"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." Colossians 3:17, KJV

Praise the Lord


Welcome to In His Name, a devotional site where the Word of God is posted and explored. This site embraces the love of Jesus Christ, encouraging Bible study.


Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Jesus Loves Us

John 3:16-21, NKJV

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

Usually, the first verse in this passage is often quoted, but let us explore even further. To the average person, they know John 3:16. They know what the Bible says in this verse, that God loves us so much that He gave His only begotten Son, but do they actually believe it. And if they believe it, have they actually received it? In knowing the Word so well, it sometimes appears that there’s this spin off into a world of oblivion, for whatever reason. Many shun those who carefully share the Gospel of Jesus Christ out of love. Some backlash at another brother or sister for sharing the truth, but fail to personally seek God on the matter. For instance, verse 17: “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit,” Romans 8:1, KJV. Jesus came to save the world. Do we seriously think He came all the way from Heaven just to point the finger and say you’re wrong, uh-uh you’re wrong, and hmm you’re wrong too? No, He came because He already knew that. Jesus came because the world was fallen and needed a Savior. He came to save.

Verse 18-19: “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” Many condemn themselves by rejecting God. And whether some want to admit it or not, when you willfully sin, you’re rejecting God. There is a stark difference when you do something wrong and genuinely ask God to forgive you with a earnest desire in seeking God’s help in the matter, than asking for forgiveness with a mind already set to do it again (Hebrews 10:26). God is not a toy to be played with.

Verse 20: “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” God came to shed light. He is Light. But sadly many hate the Light because He holds them responsible for their actions. And when their actions are evil and dark, the Light exposes it. How do we to let our light shine as the Bible instructs if we’re steadily putting it out by the way we live?

No matter the point in your life, praise God for His love. Thank Him for giving when we didn’t deserve. Honor Him by living for Him. He said that if we love Him, we’ll keep His commandments. We’ll obey His commandments if we truly love Him.

If we don’t get anything else, let us receive that Jesus loves us. Look back to the Cross, He proved it there. Are we proving it to Him today?

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

A Declaration of New Things

The Lord declares new things...

Isaiah 42:8-18, KJV
8I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
9Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
10Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.
11Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.
12Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.
13The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.
14I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.
15I will make waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs; and I will make the rivers islands, and I will dry up the pools.
16And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
17They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye are our gods.
18Hear, ye deaf; and look, ye blind, that ye may see.

In this new year... give up idols. The Lord declares it.