Tag Archives: the Name of Jesus

What Do Your Tassels Look Like?

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Numbers 15

One Christmas my niece and her husband gave me a wind chime that plays the most beautiful tones I think I’ve ever heard in a wind chime. Sometimes when there is a breeze I hear the music and stop what I’m doing just to enjoy the sound. Sometimes I’ll pray for Libby and Seth as their gift delights my soul. Sometimes I’ll just listen – but I always remember those two precious people who gave it to me. (Happy Anniversary by the way, dear ones!)

God told the Israelites to make tassels for the hems of their clothing so that when they saw the tassels they would remember and obey God’s commands “instead of following your own desires and defiling yourselves, as you are prone to do.” (verse 39)

I sat here and wondered what my “tassels” look like, what it is that reminds me to obey, and not defile myself as I am prone to do. I believe God brought His Name to mind.

As I wear the name, “Christian,” shouldn’t that be enough for me to remember to obey the One whose Name I wear? Should that be enough to do what I need to do to NOT defile myself even though temptation is always in front of me? If I identify with Jesus by calling myself a Christian, shouldn’t my choices, my life be lived in obedience?

I will admit that my wind chimes sing out on occasion and maybe I hear them, and maybe I’m so used to hearing them the beautiful tones don’t penetrate my hearing. I don’t stop and listen.

And maybe I’m so used to wearing the name, “Christian,” I stop hearing the beautiful tones of my Savior’s voice telling me to be holy, to confess sin, to obey, to love, to stand for Truth, to go and make disciples.

God gave the Israelites tassels to remind them to obey. God gave me His Name that ought to remind me of the same.

So, what “tassels” are you wearing that remind you to obey your Savior? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

The Name of God

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Leviticus 24

For those of you Christians who still use the Name of God like an exclamation mark, let me suggest you read Leviticus 24 today.

Now, you need not fear stoning for saying “OMG.” But I think you need to ask yourself how important the Name of God and the precious Name of of Jesus is to you.

Then, ask yourself what your use of the Name says to people who hear it used in such a casual and irreverent way. As a representative of Jesus, does your vocabulary reveal Him the way He deserves?

What does your use of His Name say to God Himself? God is very serious about His Name.

We’d better be, too.

December 15; Attitude Check

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Philemon; Philippians 1-2

I remember that, as an adolescent girl, I could be a bit moody. No really, I could. I could get upset over what now seems insignificant, but at the time seemed the end of the world. And I remember on more than one occasion, during one of my displays of emotion, I’d hear the stern voice of my Dad say, “Change your attitude.”

It was not a suggestion.

I hear God say the same thing to me today. I hope you’ll read Philippians 2:5-11, and do an attitude check on yourself. Paul tells us our attitudes should be the same as Jesus’.

I’ve always loved these verses which speak of what Jesus did to pay for my sins, the lengths He went to die on a cross. And these verses thrill me every time I read about the Name of the One I love.

The truth is, I have no reason to have a bad attitude. I have no reason for self-pity, jealousy, bitterness. When I get a good look at what Jesus gave up to ransom me, and I realize He never complained or regretted what He’d lost, I am ashamed to remember the times when I made a big deal of things unimportant in the light of eternity.

I don’t believe God is talking about sadness, or grief, or disappointment as being sinful. Those were emotions Jesus Himself felt. But God is speaking to me about my overall attitude when bad – or good – things happen.

Paul says IF I have any encouragement from being united with Christ, IF any comfort from His love, IF I have fellowship with the Holy Spirit, and IF I have received tenderness and compassion, (I emphasized the “ifs” because of course I have received all of that and more. It’s not an “if.” It’s a definite) then change your attitude!

Time for an attitude check. May my attitude, and yours, be the same as that of Jesus.

Genesis 9:25-10:32- The Name

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I didn’t know that Shem, in Hebrew, means Name.

“What did you name your child?”

“Name.”

But here is what is thrilling about that. Jesus – the Name above all names – is a descendent of Noah’s son Shem!

