He Knows My Name

This morning I awoke and started thinking of the words to the song, "He Knows My Name." This led to my humming the melody.

When I was thinking about what to post here on this blog this morning, I thought of all of the prayer requests I have heard over the past few days. The range of the prayer requests included prayers for healing from illness, overcoming depression, prayer for a ministry outreach, traveling safety, protection from danger in the military, relief for stress, the Katrina disaster, the Gaza pullout situation, the confirmation of our new Supreme Court nominee, job situations, family situations and the list could go on and on.

As I thought about all of these prayer needs and was humming that song, I thought about a sermon I had heard by a guest pastor named Bill Sy. The sermon was on the fact and privilege that Jesus knows my (yours/our) name(s) and what a comfort that is to know.

After locating the sermon, re-reading the notes and being blessed by it, I decided to share that sermon right here on my blog. I pray that it speaks to your heart and blesses you, today, too.

Christine

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He Knows My Name

Guest Speaker: Bill Sy
April 18, 2004

"The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." John 10:31.

1. He Knows My Name When I'm Sad

"'Woman,' He said, 'why are you crying? who is it you are looking for?' Thinking He was the gardener, she said, 'Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.' Jesus said to her, 'Mary.' She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, 'Rabboni' (which means teacher)" John 20:15,16

Jesus loves us even in our hard times, even in our sadness.

Notice that Jesus asks Mary why she is crying. Did he not know? Of course he did. He asked her as a way of showing compassion for her in her sadness.

Are you sad today? He is with you. And, Jesus can speak to us through other people. Is he calling you in the midst of your sadness?

2. He Knows My Name When I'm Lost

"He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?...Who are you, Lord?' Saul asked. 'I am Jesus who you are persecuting.' he replied." Acts 9:4-5

People who are lost seldom know that they are lost. We sing "Amazing Grace" AFTER we are found. Do you know of anyone who sings it before? Jesus comes looking for you...even when you are not looking for Him.

Even as Christians we can be lost...backsliding away from the Lord. He wants to bring you back. When you are lost, be careful who you talk to. Jesus will come looking for you and get you on the right path. Sometimes he uses other people to bring you back and can speak to us through other people.

3. He Knows My Name When I'm Old

"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless...No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations." Genesis 17:1-5

This tells us that you are never too old for God to call your name and say, "I've got something for you to do." Abraham was 99 years old! You're never too old for God to use you. Noah, Anna, Simeon were old. God can still use you for His purposes.

4. He Knows My Name When I'm Young

"The word of the Lord came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. Ah, Sovereign Lord, I said, ' I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.' But the Lord said to me, 'Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you.' declares the Lord." Jeremiah 1:4-8

What is the right age? God can use you for His purposes at any age. Samuel, David, and Ruth were young, yet God used them mightily.

5. He Knows My Name When I'm Afraid

"But now, this is what the Lord says, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. '" Isaiah 43:1

Fear is simply thinking you are all alone. What if something happens in my life and I don't know who I am? No matter how many times you fail Him - he can still reach out to you and call your name. He will never give up on us! Pour out new courage! You, Lord, still know my name!

6. He Knows My Name When I'm Tempted

"But Jesus asked him, 'Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?'" Luke 22:48

This was the last time Jesus called Judas by his name. It was his last chance for redemption. Jesus won't force himself on us - but will call our name. If Judas had held on 3 more days! Don't push Jesus away...grab ahold - he'll pull you through!

7. He Knows My Name When I'm Excited

"The seventy-two returned with joy and said, 'Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.' He replied, 'I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.'" Luke 10:17-20

We usually get excited when we do something for God. What happens, though, when that excitement wears down? Instead, be excited for what God did for you! It's about what Jesus has done!

8. He Knows My Name When I'm Disappointed

"He asked them, 'What are you discussing together as you walk along?' They stood still; their faces downcast...but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.'" Luke 24:17,21

The disciples were discouraged. Jesus knew what they were discussing, but he invites us to share our disappointments. When your expectation of God doesn't match up with God's plan, do you get disappointed? Of course you do. The Jews wanted their Messiah to be a conqueror, not a suffering servant. God's thoughts are not our thoughts. What to do when disappointed? The Lord instructs us to get back into His Word and keep our eyes on Jesus.

9. He Knows My Name When I'm Waiting

"When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, 'Moses! Moses!; And Moses said, "Here I am'... 'So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.'" Exodus 3:4, 10

Read Acts 7:23, 25, and 30. Moses was 40 years old. He knew his Jewish identity (unlike portrayed in the Ten Commandments movie). In verse 25 we learn that he thought the people would realize that it would be him. It would be 40 years from when he thought this to the time when God used him for this purpose.

10. He Knows My Name When I'm Bad

"When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?' 'Yes, Lord, ' he said, 'you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my lambs.'" John 21:15

We all know that Peter denied Jesus 3 times when Jesus was taken away to be crucified. Even though Peter stated that he never would deny Jesus (at the Last Supper), he did just that. Jesus is aware of our weakness...and even when we're bad he calls our name.

We can't do it in our own strength. Asking for help from the Holy Spirit should be our constant prayer. Staying in His Holy Word and keeping our eyes on Jesus and ears open to the direction of the Holy Spirit should be our focus. Everything that happens...God will use. Even the bad in our lives. Let it be enough that I hear you calling my name, Lord Jesus!

Amen!!

Christine