above EVERY other name

Recently in worship I was awarded a moment to reflect on how the name of Jesus is powerful and that it is above any other name.

It is above the name of divorce (you will never be able to tell me otherwise. This is something I know very well.)

Jesus is above the name of depression (I have seen sadness turned into joy, comfort and rejoicing time and time again.)

The name of Jesus is above the name of sickness (I have watched miracle after miracle followed by a testimony of health and healing that delivers years of rejoicing and praise.)

His name is above the name of anger (God’s peace and covering has been my companion too many times to not know this to be a core true.)

Jesus is above the name of slump (Philippians 2:13 – He will give you energy and motivation acting within you.) He is better than Caffeine…..and that is coming from the Caffeinated Christian ;)

   

Keep Reading – someone is getting distracted and pulled away right now, but keep going (To be honest I have always written blogs in one sitting, but this one took more than a couple of weeks due to distraction and I had to fight to get it finished. Fight the opposition and press in for more) – Keep Reading

It might be understandable for us to believe that Jesus is above all of these struggles, hardships, and afflictions. It may not be easy to believe this and it may take time and the growing of your faith, but I venture to say this is something you can reach and understand.

However, today I invite you to more. I so deeply want you to grasp even more, exalt the name of Jesus even higher with me. Remember, his ways are above ours and we are not supposed to lean on our own understanding.

The name of Jesus is above EVERY OTHER/ALL OTHER names. Philippians 2:9-10

The name of Jesus is above the name of provision, wealth, and abundance: He will bless you beyond your wildest imagination, he will pour blessing upon you that you would never be able to contain or have room to hold. You will not only have enough for you, enjoy more than your dreams, but be able to give and give and give to others. Ephesians 3:20, Malachi 3:10, 2 Corinthians 9:8-11

The name of Jesus is above the name of joy: Joy is renewed each morning and amply supplied in mourning. It does not run dry and bubbles over everlasting with inspiration of dancing and exuberance. There is not only joy, but more, there is also pleasure, refreshing and strength. It is not just joy, but stead fast joy no one can take away and which overflows like water over the banks of a river. 1 Peter 1:8, Psalm 16:11

The name of Jesus is above the name of victory: Jesus did not just win our freedom from sin and death, but he MORE than conquered hell; he also tore down the separation from us and God, he invited us to intimacy, he invites us to relationship and adventure with God directly. One on one.  Romans 8:34-38. Matthew 27:50-51

The name of Jesus is above the name of love: Jesus gave his life in a billboard of love to invite us to rest in his love. His love is higher, wider, longer, and deeper than we could ever know. The love of Jesus is multifaceted and produces more than just love. It provides a place of comfort for us to call home and is exuberant with passion to sing and delight over us. He is Love. He is also above what we can fathom about love. His name is even above the name of love. Ephesians 3:18-20, 1 John 4:10, Zephaniah 3:17, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

The name of Jesus is above the name of health and healing: The name of Jesus brings health and healing and goes beyond to restore, bring peace, satisfy, and keep you secure. It removes pain and breaks bondage. Isaiah 53:4-5 Jeremiah 33:6, Psalm 103:3-5

The name of Jesus is above the name of companionship: Jesus is closer than a friend who lets you in on everything constantly pursues you and invites you to adventure and intimacy. He knows you inside and out and totally gets you. John 15:15-16, Revelation 3:20-21, Psalm 139:1-4

The name of Jesus is above the name of wisdom and intellect: The name of Jesus brings more than wisdom; it brings mercy, grace, and produces good. It comes with secure foundation. It brings wisdom in a gentle way and leave you in a state of gentle peace. James 3:17, James 1:5, Ephesians 1:17

The name of Jesus is above the name of grace: Te name of Jesus goes beyond grace and completely turns situations around. It gives strength and sustains you. Not just grace but grace and truth and truth which is freedom! Not just grace but grace that is rich and elevates. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, John 1:14, Hebrews 13:9, Ephesians 2:7-8

The name of Jesus is above the name of forgiveness: See The name of Jesus, when you call on it and believe in him, does not just forgive you, but pays for your wrongs and completely forgets the transaction that caused and the balance of such debt. You have been ransomed, you have been made new, spotless!!!! Colossians 1:21-22, Ephesians 1:4-7, Psalm 103:12, Isaiah 43:25, Acts 10:43

Keep reading – don’t get distracted or pulled away, keep going. This is an invitation to take the scripture I referenced and read them for yourself. Read the surrounding scriptures, the entire chapter; book. Allow God to speak to you and reveal his glory. Let his name, above EVERY other name take root deep within you as a firm foundation you can’t and won’t be shaken from. His is bigger than your circumstance. Above your affliction, and is even more than the good thing you seek.

