DAILY TRUTH - The Significance of the Names of Jesus

There is a great significance to the names of Jesus, as they are used in the New Testament.  I feel that in today’s world, the name of Jesus has been taken for granted.  His name has been abused, cursed, used as an expletive, spoken in careless, thoughtless ways, and without a second thought.  My hope in writing this Daily Truth is to bring attention to the fact that His name has importance and extraordinary meaning.

When looking in depth at the Apostle Paul’s writings, one can notice that he uses the names of Jesus Christ in very specific ways, depending on the subject of his writings.  Sometimes, Paul speaks of the “Lord”, or “Jesus”, or “Jesus Christ”, or “Christ Jesus”.  In an article titled, “The Names of Jesus”, E.W. Bullinger states that he noted seventeen different combinations of the use of those names in Paul’s epistles. Bullinger also states that in the gospels, the name “Jesus” (on its own) is used about 612 times.  While it is used only 71 times in the other NT books (and 38 of those instances are in Acts).  Why is that?

Looking for Endurance

“…for you have need of endurance…”  (Hebrews 10:35, CLNT)

“For I am reckoning that the sufferings of the current era do not deserve the glory about to be revealed for us.  For the premonition of the creation is awaiting the unveiling of the sons of God.  For to vanity was the creation subjected, not voluntarily, but because of Him Who subjects it, in expectation that the creation itself, also, shall be freed from the slavery of corruption into the glorious freedom of the children of God.  For we are aware that the entire creation is groaning and travailing together until now.  Yet not only so, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruit of the spirit, we ourselves also, are groaning in ourselves, awaiting the sonship, the deliverance of our body.  For to expectation were we saved.  Now expectation, being observed, is not expectation, for what anyone is observing, why is he expecting it also?  Now, if we are expecting what we are not observing, we are awaiting it with endurance.  (Romans 8:22-25, CLNT)

Early this week, as I read Romans 8, the Lord reminded me (again!) that I was in need of endurance.  As I wrote these words in my journal, “And so, I see clearly I am in *GREAT* need of endurance!” a familiar chord sounded within me.  Didn’t I recall that the Lord had reminded me of that not so long ago?  Or was I imagining it?... 

Of Faith and Boldness – Part II

“You should not, then, be casting away your boldness, which is having a great reward, for you have need of endurance...”  (Hebrews 10: 35, CLNT) 

“Now faith is an assumption of what is being expected, a conviction concerning matters which are not being observed; for in this the elders were testified to.  By faith we are apprehending the eons to adjust to a declaration of God, so that what is being observed has not come out of what is appearing.”  (Hebrews 11:1-2, CLNT)

As the Lord spoke to me regarding my faith and reminded me to allow Him to move and have His way with me, I was filled with boldness.  I felt bold in speaking out or remaining silent.  I felt bold in simply being in Christ and doing as Christ led me to do. 

Of Faith and Boldness – Part I

“You should not, then, be casting away your boldness, which is having a great reward, for you have need of endurance...”  (Hebrews 10: 35, CLNT) 

“Now faith is an assumption of what is being expected, a conviction concerning matters which are not being observed; for in this the elders were testified to.  By faith we are apprehending the eons to adjust to a declaration of God, so that what is being observed has not come out of what is appearing.”  (Hebrews 11:1-2, CLNT)

On recent morning, as I was praying and crying out my woes to God about particular circumstances which were frustrating me and making me feel hopeless, I realized the following:

DAILY TRUTH – There is Only One God and One Lord

“…We are aware that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God except One.  For even if so be that there are those being termed gods, whether in heaven or on earth, even as there are many gods and many lords, nevertheless for us there is one God, the Father, out of Whom all is, and we for Him, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through Whom all is, and we through Him.  But not in all is there this knowledge....”  (1 Corinthians 8:4-7)

There is only one God:  YHWH, out of whom all is.  He is the One from Whom everything originates.  While He is spirit and unseen to our human eyes, He is the source of everything that exists. 

There is only one Lord:  His Son, Jesus Christ, Lord of all, through Whom all is.  He is the One through Whom God speaks to us and through Whom God fulfills His plans for the world and mankind.  He makes God audible and visible to the world.

It is also true that “not in all is there this knowledge”.  Whether we are aware of it or not, whether we know it or not, or believe it or not, the truth that there is one God and one Lord remains true. 

May we be granted the faith to believe and the ability to understand the truth.

For a related post on this topic, see a previous post titled, “One God and One Lord”.  

DAILY TRUTH – The Power of Prayer

“…and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.  Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.  Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.”   (James 5:16-18)

What do these words truly mean?  How are we to apply them today?

As I have observed and listened to others, I have come to the belief that these words are hugely misunderstood by many who read them and attempt to apply this instruction given by James.

Do these words mean that if we pray hard enough and long enough, while we are behaving as righteously as could be humanly possible, we can make anything we want happen? ...  

DAILY TRUTH – The Counsel of God’s Will

“…the One Who is operating all in accord with the counsel of His will...” 

(Ephesians 1:11)

God is working and moving in complete accordance with His perfect will. 

There are times it is easy to accept this truth and be content with it.  It is easy to accept this truth when things are going well and good things happen in our lives or in the world around us.  “Oh look,” we say, “Isn’t God grand that everything is working out so nicely and beautifully!” “Isn’t God’s timing just perfect?  That could not have been resolved as well except for God having his hand in it.”

There are times when it feels impossible to accept this truth.  Disaster strikes in our lives or in the world and, suddenly, the Devil’s will seems to be in control.   “The Devil is getting the upper hand today with all the terrible things going on.”  “Where is God?  Why doesn’t He do something?  Doesn’t He care?  How can God be all-powerful and let things like this go on?”...