JESUS AND HIS WONDERFUL NAME
Pastor Bernie Samples
December 1st John 1:1-14 Verses 1-3 tells us so much. Jesus always was. He and His Word are one and the same. God planted His Word in Mary’s womb and divine conception took place. “The Word became flesh and lived among us.”
Faith Confession: Verse 12 I receive You Jesus as the Living Word and the true light that lights up my world.
December 2nd Hebrews 4:12-13 I like to read it this way, the Word of God is alive and full of power. Who is the Word of God? JESUS is the Living Word full of power! Jesus through His Word judges the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. Verse 13 Nothing is hidden from His sight. As we feed our spirits on the Word, He will expose everything in our lives that needs correction.
Faith Confession: Thank You Father for the Living Word of God, Jesus Christ Your Son and my Savior! As I read Your Word today I believe I will see my life as You see it and will correct anything that You show me.
December 3rd Hebrews 4:14-16 Jesus was God and He came to live for a time in an earth suit. He knows what it is like to face the trials and temptations living in an ungodly world. He passed every test without falling into sin so we can come to Him in prayer and receive all of His help to pass the test of everyday life.
Faith Confession: Jesus, I am so glad to know that You know me and everything about me. You know everything that I am going through and that I am facing in life today. You already passed all these tests so I am looking to You for Your grace and mercy to help me pass the test so I can fully please You.
December 4th Philippians 2:5-11 Verses 7-8 in the Greek, although Jesus was God, when He came to earth He emptied Himself of His privileges and lived as a man. Verses 9-11 Because of His obedience, God raised Him from the dead and made Him Lord over everything in Heaven and on earth. The Name of Jesus is the Name above every name and at the Name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father.
Faith Confession: Father, I am not going to wait until the Day of Judgment. By my own free will I bow my knee and confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord of my life.
December 5th Luke 10:17-20 This was even before Jesus went to the cross. Seventy of his followers cast out devils and healed the sick in His Name. How much more for Born Again believers like you and me to do these same things and even greater! In verse 19 notice the two words “power”. The first one comes from the word “exousia” which means “authority”. The second word “power” comes from the word “dunamis” which means “ability”. We have authority over all the ability of the enemy. Verse 20 Jesus said don’t get caught up thinking you are some big thing because you can cast out demons in His Name. He wants us to always remember the number one thing in our lives to be grateful for is that our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Faith Confession: Father, I am so grateful that my name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life! Thank You that You didn’t leave me at the mercy of the devil because I know he has no mercy. I will always remember no weapon that he tries to use against me will prosper because I have authority in the Name of Jesus over all his schemes and attacks.
December 6th John 14:14 I heard Bro. Hagin talk about years ago in another Bible translation that says, “If you ask me for anything, if I haven’t got it, I will make it.” So the way that I have operated for years, if I am on my way to an auto parts store, and I need to buy a part for an old car knowing that in the natural they would probably never have it, I pray and I say, “Jesus, you said in John 14:14 if I ask You for anything, if you haven’t got it, You will make it. I ask You to make that part and have it ready for me when I get there.” This has worked for me so many times I can’t count them. Also, I don’t like spending a lot of time looking at greeting cards. I have always asked the Lord to put the perfect card that I need for birthdays, anniversaries etc., right up front where I can see it quickly. 99% of the time, when I walk into a store the first greeting card I see is always perfect. This will work for food, school books, clothes, anything you need.
Faith Confession: Jesus, I love you and I love Your Word. I’m so grateful You told me how to use Your Name to get the possible and impossible things I need in life.
December 7th Colossians 3:16-17 These verses are a good recipe for always keeping your heart full of the Word of God singing and praising being grateful to the Lord. Verse 17 Whatsoever you do, do it in the Name of Jesus. I know for me and my house we speak the Name of Jesus frequently every day, in every situation, in everything we do.
Faith Confession: Father, thank You for all the power, all the victory and all the authority that is in the Name of Jesus. I will never be fearful, or timid to speak that Name, not only around friends, but in public places as well.