Is this Book about Jesus from Genesis to Revelation? On every page. In every verse. God lovingly inspired men to write about the Name that will one day cause everyone who ever lived to bow before him and confess that Jesus is Lord!

December 17 – Emptied

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Philippians

Christmas is eight days away. If you are like me, you’ve enjoyed the lights, the concerts and programs telling us of the Baby in a manger. We sing about Angels, shepherds, and wise men, and the young mother who gave birth in a stable. Throw in Santa and a long list, and a little snow, and it’s the most wonderful time of the year.

Paul, in his letter to the Philippian church, tells us what Christmas is really all about. (2:5-8) Jesus, existing as God, equal to God, emptied Himself and became a human being. The Creator God became a servant, obedient to the end – the cross. That adorable baby surrounded by dirty animals and lowly shepherds, chose this birth. And He chose His death, for love of you.

Because you sin, Jesus “emptied Himself” to become a man so He could pay the penalty for your sins. Jesus gave it all.

We won’t know the whole reality of the word “emptied” until we see Him. But here is the reason He left heaven:

For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (2:9-11)

I pray you’ll name that Name while standing in His Presence, clothed in His righteousness through His own precious blood. For the glory of God.

 

Feb 21 – Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say

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Leviticus 24&25

“If anyone curse his God, then he will bear his sin.” (24:15)

That is what God said concerning a man who, when fighting with another man, blasphemed God and cursed. As a result of his blaspheming, the man was stoned to death. You just don’t curse God, even in a fit of anger.

Now a days we don’t automatically kill a person who damns someone while using God’s Holy Name. But that doesn’t mean what comes out of our mouths is any less serious this side of the cross.

Scripture tells us there is only one unforgivable sin: blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. And the Bible teaches that those who do will have to pay for their own sins.

The atheist blasphemes The Holy Spirit as long as he tries to deny God’s existence. The sinner blasphemes God as long as she ignores Him. Even ones who call themselves Christians can blaspheme God by not obeying or believing Scripture. And I believe if anyone dies in the state of blasphemy, they will face God on their own.

And, from what I read here in Leviticus, how we use the Holy Name of God is serious business. What we do with that Name is life and death.

A children’s chorus from my youth comes to mind:

Oh, Be careful little mouth what you say.

Be careful little mouth what you say.

For the Father up above is looking down in love.

So be careful little mouth what you say.

God is reminding me today that He is to be taken seriously. He is Holy. His Name is Holy. And I need to wear His Name, and use His Name with respect and honor.

Holy God, I pray for those reading this blog who have yet to bow before you and repent of sin. I pray that they will quit blaspheming the Holy Spirit, and accept your gift of grace. I also pray for your children, Father. May we honor you with our lives, including our mouths. And may people be drawn to you because of the way we represent You.

I Know Whom I’ve Believed

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I know not why God’s wondrous grace to me He has made known. Nor why, when I was so unworthy, Christ, in love, redeemed me for His own. “But I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day.”

If you went to church before the “contemporary” movement decided the old hymns are irrelevant, I bet you have a tune running through your head about now. I find myself singing Daniel W. Whittle’s hymn every time I read 2 Timothy 1:12. If you get a chance I hope you take the time to read all five verses. It is a wonderful hymn of complete confidence in God.

That’s what Paul was talking about to Timothy in his second letter to the young preacher. Paul was in jail, had suffered quite a bit for Jesus’ sake, and he was encouraging Timothy to see Jesus ONLY in every circumstance of life. Paul says, I’ve had a tough time sharing the Gospel, but I’m not ashamed of any of it.

The Apostle wanted Timothy – and me – to have the same attitude. Don’t ever be ashamed of standing up for the Truth of Scripture, of wearing the name Christian according to God’s Word. It might not be a popular or comfortable stand, but knowing Jesus makes everything else dim in comparison.

And God promises to stand with us until we see Him face to face in our eternal home.

I know not when my Lord may come, at night or noonday fair. Or if I walk the vale with Him or meet Him in the air. But I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day!