What A Lovely Name

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago there were many children in Israel named Jesus, but there was none like Him. The angel told Joseph His name.

Matthew 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

“What a lovely name, the name of Jesus!” At the mention of that name hell trembles; Satan flees, sin is defeated, captives are delivered, fear gives way to peace, hopelessness is swallowed up in victory, the lost are found, the blind see, and the dead live.

“What a lovely name, the name of Jesus!” At the mention of that name drunkards are made sober, harlots are made pure, addicts are delivered from addictions, the lost are saved, and a new life beings.

“What a lovely name, the name of Jesus!” That name marks the difference between Heaven and Hell, between life and death, between hope and despair, between sin and salvation, between judgment and forgiveness, and between the grace of God and His condemnation.

Charles Wycuff wrote a beautiful song about the lovely name of Jesus. I love this song because I love Jesus for all He has done in my life.

WHAT A LOVELY NAME---by  Charles Wycuff
There's a name above all others, Wonderful to hear, bringing hope and cheer.
t's the lovely name of Jesus, Evermore the same, what a lovely name.

CHORUS:
What a lovely name, the name of Jesus. Reaching higher far, than the brightest star.
Sweeter than the songs they sing in heaven. Let the world proclaim, what a lovely name.

That Secret Hiding Place

It’s amazing that there’s a place of solitude in a world filled with people---a place to flee to during crushing battles that rage about us.---a quiet, peaceful place in the profound presence of God.

Psalm 27:5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

This is a promise reserved for those who love the Lord their God. Have you been to that place?

The assurance of God’s sheltering place allows believers to weather the storms of life with hope.
• This allowed David to face Goliath.
• This was the confidence that kept Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from burning in the fiery furnace .
• This was the assurance that gripped the heart of Daniel in the lions den.
• This was the knowledge that allowed Paul to continue as he suffered greatly,  2 Cor. 12:7-11.
   
Those who have learned to abide in Christ through The Word and prayer have been to that place and know the glory of it.  Praise Him.

Glory To His Name

God owes us nothing. We owe Him everything.

Romans 11:35-36  Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?  For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Every dollar in our pockets is a gift from God. Every lung full of air is His blessing. Every heartbeat is His manifested grace---our home, car,  family,  job, intellect, and talents  are gifts to us from God.

And what does God want in return? Nothing more than our love, which manifests itself in obedience to Him, that we honor Him by receiving His Son Jesus as our Savior.

When we do that, His real giving begins. No, God isn't in debt to us; it is we who are in debt to Him.

God is the center of His universe. Is He the center of yours? If you are giving Him the glory due His name He is.

Don't Worry, God Has Your Hand

There’s a story about a man who wanted to cross a frozen lake. Every few feet he tapped the ice to make sure it was strong enough to hold him.

Hours later, face  blue and knuckles red, he neared the shore. Suddenly,  twelve Clydesdale horses pulling a heavy wagon passed him,  leaving the man thinking how foolish he had been.

Are we like that foolish man when it comes to trusting the Lord?  We  tap, tap, tap and say, “I wonder if I will make it.”

With another tap, tap, tap, we say, “I wonder if the Lord knows what kind of a mess I’m in?”

We take another step,  tap, tap, tap, and think, “I wonder if the Lord is going to keep working in my life? I know what he did back there, but I wonder if He will do it today?” \

Do we tap, tap, tap when all the while the Lord is standing with us, as faithful as our shadow, saying, “Trust me? Don’t worry about whether or not the ice will hold you because I have your hand; I’ve planned the path you take and I will never let you go.”

Psalm 121:7-8 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Lifestyle Choices

What type of life do you want to live? Your choice between Jesus and an alternative  will affect everyday of your life. Depending on your answer, you will experience one of two lifestyles.

A Life of sin and rebellion toward God is the lifestyle of one outside Jesus---
• A life out of control - Eph. 2:1-3---Satan is god
• A life of no peace - Isa. 48:22---Something missing
• A life of no lasting joy---Some pleasures, but none last.
• A life of condemnation---John 3:18---God does hold man accountable
• A life of hopelessness--Eph.2:12  Nothing waiting for you but an eternity in Hell

A Life of Salvation and the blessings of God is the lifestyle of those who choose Jesus---
• A life under control - Gal. 5:16 - With God in charge.
• A life of peace - John 14:27; Phil. 4:7 - Total contentment is found in Jesus - Psalm. 34:8
• A life of absolute joy - .Not perfection, but contentment - Phil 4:11Joy unspeakable - 1 Pet. 1:18; 1 Thes. 5:16.4.
• A life free from condemnation - Rom.8:1  Sin, for the believer has been done away with, - Psa. 103:12; Micah 7:19; 1 John 1:7
• .A life of hope - 1 Pet.1:3-5 - There is a better place waiting for the believer.

What you do with Jesus determines where you spend eternity! (Pro.9:12) The choice is totally yours. Seek Jesus Ask Him to forgive your sins. Believe with all your heart (Eph. 2:8,9)

Five Loaves And Two Fishes

According to twelve doubtfing apostles, five barley loafs and two small fish won’t feed 5,000, but when a lad gives his lunch to them at Jesus’ request, a miracle happens.

The multitude had followed Jesus everywhere and He had compassion on them, knowing they were hungry. He blessed the food and instructed His apostles to serve dinner. All were filled and leftovers collected---one basket full for each doubting apostle.

I’m glad I know the One who fed the thousands. Our abilities or resources may be small, but God is still God and He can multiply them in marvelous ways. He has done it again and again.

The lad gave all he had. That's what God asks of any of us---give Him all, great or small. He will use it for his glory.

1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

Living Victoriously in Christ

God promised Israel victory over Jericho.  All they had to do was have confidence in His plan. It was a strange plan

Led by seven priests holding seven ram horn trumpets, the Ark of the Covenant next, the men of war. were to walk around Jericho once the next six days and seven times the seventh day.  The last time the priests were to blow the trumpets and everybody shout.

They won victory by faith that day as the walls around Jericho fell flat.

You can’t live a victorious Christian life by yourself. As you yield to God's plan and let Him live through you, you will enjoy victory over trials in your life. The Apostle Paul tells us how.

Galatians 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

We live the Christian life by merely being in Jesus and having absolute confidence in His plan for us. We enjoy the victory that only He can give.