December 8th Revelation 19:11-16 This chapter speaks of Heaven and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and of a lot of things concerning Jesus and His future return. Notice in verse 13 “His Name is called the Word of God”. Jesus WAS the Word, Jesus IS the Word and will ALWAYS be the Word. We must always know any answers we need in life are in the Word. When we pray, and with the Holy Spirit’s help, and read our Bible, Jesus will always speak to us because He is the Living Word.
Faith Confession: Jesus, I know I can always get a word from You in every situation I face in life. I will always look to You before man because I know the answer is in the Word.
December 9th Psalm 138:1, 2 Verse 2 “… for Thou hast magnified His Word above all Thy Name.” If God thinks this much of His Word shouldn’t we place a high value on learning it and keeping it in our hearts and our mouths? John 15:7 “If you abide in Me (means to be Born Again) and My Words abide in you, (My words living in you) ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.” We not only need to speak the Name of Jesus frequently, but we need to know and speak specific Bible verses concerning what we need.
Faith Confession: Father, I magnify the Name of Jesus and I magnify Your Holy written Word because I know they are one and the same. I love You Jesus and I love Your Word. I will reverence and honor both of them all the days of my life.
December 10th Psalm 107:20 “And He sent His Word, and healed them and delivered them from their destructions.” There is healing, deliverance, and victory in the Word. Acts 3:1-7 Notice in verses 6 and 7 Peter knew the value and the power in the Name of Jesus. He did not pray for this crippled man. He simply grabbed his hand and told him to get up and walk in the Name of Jesus and he did! Remember, Psalm 107:20 “He sent His Word and healed them.” Peter was full of the Word and spoke the Name of Jesus and got the same results that Jesus did.
Faith Confession: Father, I know there is healing in Your Word and Jesus is the Living Word. Just as You sent Jesus to heal the sick, I know in the Great Commission that You have told us to “Go in Jesus Name and cast out devils, and lay hands on the sick” and Jesus would back us up. Thank You for boldness today to speak the Name of Jesus, cast out devils, and heal the sick.
December 11th Acts 3:8-12 Yesterday we saw that Peter laid hands on the crippled man in the Name of Jesus. We notice that he didn’t pray for him, but just took him by the hand (that is laying on of hands). The man jumped up walking, and leaping and praising God! All the people verse11 “… were greatly wondering”. This was a sign and a wonder! Verse 12 paraphrased, Peter said, “This never happened because we were apostles or had some special power because of how holy we were.” Why did this man receive healing? Verse 16 has the answer. It was faith in the Name of Jesus that made this man strong and given him perfect soundness in the presence of the people. Peter knew the power in the Name of Jesus and acted upon it. Do you recognize the power in that Name? Dare to act upon that Name every day!
Faith Confession: I am a believer and signs and wonders do follow me according to Mark 16:17, 18. I am quick to lay hands on the sick in the Name of Jesus at every opportunity.
December 12th Acts 4:1-4 Notice V2 they preached in Jesus Name the resurrection from the dead and verse 4 they preached the Word and Romans 10:17 says “Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” The result was five thousand men believed and were saved and we don’t know how many women and children were there as well. Any time that you talk about Jesus to the lost and tell them what the Word of God says about salvation, faith comes into their heart to be saved.
Faith Confession: When I speak to my friends or family I don’t just talk about church. I always talk about Jesus and find a way to tell them what the Bible says about salvation. (But I do tell them about my church too)!
December 13th We will pick up today where we left off yesterday. Over five thousand people were saved and you have to know whenever people get saved, religious people and demons get mad. Acts 4:5-12 Notice verse 7 the religious people wanted to know by what power or what name did this man get healed. Verse 10 “ … by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him does this man stand here before you whole.” Verse 12 “… for there is no other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” We have to always remember there are many religions that talk about “God”. But Christianity is not a religion, according to the Bible that we believe, Christianity is a family with Jesus being the head. When challenged, the devil doesn’t rise up if you just talk about “God” but he does if people talk about Jesus. James 2:19 “Even the devils believe and tremble.”
Faith Confession: I am not afraid to talk about Jesus and not just God. Anybody can talk about “God”, but as a believer I will always be quick to tell people the only way to God and Heaven is through Jesus.
December 14th As we continue in Acts 4:13-20 verse 13 the religious leaders knew that Peter and John were not of their religious elite class but they knew that they had walked close with Jesus. Verse 14 The evidence was the crippled man was healed. Verses 16-18 “They threatened them and commanded them NOT TO SPEAK OR TEACH IN THE NAME OF JESUS.” Today the anti-God people call it hate speech when we agree with the Bible. Verses 19-20 Jesus was so real to Peter and John that they said we are going to talk about Jesus because it is right in the sight of God. If Jesus is real to you, you never have to compromise when challenged or threatened.
Faith Confession: Whenever I have the choice to be a man pleaser or a God-pleaser, I will always please God by talking about His Son, Jesus and all He has done for mankind.
December 15th Acts 4:21-22 Because of the miraculous healing of this crippled man in his 40’s, the multitude of people glorified God! God gets glory when people get healed, not when they stay sick! Just like today, there is a difference between Biblically correct and politically correct. When the polls score high for the Christian side, the politicians and religious crowd have to shut up. We need to stay bold in speaking and acting upon the Name of Jesus!
Faith Confession: I will always be bold to lay hands on the sick in the Name of Jesus because I know when the sick get healed everyone knows Jesus did it. God my Father gets the Glory.
December 16th Acts 4:23 Notice when threatened they went to their own company. That means their local church where they had like precious faith. At this point in time, there were a minimum of 8,120 believers in Jerusalem. (Acts 1:15, Acts 2:41, Acts 4:4). We know that even in one city today, there are many believers in many churches that believe and love our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, but they don’t all believe the same about baptism in the Holy Ghost, healing and faith, and many other Bible doctrines. You need to know who your pastor is and your local church so in times of trouble they can hook up with you in faith.
Faith Confession: Father, in 1 Corinthians 12:18 You said You have already chosen the church that pleases You for me. I purpose in my heart to be like the believers in the Book of Acts to fellowship with other believers of my own company.
December 17th Acts 4:23-24 Now that Peter and John were back in church, they told of the persecution from the religious people. Verse 24 Peter and John and their church family “lifted their voices to God with one accord”, and they began to pray together in unity. This is one of the great keys to overcoming persecution in the Book of Acts because it is a Bible principle. (See Psalm 133). Unity of the faith still holds true today. satan has just the opposite in the kingdom of darkness (see Matthew 12:25). Division is the exact opposite of unity.
Faith Confession: I will always recognize strife and division and stay away from it. I will purpose to be in harmony with spiritual leadership that is walking and living in line with the Word of God.
December 18th Acts 4:29-31 Look closely at what they prayed for in verses 29 and 30. Number one they prayed for boldness to speak the Word; number two for healings to take place number three for signs and wonders being done in the Name of Jesus. Verse 31 here is the result: God shook the church building they were praying and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and they all spoke the Word of God with boldness. Verse 33 Great power came upon the leadership and great grace was upon the entire congregation. Do you think a church today that lives by these principles could greatly influence a region? I DO!
Faith Confession: As a believer, I make the choice to do my part to live by faith, walk in love, and promote unity within my church family. I know that in Jesus Name together, we will have great impact in our assigned region.
December 19th Genesis 3:1-15 These first 14 verses tell the history of when the human race through Adam and Eve was deceived by satan and became separated from God. That is spiritual death. Up until this point in time, they were spiritually alive with the nature of God. You could say they were Born Again in reverse from life unto death when they yielded to temptation and sinned against God. Verse 15 This is the first prophecy of the coming Messiah, the Deliverer from satan’s lordship over the human race. “… it (He) the Messiah, shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heal.” In Hebrew this phrase means “to break the lordship of a ruler”. You can see that God, because of His loving kindness and mercy for the human race immediately spoke words of faith in preparation for man to be reunited with Him. Faith Confession: The devil can do his best, but his best is never enough!
December 20th 2 Corinthians 4:3,4 Verse 3 The “lost” is the entire human race that are in spiritual darkness because of what took place in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve separated the human race from God. Verse 4 “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not …” Remember Genesis 3:15, the Messiah was coming to break the lordship of a ruler. This is when satan became the god of this world. He is not OUR God because we have heard and believed we have heard and believe “The glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God”. This is the Christmas story. Jesus Christ the Son of God was born, lived a sin-free life, died for our sins on the cross and was raised from the dead on the third day. When we believe this and confess Him as our Lord and Savior THEN satan’s lordship over our life is spiritually broken and we are Born Again from death unto a new life in Christ. Hallelujah!
Faith Confession: I am thinking of the song, “satan had me bound, but Jesus set me free! Glory Hallelujah, Jesus set me free!” This is a good time to shout!
December 21st Colossians 1:12-15 How awesome! What a Christmas present! This is something to shout about and celebrate every day. Verse 12 Jesus qualified us to receive our inheritance - Eternal Life and all the promises of the New Testament. Verse 13 Jesus delivered us from the authority of satan and transferred our citizenship from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of God. Verse 14 We have been redeemed (bought back) by Jesus’ blood. Even the forgiveness (remission, totally wiped clean) of sins. Verse 15 Jesus is “the firstborn” of the family of God. After that the rest of us are Born Again into the family.
Faith Confession: Father, thank You for a wonderful Christmas present of Eternal Life; the inheritance of enjoying Heaven on earth, absolutely delivered from satan’s bondage. Clean through the Blood of Jesus. Thank You for my older brother Jesus, the firstborn from the dead! I’m so grateful to be Your child and in Your family.
December 22nd We can’t get through Christmas week without looking at the physical birth of Jesus. Luke 1:26-38, Matthew 1:16-25 Read these, be blessed and enjoy them.
Faith Confession: Thank You Father, for the supernatural conception in the womb of the Virgin Mary. The Word became flesh. His Name is Emmanuel, God with us. His Name is Jesus! He came to save us from our sins.
December 23rd John 3:3-7 Jesus said, we must be Born Again from darkness to light to understand the things of the Kingdom of God. John 3:15-18 Verse 18 “He that believeth on Him, is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the Only Begotten Son of God.”
Faith Confession: We call this the sinner’s prayer. If you have never prayed this, but believe that Jesus died for your sins then pray this now to receive Him as your Lord and Savior. If you have already received Him, then just thank Him.
Prayer: God, I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son and He died for my sins and You raised Him from the dead. Forgive me of my sins and give me new life. Jesus, come into my heart. Be my Lord and Savior. Now God, I call You Father because I am Your child now. Thank You for Eternal Life in Jesus Name. Amen
Suggestion: Call somebody and tell them you have just received the best Christmas gift ever! That you have asked Jesus into your heart and are now a Born Again Christian.
December 24th Revelation1:8 “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:18 “I AM He that liveth, and was dead; and, Behold, I am alive forever more, amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Glory! Glory! Glory! Jesus is alive! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Total victory over death, hell and the grave. Amen
Faith Confession: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS! Jesus, I give You the gift of my heart and my life and all that I am, all that I have, and all that I will ever be. I love You Forever and Ever!
December 25th John 20:31 - John 21:3 Many times we have so much excitement leading up to Christmas, buying gifts, parties and dinners, and decorating. It seems like we are burning the candle at both ends for many days. Then the big day comes and we get up December 26th and feel like a balloon that lost its air. We just feel empty and drained. I think that’s what Peter and the others were feeling. Although they saw and heard Jesus after He was resurrected, and they knew He was going to Heaven, they must have felt “It’s all over now. Let’s get back to our routine. Let’s go fishing”. Here is what I do. Look at Mark 4:26-29. I get up like I always have. Read my Bible. Pray. Go about my business enjoying my friends and family. I go to bed talking to Jesus as I go to sleep.
Faith Confession: Father, thank You for another blessed year. I am so grateful that Jesus was born into the earth, took my sins and gave His life for mine. I know that I am alive, have a sound mind, am healed, my needs met abundantly, and my family is blessed.
December 26th 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 These verses tell us that God has a race for us to run on earth. He is talking about His plan for our lives personally. As you can see, He intends for us to win and fulfill His purpose for our lives. Notice it takes self-discipline and just like an athlete, sacrifice and training, to stay in spiritual shape as well as physical. Acts 12:25-13:2 In every race the finish line is also the starting line for the next leg. Paul and Barnabus finished one phase of ministry and the Holy Ghost said, “Now I have another phase”. As we leave the old year, December 31st will be the finish line, but it will also be the starting line for January 1st.
Faith Confession: I am training for reigning, and schooling for ruling. I am excited about the New Year.
December 27th Deuteronomy 30:15-19 You can see from these verses that choices have consequences. How this year ended for you, whether in success or failure, wasn’t by chance but by choices that you made. If it was a good year, rejoice and give God praise. If it was a bad year, rejoice and give God praise that you are still here and this new year is going to be the best yet.
Faith Confession: I am not a failure or a looser because God doesn’t make any junk. If God be for me, who can be against me! Look out New Year! Here I come! You are no match for Jesus and me.
December 28th Hebrews 11:5, 6 Notice that Enoch’s testimony was “that he pleased God”. This leads to verse 6 that says “it’s impossible to please God without faith”. This tells us that Enoch lived a life of faith to please God. We must know what Enoch did that pleased God with his faith. Let’s look at Genesis 5:22, 24 “Enoch walked with God”. This is just about all that the Bible tells about Enoch. Amos 3:3 says “Can two walk together except they be agreed?” Nothing says that Enoch was perfect or never made mistakes but he consistently did his best to live his life in agreement with God and His Word. We can make the quality decision that no matter if we are going through bad times or good times, we will consistently stay saved and live like a Christian.
Faith Confession: Every day I will walk by faith and not by sight. I will live by the Word and not by my senses. Anything that the Holy Spirit makes real to me in my heart, I will do my best to incorporate it in my life. That includes what I believe, what I say, and how I act.
December 29th Habakkuk 2:1-4 It’s a good day to get a new journal and your Bible and start preparing your heart and your spiritual attitude to begin running the next leg of your race. January 1st is coming so do what these verses say. (1. Verse 1 Start getting quiet before the Lord in prayer and listen to your heart. Turn off your cell phone and other distractions. (2. Verse 2 Begin to write down in your journal things you pick up from the Lord. (.3 Verse 3 Be patient. Don’t jump out ahead of God. (4. Live every day by faith in what He has told you in His Word.
Faith Confession: I feel like the little kid in the ball game. I am sitting on the bench, but I am so excited and jumping on the inside. I am saying, “Coach! Let me in! I want to play in the game!”
December 30th Isaiah 40:28-31 Preparation time is never wasted time. Matthew 6:6 For the coming year, if you pray it out, you can walk it out! But if you stay in the mental realm, and try to figure it out, then all you can do is try to work it out.
Faith Confession: I declare that I am in a season of prayer. On a consistent basis, I will spend time with Jesus, my Bible, and my journal, and I will be quick to listen and slow to speak. I will see God’s plan and purpose come fully to pass in the New Year.
December 31st Philippians 3:13, 14 I used to drive semi’s and they had very large windshields and small mirrors on both sides. That is because I had to have a very good view of what was in front of me. I only glanced to what was behind me. As a spiritual lesson, if you keep looking back, more than forward, you’ll end up crashing. So don’t allow yourself to keep looking back at all the dumb things and failures you may have had this year. I want to leave you with these 3 things as you begin the new year with Bible, journal and open heart. I believe the Holy Spirit will show you (1. His plan for your life, (2. The steps of action to begin to accomplish His plan, and (3. James 1:22 “Be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only” or you will be living in self-deception.
Faith Confession: There are some people that make things happen. There are some people that watch things happen, and some people wonder what happened! In this New Year, with Almighty God’s help, I will be one that makes things happen for the Glory of God!
Comments