Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2: 9-11 (NIV)“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1: 21 (NIV)“You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
John 14: 14 (NIV)
The environment today reminds me of the times when I served in the United States Air Force. Toward the end of the Vietnam War.
The country was divided then over the war, and the thanks I received for my service in the Air Force was usually shown by being cursed at or spit upon, and if lucky—just ignored.
Thankfully today, most of us respect those who stood, and now stand in the gap for us through our armed services, as well as on the front lines within our communities—whether the police, fire rescue, emergency responders or health care workers—to keep us safe.
But it seems today that we’re divided as a nation over most everything else.
And I wonder if a dose of God, and God’s suggestions, would help.
I wonder if the name of Jesus, front and center, falling off our lips and hearts would help.
But I suppose you first have to know Him. Not just have heard of Him.
When I was younger, I attended Catholic churches and Catholic schools for a while, then a few Episcopal churches, and then a Methodist church where, at Lynda’s request, we were married. I knew of God.
But I never came to know God, and to accept His love demonstrated through what his Son, Jesus did for me, until much later in life and our marriage.
No doubt, I probably wasn’t listening.
But then I accepted Christ in my life, gave my life to Him, received His forgiveness and assurances of an eternal spot in Heaven with Him.
And finally, I had it all together. Not even close.
But now I had Him to walk with. To talk with. To help me with decisions.
To encourage me and get beyond the past. To move past the things that wanted to hold me captive, hurt me and hold me back from becoming all He created me to be.
To be an example for me to try to follow as to how to live my life. How to speak to others. And help others.
And dare I say, try to be like Him to others, so they might sense something of His presence through and in me.
To speak Jesus to others.
The song “I Speak Jesus” shares these thoughts for us to think about as we walk through each day—
“I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
Over every heart and every mind.
‘Cause I know there is peace within Your presence—I speak Jesus.
I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
‘Til every dark addiction starts to break.
Declaring there is hope and there is freedom—I speak Jesus.
‘Cause Your name is power,
Your name is healing, Your name is life.
Break every stronghold, Shine through the shadows,
Burn like a fire.
I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
Over fear and all anxiety.
To every soul held captive by depression—I speak Jesus…
Shout Jesus from the mountains.
Jesus in the streets.
Jesus in the darkness, over every enemy.
Jesus for my family.
I speak the holy name—Jesus.”
Might be worth trying to help bring us closer together.
Around Jesus. Might be better.
Might be worth trying, too, for our eternal assurance that a relationship with Jesus provides.
Why not speak Jesus.
In His Name–Scott
Be blessed, assured, and challenged as you listen to “I Speak Jesus” sung by The West Coast Choir.