The Best GPS

He wouldn’t direct us to find the lost if where we live didn't require navigation. 

If you didn't need navigation to get where you are going, you wouldn't be lost.

We get tripped up on our own ideals as to what and how a day should go, the conversation should have ended, the people should have acted, the interview should have went, the doctor’s report should have been….we don’t understand, we don't see, we didn't think it would go that way, we didn't expect it…so we lose our way. We get distracted, we get exhausted, we get    off      track. 

God told us his ways are higher than ours, he told us we needed to follow him, and he directs us to find the lost. Why? Because where we live is hard, it is complicated, it is confusing….it requires navigation. 

The way is narrow. To blaze ahead requires intense consistent intimacy with the leader. God.  

This world is hard, but our GPS (God Provided Signs) always works and has overcome the world!

What if Jesus stopped looking to the leader? What if he got distracted? He could have. He lived our life. He had opportunity and temptation. By all accounts he was a handsome, young, skilled, charming, well spoken, intelligent young man….and he was Jesus. Um Hello. You don’t think there were plenty of offers from girls? You don’t think there were many men who wanted to exploit his abilities for their own profit and fame? Through all the betrayal he faced, You don't think desire for revenge and the heat of anger was a sweet temptation?  He had thirty three years to avoid the wrong turns that would lead miles down a road with no purpose and no possibility to reach the right destination. He didn’t take the right path simply because he kept walking…no, it took more. Jesus focused on the navigational tools and direction of God. He forged our path and paid our toll! Now, not only do we have GPS, but we have the advocate who constantly steps in to reroute when we miss turns! 

1 John 1 and 2 

Who is God? Why Should I Love Him?

Quiet the noise around you; stop all of the distractions, clear out the rambling thoughts. Focus. No really take a minute. Are you ready now? This is important. Focus.

You are loved.

There is so much more for you.

You are loved, madly, deeply, recklessly, ravishingly, intensely.
There is so much more for you. More than fear, more than hatred, more than race, more than sexual preference, more than labels, more than confusion, more than depression, more than trends, more than fake news.
There is good news!
There is purpose!
There is light! Peace! Joy! Stability! Sure footing! Blessing!
Every single piece, inch, ounce, corner, dust, molecule, star, mountain, river, tree, animal, hill is God’s creation revealing his character, his nature, his desire, his pursuit, his charm, his reverence his respect, his detailed plan, his focus, his drive all for you. A love note to you. Jesus is God’s love note to you, he literally took out a billboard to show of his love for you.

See ALL things have purpose.

There were trees planted, then watered, tended, nourished, and watched over so that they would grow tall and strong

There were bushes and ground set just so, given wild qualities to take root and strength through growing pricked stems with provision to deter intrusion or distribution from animals or predators.

There were animals with life breathed into them, given masters to care over them, luscious fields to feast in, and ample time and space to roam, be free, and become healthy and strong.

All of these creations meticulously designed and with extraordinary purpose. 

Purpose: to brutally kill God’s only son, Jesus. 

You may be cringing at this moment and doubting the design or the purpose I described two sentences ago. Certainly you are now denying that extraordinary (defined by Webster’s Dictionary as: going beyond what is usual, regular, or customary; exceptional to a very marked extent; of a financial transaction, nonrecurring; employed for or sent on a special function or service) fits the picture.

You are wrong. All of this was in pursuit of you; of your heart. Not your routine, not your holiday Sunday attire, not your condemnation, not your burden or obligation. NO!

Your heart!
Your attention!
Your freedom!
Your defense!
Your identity!

God knew that if he designed you in his image you needed the ability to choose. Hopefully to choose him, but in order to do that, you needed to be fought for. You also needed to be given great and beautiful things, worshiped. Most of all you, needed to be loved. After all it is what he desires most, so why wouldn’t you?

At the start he set out to woo you. Not with an everyday box of chocolates and flowers or even diamonds, but with intricate planning, consistent chase, lavish detailing, ceaseless attention, and the ultimate sacrifice.

He needed the thick, healthy, and strong trees.

He needed the bushes with branches of thorns.

