WHAT'S IN A NAME

Therefore, the Lord himself shall
give you a sign; Behold a
virgin shall conceive, and bear
a son, and shall call is name
Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14

Everything and everyone we know has a name. In nature, trees, flowers, animals, rocks, rivers and the list goes on and on all that have names. Places have names familiar to us. Those names may be attached to countries, home towns, streets or vacation spots. We know many buildings by their familiar names as well as popular monuments.

Human beings have been named since the Garden of Eden. The names of Adam and Eve have been known by all down through the years. Down through time, people with famous names have been known by their deeds which may have registered with either negative or positive responses. There have never been perfect people so although a person may have a stellar reputation, he or she still has flaws in their lives.

In early Bible days, it was the father who named any babies that came into the family. Names almost always held some special meaning, meanings that held hope for what that baby would turn out to be as an adult. Beyond our own given names, when we were born again into God's family, we took the name of Christian. That name we bear should never bring shame to the Father who approved that given name

When outsiders of our faith know you and me to be Christians, they don't hesitate to watch us carefully, often with negative scrutiny. We are still sinners saved by God's grace and who still make our share of mistakes. Our responsibility is to maintain good names for God's glory and good. It behooves us to take seriously the importance of a good testimony.

All of these things about names fade as we, in this holiday season, think about that name above all names that everyday becomes more and more precious. Isaiah in 9:6 says:

For unto us a child is born, unto us
a son is given: and the government
shall be upon his shoulder: and
his name shall be called
Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.

Those names only scratch the surface of who Jesus is in our lives. In our relationship with Him, we have come to know so much more about our loving Savior. He is more than a name. He is the Love of our lives.

Father, we thank You today and every day for Jesus and all He has done in for each of us. What a precious gift He is not just on one day, but everyday. Thank You Father and thank You Jesus for all You mean to us...Amen