What Do You Want Me to Do for You?

Luke 18:35-43

35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging; 36 and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." 38 And he cried, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 40 And Jesus stopped, and commanded him to be brought to him; and when he came near, he asked him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, let me receive my sight." 42 And Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." 43 And immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God; and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Meditation

Have you ever encountered a special moment of grace, a once in a life-time opportunity you knew you could not pass up? Such a moment came for a blind and destitute man who heard that Jesus was passing by. The Gospel of Mark identifies this man as Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52). This blind man was determined to get near the one person who could meet his need. He knew who Jesus was and had heard of his fame for healing, but until now had no means of making contact with the Son of David, a clear reference and title for the Messiah.

Faith and persistence is rewarded
It took raw courage and bold persistence for Bartimaeus to get the attention of Jesus over the din of a noisy throng who crowded around Jesus as he made his way out of town. Why was the crowd annoyed with the blind man's persistent shouts? He was disturbing their peace and interrupting their conversation with Jesus. It was common for a rabbi to teach as he walked with others. Jesus was on his way to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem and a band of pilgrims followed him. When the crowd tried to silence the blind man he overpowered them with his loud emotional outburst and thus caught the attention of Jesus.

This incident reveals something important about how God interacts with us. The blind man was determined to get Jesus' attention and he was persistent in the face of opposition. Jesus could have ignored or scolded him because he was interrupting his talk and disturbing his audience. Jesus showed that acting was more important than talking. This man was in desperate need and Jesus was ready not only to empathize with his suffering but to relieve it as well.

The blind man recognized Jesus with eyes of faith
A great speaker can command attention and respect, but a man or woman with a helping hand and a big heart is loved more. Jesus commends Bartimaeus for recognizing who he is with the eyes of faith and grants him physical sight as well. Do you recognize your need for God's healing grace and do you seek Jesus out, like Bartimaeus, with persistent faith and trust in his goodness and mercy?

Bartimaeus was not only grateful for the gift of faith and the gift of physical sight, but for the opportunity to now follow Jesus as one of his disciples. Luke tells us us that he immediately followed Jesus and gave glory to God. The crowd also gave praise to God when they saw this double miracle of spiritual and physical vision. Cyril of Alexandria, a 5th century church father, comments on this double vision:

Now that he was delivered from his blindness, did he neglect the duty of loving Christ? He certainly did not. It says, "He followed him, offering him glory like to God." He was set free from double blindness. Not only did he escape from the blindness of the body but also from that of the mind and heart. He would not have glorified him as God, had he not possessed spiritual vision. He became the means of others giving Christ glory, for it says that all the people gave glory to God.(Commentary on Luke, Homily 126)

Do you give glory to God for giving you the "eyes of faith" to recognize him as your Lord and Healer?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, open the eyes of my heart and mind that I may see and understand the truth and goodness of your word. May I never fail to recognize your presence with me and to call upon your saving grace in my time of need and healing.


Source: Don Schwager, Kairos

I need You, Jesus

Help me O Lord Jesus.

Come Lord Jesus, Come.

I need You Lord

Only a miracle from You can save me.

You only have to say the Word Lord

and it will be done.

Jesus I trust in You.

All my hope is in You.

Consecration of our family to the Holy Family

* This act of consecration to the Holy Family will u nite the members of your family more closely to God and to one another.

Prayer

O Jesus, our most loving Redeemer, Who having come to enlighten the world, with Your teaching and example, willed to pass the greater part of Your life in humility and subjection to Mary and Joseph in the poor home of Nazareth, thus sanctifying the Family that was to be an example for all Christian families, graciously receive our family as it dedicates and consecrates itself to You this day. Defend us, guard us and establish among us Your holy fear, true peace and concord in Christian love: in order that by conforming ourselves to the divine pattern of Your Family we may be able, all of us without exception, to attain to eternal happiness.

Mary, dear Mother of Jesus and Mother of us, by your kind intercession make this our humble offering acceptable in the sight of Jesus, and obtain for us His graces and blessings.

Saint Joseph, most holy Guardian of Jesus and Mary, assist us by your prayers in all our spiritual and temporal necessities; that we may be able to praise our divine Savior Jesus, together with Mary and you, for all eternity.

Our Father, Hail Mary and Gloria three times.

