Written Name

Written Name

Revelation 19: ¹¹ Then I saw heaven open, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True; it is with justice that he judges and fights his battles. ¹² His eyes were like a flame of fire, and he wore many crowns on his head. He had a name written on him, but no one except himself knows what it is. ¹³ The robe he wore was covered with blood. His name is “The Word of God.” ¹⁴ The armies of heaven followed him, riding on white horses and dressed in clean white linen. ¹⁵ Out of his mouth came a sharp sword, with which he will defeat the nations. He will rule over them with a rod of iron, and he will trample out the wine in the wine press of the furious anger of the Almighty God. ¹⁶ On his robe and on his thigh was written the name: “King of kings and Lord of lords.”

 

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When I saw my nameplate on the desk, I said “Wow.” I quickly reflected on where I came from and where I was then. I was now responsible for duties of great importance.

 

• I had become a “name” within a company.
• I had my “name” written on a nameplate.
• I was the “name” who had authority.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, saw the most amazing thing happen! He saw heaven open and there was a white horse with a rider called, or named “Faithful and True.” This rider had a name, or authority, that no one knew but HIMSELF. But to everyone else HE wore a name that could be understood with was “The Word of GOD.” HE then displayed a name “KING of kings and LORD of lords.”

 

My Observations:

• JESUS is the KING of kings and LORD of lords!
• JESUS is the Word of GOD that I can follow!
• JESUS is the only authority who deserves a name!

 

Making a “name” for myself can be problematic. I mean, I may start to believe in “my” abilities and “my” title, thinking “I” have authority. Fame blinds me to GOD’s power and authority. JESUS is the only one who deserves a “name.”

 

HE Is above all and loves when I point people away from me and towards HIM. Every ability I have is because of HIM, so I should use them for HIM. I gladly mention JESUS as the authority of my life!

 

Challenge

• How many names does the writer mention?
• Have you ever tried to make a name for yourself?
• Have you given JESUS the authority HE deserves over your life?

 

Least Important Became Most

Least Important Became Most

Revelation 5: ⁶ Then I saw a Lamb standing in the center of the throne, surrounded by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb appeared to have been killed. It had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God that have been sent through the whole earth. ⁷ The Lamb went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who sits on the throne. ⁸ As he did so, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God's people.

 

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When problems hit, I began to plan. “My” plans had worked before, so why not now. But the problem got worse and seemed to split into multiple problems. The more “I” tried to fix things the worse thing got. “Pray” someone said. Everything else failed, so I did. The problems started going away.

 

• I thought my plans would work.
• I thought I needed to take action.
• I realized that prayer should have been first.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, saw JESUS as the sacrificial Lamb standing, not sitting, in the center of the throne. HE had been viewed as the least important and was murdered by HIS own creation. The Lamb was able to take the scroll from the one who “sits” on the throne. Twenty-eight bowls filled with prayers of GOD’s people were there.

 

My Observations:

• JESUS was overlooked and was labeled the least important.
• JESUS volunteered to be blamed, slandered, and murdered for our sins.
• Prayer, surprisingly, is the only thing I can create here on earth that makes it into heaven.

 

One item that seems to be most valuable to GOD is prayer. HE loves prayer so much that HE stores each prayer up in a bowl. It makes me realize that it is not about the situation, rather it is about my prayer that GOD adores.

 

HE loves when I see beyond the circumstance to ask, or praise, or simply to give thanks. Every work I speak in sincere prayer makes it into the bowl. People say “You can’t take it with you” referring to money. But prayer is something I can take with me to heaven.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about the seven continents of world?
• Have you ever been in a situation that you thought more money or more fame would get you out of the problem?
• Will you pray to GOD and “ask” or “praise” or “thank” HIM for what HE’s already done so your prayer can be placed in a bowl before GOD’s throne today?

Problem Solver

Problem Solver

1 John2: ²² Who, then, is the liar? It is those who say that Jesus is not the Messiah. Such people are the Enemy of Christ—they reject both the Father and the Son. ²³ For those who reject the Son reject also the Father; those who accept the Son have the Father also.

 

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Admiring the rich and powerful, I took to listening to his or her words. I picked out a characteristic that seemed to be common about all of them. They seemed to be problem solvers. The bigger the problem, the more people they needed to follow them.

 

• I followed people I thought would solve big problems.
• I quickly stopped following people who were not problem solvers.
• I wanted to solve big problems.

