Misusing God's Name: About God's Name
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Today's Scripture
"He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever—holy and awesome is his name." Psalm 111:9 NIV
Thoughts for Today
God's name is holy and awesome. Throughout the Old Testament we find many names for him. Most of those names reveal a part of his character. Here are just a few examples:
- El Roi: The God Who Sees Me
- El Shaddai: The All Sufficient One
- Jehovah-Rapha: The Lord Who Heals
- Jehovah-Rohi: The Lord Is My Shepherd
And then the New Testament introduces the powerful and precious name of Jesus Christ and teaches us salvation can be found only through his name.
Consider this . . .
God's name is powerful because it represents him. "To the Hebrews a name was not a label, or a tool to distinguish one person from another; a person's name was viewed as equivalent to the person himself. A person's name signified their person, worth, character, reputation, authority, will, and ownership." Let's look at just a few of the multitude of scriptures that teach us more about God's name and should motivate us even more to never misuse or treat his name lightly. (Note: we added the emphasis added in these verses.)
The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16 NLT
The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.
Proverbs 18:10 NLT
Lord, there is no one like you! For you are great, and your name is full of power.
Jeremiah 10:6 NLT
"And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 NLT
"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
Words of Jesus in Matthew 18:20 NIV
"These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages."
Words of Jesus in Mark 16:17 NLT
When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” Luke 10:17 NLT
"You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!"
Words of Jesus in John 14:13-14 NLT
"At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name."
Words of Jesus in John 16:23 NLT
"Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold."
Words of Jesus in John 17:11-12 NLT
“Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes." Acts 3:16 NLT
"There is salvation in no one else [only Jesus]! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 NLT
"Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:30 NLT
For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13 NLT
Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11 NLT
The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names. Hebrews 1:3-4 NLT
I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.
1 John 5:13 NLT
Prayer
Lord, your name is indeed holy and awesome. Thank you for revealing yourself to me more fully through your name. Thank you for the power and comfort and healing in your name. Thank you for salvation in your name. Father, thank you that I can always come to you in the mighty name of Jesus . . . and it is in his name I pray.
These thoughts were drawn from …The Ten Commandments: Applying the Foundations of Living to My Personal Life by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. Knowing that there are absolutes that define moral conduct and ethical decisions is essential for believers surrounded by relativistic values. This guide helps us understand God's boundaries. It shows how the Ten Commandments apply today. It also discusses the biblical laws on which the legal codes of every civilized society are based. This guide is written in a way that helps people see the Ten Commandments in light of today's problems. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
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©Living Free 2018. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to [email protected]