Prayer Source: Catholic Family Handbook, The by Rev. George A. Kelly, Random House, Inc., New York, 1959 

Lord have mercy on me

Lord Jesus have mercy on me, 

I need Your healing Lord, Your miracle wonder,

to overcome my current urgent and desperate situation.

All my trust and hope is in You alone,

You alone can bring me out of my situation

and save me from shaming the people I love and myself.

I know Lord You are with me 

and Your timing is always right.

You only have to say the Word, 

and I will be healed.

I trust in You, Jesus

that You have heard my prayer and the worry of my heart 

and by the will mercy and will 

of God the Almighty Father 

You will save me, heal me and provide for me.

- AMEN -

JESUS is my ....

MY STRENGTH

MY KING

MY FORTRESS

MY LORD

MY DELIVERER

MY WISDOM

MY ROCK

MY DELIGHT

MY SHIELD

MY SHEPHERD

MY SALVATION

MY BENEFACTOR

MY JOY

MY SUPPORT

MY LIGHT

MY SUSTAINER

MY PEACE

MY RIGHTEOUSNESS

MY GOOD

MY HEALER 

MY SANCTUARY

MY AVENGER

MY TREASURE

MY SAVIOUR

MY PROVISION

MY LIFE

MY STAY

MY PROTECTOR

MY PURIFIER

MY VICTORY

MY PORTION

MY KINSMAN

MY REDEEMER 

MY ALL IN ALL

MY ETERNAL LIFE

MY JUDGE

MY REFUGE

MY SANCTIFIER

MY STRONGHOLD

MY SONG

MY BELOVED

MY PRAISE

MY BRIDEGROOM

MY MASTER

MY HELPER

MY MAKER

MY FOUNTAIN

MY COMFORT

MY HOPE

MY SIN-BEARER

MY FRIEND

MY REFUGE

MY SHELTER

MY EVERYTHING

Miracle Prayer ~ Sacred Heart of Jesus (3 days ~ Never known to fail)

HELP-MY-WORK/CONTRIBUTION

Palms for Jesus, Roses for Mary ~ America Needs Fatima

Today is Palm Sunday…a holy day of mixed emotions, if ever there was one. Triumphant joy in one moment, and a sense of betrayal in the next. Please know that my prayers are with you today! Now I have something important to share with you, Stanley– This May 13th, the 102nd anniversary of the first Fatima apparition will fall the day after Mother’s Day. This is a great coincidence so I want to offer you a way to give your motherTHE PERFECT Mother’s Day gift. Here’s my idea–

Flowers are springing up all around us here at America Needs Fatima headquarters. And it got me thinking about a beautiful way for a child to show his love for his mother: by handing her a bouquet of flowers. I am planning a large delivery of roses to Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal on May 13th, the 102nd anniversary of the first apparition Our Lady of the Rosary. Can I place a rose or two at Mary’s feet in your mother’s name and for her intentions? Can you imagine a more pleasing gift? Just imagine … an elegant assortment of lovely roses; nothing melts the heart of a mother quite like flowers. Or brings a warmer smile to her lips. Click here to select your own unique bouquet for Mother Mary. So, Stanley, here is your chance to send flowers to Mother Mary in honor of your own mother, living or deceased. And not just any flowers…no, only the queen of flowers will do for the Queen of Heaven. Roses. In whatever color (or colors!) YOU want to send. Please, let me explain… As you probably know already, different colored roses express different sentiments.

If your heart is full of love and devotion for your mother, choose a RED rose. If your heart swells with gratitude for the many things your mother has done for you over the years, choose the PINK rose. If just the thought of your mother gladdens your heart, place a YELLOW rose at Mary’s feet for her. And, finally, if your mother loves white roses, then you can honor that with a WHITE rose. Click here to send roses to Our Lady of Fatima for your mother — today! The choice is totally up to you! For only $7 a rose, you are invited to design your very own personal message of love to present to Our Lady of Fatima on a very, VERY special day. So as you lift your palm branches high in honor of the King of Kings today… … just think of the smile that will be on the face of the Queen of the Universe when She sees the lovely rose you have offered in your mother’s name! And there’s even something more: Click here to send your personal bouquet to Fatima. How are you going to let your mother know? Here is how:

1. I want you to have a beautiful Fatima Rose Certificate to give to your mother on Mother’s Day. With a place to write your mother’s name on it as a special keepsake! This is so that she will see what a special gift you have sent to Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal in her honor. 2. When we deliver your mother’s rose or roses to Fatima, we will send you photos so you can email them to your mother.  At the same time, Stanley, your gift offering is one that will keep on giving long after May 12th has passed and the lovely flowers have faded… ….and that is because your $7 per rose offering will help America Needs Fatima bring even more honor and glory to Our Lady with our Public Square Rosary Rallies this October. Your gift will help me reach the goal of 20,000 Rosary Rallies on October 12, 2019, to bring the Fatima message out into the streets of America. Click here to select your roses for Our Lady now! That means roughly 1 million people will be out in the public square proclaiming their love for Holy Mary, praying her rosary as she asked at Fatima and calling down graces of CONVERSION on America. Can you believe we can do all of this for just $7 a rose? Thank you for reading my rather long email; I just get really excited when I think about how much we can do for Our Heavenly Mother who has done so very much for all of us. Getting the PERFECT GIFT for your mother on Mother’s Day has never been easier—just click here and check this gift off your list today!

I remain your friend, In Jesus and Mary,

Robert Ritchie Director, America Needs Fatima www.ANF.org

PS: And when we deliver the Roses at Fatima, we will send you photos so you can forward them to your mother!

Jesus is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament the Sacred Host

"Jesus has remained in the Sacred Host for us! So as to stay by our side, to sustain us, to guide us. And love can only be repaid with love."

"How could we not turn to the Blessed Sacrament each day, even if it is only for a few minutes, to bring him our greetings and our love as children and as brothers? "

~ St Josemaria Escriva ~

Jesus, my God, l adore You

Jesus, my God, l adore You,

here present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar,

where You wait day and night to be our comfort 

while we await Your unveiled presence in heaven.

Jesus, my God,

I adore You in all places 

where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved 

and where sins are committed 

against this Sacrament of Love.

Jesus, my God,

I adore You for all time,

past, present and future,

for every soul that ever was,

is or shall be created.

Jesus, my God,

who for us has endured hunger and cold,

labour and fatigue,

I adore You.

Jesus, my God, who for my sake

has deigned to subject Yourself

to the humiliation of temptation,

to the perfidy and defection of friends,

to the scorn of Your enemies,

I ADORE YOU..... Amen!

Following Jesus' Steps

Many of us are familiar with the story of Jesus walking on the water. It is an awesome reminder of Jesus’ power. It is also a very convicting story when we stop and think about Peter’s response.

Like the other eleven apostles, Peter could have chosen to remain in the boat. Even though the wind and the waves were against the boat, the boat was still the safest place to be. And yet, Jesus stood outside the boat, on the waves. Peter’s heart yearned to be near to the Lord as he asked Jesus, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” After receiving Jesus’ invitation, Peter stepped out and became the only other man recorded in the Bible to walk on water.

“And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” (Matthew 14:28)

There are many times in our lives when we feel like things are against us. We do not feel like we are moving forward; in fact, we’re fighting just to stand our ground. We feel distant from God, knowing God hasn’t forsaken us, but feeling that God is not as near as we’d like. 

In those times, it is an encouragement to remember Peter. He was willing to step out alone in faith to be closer to Jesus. He was willing to leave the limited protection of the boat to step out further into the storm since that is where God was standing. And, what is more, he stepped out alone, leaving the rest of the disciples in the boat.

“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:” (1 Peter 2:21)

We are also reminded to seek God in prayer. Just as Peter asked Jesus to call him before he stepped out, so I am reminded to ask for God’s guidance before I step out. Walking by faith is not walking aimlessly, hoping God will catch up, but rather waiting for His voice and following His lead.

Jesus gives his disciples authority to heal and set free

Do you believe in the life-changing power of the Gospel and experience its transforming effect in your life? The core of the Gospel message is quite simple: the kingdom (or reign) of God is very near!What is the kingdom of God? It is that society of men and women who know God's love and mercy, and who willingly obey and honor God as their Lord and King. In the prayer which Jesus gave to his disciples (the Lord's Prayer or Our Father), he taught them to pray for God to reign in their daily lives and in the world around them: May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

The power of the Gospel to heal and set free

When Jesus proclaimed the good news of God's kingdom he also demonstrated the power of the Gospel with supernatural signs and wonders. Jesus healed people who suffered physical, emotional, and mental illnesses. He freed people from spiritual bondage to sin and demonic powers. Jesus gave his disciples the same authority he had to heal and set people free from spiritual bondage.

