His Return

Daniel‬ ‭7:13-14 - “I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall NOT be destroyed.

In the Old Testament Daniel had a vision of a future event. A very distant future event, one that hasn’t even happened yet. That’s not to say it won’t ever happen. If it’s in the Bible, it is God’s Word to us and it is true, and can be trusted. He cannot lie. It is even told us just what the world will be like prior to Jesus’ return. It’s all there in the Book for us to read about, from which to learn. It’s good to know these things.

Jesus will return whether it is believed or not. And everyone will know what we can know and understand today, if we want this knowledge. We can’t assume Jesus won’t return in our lifetime. It could be today. We have been told and warned. Whenever...it will be a glorious day. Who is prepared for that day? It won’t be very many, we are told. But if you’re reading this, you can be ready if you choose to.

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those 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)

We will all see His return. Some look forward to it, some scoff at the idea. When He does, however, every knee will bow and tongue confess Him. That doesn’t get the scoffers off the hook, though. There will still be judgment and those who believed will be granted eternal life where those who scoffed eternal damnation. Hard words. Truth. 

And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke‬ ‭21:25-27‬)

He will come victorious. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, ... to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever ... ‭‭(Isaiah‬ ‭9:6-7‬)

I await anxiously for Jesus’ return. I’ve seen enough of the evils, anger and hatred in this world, yet I’m afraid we will see even more. What will only tomorrow’s headlines be? Making this country or even the world great again, I believe, will only happen upon His return. 

We cannot, as many do, expect government or a man to bring peace and safety in a world filled with evil and hatred. True peace comes from Jesus and we can have that ourselves today by receiving and knowing Him. That will get us through our lives on earth. But the signs are getting very clear that the days are getting closer to His return. It’s all over the pages of the Bible. Many will scoff at this too. Better to be safe than sorry. Do the research. One needs to be living as though the time is very near or it will not be good. The only good in this life is Jesus. Nothing in this world is so important that one wants to lose his life for something other than Jesus. 

Revelation‬ ‭1:7-8 - Behold, He is coming with clouds, and EVERY eye will see Him, EVEN they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and WHO IS TO COME, the Almighty.”

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The LORD

1Corinthians 1:13, 31 - Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? ...as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."

Praise God. He has made it so simple but we are a people so determined to make more of it.  It's all about Christ. Period.

It's not about a church, denomination, saints, or man made doctrine, rules or regulations. It's not about ourselves or our accomplishments. It's about God alone. It's about what Jesus did on the cross for each of us. One Man. 

The name above all names is to be praised and worshipped. We need only cry out, fall down before, or pray to the One who did it all for us. The Bible says He is our only Mediator (1Timothy 2:5). There is nothing difficult about that statement. 

He never slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4) so we can't say He's too busy to listen to our prayers or cries at any given time on any given day. Jesus, our Mediator, is available at all times.

Take the words to the following Psalm in. Who is the one who has done or does this all? Only one Person. We need only worship one. We need only call out to, pray to, praise one person. There is nothing difficult about these statements either. The LORD, He will do all these things. Why do we complicate the simplicity of Christ?

Psalm ‭121‬:‭1-8‬ - I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore. 

Name Dropper

Philippians 2:8-11 - And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I'm a name dropper. His name is Jesus. I know Him. He's my Lord and Savior. I'm sure you've heard of Him too. But do you know Him like I do?

He's even written a Book. I have several copies. I'd be glad to give one to you. It's been a best seller for hundreds of years. It is a true account. It's sort of history, biography, autobiography. It's interesting, intriguing and enlightening, even filled with mysteries. It's filled with hope. It's worth the read, really. It has a little of everything for everyone.

This Book was written to show us this Jesus I know. It's like He comes alive. And you know what else is amazing? The story about how Jesus died...and yet He lives today. He died for me...He died for you. He was resurrected that we might see what happens to us if we believe in Him and believe in what He did for us...how He was resurrected, how we will be again some day after we die our earthly death...if we choose to know Jesus...and become a name dropper.

Yes, I'm a name dropper. It's because His name is the only name worthy of talking about. He has accomplished more, not for Himself, but for each of us, than any person ever could. We can never be greater than He, nor wiser, nor have more love, compassion and forgiveness. But He's certainly willing to share some of that wisdom, love and compassion with us. And the forgiveness...He's willing to give all He has to any who want it. And while we certainly can be judgmental, His judgment is greater because it can determine where our eternal life will be if we do not heed those judgments, truths.

