"There is No Other Name"

This past weekend was the largest sporting event of the year -- the Super Bowl! Not only that, but it was the fiftieth anniversary of the Super Bowl. For those of you who are football fans, like myself, you know that the Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers creating the upset of the season. In celebration of this event on the sports calendar, my church invited everyone to wear the jersey of their favorite team (whether they were in the Super Bowl or not). On Sunday morning, my husband and I were decked out in our football gear ready to go to church. In this house we are fans of the Baltimore Ravens, but since the Broncos were in the Super Bowl, I wore our Tim Tebow jersey while my husband, sporting Joe Flacco's number, represented the Ravens. It was so much fun to see everyone representing the teams that they identify with and enjoy supporting. So, why am I mentioning all of this on a blog devoted to biblical encouragement? I'm so glad you asked!

My husband and I both serve on our church’s worship team and were on stage with them last Sunday. The last song in our set was “No Other Name” by Hillsong. These are the lyrics to the chorus and bridge:

Lift up our eyes, see the King has come, Light of the world reaching out for us, There is no other name, there is no other name, Jesus Christ our God.

Seated on high, the undefeated One, Mountains bow down as we lift Him up, there is no other name, there is no other name, Jesus Christ our God, Jesus.

The earth will shake and tremble before Him, Chains will break as heaven and earth sing, Holy is the name, Holy is the name of Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.

The message in this song is incredible. It fills my mind with Philippians 2:7-11:

Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death— even to death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that 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 should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This awesome text plunged my heart into praise as I focused on who Jesus is and the power of His name.

As I looked out into the congregation, I once again noticed the many jerseys that filled our sanctuary. We were proud to wear the name of a team and maybe a specific player. It was fun for us to prove who the best player or greatest team was, and who had the best chance of winning that evening’s game. The names meant something to us. We believed in them -- believed that our quarterback could throw a winning pass, our runningback could take the yards needed, and our cornerback would stop the opposing team from completing their play. In a manner of speaking, we had faith in the names we wore.

Now I am not speaking out against football...at all! I enjoy the game, the food, and my team. In my opinion, football is the best sport out there. So please don’t take my words the wrong way. I look forward to jersey Sunday every year and am already hoping to see the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl 2017.

Here is my point: what if we had as much faith and pride in Jesus as we have in our sports teams? What if He was as much a part of our identity as they are?

For some of you this message does not apply at all. You don’t like football, or sports for that matter. That's okay. In order to apply this to your life, think about what you might have more faith or identity in than Jesus. With that in mind, the remainder of this blog will apply.

As believers in Jesus we must know who we claim to believe in. He is Jesus. The name that demons recognize and obey. They fear and tremble at the very mention of His name. Jesus, the one who raised the dead, healed the sick, fed the hungry, loved the broken, and saved the lost. Jesus, the one who died for our sin but came back to life, conquering death three days later. Jesus, the one who sealed the fate of Satan by completing His job here on earth. Jesus, the one who will return and annihilate evil forever. Jesus, the one who loves you with an everlasting love. Jesus, the one who gives you peace in the midst of chaos, hope when your world is devastated, joy that sustains through difficult times, and love that convicts but does not condemn. He is Jesus. All things are subject to Him – “in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.”

If we can put our faith in a man or a team, how much more should we put our faith in Jesus? The song lyrics above say, “…the undefeated one.” Jesus has never lost a match. How many of our teams can say that? If we can wear the name of a person we will most likely never meet, how can we be ashamed to identify ourselves as a follower of Jesus –- the one who died for us? If we can clap our hands, yell at the TV, and dance around when our team scores, how can we not burst with praise when we talk about Jesus, the one who conquered death and defeated sin?

You see, there is no other name quite like the name of Jesus. Think about the power His name holds when it slips from your lips. It is powerful and His name elicits a response. 

So two questions remain:

First, how do we respond when we hear the name of Jesus? Is it passé? If so, I encourage you to read Philippians 2. Get a picture of who you are referring to. Jesus -- His is more than just name. 

Second, how are we representing Jesus to the world? Are we proud to wear His name or are we hoping no one asks what team we root for? I know fans of terrible football teams that are fantastic fans. They’re proud to identify with that team -- so much so that anyone they meet would want to root for them. We serve the risen Christ Jesus who is undefeated, yet we often act ashamed of our Savior. Do not be ashamed of Jesus no matter how crazy our world becomes, because regardless of what side you fall on, every knee will bow at the name of Jesus. He is greater than anything we will ever face. So be proud to follow Jesus and share your excitement about Him with those around you!

It is exhilarating to be a football fan and see your team succeed. It is even more thrilling to be a Christian and know that the game has already been won. After all, there is no other name like Jesus.

Teach Us to Pray

This past week at Cornerstone, our pastor reminded us to "focus on prayer." This topic excites me because it has only been recently that I have found joy in prayer again.

