“What’s In a Name?”

Date: 12-30-14

Text: — Nehemiah 1:1 — The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capitol [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Nehemiah, whose name means YHWH (Bless His Name) comforts, lived out his name in his mission.

My Thoughts: 

We’ve all heard Shakespeare’s famous quote: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.” And perhaps in the context of the play, this may be true—to a degree. But I believe to some extent what someone calls herself or himself defines who s/he is, be it a nickname or a formal name. …

I have found a fascinating parallel with the names of the prophets and leaders of the Scriptures that often their name sets the focus their ministry. I see this in Elijah, Joseph, and even with Nehemiah, whose name means YHWH (Bless His Name) comforts. Nehemiah lived out his name in his mission and comforted the people by offering clear director through strong leadership.

Lifestyle worshiper, maybe you do not like your name or the nickname(s) you were tagged with. I understand. I had a few nicknames throughout the years that were less than flattering. But just as YHWH (BLESS His Name) gave Jacob the new name, Israel, and the Lord Jesus gave a new name to Simon, Peter, so too He has a new name for you: A name known only to you and Him. A truly personalized name that will not only be a term of endearment between you and Jesus, but will also define who you are in relationship to Him.

I do like my name, Michael, and I know it is the most popular name of my generation, but I also know that I will most definitely like the name the Lord Jesus has created for me. I pray this same confident blessing to you as you start this New Year with a renewed hope!

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.

— Revelation 2:17 (NIV84)

  For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

— 1 John 5:4-5 (NIV84)

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

— John 16:33 (NIV84)

Heavenly Father,  I am overwhelmed by the thought that You will give me a personalized name known only to me. The intimacy is staggering; the joy indescribable. I praise Your Name! Lord Jesus Christ, overcome the world in my soul and in my sphere of influence so that I may live out the meaning of the name You will reveal to me.  In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“A Precious Treasure”

Date: 12-24-14

Text: — 2 Corinthians 4:7 — But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: This precise Treasure, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, the Hope of Glory, is in our earthen vessel—our jar of clay!

My Thoughts: 

This precious Treasure is Light; not too burdensome, and very, very bright. Some put lampshades over the jar because of its brightness. These do not want to offend anyone. Others shine it full bore forcing others to cover their eyes. Whatever we do with this precious Treasure, I want to remind us of how precious it is….

Lifestyle worshiper: This precise Treasure, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, the Hope of Glory, is in our earthen vessel—our jar of clay! Does this overwhelm you as it does me? This Holy Light of which we sing is ‘housed’ in my common, dirty, ‘old’ life. I know what is it my flesh. But the Holy One puts His Holy Light in me to show that when I am hard pressed and not crushed; when I perplexed and not despairing; when I am persecuted and not abandoned; when I am knocked down and not destroyed: all this is to show that I am not doing it, but His all-surpassing power is! He is preserving me, protecting me, and promoting Him—Jesus, the Light of the World.

When you celebrate a Christmas Eve candlelight service or attend a Christmas Mass,  humbly rejoice in this powerful mystery: “Christ [—the Light of the World—] in you, the Hope of Glory” (Colossians 1:27)! Have a very blessed and Merry Christmas. Shalom to you and yours under your care.

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

 “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

— John 16:33 (NIV84)

    We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

— 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 (NIV84)

 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

— Luke 2:13-14 (NKJV)

Heavenly Father,  I join the angels in praising You for this miraculous mystery: Immanuel—God with us! I praise You for this truly awesome mystery of Christ in me, the Hope of Glory. I am speechless. Holy Spirit, intercede so that my Praise may truly Honor You, and the Father and the Son! Baruch Ha Shem (Blessed be the Name!), Amen.

Pastor Mike

“A Dark Season”

Date: 11-25-14

Text: — Isaiah 7:10-14 — 10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” 12 But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the Lord to the test.” 13 Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: When the dark seasons of the soul wash upon us, let us remember that Christmas will arrive.

My Thoughts: 

Yes, there are those who like the winter season, and the promise of snow and skiing, snowboarding, snowmen, (and women) and the like, but what if winter were more of a darkness. What if it were always winter and never Christmas? This was what Lucy discovered when she pushed through the coats of the Wardrobe and found herself in Mr. Tumnus’ presence: A land in the cold, wintry, unkind grip of the white witch, where Mr. Tumnus observed, “It is winter in Narnia and has been for ever so long.”

Lifestyle worshipers, whether or not you like the winter & the snow, sometimes the dark seasons of the soul wash upon us and we feel like it is always winter and will always be winter and never ever Christmas.

As we shiver in the apparent never ending cold, let us remember that no matter how long & dark the wintry season, Christmas will arrive. He came the first time in fulfillment of a promise. He came in the quiet darkness of Roman occupation. And He will come again. He promised. In the meantime, let the Hope of His Promised Coming warm your soul. Then you can bear the cold a bit longer.

Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it….”

—Luke 17:22 (NIV84)

  Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.

— Luke 21:28 (NKJV)

 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

—1 John 3:2-3 (NIV84)

 Lord Jesus Christ, Be the Light and Warmth in my darkness. Drive away the clouds. Let Your Promised Rainbow appear. I long from the depths of my inner most being to see You. Be the Lamp unto my feet and the Light unto my Path. In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike