Names of God Series: The Word

 By: Rebekah Hargraves

Photo Courtesy of: Sixteen Miles Out

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." ~John 1:1

In our series on the names of God, we come now to the name, "Logos" or "Word". Blue Letter Bible tells us this about this Greek word:

"In John, denotes the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal wisdom and power in union with God, his minister in creation and government of the universe, the cause of all the world's life both physical and ethical, which for the procurement of man's salvation put on human nature in the person of Jesus the Messiah, the second person in the Godhead, and shone forth conspicuously from His words and deeds."

That's a big mouthful there, but it is an insightful one. There truly is so much meaning and impact behind this seemingly small name, Word. The Word of God in flesh is Who Jesus is. All of the wisdom, power, truth, grace, love, justice, peace, and everything else of God is in Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus is the living expression of God's truth, God's divine revelation to us in the flesh. It's pretty incredible to think about!

One thing I want to point out about this name of God is the importance it gives to the idea of words. For Jesus to be named "The Word" implies for us the depth of importance of words. Words are no mere small thing. They are powerful, as the book of James makes clear. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. God's Word, the Bible, is alive and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, according to the book of Hebrews. Words are powerful, life-changing, eternity-shaping things, and the last thing we want to do is belittle them. After all, Jesus is the Word!

Reflection Questions:

1) What stands out to you about this name of Jesus? 

2) How does Jesus being named and referred to as the Word change or enhance your view of the importance of words?

Our Joy Made Full

 By: Joanne Viola

 

“Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; 
no one comes to the Father but through Me.” 
(John 14:6, NASB) 

The verse has at opened for several days now. These are the words Jesus spoke to Thomas in response to his questions.

Jesus does not offer a plethora of ways by which to gain access to the Father. Jesus knows He is the only way, the only truth, and the only way to eternal life. There are no other options.

There are choices to be made every day, all day long. Some we may not even be aware we are making. Others are intentional and conscious ones.

In the book of Joshua, we find that Joshua gather all the tribes of Israel to have a talk. He reviews, or reminds them, of their history with God. He goes over all God has done for them, and all they have been delivered from.

Then Joshua places the choice before them:

“ If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, 
choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: 
whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, 
or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; 
but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 
(Joshua 24:14-15, NASB) 

The people had been swaying back and forth between God and  idols. The time had come for them to make the choice; and their choice would impact every day which would follow.

As the words of both Jesus and Joshua collide, a few things come into focus.

When we choose Jesus, we also choose belonging to the family of God, fulfilling our purpose, and joy, yes joy.

Jesus also spoke these words:

“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you,
 and that your joy may be made full.” 
(John 15:11, NASB)

“Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; 
ask and you will receive, 
so that your joy may be made full.” 
(John 16:24, NASB) 

 

Reflection: 
How are these words spoken by both Joshua and Jesus speaking to you today? How does Jesus fill your life with joy?

 

Photo by Patrick Langwallner on Unsplash

 

 

 

The Solution to Any Problem

 By: Lauren Thomas 

Have you ever been annoyed with someone for giving you an oversimplified solution to a problem that you had been dealing with? Have you ever been annoyed with yourself when you realized that that oversimplified solution was actually the only solution to the problem? 

In the Bible, we have several letters that the apostle Paul wrote to various churches. Many of these letters were in response to problems within these churches or answers to questions raised by them. Some of these questions we can discern from the text, but others are less clear. An example of the latter is the book of Colossians. We don’t know specifically what Paul was writing to address, but we do know that Paul’s resounding answer was quite simple: Jesus Christ.

 

Through a beautiful hymn in Colossians 1:15-20, Paul wrote to the Colossian church about the preeminence, power, and superiority of Jesus. He argued the truth that Jesus was (and still is) the solution to the issues within their church. 

 

I love that we don’t know exactly what problem Paul was writing to correct, because it’s a good reminder that no matter what problem we face, the answer is simple: Jesus. 

 

I know that sounds like an oversimplification. I know that answer will annoy some people. Simple doesn’t mean irrelevant. Jesus truly is the answer to any problem. 

 

A problem in your marriage… the answer is Jesus.

A problem in your family… the answer is Jesus.

A problem at work…the answer is Jesus.

A problem in culture, government, politics, media… the answer is Jesus.