The Gospel (which literally means "good news") which Jesus proclaimed is just as relevant and real today, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. If we believe in the Lord Jesus, the Word of God made flesh, and in the power of the Gospel, we will know and experience the freedom, joy, and power he gives us that enables us to live and witness as his disciples. No one can buy heaven; but if we know the love and mercy of Jesus Christ, then we already possess heaven in our hearts! Do you believe that Jesus can change and transform your life and share with you the power and authority of God's kingdom?

Jesus chose ordinary people to do extraordinary work

Jesus commissioned his disciples to carry on the works which he did - to speak God's word and to bring his healing power to the weary and oppressed. In the choice of the twelve apostles we see a characteristic feature of God's work - Jesus chose very ordinary people. They were non-professionals, had no wealth or privileged position. They were chosen from the common people who did ordinary things, had no special education, and no social advantages.

Jesus wanted ordinary people who could take an assignment and do it extraordinarily well. He chose these men, not for what they were, but for what they would be capable of becoming under his direction and power. When the Lord calls us to serve, we must not think we have nothing or very little to offer. The Lord takes what ordinary people, like us, can offer and uses it for greatness in his kingdom. Do you believe that God wants to work in and through you for his glory?

Lord Jesus, you have chosen me to be your disciple. Take and use what I can offer, however meager it may seem, for the greater glory of your name.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

The Names that point to Jesus (Yahshuah) ~ Genesis 5 through the genealogy of Adam to Noah

HEBREW ROOT OF NAMES IN GENESIS

(Genesis 5:3-5) 

Adam = “Man”

(Genesis 5:3, 6-8) 

Seth = “Appointed”

(Genesis 5:6, 9-11) 

Enosh = “Mortal”

(Genesis 5:9, 12-14) 

Kenan (Cainan) = “Sorrow”

(Genesis 5:12, 15-18) 

Mahalalel = “The Blessed God”

(Genesis 5:15, 18-20) 

Jared = “Shall come down”

(Genesis 5:18, 21-24) 

Enoch = “Teaching”

(Genesis 5:21, 25-27) 

Methuselah = “His death shall bring”

(Genesis 5: 25, 28-31) 

Lamech = “The Despairing”

(Genesis 5:28-29) 

Noah = “Rest, Comfort”

Hidden in Genesis 5, the meaning of the names in the genealogy, is a beautiful presentation of the gospel of saving grace. Godhad already laid out His plan of redemption for the predicament of

mankind.

“Man, is appointed mortal sorrow; The Blessed God shall come down, teaching. His death shall bring the despairing Rest ­and Comfort.”

The immensity of what Jesus has done for us

Why do we often compare ourselves with others? Do we envy those who seem more fortunate than ourselves? Why did Peter question Jesus about John's future? Jesus had predicted that Peter was to suffer and die as a martyr for his faith. What would John's fate be? Jesus seems to indicate that John would live a long life - in fact he outlived all the other apostles.

Jesus says, "Follow me and you will have life in abundance" 

While Peter and John were both called as disciples of Jesus, each was given a particular task and mission to fulfill. When Peter questions John's role, Jesus responds, "What is that to you? Follow me!" Peter's given task was to "shepherd the sheep of Christ," and in the end to die as a martyr for the Lord Jesus. John's role was preeminently to witness to the risen Lord Jesus and to give his testimony to the Gospel account of Jesus' identity as the divine Son of God who became a man to save us from sin, Satan, and death (John 20:31). John lived to long age and wrote the Gospel as his testimony to the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Jesus does not cease to do great works of power and love through his people today 

John ends his Gospel with an astonishing remark: "Human books cannot exhaust the person and work of Jesus Christ." His power is inexhaustible, his grace is limitless, his wisdom unfathomable, his triumphs are innumerable, and his love is unquenchable. We can never say enough of the power, majesty and glory which belongs to Jesus Christ alone. Do you witness to others the joy of the Gospel message that Jesus died for us to bring us new life, freedom, love and power to live as his disciples?

