and left through a door marked ‘No Exit.’”
That first Christmas, there was no room for Him in the inn. The world never wants to make room for Christ at Christmas and in everyday life. So, man killed Him and sealed the tomb with a huge stone to shut Him out of our lives once and for all. But God removed the stone to prove Jesus will not be shut up or shut out of our lives.
One day Jesus will intrude on history again. The way to be ready is to invite Him into your life today. Will you shut Him out or let Him in?
The Humbling Power of God at Christmas
“[Jesus] humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on him the name which is above every name.”
Philippians 2:8-9
A few years ago, a famous designer by the name of Versace was murdered in Miami. Andrea Lee was quoted asking Versace if he believed in God, and this is what he said: “Yes, I believe in God but I’m not the kind of religious person who goes to church, who believes in the fairy tale of Jesus born in the stable with the donkey. That…no, I’m not that stupid. I can’t believe in that God with all the power that He has, that He had to have Himself born in a stable. It would have been too uncomfortable.”
Now here was a hero of contemporary culture who said he believed in God, but didn’t need all that “Jesus” stuff. But the wonder of the Christmas story is that God, with all His power, humbled Himself to become a man and, even more, to die for us—to be our Savior. There was certainly no degree of comfort in that. God did this because He loves you and me, and that’s a God worth believing. For those who refuse to believe this, I assume it is very “uncomfortable” down there.
Inner Beauty vs Outer Beauty
Your adornment must not be merely external…but let it be the hidden person of the heart…
I Peter 3:3-4
The world puts a lot of focus on women’s beauty: makeup, jewelry, clothing, and of course, the right hair style. And don’t forget taking care of her body! Certainly, men are drawn to beauty in a woman, and women know beauty is power.
But God’s Word says something interesting to women: “Let not your adornment be merely external – but let it be the hidden person of the heart.” God’s Word is reminding every woman that outward beauty is temporal, but inner beauty from Godly character and spirit is imperishable. Think about older ladies whose countenance becomes more beautiful with age.
God isn’t saying, “Don’t be concerned about making the most of your appearance.” You should, for I assure you, the man in your life wants you to be. But God wants women to remember the only type of beauty that lasts. He wants you to focus, most of all, on Godly beauty that gives a woman lasting splendor that grows greater with age