Oh, the Book He has written speaks of commandments and obedience and sacrifice and death and life, but it's all for good. You see, according to Jesus, we wander like sheep in this world. We are lost because we do not have One greater to follow. Have a problem with following authority? Well, that might be a problem, but He can change that too! We base our lives on things and money and competition, achieving, getting ahead. We feel we must be liked by our friends, approved by our family...always looking for the pat on the back by someone.

In Jesus' world none of this matters. His idea of life says we do not need all those things. What's the saying, less is more? He offers greater spiritual rewards, lasting rewards, things man cannot take away. In fact, He doesn't see one person as greater than another. All He sees are sin filled people living as they desire, doing what they want to do. Some, however, meet Jesus. Someone dropped His name into a conversation (probably more than one person, more than one conversation) and it began to change them. These people were touched by God. They saw the light (of the world). Now these people put a greater priority on loving and serving Jesus than loving and serving man. No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24)

Why? Because Jesus has so much more to offer than man. He has the greater wisdom, compassion, love, forgiveness. And when we recognize what He has to offer is better than what the world has to offer, well, we go for it. We take hold of Him. Jesus opens eyes to greater things. He tells the truth and doesn't mince words. He calls sin, sin. And He never changes His mind about it. Sad thing, though, some don't like to hear about their sin so they turn their backs on Him...and turn their backs on real life. They loved the things of the world more. But like I said, He never changes...sin will
always be the sin pointed out in His Book. Cultural or societal changes or political correctness will not change the truth of His Word. Man or God?

But the good news is...there is this Man. The name I've dropped many times. The name that causes people to cringe or squirm, end conversations or get angry. But it's only because they don't know Him like I do, like thousands of others know and thousands more have known. If He could take twelve ordinary men and change them and cause them to propagate His words, He can do the same with anyone. He changed their lives and He can change any life. That sin that one doesn't want to hear about...let me tell you, when He forgives of it, there's no condemnation...just forgiveness. The load is lightened.

Remember I said He died but came back to live and lives today? He lives that you might know Him and through forgiveness of your sins you too can have everlasting life. It seems inconceivable, but it's not. I fought knowing Him. But once that fight was over I wished I had done it sooner. And I am glad I allowed myself to know Him.

About the Book again. It's the Bible. If you want to know this Jesus, don't do like I tried many times! Don't start from the beginning. Start in the Book of John. It will introduce you to this Man, Jesus. You will meet Him, hear Him. If you should get to knowing Him and He gives you His Holy Spirit for added understanding, then delve into Genesis and beyond. But you need to know Him first. Read it slow and read with intent. Ask Him to introduce Himself in a way you alone will understand. He so would like that.

Being a name dropper for the Lord is worth it in the end because you do it for His glory. That may seem arrogant but He has, after all, died for our sins. He carried the weight of sin and guilt on His body when He was beaten, scoffed, bruised and bloodied, and when carried the cross to Calvary and was crucified. He suffered immeasurably for our sins. No one can ever imagine the pain He went through for the sins of the world. And He did it without complaint, in total submission of Himself to His Father, for you...and me...and all people. Yes, I'll drop His name. It's Jesus!

Ephesians 1:19-21 - ...and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

The Name Above All Names

Isaiah 10:6  - For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

I've been coming across all sorts of books and articles about the names of Jesus. I have a couple in my library. At this time of year, however, there are five names that are prominent. And if you look closely, they encompass our Savior.

Yes, Jesus, wrapped up as a little baby was called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. Those are some big words for One so small.

According to Strong's Biblical Concordance I will describe what each word means. But first you must remember, Jesus is the Word. He was in the beginning at creation, is now and is yet to come.

Thankfully, despite our not being able to physically see Him, He can be with us (Emanuel) today spiritually. As a friend reminds us in prayer often, we are spiritual beings if we know Christ. We are in the world but not of it. (John 17:15-16)  Knowing Christ is not about head knowledge. It's knowing Him in our hearts. It's not about what we've done to "achieve" goodness in our lives but what He has done that we might become righteous. (2Corinthians 5:21)

So let's look at each name. I love digging into meanings! It may seem like reading a dictionary but if you look into these words, even the root words, they open up the meanings. They show us the character of Jesus/God.