 

John compares those who believe in JESUS as the Messiah to those who do not. He does this by asking a rhetorical question “Who, then, is the liar?” He provides the answer given to him by the HOLY SPIRIT, stating that those who say JESUS is not the Messiah are liars. He also mentions that people who reject JESUS as the Messiah reject GOD.

 

My Observations:

• Rich and powerful people may claim to be problem solvers, BUT JESUS is the only one who can solve every problem.
• Humans have tried to solve problems for centuries, BUT GOD laughs at any attempt to do what HE does.
• Problems, persecution and pain are current situations for many, BUT JESUS is the only one who can heal all situations.

 

Attempting to blind humans into thinking there is no problem is what the Enemy of CHRIST wants. I mean, what better way to keep people from getting his or her problem solved, than to make up multiple lies about “higher powers” or random “universe” occurrences or “relative truth?” GOD sees through it all.

 

JESUS volunteered to solve the ultimate problem, namely eternal death. What does this have to do with current life? Everything! Each day we have a choice, follow the way of the world or follow CHRIST. Each decision can contain pain or promise, thoughtlessness or thankfulness, grudge or grace. I am glad JESUS is my problem solver.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer speak about “rejection?”
• Have you ever placed your trust in humans who claim to have answers to big problems?
• Will you place your trust in JESUS who is the Messiah, the Savior of the world, by accepting HIS love and become adopted into GOD’s true family today?

Reputation Faith

Reputation Faith

Hebrews 11: ³⁰ It was faith that made the walls of Jericho fall down after the Israelites had marched around them for seven days. ³¹ It was faith that kept the prostitute Rahab from being killed with those who disobeyed God, for she gave the Israelite spies a friendly welcome.

 

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“Let me see your paper” was said to me in a threatening tone. He knew my scrawny stature was no match for his brawn. I slid my paper closer to the edge and kept filling out the test. I was glad that was over. But then I heard him tell someone “You should sit by him next time.”

 

• I thought I was going to get beat up if I didn’t show my test.
• I was scared of the thugs reputation of beating people up.
• I was building a reputation of being a “scaredy cat” and a “professor” who could easily be pushed over and copied from.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, gave another example of faith. This time it was the faith of “reputation.” The Israelites had crossed the Red Sea and the Egyptians were drowned in it while chasing them. All of the surrounding nations heard about this miracle and feared the Israelites. But Rahab feared their GOD.

 

My Observations:

• I can walk all my life in fear or I can place my hope in GOD.
• I can focus on “my” reputation, or believe that GOD will deliver me when HE says HE would.
• I can do the wrong thing out of fear or believe that GOD will protect me even when the odds are against me.

 

GOD’s reputation is at stake, not mine. I mean, when HE says HE will do something, it is HIS reputation that is at stake. I do not have to defend anything GOD said HE would do. HE is the most powerful, most high and lives everywhere. HE sees all, knows all and is above all.

 

I can place my faith in HIS reputation when mine falters. If all around me label me as weak, GOD says “I AM strong and you are in MY family.” I gladly place my faith in GOD’s reputation for delivering me every time.

 

Challenge

• What reputations are mentioned by the writer?
• Have you ever felt mislabeled by other people?
• Will you put your trust in the LORD today who brings you through all situations for HIS purpose?

Good Enough

 

Good Enough

Hebrews 10: ⁵ For this reason, when Christ was about to come into the world, he said to God:

“You do not want sacrifices and offerings,
    but you have prepared a body for me.
⁶ You are not pleased with animals burned whole on the altar
    or with sacrifices to take away sins.
⁷ Then I said, ‘Here I am,
    to do your will, O God,
    just as it is written of me in the book of the Law.’”

 

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Not understanding the assignment, I went to the teacher and asked for help. The homework I turned in had many marked up mistakes. He showed me what I did wrong and allowed me to turn in my revised work. I got a good grade on that assignment.

 

• My revised work passed the test.
• My revised work met the criteria.
• My corrections made the assignment perfect.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, had a revelation from GOD and was given a conversation that was vital to the Law. JESUS knew that animal sacrifices would never cleanse the sin of mankind. A perfect sacrifice was needed and HE volunteered.

 

My Observations

• JESUS knew the passing criteria and became the perfect sacrifice.
• JESUS knew what it would take to fulfill the Law and did so just for me.
• JESUS became the perfect sacrifice which fulfilled the entire Law and now I have freedom.