Believe it or not many believers struggle with talking to God.
Don't believe me?
Take a walk down the "Christian Living" section of your local bookstore one Saturday afternoon. Most likely, you will find book after book devoted to prayer. Some are thin, others are thick, and all of them attempt to answer a question that has been asked by mankind for thousands of years: "How do we pray?"
While Jesus was here on earth, the apostles (the twelve men that served with Jesus during His earthly ministry) asked Him for one lesson (Lucado, 3). They didn't ask how to turn water into wine or raise people from the dead like we might have been tempted to do; no, they asked, "Lord, teach us to pray (Luke 11:1) (Lucado, 3)." 

Jesus did not deny them this request. He proceeded to teach them the following prayer,
"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen (Matthew 6: 9-13 KJV)." 

We commonly know this passage as "The Lord's Prayer." Did it come to you? Did you quote it mechanically from years of exposure and recitation? If that was your experience, I encourage you to dust off the cob webs and allow the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into this passage for you. If you are not familiar with this prayer you can find it in Matthew 6 and Luke 11:2-4. I encourage you to read these verses and become familiar with what Jesus was teaching his disciples. Reading this prayer, again or for the first time, will be a great asset to you as you "focus on prayer" this year.

Back to the bookstore... If you go down the aisle and find a book entitle Before Amen by Max Lucado, pick it up. This is a short book on prayer with a powerful message. Max Lucado's fresh perspective was just was the doctor ordered for my prayer life and I believe it will help yours as well. 

In this book he outlines a way to pray "pocket sized prayers." This basically means that it is a prayer you can use throughout your day. Like this: "Father, You are good. I need help. They need help. Thank you. In Jesus' name, Amen." By using this simple prayer we eliminate the boundaries created by ourselves and others and go straight to the heart of God with all of our needs -- any time, any place.

Now, I'm not going to rewrite Lucado's book but I do want to share his main point with you. He attempts to communicate that if we use this simple prayer then we will have learned to pray just as the disciples did and we will be good at it. 

Caitlin, it's not right for someone to say they're good at prayer.

Why not? That means they are good at talking with God. This pleases Him. This should be our goal. You see, if more believers utilized prayer the way Jesus taught us to, we would see a greater change in the world, in the church, in our families, and in our personal lives.

This week I encourage you to pocket pray at least once every day. Do as Philippians 4:6 tells us and take every request to God (even the things that seem insignificant) because He cares for you. He cares so much that He said in the following verse: "...the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (v.7)." As you pray this week, be on the look out for God's overwhelming peace. That will be the first response. The rest of your answer is coming...

Citations:
Lucado, Max. Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2014. Print.

Focused

Hello All! Sorry for the delay. My husband returned home after being away for quite sometime so we took the past week to catch up and reunite with each other. He has now gone back to work and so must I (the blessing is that I love what I do).

For those of you who do not attend my church in New Bern, Cornerstone Assembly, our leadership likes to pick a topic for each month's sermons and teachings. The theme for the month of January has been "Focused." Philippians 3:13 reads, "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead..." The apostle Paul, author of Philippians, shared with this church family that he did just one thing. He tells them that he forgot what was behind and pursued what was ahead. 

We all need Philippians 3:13 in our lives. 

Some of us need to hear the first portion of this verse, "... one thing I do...", because we have been spinning twenty plates above our heads and are about to lose control. We think that we're most effective when we're busy. Therefore, we over commit and under deliver. What!? Not me. 

Do you find yourself running twenty minutes late from the minute you start your day? 
Do you fuss as you go to and from each commitment because you're so exhausted? 
Do you have time to truly prepare for each task or are you merely skating by? 
Do you accomplish all of your tasks and then realize you have not spoken one word to your husband, children, or even dear friends?

These are signs that there is too much going on. 

"This one thing..." 

What is the one thing God is calling you to do in your home? Your marriage? Your church? Your children? Your job? Perhaps you could focus on "this one thing" and master that before diving into other tasks that are not a priority. 

Would you like a personal example? Okay. This blog is my "one thing." Last year I tried to do more than what God intended for me to do and I made a mess of everything. This year I have been challenged to focus on "this one thing" for the kingdom of God. And I invite you to hold me accountable. After all, we're on this journey together. 

For others reading this blog "one thing" is not the challenge. "...Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead..." is what we need to focus on. So many of us are over come with guilt, shame, pain, and fear because of what has happened in the past. Either we have participated in activities that we're not proud of or things have happened to us that we cannot escape. Whichever it is for you, it makes "forgetting" not as easy as it sounds. Whether you believe it or not, Paul can totally relate to you. 

Paul's past was not a pretty one. He was a well-known murderer. Paul killed several Christians in his attempt to eliminate the movement created by Jesus and His followers. Little did Paul know, God had a plan to make him a missionary and he would carry the Gospel all over Asia Minor. So when he makes this statement about forgetting the past, he understands how difficult it is. But, he can also testify to the incredible reality of what is ahead. Paul could have wallowed in his guilt but he chose to move forward in the freedom Jesus provided him through the cross. We too have an incredible future ahead because Jesus provided us with that same freedom. I do not know what God has planned for your future, but I do know that it will be so much better than anything in your past. The key is to trust Jesus with your life, accept the freedom found in His forgiveness, and follow as He leads you into a wondrous future.