May the power of your love, Lord Christ, fiery and sweet as honey, so absorb our hearts as to withdraw them from all that is under heaven. Grant that we may be ready to die for love of your love, as you died for love of our love.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

Jesus, I know You will help me

JESUS

I know You will help me

get through this difficult time.

It's hard to understand 

why all this going on. 

But I know Your ways 

are higher than my ways

and You will work things out

for my good as I continue

to put my hope in You.

Thank you for helping me

get through another day.

Amen.

JESUS is the only way to salvation

We need preachers

who preach that hell is still hot,

that heaven is still real,

that sin is still wrong,

that the Bible is God's Words,

and that JESUS is the only way to salvation.

His name is JESUS

Everyone face different problems in life,

but we can all have the same solution,

His name is JESUS.

Come and see

How can we know with certainty that Jesus is truly who he claims to be - the Son of God and Savior of the world? Philip was eager to tell his friend Nathaniel (who is also known as Bartholomew in Matthew 10:3 and Luke 6:14) about his decision to be a disciple of Jesus. Philip tried to convince his friend that Jesus was the Messiah, whom Moses and the prophets had foretold would come. Nathanial was very skeptical because he didn't think it was possible for the Messiah to come from Nazareth, a town in Galilee. Nathaniel not only disliked the town of Nazareth, he despised its residents as unworthy Jews. "How could anything good come from such a place?"

Nazareth was at the crossroads of the ancient world where people from different cultures and religions would pass through. Perhaps Nathaniel thought its religious teachers were not orthodox enough in their understanding and interpretation of the law of Moses. Besides, how could the Messiah come from Galilee when the prophets said he would come from Bethlehem of Judaea? Aren't we all a bit like Nathaniel? We are skeptical when someone tries to convince us of the truth until we can comprehend it for ourselves.

A skeptical but earnest search for God's truth

So what kind of proof did Philip offer to Nathanael? Rather than argue with his friend, Philip took the wiser strategy of inviting Nathanael to "come and see" for himself who this Jesus claimed to be. Clever arguments rarely win people to the Gospel - but an encounter with the person of Jesus Christ can change one's life forever. When people are receptive to the word of Christ and when they see his love in action, the Lord Jesus himself, through the power of the Holy Spirit, touches their hearts and opens their minds to recognize that he truly is the Son of God who reveals the Father's love and truth to us.

When Philip brought Nathanael to Jesus, Jesus did something which only God could do! He opened Nathanael's heart and his innermost thoughts and desires to God's revelation. Jesus called Nathanael a true "Israelite in whom there is no guile." God had chosen Jacob, who was given the name Israel, over his twin brother Essau, because Jacob was a man of faith, without guile or cunning like Essau (Genesis 25:27). Nathanael, like Jacob, hungered for God and believed in God's promises. Nathanael knew the Scriptures. He had read the law and the prophets. And like Jacob he was waiting for the fulfillment of God's promises to his people Israel. Nathanael was an earnest seeker of God. He not only sought to grow in understanding of God's word, but he sought an intimate personal relationship with God as well. That is why he was willing to meet Jesus, to see if perhaps this miracle worker from Galilee might be the long-awaited Messiah and Savior.

God's word brings blessing and refreshment for those who receive it 

What is the significance of Jesus' revelation of seeing Nathanael "under the fig tree"? For the people of Israel, the fig tree was a symbol of God's peace and blessing (1 Kings 4:24b-25, Micah 4:4). It provided shade from the midday sun and a cool refreshing place to retreat, pray, and reflect on God's word. Rabbis often gathered their disciples under the shade of the fig tree to teach them the wisdom and revelation of God's word in the Scriptures. The rabbis had an expression for comparing the fig tree to being nourished with God's word in Scripture, "He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit."

Jesus offers the greatest gift possible - peace and friendship with God

It is very likely that Nathanael had been thinking about God's word while sitting "under his fig tree" and reflecting on God's promise to send a Messiah King who would free his people from sin and oppression and usher in God's kingdom of righteousness and peace for the whole world. Perhaps Nathanael dozed off for a midday nap and dreamt of God's kingdom like Jacob had dreamt when God gave him a vision of a great ladder which united earth with heaven (see Genesis 28:12-17). Through the gift of revelation Nathanael recognized that Jesus was truly the Messiah, the everlasting "Son of God and King of Israel" (John 1:49). The Lord Jesus offered Nathanael the greatest gift of all - the gift of friendship with God and the offer of free access to God's throne in heaven.

