You may not know this or not but this week is Ash Wednesday.  It starts a time of preparation and reflection before the events of Holy Week starting with the triumphal entry, to the Lord’s Supper, to the cross of Calvary, and all the way to the empty tomb of Easter.  My prayer this season is that we will see God in a whole new light.  Whether that is through learning the names of God or experiencing him in another way, I hope God makes himself real to you.

Valentine’s day is this week.  How are you showing love to your significant other?  But, maybe a more important question is how are you showing love to your Lord and God?  Something to ponder this week.

God wants us to call him by his proper name.  Yes, we need to do so reverently but without fear.  but I think that not using this name that is given over 6800 times in the OT is just as much misusing this name as swearing.  Using it “in vain” is just as bad as not using it at all in my opinion.  So Yes, we need to treat it as holy and sacred but not untouchable (unspeakable).  Remember, he revealed this name to us so we can know him better.  So get to know him better through this name Yahweh.

Making God as Lord in your life is not as simple as saying a prayer.  Unlike the prayer of repentance, where God changes you instantly from a sinner to a saint, making God your ‘Adonai is a daily minute by minute prayer.  It is the struggle of taking your will and submitting it to God’s will.  It is continually putting yourself under his dependence and control.  And it takes a lifetime to perfect.  We all struggle with obedience to God and following him 100% but by doing so we find that life is more enjoyable and wonderful.  Knowing some of the other names (Almighty God, God Most High, the God who made me, the God who sees me) helps us in following our ‘Adonai.  Because we had a God who can be trusted and relied on and who is strong enough, powerful enough, and wise enough to lead us to where he wants us to go.  And that is the power of ‘Adonai.

I think that the most wonderful theological thought is best worded in a simple song we often sing.  Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.  This week God’s names introduces us to a God who is both eternal and present.  God knows and cares for even the lowest individual.  This was true in Hagar’s case and it is just as true in your life.  It does not matter how “small” you are, or unworthy you feel, God knows you and sees you.  He is a God who sees and cares for each of us.  We are special to him.  And if more people would hear and understand this message, the larger our churches would be.  So let someone in your life know that you serve a God who sees.

Power.  It is something we all long for but few get.  However, we can be weak and yet powerful if we trust and rely on God’s Power name.  “One and God make a majority” is an old but true statement (Frederick Douglas).  We have the power to over come everything with God on our side.  “With God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27) And the reverse is also true, without God, we can do nothing (John 15:5).  So lean into God and to the impossible.

My new year’s wish for everyone is to have a closer walk with Jesus this year than the last.  This is much more important than exerise, losing weight, eating healthier, spending more time with family, saving more money, or whatever resolution you can make.  Make Jesus a priority this year and all the other things will fall into place (Matt 6:33).

This is not December 26.  It is well after the holiday season has ended and family has gone back home.  It is wonderful (at least in my family) to be together at Christmas.  And even though the house is a bit crowded and places to sit a bit fewer, it is good to be with family.  And it was great to be with family on Sunday with our services.  We were able to celebrate together the Lord’s birth.  Who knows where we will be in 11 years when the next Christmas Sunday takes place.  So I hope you all a great Christmas and that you will have a wonderful new year.