Wonderful: marvel, a wonder (extraordinary, hard to understand thing); wonder (of God's acts of judgment and redemption). The root word means: to be marvelous, be wonderful, be surpassing, separate by distinguishing action; to show oneself wonderful or marvelous; to separate. Somehow we have watered down the meaning. Today so many things are wonderful. But look at Jesus' life.  Look at all He did to prove Himself as Savior. Who else could open blind eyes, heal the sick, raise the dead, speak amazing words of truth, could love everyone with unconditional love, could withstand rejection and death and then rise again...all for us. Wonderful. He truly separated Himself from all others...He was perfect in all ways. He is extraordinary.

Counselor: to advise, consult, give counsel, purpose, devise, plan. Possibly from a root word meaning to command. He told us Who He was (John 10:30). He told us He had a plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11). Those plans were set forth before the beginning of time (Psalm 139:16). All throughout His days on earth, and throughout His Word, He advised/advises and, yes, commands...all for our own good. He tells us: do not consider it strange...Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again. (John 3:7) He advises us to seek Him for our salvation. He advises us in the ways of truth.

Mighty God: mighty: brave man, strong man; to prevail, have strength, be strong, be powerful, be great; prevail; to make strong, strengthen; to act proudly (toward God); to bind up anything broken. I would say any Man who could have done all He did, including rising from the dead, would be called mighty. And isn't it He Who said He came to heal the broke hearted (Isaiah 61:1)? His ultimate goal is to heal our broken spirits, which each of us have without Him.
God: strength, power. Root words: pillar; ram...interesting words. We know God is all powerful. He is to be our strength, our strong tower. Ram denotes the strength in a ram's horns, massive and powerful. He is our shield against the enemy. In the strength of Jesus we can do anything and are eternally protected.

Everlasting Father:
Everlasting: perpetuity, for ever, continuing future; ancient (of past time); for ever (of future time);  of continuous existence. The root word means to pass on, advance. I love it...ancient and forever...our Ancient of Days...whose kingdom He will reign in peace forever.
Father (with a capital F!): of God as father of his people; of producer; of benevolence and protection; ruler or chief. He is our Father in Heaven, our Creator, He is good and our protector. And again, He will rule the world in peace forever one day.

Prince of Peace:
Prince:  ruler, leader, chief, captain; noble, official (under king); general, commander (military); heads, princes (of religious office); Ruler of rulers (of God). From the root: to be or act as prince, rule, contend, have power, prevail over, reign, govern; Lord; altogether. Jesus is our Prince. He is our  leader and has power. He prevails over all, reigns in our hearts and will contend for us. He is altogether everything we need.
Peace: completeness, soundness, welfare, peace; safety; health, prosperity; quiet, tranquillity, contentment; friendship; with God especially in covenant relationship. The root word: to be in a covenant of peace; to make peace with; to be complete, be sound; to make whole or good, restore, make compensation; be repaid, be requited; to make an end of. My, my. Jesus tells us His plan for us is to reconcile us with the Gather through our faith in Him. When we do, ALL these things become part of the promise for us. Total, complete, everlasting spiritual peace. He paid the price for all mankind.

Jesus, the Name above all names. The exalted One. Our Protector, Redeemer, Friend, all in all. If we have Him, we have all we need. I hope these things will loom large this Christmas.

Colossians 2:9-10, 2 -  For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power... in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

More on Choices

2Corinthians 6:14 - Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

What a day yesterday was. How things "collided" as if confirmation was absolutely necessary. How intertwined the scenarios were. 

First came the idea for yesterday's blog about a certain person not wanting to bring up terrorism as part of the 9/11 disaster. What???

I had also watched a National Geographic interview with former New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani regarding 9/11. After a few minutes the emotions poured out of me as he described seeing people leaping to their deaths to avoid the consequences of yet another indescribable death within the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. How could this not be a terrorist plot?

I paused the program and wept and questioned God how there could possibly be a form of evil so capable of doing this. That a man would choose to believe that his own death to kill others, in a terrorist attack such as 9/11, a glorious afterlife would be received. This is beyond my comprehension. This is not an act of love. This is not an act that our God would defend but an act that another god chooses. Oh, Jesus offered His life for us. He did this out of sacrificial love to save us. The men who chose to do the unthinkable on 9/11 did it out of hatred, intent to kill and maybe even selfishness in their belief of the outcome for themselves.

That was not a god of goodness but the hand of satan. An enemy greater than any man on earth because he has the power to speak into ears of anyone willing to listen. He has power to twist truth into even more twisted lies. He has the power to deceive by luring us to believe the world has everything to offer us. It's these subtle deceptions that will bring us down. Another subtle deception that we must be tolerant of evil. 