What is it that you are going to focus on this year?

Maybe you need to focus on one task. Maybe it's one person. Maybe it's one dream. Or perhaps your one thing is focusing on forgetting the past and reaching for the future. Whatever it is, start today.


Philippians 3:13

Travel Light

Here we are nineteen days into a new year. I know, I know... you've already heard enough about resolutions to last you a life time (or at least another year). Well, the good news is that I don't actually want to talk about whether or not you should be making resolutions or even how to keep them. What I would like to discuss is this: "What have you brought into 2016 that should have stayed in 2015?"

In Genesis 31 Jacob,  the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, decided to leave his father in law's land and move his family back to his homeland. Jacob had spent twenty years in Laban's fields working for the permission to marry Laban's daughters (Rachel and Leah) and earning his flock. Now he is ready to take all he has worked for and settle back in Abraham's country. Rachel and Leah packed all of their possessions and prepared their children for the journey. While Rachel was packing her tent, she added her family's idols to her sack. As Jacob led his family out of Laban's countryside and into the desert, Laban and his servants caught up to them and demanded Jacob return the items stolen from him.

As we know from the story, Jacob did not steal anything from Laban.

Therefore he allowed him to search the tents of his family and servants. Leah passed the test - her tent was clear. When Laban entered Rachel's tent she sat on the idols she stole from her father then she lied, saying she couldn't stand due to her monthly cycle, in order to cover her odd behavior. Laban was satisfied with his search, having not found the idols, and left Jacob and his family. Then Jacob led his people to the land of his father's. It was a new chapter for each one of them. 

We're not exactly sure why Rachel took the idols. We only know that she did and was not supposed to. So, in light of this, what can we take away from this story?  

We are on a journey - each one of us. Each year that passes is a new opportunity for growth, adventure, struggle, and success. Some of us are looking forward to a new journey. Most of us are afraid of change and as much as we want a new start we want to bring a few things from the past with us. For some, there are portions of our lives that should have stayed in 2015 but we have placed them in our suitcase hoping God didn't notice. My friend, God knows all that we have packed in our suitcase. Even if we're sitting on it... He knows. So what are you hiding?

Is it a bad habit? A hidden sin? An open sin? Is is fear... doubt... worry? Did you bring a bad relationship with you? If God were to do a TSA check on your luggage would he find hidden contraband? Are there items you know cannot go on this journey with you but you are trying to bring anyway?

At this point we have two choices we can be like Rachel, sit uncomfortably as we attempt to hide our contraband from God with deceit. By doing this we continue to fumble through our lives carrying items that we do not need and God does not want us to be burdened by. Or we can turn those items over to Him and be free of the baggage. By doing so we walk free as we start our new journey.

I am deciding to turn my unnecessary baggage (my worry and fear) over to God. I have spent enough energy carrying that extra weight in 2015. This is a new year - a new journey - and I want to travel light as I follow God wherever He leads in 2016.

So, who's with me?

It's a simple action, really. All we need to do is hand it over to Jesus. Like this: "Jesus, I recognize that I have been carrying some things that You did not plan for me to carry. As I start 2016, I ask for Your help in leaving (fill in the blank) in the past. Help me to walk free as I follow You on this journey. Forgive me for trying to do things on my own and hiding these things from You. Thank you, Jesus. Amen. 

Introducing Me

In a world filled with bloggers, I believe it is important to introduce and distinguish myself from the rest. 

A bit about the blog: 

This blog will focus on God's Word and how it applies to life. I want to share my thoughts and perspective on passages from the Bible, on a weekly basis, with you. It is my hope to partner with my local church, Cornerstone Assembly - New Bern, by tailoring some of my topics to those that we are discussing at church. Together, we will learn more about scripture and, also, how to apply it to our lives. 

A bit about the author:

First, I am not an expert. Never have been - never will be. I am simply a lover of Jesus who enjoys exploring His Word and uncovering truth. 

Second, I am not a professional. Writing is a skill I am working to perfect. Other than college courses, my work has not been reviewed by many people.

Third, I am not perfect. Each day I am growing, learning, and changing which means that I will not always do things right and I will not always listen to my own advice. 

We are on this journey together. I hope that we learn together as we explore God's Word and apply His truth to our lives. 

On a personal note, I am an aspiring writer. It is an art form that I have wanted to practice for quite some time. This blog is my attempt to practice this art while sharing my thoughts for life. 

I am married to a wonderful man who is my personal gift from God and we are enjoying the journey He has us on. I am a East Coast gal born and bread. When I am not writing, I enjoy drinking coffee, reading, and knitting.