 

No animal or actions were good enough to meet GOD’s criteria of perfection. Only JESUS was perfect. GOD had to lose HIS SON for you and me to be saved. JESUS died and was raised from the dead, now HE holds the choice to forgive.

 

My efforts of fasting, prayer and abstaining from sin are not good enough. The only way I can ever be good is to recognize the one who was perfect, namely JESUS. After that, all things fall into place.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer use this example?
• Have you ever thought your efforts were good enough to please GOD?
• Will you look at what JESUS did as perfection so you will not try to measure up and so you can be comfortable, knowing HE loves you to the maximum today?

Playing with Shadows

Playing with Shadows

Hebrews 8: ³ Every high priest is appointed to present offerings and animal sacrifices to God, and so our High Priest must also have something to offer. ⁴ If he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, since there are priests who offer the gifts required by the Jewish Law. ⁵ The work they do as priests is really only a copy and a shadow of what is in heaven. It is the same as it was with Moses. When he was about to build the Sacred Tent, God told him, “Be sure to make everything according to the pattern you were shown on the mountain.” ⁶ But now, Jesus has been given priestly work which is superior to theirs, just as the covenant which he arranged between God and his people is a better one, because it is based on promises of better things.

 

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Bored waiting on whatever my parents were doing, I looked around and could not find anything to play with. The sun was shining, so when I raised my hands I noticed the shadow on the floor did the same thing. I decided to play with that. I lifted my foot and the shadow responded. Soon I was making all kinds of things happen with the shadow. But when I got home, I was able to play with real people. It was so much better!

 

• I played with my shadow, but it could not do what a real person could do.
• I was able to make the shadow do what I wanted, but it could not do what I needed.
• I pretended the shadow was enough, but when reality came I felt better.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, compares the activity of human high priests to that of JESUS, the true High Priest. He says that what they do to atone for sins is only a “shadow” of the real thing. What Moses was told to do was only a pattern of the real thing.

 

My Observations:

• JESUS is superior to anything I could ever do.
• JESUS is above any “good” act I could ever try.
• JESUS is where I can place all my trust because humans can fall.

 

Pastors, priests and preachers are nice to have, but are full of flaws and sometimes contradictions. I mean, it does not matter who is preaching, there is a part of him or her that is made up of sin. BUT JESUS has no sin. HE can speak worlds into existence because HE has no flaws.

 

JESUS is the “real deal!” What I do for HIM and what others do and say about HIM are only a shadow of the real thing. Shadows are weak and powerless, but they exists. My actions are weak and powerless, but they exist. GOD sees when I mimic HIM and is pleased. I am grateful, GOD turns my weak, shadowlike actions into treasures I can’t imagine.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer compare the actions of a high priest to a shadow?
•  Have you ever done something as a child, then done something similar as an adult and laughed at your childish actions?
• Will you seek JESUS as the real thing to come and keep going with the actions the HOLY SPIRIT leads you to do, knowing you will be rewarded by GOD someday?

Chosen Anyway

 

Chosen Anyway

Hebrews 1: ⁷ But about the angels God said,

“God makes his angels winds,
    and his servants flames of fire.”

⁸ About the Son, however, God said:
“Your kingdom, O God, will last forever and ever!
    You rule over your people with justice.
⁹ You love what is right and hate what is wrong.
That is why God, your God, has chosen you
    and has given you the joy of an honor far greater
    than he gave to your companions.”

 

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Questioning GOD’s love for me became the norm. My sins had piled up and I wondered if GOD could love me at all. I figured HE was away from me doing good things for other people and holding me accountable for all the bad things I did.

 

• I had a negative view of a loving GOD.
• I thought that HE disliked me because HE disliked sin.
• I was missing something very important, namely HE loves me.

 

JESUS was placed way above powerful angels according to the revelation given to Paul. Because JESUS loves what Is right and hates what is wrong, HE chose to do something about it. Rather than lose humanity, HE died for it. HE gave up everything. GOD raised ZHIM from the dead and placed HIM above powerful angels.

 

My Observations

• GOD cannot stand sin, but chose me anyway.
• GOD decided to do something about my sin, namely die for me so I would not have to experience eternal pain.
• GOD loves me so much, that HE took my sins away from me as far as the east is from the west.

 

GOD loves me and you. I mean, sometimes I have a sinful view of GOD, especially when I am not getting my way. BUT GOD does not have that same view of me or you. HIS love is unfathomable.

