“And behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son and shalt call his name Jesus.”  (Luke 1:31 KJV). 

When the angel Gabriel made the announcement to Mary that she was God’s chosen vessel to bring the Messiah into the world, she was told that He was to be named Jesus!  The name means: Jehovah is Salvation. It was the declaration that God Himself would bring salvation and redemption to humanity.  It was the affirmation of the inability of man to save himself.  What man could never do through religious zeal or devotion, Jesus did through the cross!  As a result of His work on the cross and His mighty resurrection from the dead, the Name of Jesus has been exalted above every name (Phil. 2:9-11).  There is no name anywhere that can compare with that Name! 
Only in that Name is there salvation (Acts 4:12).

In this world, the Name of Jesus is both despised and loved!  The enemies of Jesus despise that Name. They hate it. They profane and revile it in every way possible. In reality they fear that Name because that Name exposes the darkness of their own heart.  And that Name reminds them of their ultimate destiny.  But to those who have received His wonderful gift of Salvation, the Name of Jesus is loved, revered, honored  and cherished.  To the redeemed, the Name of Jesus is precious.  To the redeemed the  Name of Jesus means mercy, grace, unconditional love, forgiveness, a new life and  a new beginning.  To the redeemed the  Name of Jesus guarantees and assures  eternal life. There is no other Name anywhere that can offer what  Jesus offers. 

Only in the Name of Jesus is there salvation from sin, deliverance from the powers of darkness, healing, peace, hope, joy and love.  Only at the Name of Jesus do the demons tremble!   And only at the Name of Jesus does  all of heaven rejoice to the glory of God the Father and the Holy Spirit!  Throughout all eternity we will be celebrating and worshipping the One Who’s  Name is  Jesus!  We will be in His very Presence! We will see Him face to face (1 Cor. 13:12). And we will have the joy along with all the redeemed  of casting our crowns before His feet (Rev. 4:10-11). 

This season  is all about that Name! So, during this wonderful season, let us celebrate the Name of Jesus! There is no other name like that Name!   

Rev. James W. Black

“And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost , that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” (Luke 2:26 KJV).

Simeon was a man who loved the Lord; a man whose heart was fixed upon the Lord (Luke 2:25).   He was an elderly man by this time in his life. For a long time he had been hoping to see  the Messiah, the Redeemer  that God had promised Israel (Isaiah 9:67, Isaiah 59:20).   But now that he was in the twilight years of his life that hope was beginning to fade.  Then, unexpectedly one day,  the Holy Spirit spoke to him and revealed unto him that he would not die until he had actually seen the Messiah with his own eyes!   It was an powerful and encouraging word.  His hope was renewed.  So he continued to wait and to look with expectancy. 

Then one  day, while he was still waiting, the Holy Spirit spoke to him again and directed him to go into the Temple (Luke 2:27).  He was obedient and went.  When he entered the courtyard of the Temple there were probably hundreds of people there.  But the Holy Spirit continued to guide him.  He was drawn to the area where the newborn babies were being dedicated.  It is possible that there were several newborns being dedicated that day. Jerusalem was a large city.   But his heart was drawn to one particular couple.  He asked them if he could hold their child.  And as he took the child up in his arms, the Holy Spirit spoke unto him again and no doubt said unto him: “This is the One! This is God’s Promise to Israel and to the world!”   Simeon’s heart overflowed with joy (Luke 2: 28-30).  The Holy Spirit had revealed Jesus, the Messiah unto him!  God had kept His promise! 

Jesus is still actively involved in this world;  particularly in the lives of His people.  But we can see Him only  if we are  looking  for Him!  The majority of  people are not looking for Him.  Therefore  they never see Him.  But if our heart is fixed upon the Lord and we desire to obey Him, and  we intentionally look for Him in our daily life, the Holy Spirit will reveal Jesus unto us (Jer. 29:13).   We may  not see His visible form.  But we will be able to  see the imprint of His hand upon our day.  Sometimes we will see it immediately.  Other times, we will only see it at the end of our day after  we reflect back upon it.  But make no mistake about it.  The Holy Spirit will reveal Jesus to us!    It will be undeniable and amazing.  So like Simeon, let us wait,  let us look and let us obey the leading of the Holy Spirit.  We will be filled with joy over what we see. 

Rev. James W. Black

“But the angel said unto him, Fear not Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son and thou shalt call his name John.” (Luke 1:13 KJV). 

Sometimes when we pray about something in particular the Lord answers quickly.  Those times are always a joy and a delight.  But then there are other times that we pray and the answer does not come quickly.  Sometimes we pray for days,  weeks, months and  even years without seeing the answer. In those times we can become  discouraged.  In those times we are tempted to quit praying. In those times we often think that the Lord has forgotten us.  In those times the enemy of our soul whispers in our ear and tells us that God doesn’t care; that He really doesn’t love us. 

No doubt that was true with Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth.  For years they had prayed for a child.  For years they had longed for a son.  But in spite of their faithfulness and their commitment in following  the Lord, the answer had not come.  Now, the hope for that answer was all but gone. They were well up in years. The possibility of being able to have a child was slim to none. If they had not been able to have a child in their prime their chances of having a child now was marginal at best. 

And yet, as Zacharias ministered before the Lord in the Temple; on a day when he least expected it, the answer came. The answer was dramatic.  It was shocking.  It was in every way a surprise! What was surprising was not just the answer itself but the way in it came. It came in a way he never imagined. God sent an  angel to deliver the message.  The message was specific, direct and personal.  The message was that In spite of what seemed  impossible,  God was indeed going to give them a son!  Because with God nothing is impossible! 

Sometimes these answers to prayer are the most powerful and the most meaningful. God’s answer after such a long time usually comes on a day when we least expect it. It comes in a way that totally surprises us.  It comes in a way that we will never forget.  That answer impacts our life.  It marks us.  We will never be the same as a result.  And it deepens our love, our faith and our trust in the Lord. 

So, keep praying. Keep trusting the Lord. Keep standing upon His Word!  Although the answer may be long in coming, when it does come, it will surprise you!  And you will be totally amazed and in awe of  God! And you will realize once again that there is indeed no one like Him! 

Rev. James W. Black