And then finally, a friend sent an article which I read after I wrote my blog. It was about a group of religious leaders, some highly known, who have formed a group to support a plan to bring Christians and Muslims together. She called me shortly after she sent it. As we talked she made the statement that sums everything up...a series of quotes from the Source, the Bible...I paraphrase...we are to be separated from the world, in it but not of it. The road we must follow is a narrow one. Let me add Revelation 18:4 - Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues."

The whole idea of linking evil with good is like oil and water. The two cannot mix. They did not mix back in Genesis with the births of Ishmael and Isaac. (Another blog...)

In the right hands of a faithful, loving God we are strong and wise. From where did the wisdom and strength of the people of God come when they fought against all odds to win a battle with their enemies? When God whittled down Gideon's army to 300 and then sent him into victorious battle against thousands stronger than he? When David as a young boy slew Goliath, a giant enemy of the land, with one shot of his slingshot? These people knew from where their strength came, knew His hand and wisdom would prevail. When they veered off His track they were defeated. Let us not veer of this track today.

We live in a twisted world. We all fall short of perfection. But the difference is which voice we listen to. Where our wisdom and discernment is...and comes from. Which belief system holds true and which does not. I'm thankful I know what truth is, have been given some amount of discernment, even though there are times I miss the mark. But how is it our spiritual leaders who should know right from wrong are being duped? Who am I to see things they do not? How? Am I missing something? 

Our God came to bring life. He has taught us it is a narrow way, we are not to walk to the left or right...and it is not okay to tolerate those whose beliefs are not of love and peace, according to His Word. Romans 12:9 reminds us of this: Hate that which is evil; cling to that which is good. 

There is only one Almighty God, the name ABOVE all names. As true Christians we cannot allow ourselves to be duped into believing there is another belief system or god to be embraced. Acts 4:12 states: Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. God will not allow tolerance of evil.

Isaiah 43:10-11 - "You are My witnesses," says the LORD, "and My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the LORD, and besides Me there is no savior."

Truth and Integrity

Psalm 12:6-7 - The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. You shall keep them, O LORD, You shall preserve them from this generation forever. 

There is only one Way, one Truth and one Life. That is Jesus Christ.

It is His name that stands for real truth and integrity. God cannot lie. He is not the author of confusion. He is the Light in a dark world. He is our only way to salvation. He is our Healer, Provider, Helper. He is always here. He offers what no man nor object can. He is the Door, our Shepherd, Lord and soon coming King. 

He is the Word. This Word existed before time began. He has no beginning and no end. By His Word the world was created. By His Word the world as we know it will end. His Word will stand the test of time. His Word shall be preserved from generation to generation. His Word is truth. His Word will not fail. His Word cannot be corrupted by man. 

When you know Him you will know the Truth. You will understand His integrity, His truth. You will be set free from world views and the captivity of them. He never changes. He has never changed. He will never change. His Word is forever...in holiness, justness and righteousness. 

The Name above all names. All knees will bow before Him someday. ALL. His Name is to be exalted above all other names. He is to be glorified. He is the Highly Exalted One. 

His voice is heard in the thunder. It is He who lights up the sky in a thunderstorm. His refreshing comes with the rain. His purification comes in the heat of life's experiences...through the fires of life.

He is the Lily of the Valley and the Rose of Sharon (Song of Solomon 2:1). When I wrote these I wondered why He was called these flowers. The lily has one stem that rises up out of two leaves, being the main focus, with fragrant white flowers. Ephesians 5:2 has this description: ...live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. He is to be lifted up. He was lifted up on the cross for us.

As for the Rose of Sharon, it's a bit more complicated. I will stick to this one point: Sharon was a plain in Israel which had many beautiful flowers. The Rose of Sharon was considered the most beautiful of all flowers. Jesus, despite having comely features, is considered the most beautiful to those who know Him. 

He is love. He is salvation, our Redeemer. His stripes have healed us. His death has created life. For God so loved the world...that He gave...

He is Sovereign, Maker of all things, Tender of all things. By His Word He gives and He takes. He raises up and He lowers. He saves and, sadly, He destroys. All because of His holy name. 

He knit each of us together in our mother's wombs. He gave us life. We are made in His image. We were created for His pleasure. He is the giver of all things. 

He is the Bright Morning Star. He is the Light of the world. He is the Light in the darkness. He offers us every opportunity to see Him, change and consider Him. 

