The Only Name

I awoke this morning to a song in my head  by Big Daddy Weave "The Only Name"

Yours will be
The only name that matters to me
The only one whose favor I seek
The only name that matters to me

Yours will be
The friendship and affection I need
To feel my Father smiling on me
The only name that matters to me

And Yours is the name, the name that has saved me
Mercy and grace, the power that forgave me and Your love
Is all I've ever needed

Yours will be
The only name that matters to me
The only one whose favor I seek
The only name that matters to me

Yours is the name the name that has saved me
Your Mercy and grace, the power that forgave me and Your love
Is all I've ever needed

When I wake up in the Land of Glory
With the saints I will tell my story
There will be one name that I proclaim

When I wake up in the Land of Glory
With the saints I will tell my story
There will be one name that I proclaim

Hey
La-la, la-la, la-la, la-la
La-la, la-la, la-la, la-la
La-la, la-la, la-la, la-la, la-la, la-la

Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, just that name
Jesus, Jesus
Jesus, just that name

When I wake up in the Land of Glory
With the saints I will tell my story
There will be one name that I proclaim

When I wake up in the Land of Glory
With the saints I will tell my story
There will be one name that I proclaim

Hey
La-la, la-la, la-la, la-la
La-la, la-la, la-la, la-la
La-la, la-la, la-la, la-la, la-la, la-la

Jesus, when I wake up in the Land of Glory
With the saints I will tell my story
There will be one name that I proclaim (la-la, la-la, la-la, la-la)
La-la, la-la, la-la, la-la
La-la, la-la, la-la, la-la
La-la, la-la, la-la, la-la, la-la, la-la

I read this morning in Psalms, interestingly the first verse I read was one that Jesus quoted to some people.  Psalms 110 verse 1
"The Lord says to my Lord:
“Sit at My right hand
Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”

In one of my devotional readings there was much said on learning what it meant to be a child of God.

I have heard this next phrase said in a good natured way and also in a negative way.  "Oh just look at him!  He's looks like a small version of his father!"

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then we who are saved by Jesus Christ ought to be that phrase in the good way.  We should be examples of or more aptly samples of God to the world.

Is it any wonder that "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain" is among the first of the Ten Commandments?  Even in the midst of an evil world, disaster strikes and even the so-called unbelievers cry out "God no! Save me!"

Scripture says that deep within man, he knows the truth. 

The name of Jesus is unlike any other name.  In it, people are saved from their sins. In it, people are healed. In it, joy is found unlike any other. In it, this Universe was created.  In it, is everything.

This world of evil is trying to water down, to diminish, to strip away that power but it cannot be done.

It matters not what people may say, people will never be stronger than their Creator.

The name of Jesus.  Just that name.

In that name, I was saved.  In that name I  was shown whose I was.  In that name my life found purpose.

If we really are honest, regardless of the benefits, this world is full of distractions to take our eyes off Jesus.

Anything, even 'good' things can become a snare.  If you go through your day without trouble, it's been fantastic, but you never once acknowledged God. It was wasted. If your days at your dream job are always good or even a mix of the good and bad and you left God out of it it was wasted.

The Disciples were in a boat in a storm. Jesus was there but so not concerned that He was napping.  But in the midst of it all they didn't go to Jesus until it became way too much for them.  They were prepared to take on the world, or so they thought, until it was too much. 
Why do we do that?  Why do we wait until the problem is so great THEN come to Christ for help.

BEGIN your day with Jesus.  Go out the door WITH Jesus.  Sit in your car, on the bus, walking on the sidewalk WITH Jesus.
Listen to your music WITH Jesus.  It's not like you will go anywhere without Him. So ask Him to REALLY join us.

Then in that really think about what you think about or do during the day.  Would He really approve or are you still doing your own thing and hope He doesn't mind? 

Yes there are many wonders in this world to see and experience.  But it's all in vain if Jesus isn't a part of your life.

There's a great deal that I will never see nor experience that I would like to.  But in light of Christ, it's ok if I don't.  I would rather be held by Jesus that go to those places or experience those things.

I would rather be able to see Him smiling at me than see a sunset over the Grand Canyon. I would rather hear of His love for me than to hear of anything else.

Sort of brings me to another song.

"I'd Rather Have Jesus"
I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold
I'd rather be His than have riches untold
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Than to be the king of a vast domain or be held in sins dread sway
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today

I'd rather have Jesus than vain applause
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame
I'd rather be true to His holy name

Than to be the king of a vast domain or be held in sins dread sway
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

Than to be the king of a vast domain or be held in sins dread sway
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

People wake up to the truth of the silky chains of your life.

All that you have going on in your life is too much for you.  Even if it doesn't seem that way.   If we COULD live a life so free from care or concern, then we would be in a position to not see a need for Jesus.

Look at what Jesus said of Mary and Martha.  A busy life or basically one filled with activity even, isn't near as important as a life with Jesus.

In the end we face Jesus.  Everything in this world is going away.  We take nothing but our experiences with us when we die.

So I miss out on going places or doing things this world says is important.  Big deal.  I would rather spend even 5 minutes in the presence of Jesus. At times He has granted me the ability to see into His Heaven during times of worship.

I wouldn't trade that for anything.

Petty problems, and when it comes to comparing what we go through in life with what we could have with Jesus, are all just that. Petty.

Being stubborn is petty.  Useless.
Being angry is petty. Useless.
Being unforgiving is petty. Useless.

If you are being anything outside of the fruits of the Spirit, it's petty and useless.

Jesus, just that name.

Jesus loves me this I know.
For the Bible tells me so.
Little One's to Him belong.
They are weak but He is Strong.

Yes, Jesus loves Me.
Yes, Jesus loves Me.
Yes, Jesus loves Me.

The Bible tells Me so.