Take the Name of Jesus with You

This morning's devotions ended with a phrase of "Take the joy of Christmas with you" and it brought this song to mind:

Take the name of Jesus with you, Child of sorrow and of woe; It will joy and comfort give you, Take it then where’er you go.

Precious name! Oh, how sweet!

Hope of earth and joy of heav’n;

Precious name! Oh, how sweet!

  Hope of earth and joy of heav’n.

Take the name of Jesus ever,

As a shield from every snare.

If temptations round you gather,

Breathe that holy name in prayer.

Oh, the precious name of Jesus,

How it thrills our souls with joy;

All the favor of the Father

In this name we may enjoy.

At the name of Jesus bowing,

Falling prostrate at His feet,

Claim His vict’ry over evil

And the enemy defeat.

Taking the joy of Christmas is good but Christmas only focuses on a specific date whereas the name and Godship of Jesus as your personal savior is the only true source of Joy and Peace, Comfort and Victory. So, take the name of Jesus with you and carry Him in your heart. 

Living He Loved Me

"Living He loved me.  Dying He saved me.  Buried He carried my sins far away. 

Rising He justified, freely forever.  One day He's coming!  Oh glorious day!"

These words have literally been running through my head all night as I cough, toss, and turn.  So, I figured God has a lesson for me. I tried doing some cleaning of a cupboard that hasn't been touched in years (I actually found trash left over from our Son's wedding rehearsal dinner 8 years ago) and, as the song still played in my head, I found myself staring into the faces of my wonderful parents. 

Mom has been gone for 3 years now (longer if you count the years when Alzheimer's didn't allow her the recognition of the ones who loved her) and dad joined her 11 months ago. So now, I've got the coughing, hymn stuck in my head and tears rolling down my cheeks... a mess, right?  But that's exactly what I am, without Jesus... a mess.

One of the things I praise God for all the time (even before their passing) is the fact that I was a child of these too wonderful, loving parents because, without them, I may not have become a "Child of the One True King."  And, if it weren't for my parents, I may hav never known this hymn and so many others that are memorized in my heart.  Songs that remind me that Jesus left His home in glory to lead a life that He knew would lead to Calvary.  Songs that remind me that He is my light and salvation.  

So, sleep is overrated when your mind is flooded by His glory and grace... when ther are so many things to praise Him for and when memories are so precious. 

Thank you, Jesus, for my parents, for their legacy of faith, for dying on the cross as punishment for my sins. Thank you for your Word that recounts Your faithfulness and the stories of your miraculous intervention, tender mercies, love, joy, and peace.  Prepare my heart for the celebration of your birth.

"Living He loved me.  Dying He saved me.  Buried He carried my sins far away. 

Rising He justified, freely forever.  One day He's coming!  Oh glorious day!"