He needed the animals. He needed these things not just to show you what beauty and diversity he is capable of, or the strength, provision, and care he so meticulously arranges, but to show you how purposeful he was in his sacrifice. He set out with great intent and aforethought to give his life, that which was absolutely the most precious to him, for your life; for you. He purposed trees into a cross, thorns into a crown of thorns, and animal leather and bones into whips. Always remember that which may appear to be insignificant, forgotten, ordinary, or even common is never so with God.

It wasn’t a last minute decision. It was an intensely intimate precision courtship. It was necessary. God’s only son was sent to us. He was not fashioned for this event, a little token. Jesus was God’s son with him for all of time, through the creation of the universe and all things on earth, through it all, but he was given away for years here with us. Jesus was given to be brutally, viciously, and violently murdered. Proof that there is nothing God would not give for you. Nothing that God thinks you are not worth. You are priceless. Jesus was hung both in crucifixion and in radiant display. It was a transaction to purchase your freedom, your ticket of attendance with God. It was a giant billboard sign (literally posted high on a hill for all to see) of love, devotion, commitment, desire, adoration, and victory. It is finished. There is nothing else that can or needs to be done or labored over, this is a nonrecurring transaction with no further dues necessary or even available.. You can’t clean up, you can’t earn his love, you can’t pay for his mercy. He already gave everything he had to win you. Oh and win you he did, Jesus defeated Satan and returned to Earth bringing joy and hope with him. Now he waits for you, his Bride, in Heaven. Accept it! You are in! You are loved! You are wanted! God is love, and he is in love with you. 

Even Bigger Leap

After a year in the new job, God placed what seemed like a dilemma (and to be really vulnerable and honest) felt like a trick in front of me. Standing on his word and knowing God’s character I knew it couldn’t be a trick but it really felt like it. It was a battle and a struggle to remain in trust of God’s character and not slip into fear…I’m just being honest. I promised I would.

The job I left in the biggest act of faith I have ever made, called and had a new job offer.

If you know me or have followed me at all, you know this job literally drained the health and life out of me. I placed my life completely on hold and only over the last year truly discovered how true that statement was. At the new job I was given the time and space to come out of the fog and look around at what had changed in the five years while in the old job. This new job was a resting and recuperation safe haven. God knew exactly what I needed. The job was incredible in teaching me in my beloved career path and provided priceless experience. The employers quickly became such sweet entrenched family to me who also provided incredible examples of faith and love as well. The ask, the offer, to return to the old employer which had been such a desolate, disturbing, thief of an experience seemed crazy. Seemed impossible.

I felt insane even considering the option, but also could not keep from doing so. After much prayer and consultation with trusted Christian family and friends I eventually accepted the new position with the old employer. To be honest, during the decision process there were many tears (not happy ones….confused ones, sad ones.) I really did not know what the choice was going to be until the extended deadline I requested for consideration, came due. I accepted, I couldn’t explain why. I can now.

This is the biggest act of obedience I have ever made. I did not get my neon sign telling me to say yes, but I still knew that was the choice. The character in me reflected the character in Him and I acted out of the seed planted in me….even without conscious awareness…like muscle memory.
Shortly after being in the new position, God called me out and into a 21 day fast
(Isaiah 58) specifically for clarity. So I complied. I chose to forgo something in my everyday life that without it I would have a noticeable thought or desire to have back. That desire/moments of desire got turned into effort to seek God, to take steps to prepare and establish efforts to serve God/others, volunteer for more service in the church, and most of all to specifically intentionally receive my strength and energy directly from God each day.

The day after my fast had ended God took the opportunity to provide the clarity and confirmation on my new position and the choice I made to accept it.

God will provide the opportunity to perform and repeat acts of obedience in order to use such consistency of praise and stamina in trust to restore what has been willingly surrendered and certainly those things which have been stolen from your life to be more than doubled what they were when lost once restored (II Kings 4 – Shunammite Woman and II Kings 8.)

God has been providing me opportunities over the last several years to willingly surrender my dedication, hard work, attention (comparable to room and board II Kings 4) and to continually act in obedience to him as I am offered to chance to do so. Opportunities to praise him and confess life and wellness even when things look beyond myself and lifeless (II Kings 4:26.) He is using it and about to restore all of the sacrifices (and for my closest friends and family, the most exciting part of all: those things stolen in the past!!!! Eeeeekkk! Suitcases/picture frame) I have made.

I can not tell you the depths of Joy I have. It is like I have been standing at the gate waiting for permission to enter for ages and God just leaned over and whispered “Get Ready.”