Names

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippihe asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”  “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.

Matt 16:13-17 (NLT)

"Who is Jesus Christ to you?" This was the question asked of prospective employees at the Christian preschool where I was employed.  This is an important question and one that Jesus asked his disciples.  There can be many answers to this question - he was a good person, a great teacher, a mythical creation, or the Son of God.

When Peter recognized Jesus as the one sent from God to be the savior of the world, Jesus commended him and said this has been revealed to you by the Father.  True knowledge of Jesus is a revelation from the Father.  When this revelation comes, we begin to see him in many roles - as our friend, our guide, our very life.  

Who is Jesus to me?  As we ask ourselves this question and ask the Father for a deeper revelation we will grow in our knowledge of Jesus and see him in his fullness - he is our everything.

Names of Jesus

Rabbi (Teacher)

Messiah (Anointed One)

Son of God

Lord

Savior

Logos (Word or Voice)

Shepherd

Friend

Guide

Lover of my soul

Add your names to the list.

Meek

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Matt 5:5 (NIV) 

But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.

Psalms 37:11 (NIV) 

When we come into a place of meekness, of dependence and trust in God, we become heirs of all good things.  Being an heir is a very special and privileged position.  We often envy heirs because they come into the family riches without having to work for it.  We have a very rich dad and all the family riches are ours.  He lavishes all good things upon his children with great wisdom, not spoiling his children but blessing them in response to their work of faith.  Then the heirs are in a position to take over the family business and spread all those good things around to others. Everything belongs to us.  Because of our trust in him we have no worries or cares because we know he has all the resources and supply to take care of whatever needs we may have.  

The blessing and happiness of this condition is beyond description.  To walk with him in this way is the way of joy and peace.  The meek eventually inherit all things because they have put their trust not in their own ability or strength to earn and build and possess but because they have put their trust in the one who already owns everything and will pass it on to his heirs.  His heirs are those of his family who have also inherited his nature, not the grasping, grabbing ones, but the meek and gentle ones. 

For everything belongs to you— 

whether Paul or Apollos or Peter, 

or the world, or life and death,

 or the present and the future.

 Everything belongs to you,

and you belong to Christ,

 and Christ belongs to God.

1 Cor 3:21-23 (NLT)

Centered

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,

 continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, 

strengthened in the faith as you were taught,

 and overflowing with thankfulness. 

See to it that no one takes you captive 

through hollow and deceptive philosophy,

 which depends on human tradition 

and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.  

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,

  and you have been given fullness in Christ,

 who is the head over every power and authority.

Col 2:6-10 (NIV)

In the midst of the world filled with its opinions and ideas, we have Christ as our center.  There is nothing in all the world that can compare with Christ himself. Ultimately, if we make him the center of our lives, we will succeed. 

We are bombarded on every side by differences of opinion.  So many are trying to figure things out, one from this perspective and one from another.  Our life histories have conditioned us to see things in a certain way.  Even when we discuss scripture, everyone brings out verses that prove their point.  Each side may seem to have some merit, so our minds become confused.  We must come back to our true foundation - Christ himself.  Ultimately, our faith is in Christ. The Bible, the written word, is there to point us to Christ, the living word. The church exists to help us stay on track by reminding us of Christ our center and to join us with other members of his body

Things that do not point us to Christ are distractions.  It may be interesting to listen to arguments and discussions, but ultimately if they do not end by saying Christ is the center they are off target.  What is the deception? - that something else will fulfill us, another person, a group, an institution, ourselves.  There is no true fulfillment outside of Christ himself.  

“If the Christian is attached to some thing, such as a teaching, a tradition, an institution, a movement, or person, the end will certainly be a limitation of life and eventually confusion and disappointment.         T. Austin-Sparks

He is the truth, he is the way and he is life. (John 14.6). When someone asks, “What is truth?” or “Where is the truth in this?”- Jesus answers, “I am the truth.”  When someone asks, “Which way is the best?  Which way should we go?”- Jesus says, “I am the way.”  When someone asks, “Where is the true life? How do I find fulfillment in this life?” - Jesus says, “I am the life”.  He is the absolute center.  When we focus on him, miraculously, our questionings are not so important any more.  

In our union with Christ we are complete.  Our questions may still exist, but, the good news is we don't have to figure it all out. We may not perfectly understand everything, but if we are walking in him and trusting him, he will protect us and keep us going in the right direction.  We only need to follow the light we have been given.  It’s about walking with him - a living, breathing relationship. No matter where our lives take us, he is our center.  In the simplicity of our childlike relationship and trust in him all is supplied. 

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love,

 so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding,

 in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,  

 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 

I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.

Col 2:2-4 (NIV)

Photo from http://www.refugeimages.com/thewaythrough.html

Pity

My Child by David Bowman

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.Psalm 103.13 (NLT)

It is hard for us to conceive the depth of love and compassion God feels for us in our condition of weakness.  He came to set us free from our sins and the consequences of them and yet we continue to suffer from our weakness and failures in so many ways.  God, instead of condemning us, is touched by the feelings of our infirmities, our weaknesses, our frailty and the resulting suffering and has great pity and compassion for us.  I am overwhelmed by the sense of his concern and care.  He actually feels sorry for me and enters into my suffering.  He longs for me to receive his strength that I might begin to grow and overcome those things that hold me bound.  

This brought to mind a phrase from the old hymn At the Cross - "Amazing pity! Grace unknown! And love beyond degree!"  The depth of God's pity and his deep concern for us is expressed in the ultimate sacrifice of his death on the cross.  We are in need of his pity, compassion, grace and love. May we receive it today.

Thank you for the great compassion, pity and mercy I feel coming from your heart.  Oh Lord, may I experience your strength in my weakness.  May I overcome by your spirit working in me. 

 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses... So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Heb 4:15-16 (NLT)

Listen to At the Cross:
http://youtu.be/NcqtZyv5flE

Art of David Bowman
http://www.bowman-art.com/indexFineart.htm

Constancy

Every good and perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17 (NIV)

The big difference between us and God is he is constant and we are fickle.  Our moods can fluctuate from day to day making us sometimes erratic and unstable.

God, on the other hand does not change.  He cannot change his mind.  His plans and purposes are secure and steady.  

He is like a strong, steady sun that does not move across the sky but shines constantly down upon us - no shifting shadows.  We do not have to worry that he will grow tired and look away or ignore us.  He is always available when we need him, always watching over us.  His love and care never leave us. 

Lord, thank you for your steady light smiling down upon us. 

He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.

Psalms 121:3-4 (NLT)

No longer will you need the sun to shine by day, nor the moon to give its light by night, for the Lord your God will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.

Isaiah 60:19 (NLT)

Renewed

Have you never heard? Have you never understood? 

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. 

He never grows weak or weary.

No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.

Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. 

They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31 (NLT)

When I feel weak, tired or discouraged, I love to read these words from Isaiah 40.  I realize that my feelings are cyclical and that I will be renewed again as I wait upon God in hope and trust.  What a great promise!  Those who put their hope in the Lord will again be lifted up to soar as eagles.  God will not fail to lift me again to the heights.  But not only that, he will give me new strength to run the race ahead of me and to accomplish my daily duties without fainting.  When he renews me again, I will soar above my circumstances in great joy.  He will give me strength to run and work hard toward the goals he has given me and he will give me endurance to accomplish all the tasks of the day. 

Trust in him at all times, O people;

pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Psalms 62:8 (NIV)