 

HIS love cannot and will not be stopped by my sin or yours. HE hated sin so much, that HE did away with it by dying for it. HIS resurrection gives HIM the right to raise anyone who is thankful for HIS loving act, to live eternally. HIS love is wild and passionate. I am grateful for love that never diminishes.

 

Challenge

• What honor is the writer speaking about?
• Have you ever doubted GOD’s love for you?
• Will you have a different view of GOD, knowing HE loves you and has forgiven you today?

Nobody Greater

Nobody Greater

Hebrews 1: ⁴ The Son was made greater than the angels, just as the name that God gave him is greater than theirs. ⁵ For God never said to any of his angels,
“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father.”
Nor did God say about any angel,
“I will be his Father,
    and he will be my Son.”
⁶ But when God was about to send his first-born Son into the world, he said,
“All of God's angels must worship him.”

 

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Worrying about my grades,  I assumed I would not graduate and felt like giving up. I turned to prayer and got the focus I needed to continue on to completion. Another time I worried about my health. “Maybe it was a sin I committed” I thought to myself. I prayed and was healed. Over time I noticed that whenever I worried about something I could pray about it.

 

• I used to think GOD had no power because I worried about “my” situation.
• I thought I was in control of “my” problems and solutions.
• I wondered if anyone even cared about what “I” was going through.

 

We assume the writer is Paul. He explains something revealed to him by the HOLY SPIRIT. JESUS became a human to die for the sins of humanity. While JESUS was on earth, GOD said “This is MY beloved SON, with whom I am well pleased. Paul quotes the prophet Nathan, David and Moses and describes JESUS as having a name that is greater than any created being.

 

My Observations

• JESUS name holds all the power I need.
• JESUS, being raised from the dead because of my sins, shows me I am loved beyond what any human could ever show.
• JESUS is more powerful than any sin I have committed and any situation I could ever get into.

 

Placing my hope in the one who’s name is above all names gives me hope. I mean, when I think that Satan can simply have his way by tearing apart plans and placing obstacles in front of me, I can always remember that JESUS is above him and anything any one can throw at me. It sounds strange, but it is true.

 

This truth guides me to a peaceful place other people cannot find. Their hope is in the things of this world versus on HIM. I am glad I can place my hope in JESUS, for there is nobody greater than HIM.

 

Challenge

• What importance is the writer talking about?
• Have you ever met someone who had authority?
• Will you look at your situation differently and allow JESUS to decide what HE is going to do with your life so you can reduce your worry about your future?

Unfathomable

Unfathomable

1 Timothy 6: ¹³ Before God, who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus, who firmly professed his faith before Pontius Pilate, I command you ¹⁴ to obey your orders and keep them faithfully until the Day when our Lord Jesus Christ will appear. ¹⁵ His appearing will be brought about at the right time by God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. ¹⁶ He alone is immortal; he lives in the light that no one can approach. No one has ever seen him; no one can ever see him. To him be honor and eternal power! Amen.

 

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“How was GOD always three?” was one of my first questions I asked when I started my journey back to following HIM. This and many other questions led me to study to find out if GOD were a fable, myth or some made up story.

 

• I needed to know if I was being fooled.
• I saw hypocrites who spoke about JESUS and who lived like me, who wasn’t following JESUS.
• I questioned and questioned because I had little faith and needed answers.

 

 

Paul tells Timothy to obey until the “Day when our LORD JESUS CHRIST will appear.” This Day is not an ordinary day, rather the final erasure of all sin and the beginning of everlasting life, for some and everlasting separation for others. Paul explains the JESUS is unfathomable, no one has truly seen what and who HE is and never will.

 

My Observations

• I may not understand what and who GOD is, but I do know HE loves me dearly.
• I may not be able to explain “why” to every question but I do know JESUS died for me and is alive.
• I may not be able to apply logic or Cognos to GOD, but I can feel HIS presence when I am in need, hurt or elated.

 

I just know that I know that I know that JESUS loves me. I do not understand why, I just know. HE cared enough for me, that HE gave HIS life for me. I do not understand why, I just know. When I ask questions about HIM that I cannot answer, HE is not mean, but gentle.

 

HE seeks me and, for whatever reason, wants me to tell others about HIS love. When I look at HIS perfection, I stop asking questions and praise HIM and simply say “Thank YOU.” I am glad I will never know what and who HE is, but I am glad HE reveals all I need to know.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer mention that “no one has ever seen HIM when people saw JESUS?”
• What questions are you afraid to ask about GOD, JESUS who is GOD, and about the HOLY SPIRIT?
• Will you seek a deeper relationship with JESUS and accept there are things about HIM we will never know or understand, but HE loves us and that’s all we need?