Consider Him. 

John 14:6 - ..."I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 

Highly Exalted One

1Chronicles 29:11 - Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head over all. 

I was saddened in my spirit one day as I was lunching with a couple of newfound friends I had delightfully golfed with. I have no idea how we got on the subject of religion but we did. Seems to be a subject in Phoenix that is not, surprisingly, avoided. I'm all for it...

We discussed where each of us attended church in the area. Somehow Easter was brought up and one woman said she could not watch the movie the Passion of the Christ because it was just too hard to view. I attempted to explain it was to show the torment Christ went through for all our sins and how we need to understand this.

The subject did a quick turn that was totally unexpected for me when she said, "And the torment of His mother, Mary." I agreed it would have been difficult for her...for any mother...to see their son go through something as horrific as what Jesus went through.  Then she quickly said, "You know I still have my statue of Mary decorated in honor of her."

How sad I was to hear this. She had/has missed the whole point of Easter. It was not about Mary; it was all about Him. Surely she bore Him, raised Him as an earthly mother, considered Him for a time as her earthly Son, taught Him, but it was His Heavenly Father who Jesus ultimately listened to. As with other conversations we were having, they became disjointed or interrupted, yielding to unfinished discussions, which was frustrating for me. So my thoughts ended up only in this blog.

More on Jesus and Mary: I recall Jesus' words to her at the wedding in Cana when she approached Him to bring about the miracle of the wine: Dear Woman, it is not yet my time. Woman! Sounds harsh, but it really was a term used then, one spoken with the utmost tenderness and affection. He would never have spoken disrespectfully to His mother. He needed her to realize that He was no longer of an age where He was still under her authority. He listened and obeyed His Father in Heaven. Her response to the servants at the wedding was "Do whatever He tells you." An understanding, humble answer.

We're called to do that ourselves today. Whatever He tells us. We are to seek Him out for His gift of salvation, a gift only He can give us. No one else is worthy to give this gift. His work on the cross is what counts, nothing anyone else, including Mary, has done.

Yes, Mary grieved. We should grieve too...that we are all sinners in this world and that Jesus had to...and willingly chose to...die for us...even for His mother.

There was another time Mary was expecting more than she got. She and her other sons (who did not believe Jesus was the Son of God) were seeking Him out. Here is what ensued: Mark 3:31-35 - Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers  are outside seeking You." But He answered them, saying, "Who is My mother, or My brothers?" And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother."

Here is Jesus pointing out that those who followed Him, were His true spiritual family. It was not all about His earthly family, as hard as that sounds. It's about what He came to earth to do. He had to come as a person who came from heaven to earth and lived and went through the pain like our everyday life's pain. He had to be a real person, yet set apart, to everyone, including His mother. He was showing everyone that He is the ONLY way, truth and life and ONLY by Him was anyone to get to the Father. Even His dear, sweet mother, Mary, needed ONLY what He could give. She, too, had to give her life to the Lord, even if He was her Son.

We are born into this world naturally, but it is our spiritual nature that is important. The only way that spiritual nature is satisfied is our turning to Jesus as our Savior. Mary cannot do that, nor can anyone else. ONLY by the name of Jesus.

Mary was an excellent example of purity in a woman, strength, sacrifice...and of letting her Son be who He needed to be. She followed Him but did not excel Him. She was the very willing vessel God used to bring about this miracle birth. She was God's earthly servant (Luke 1:38). She was her Son's earthly servant...just as we who have received Christ are to be.

Yes, she was called blessed. The Proverbs 31 woman is called blessed. I can say I'm blessed too. We both have known and know the Son. She would have felt the same pain any other mother would losing a child. She learned from Him, in time, to allow Jesus to do what she by now she saw He had to do. But she is not a saint to be worshiped over her Son. ONLY the name above all names is to be worshiped. All praise, honor and glory be to Him ONLY who sits on the Heavenly Throne at the right hand of God, His Father. 

Philippians 2:9-11 - Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

The Name Above All Names, Period!

Okay...disclaimer here...my preview button doesn't always work so I have no idea how this is going to appear in the blog....Arrrgghhhh!


Amos 8:12 - People will stagger from sea to sea and from the north even to the east; they will go to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, but they will not find it.

There was a time in history, in the Old Testament, when Israel got to a point of such disobedience, God silenced Himself from them. Before Christ came to open their spiritual eyes and offer a fresh touch from God, they were without His voice for 400 years. 