Jesus promises that we will dwell with the living God

What does Jesus mean when he says "you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man"? One of the most remarkable revelations recorded in the Bible is the dream of Jacob (Genesis 28:12-17). God had opened a door for Jacob that brought him and his people into a new relationship with the living God. In Jacob's dream God revealed his angelic host and showed him the very throne of heaven and promised Jacob that he and his descendants would dwell with the living God.

Jesus, the Son of God, unites earth and heaven in himself 

Jesus' response to Nathanael's new faith in accepting Jesus as the Messiah is the promise that Jesus himself will open the way for free access to the very throne of God in heaven. Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promise to Jacob and his descendants - he is the way to the Father in heaven and the true "ladder (or stairway) which unites earth with heaven." In Jesus' incarnation, the divine Son of God taking on human flesh for our sake, we see the union of heaven and earth - God making his dwelling with us and bringing us into the heavenly reality of his kingdom through his Son, Jesus Christ.

Jesus gives us free access to God's presence

Jesus' death on the cross, where he defeated sin and won new life for us through his resurrection, opens the way for each of us to come into a new relationship with God as his adopted sons and daughters. The Lord Jesus opens the way for each one of us to "ascend to heaven" and to bring "heaven to earth" in the daily circumstances of our lives. God's kingdom is present in those who seek him and who strive to do his will. Through the gift of faith God opens a door for each one of us to the heavenly reality of his kingdom. Do you see with the "eyes of faith" what the Lord Jesus has done for us?

Heavenly Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, you have opened the way to heaven for each one of us. As you personally revealed yourself to your beloved patriarchs and apostles, so reveal yourself to me that I may recognize your presence with me and know the power of your kingdom at work in my life. May I always find joy and peace in your presence and never lose sight of your everlasting kingdom.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East

He was called Jesus

What's the significance of a name? For the Jewish people the giving of a name had great importance. When a name was given it represented what that person should be in the future. An unknown name meant that someone could not be completely known. To not acknowledge someone's name meant both denial of the person, destruction of their personality, and change in their destiny. A person's name expressed the reality of his or her being at its deepest level. A Jewish male child was named at the time of circumcision, eight days after birth. This rite was instituted by God as an outward sign to single out those who belonged to the chosen people (Genesis 17:10-12). It was a sign of the covenant that God made with Abraham and his posterity.

Jesus - the eternal Son of God who was born of a woman to become our Savior

In fulfilment of this precept, Mary's newborn child is given the name Jesus on the eighth day according to the Jewish custom. Joseph and Mary gave the name Jesus because that is the name given by God's messenger before Jesus was conceived in Mary's womb (Luke 1:31, Matthew 1:21). This name signifies Jesus' identity and his mission. The literal Hebrew means the Lord saves. Since God alone can forgive sins and free us from death, it is God who, in Jesus his eternal Son became a man to offer up his life as the atoning sacrifice to save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). The son that Mary bore is both God and man - the "Word who was God" (John 1:1) and who "became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). That is why Mary is not only called the mother of the Christ (the Greek word for Messiah in Hebrew) but also the mother of God or Theotokos in Greek which literally means "God bearer."

Jesus - the name above every other name 

In the birth and naming of this child we see the wondrous design and plan of God in giving us a Savior who would bring us grace (the gift of God's favor), mercy, and freedom from the power of sin and the fear of death. The name Jesus signifies that the very name of God is present in the person of his Son who became man for our salvation. Peter the Apostle exclaimed that there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved (Acts 2:12). In the name of Jesus demons flee, cripples walk, the blind see, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised. His name is exalted far above every other name (Philippians 2:9-11).

The name Jesus is at the heart of all Christian prayer. It is through and in Jesus that we pray to the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit. Many Christians have died with one word on their lips, the name of Jesus. Do you exalt the name of Jesus and pray with confidence in his name?

Lord Jesus Christ, I exalt your name above every other name. For in you I have pardon, mercy, grace and victory over sin and death. You humbled yourself for my sake and for the sake of all sinners by sharing in our humanity and by dying on the cross. Help me to always praise your holy name and to live for your greater glory.

source: From the desk of Don Schwager, 

hosted by Kairos Europe and the Middle East