Highest Admiration

Highest Admiration

Ephesians 4: ⁹ Now, what does “he went up” mean? It means that first he came down to the lowest depths of the earth. ¹⁰ So the one who came down is the same one who went up, above and beyond the heavens, to fill the whole universe with his presence. 

 

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Reaching levels was a thing that was taught to me. One grade gave me golden stars for every level I achieved in reading. This thought of levels translated to types of work I did later in life. I admired those who were “above me” in level. I talked about him or her with high regard.

 

• I thought titles meant importance.
• I thought people were supposed to be treated differently because of their title or academic achievements.
• I thought power meant obtaining a following where people would grab onto every word “I” said.

 

Paul poses a tough question in the letter he wrote. “What does ‘HE went up’ mean?” was the poignant question to provoke thought. He then answers by explaining what JESUS taught him. He talked about levels.

 

My Observations

• JESUS, who was and is GOD, became a lowly human to die for me.
• JESUS sacrificial death and resurrection enabled HIM to be placed above everything.
• JESUS’s act of love is recognized by the entire universe.

 

It’s easy to admire or even envy other humans as gods. I mean, when I want to be somebody, I may look at what others consider somebody. I then try to be like him or her and fail miserably. I may sometimes achieve a level and think I am “above” people.

 

BUT GOD is the only one who is above all. No human level or achievement can match HIS greatness. HE knows all, sees all and is everywhere. JESUS was given the highest honor of being placed above all. I bow down to JESUS who is my Savior.

 

Challenge

• What levels is the writer speaking about?
• Have you ever admired someone because of his or her title or accomplishments?
• Will you place a higher admiration on the one who is above race, gender and situations, namely JESUS, today?

Above All

Above All

Ephesians 1:  ²¹ Christ rules there above all heavenly rulers, authorities, powers, and lords; he has a title superior to all titles of authority in this world and in the next. ²² God put all things under Christ's feet and gave him to the church as supreme Lord over all things. ²³ The church is Christ's body, the completion of him who himself completes all things everywhere.

 

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Above all seems unfathomable. Above every situation, every trial, above every thing that seems to go right or wrong? Yes. Above it all!

 

This weekend we celebrate the resurrection of JESUS who is GOD who became a human to allow HIMSELF to be murdered for the sins of the world. HE was raised by the SPIRIT and the FATHER placed all things under HIM.

 

HE now holds every situation, past, present and future. All hurts and celebrations belongs to HIM. All things are complete.

 

Enjoy this weekend of worshipping our LORD and Savior JESUS, who is the CHRIST!

Status

Status

John 19: ⁷ The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.”

⁸ Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid, ⁹ and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer.

¹⁰ Then Pilate said to Him, “Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?”

¹¹ Jesus answered, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.”

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“Would you like an upgrade?” was the question posed to me. Then they said, “You have enough points so the upgrade would be free.” I said “Of course.” I was hungry and they gave me a meal instead of a bag of peanuts. “I like this!” I said to myself.

In a small way, I had status.

In a tiny way I thought I was in a better position.

In a miniscule way I believed I needed to keep my “status” so I could fly first class over and over again.

Pilate believed HE had the status to interrogate and sentence JESUS. But when he found out JESUS was GOD, he became very nervous. He asked JESUS “Where are YOU from?” JESUS gave no answer. Pilate tried to use his status on JESUS to get HIM to answer. JESUS replied about the status of sin saying Judas and the church leaders had committed the greater.

• JESUS wants me to place HIM as the highest.
• JESUS wants me to bow down to HIS power instead of seeking a higher status amongst humans.
• JESUS wants me to understand HE is the Most High and has the power to forgive sin.

There is no status on earth that can come close to that of JESUS. HE rules every facet of life. Unfortunately, humans seek status and want to feel elevated over others. BUT GOD forgives this behavior in me when I seek HIS face. I elevate HIM above work or family titles.

JESUS is above everything. There is no situation, secret or solution that does not come from HIM. GOD is involved with growing hairs on my head, certainly HE is involved with things that seem like they are in “my” control. I acknowledge JESUS as GOD and LORD of my life.

• Do you seek status and not know it?
• Are you trying to get power over people by trying to control them?
• Will you give the power you seek to JESUS and watch HIM solve all situations, HIS way?