The scripture above describes what would happen to God's people when they finally realized they had gone too far on their own. I pray for those who are in that place right now in their lives, that they begin to seek while He can still be found. There is such a push to eradicate everything attached to God that it has become hurtful. 

I'm of the opinion that we might just see this happen again. God will get to a point where enough is enough and He will silence Himself. At the same time, I'm thankful that although it might happen, God will return. But it's best for us to not allow Him to get to this point.

I'm amazed at how the past 60 years or so have turned this world upside down. There was a morality when I was a child. There was still an adherence to authority, including children with their parents. They didn't sass or give attitude like many do today. They weren't as disobedient. It wasn't all about them. It was about family. Television was good. It wasn't filled with dysfunctional families and ignorant fathers. What was right was right and wrong, wrong. Today what once was right is now wrong and vice versa. 

Sadly, we have lost almost all form of morality. There was a time before I knew the Lord that every imaginable word for God was spewed like vomit out of my mouth. Often all in the same sentence.  It was commonplace to swear at work; no one cared. Now it's difficult for me to even watch television where the Name that is above all names is used like you would say, "gosh." His name should be reverenced, not trashed or used commonly. Call me a prude, but it's my story and I'm sticking with it! I can't imagine what God must feel when He hears this day in and day out more times than we can even count. 

I feel as though many have so minimized God that they don't recognize His work in this world anymore.  We are in a time when we need to be recognizing who He is and what He is capable of doing. He is the Name above all names. There is none greater than He, not His disciples/apostles, not His mother, not the greatest golfer or baseball player, not even us! He alone is worthy of all praise. He alone is the One who died for our sins. Oh, there have been many who have lost their lives for the sake of Jesus. They have withstood many tests all for that Name. And there will be many more in the future.

There's still time to turn around and begin to think about your life and how it came about. In a discussion with a friend today she told me about a man who asked some prison inmates pointed questions: "How did you get here?" "Who do you blame for your imprisonment?" "Was it your girlfriend?" "Did you choose that person to be your girlfriend?" "So...it was your fault...it was your choice." Only we make the choices that lead us to where we are in life. It's always about our choices. 

There's still time to thank God for the life He has given you. If your life is not to your liking, there's still time to seek God for the change only He can make. It's your choice! You cannot, however, put Him in a box. He is more than able to do anything. We think in terms of what we believe is able to be done; He is so much more capable. You can't control your temper, your gambling, your pride, your ________ (fill in the blank!),  you say? God can. If He can hold the oceans in the palms of His hands and place the stars in the skies that they don't fall until He allows them to, how can we not trust Him for everything...and I mean everything...for this nation's finances, the oil spill, healthcare, your job, your family...your temper, etc. ...

He cannot be put in a box. He does not have a house in which to live: He is everywhere at all times and knows everything at all times. We need Him more than we can possibly imagine and He can be all things to all people. If you need love, He is love. If you need redemption, He is your Savior. If you need freedom from some stronghold in your life; He is the Fortress you can run into. 

Day by day I am learning over and over to put more and more trust in Him. As soon as I question "how" or "why" I am reminded that God knows and I need to believe that any time something bad happens in my life...and in everyone's life...something good will come out of it, even though we may have to wait. If everything came easily and when we wanted it we would not have to trust in God. That's why He has designed life as it is. It's all about Him and it's all about glorifying Him in the process.

I'm so thankful for the very few friends I have who seek God like I do. Our conversations never get stale, are usually filled with peace and joy, even if they start out with a frustration of some sort. We strengthen each other, we sharpen each other with the positive and sometimes hard talk about a God who loves all people and only desires for all people to return that love. He knows not all will. He knows not all will understand the concept of relationship over religion. I know I am only one person used to plant seeds. Hopefully some day I will see just one seed that I planted begin to root and bear fruit. But it's not about me and "the little" that I do. It's about a God who is thankful for one person's obedience to His call on their life. 

Seek God while you are still able. This world...this nation even...is striving to remove the name of God, to silence Him. Seek Him while He may still be found. Seek Him and His Word that it may be buried deep within your heart, never to be forgotten. Seek Him and let Him give you the strength now to have that faith in Him. Mankind will fail, but He never will. That I can guarantee. His Name may be banished in order to promote diversity and/or tolerance, but knowing that Name in your heart and soul, despite the frustration in this world, will be the peace and joy that you can carry within forever. The Name above all names...Jehovah, the proper name of the one true God which literally means: "the existing One." 

Isaiah 55:6 - Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.