 

The answer is simple. Jesus is the only solution to the evils we face, the struggles we endure, the hardships we experience. But sometimes the simplest solution is also the most difficult to implement.

 

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,

Colossians 2:6 ESV

 

Paul understood this. In Colossians 3 and 4 he described what it means to walk in Christ. And this lifestyle he recommended was completely countercultural to what his audience knew.

 

The answer is simple. The application can be challenging. But it doesn’t make this any less true: Jesus is the answer to any problem we face. It's who He is. It's what He's done. He is the solution.

 

Reflection:

Read Colossians 1:15-20 (or, even better, the whole book!). List the ways Paul described Jesus. If you are facing a difficulty in your life, what aspects of Jesus’ preeminence touch your specific struggle? How can you invite Jesus to be preeminent over your challenges? 

Taste and See

By: Jenifer Metzger

A couple of years ago I decided to try my hand at baking sandwich bread from scratch. I found a recipe online, printed it out, did the shopping, then carefully followed the instructions. With each step, excitement bubbled. The first rise of the dough, and my excitement rose with it. Then came that second rise and I was giddy.

After the final steps were complete and the beautiful loaf had cooled just enough that I could finally give it a try, I sliced through the bread -a little nervous that though it looked wonderful, maybe it wouldn't taste right. Then I bit into the soft bread and it was delicious! I excitedly called my husband and daughter over and they tried it and also loved the warm bread. With every taste of the bread, I was thrilled that it was so good.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. How

happy is the person who takes refuge in Him!

Psalm 34:8 CSB

My experience with making this sandwich bread from scratch reminded me of another time I tasted and saw how good it was. Seventeen or so years ago, after spending years not opening the pages of my Bible other than at church on Sunday, I decided it was time to get back into the Word. I would open my Bible each morning and read just a verse or two and then pray. After a week or so, one or two verses wasn't enough, I needed more. So I started reading a chapter a day.

After a week or so of reading a chapter a day, it wasn't enough anymore. I needed more of the Word. With each taste of the Bible, with each experience in His presence, I needed more. Soon my two minutes and two verses turned into nearly an hour of four to five chapters, journaling, studying, and passionate prayer time.

Our time with God, in prayer and Bible reading, is never wasted. You will never fall asleep at night saying, "I wish I hadn't read the Bible today." Yet, you likely will fall asleep at night saying, "I wish I had read the Bible today."

The more we read it, the more we encounter God, the more we will want. When Psalm says, "Taste and see," it is more than a beautiful quote. It is the truth.

Discussion:
1. Think of a time you had this "taste and see" experience with God. Share your experience in the comments if you'd like.
2. How has your time in God's Word grown over your journey of faith?

Names of God Series: Living Life with Emmanuel

 By: Rebekah Hargraves

Photo Courtesy of: Getty Images

"See, the virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which is translated 'God is with us.'”

~Matthew 1:23

As we come to this next name of Jesus in our names of God series, we are reminded of the name given to Him at the announcement of His impending conception: the name "Immanuel", meaning "God with us".

That is precisely what Jesus was for Mary, for His disciples, and for those He came into contact with throughout the duration of his years of public ministry - God with them. He was God in the flesh, "God with skin on" as the phrase has been said. When Mary, John, a Pharisee, or a poor leper were in His presence, they were in the presence of God Himself. He was God with them.

The beautiful thing is that this can truly be said for us today, as well. Granted, we do not have Jesus in the flesh with us. We do not have the privilege of seeing Him face to face and doing life with Him in the same tangible, daily way the disciples did two thousand years ago. But that doesn't mean God isn't still with us today. It doesn't mean we can't live life with Immanuel, too. In fact, Jesus said it was actually better for us if He weren't here in the flesh anymore! 

He says in John 16:7, "Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you."

So, you see, we still have God with us! We still get to live life with Immanuel! Because we have the blessing of the Comforter, the very Holy Spirit of God Himself Who lives in us and with us every moment of every day, we never find ourselves truly alone, never have to walk through life feeling lonely or sad or rejected or deserted, because we are never - not once! - any of those things. Praise be to God for that! 

Reflection Questions:

1) What about "God with us" is a comforting phrase for you?

2) How does it change your life and how you view it to remember that the Holy Spirit of God is with you at every moment of every day?

3) Have you ever felt as if life would be a lot easier or better if we just had Jesus alive in the flesh with us still today? What does Jesus tell us about that idea?