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“Hallowed be Your name.”

Matthew 6:9b

Our calling as Christians is to bring glory to the name of God. God's name represents His character. Taking the name of God in vain misrepresents God's character to others (Exod. 20:7). As Christians, we carry the name of our Savior. The way we live and relate to others is a direct reflection on the name of Christ.

Doing something “in Jesus’ name” is to do something that is in accordance with His character (John 15:16). It means that Jesus would be pleased to join us in what we are doing. If, however, our actions detract from God's reputation, He will jealously guard His name. Sometimes we are too concerned with protecting the reputation of people but too little concerned with protecting the holy name of God. When the Israelites profaned God's name before the nations by the way they lived, God “hallowed” His name: He made His name holy by punishing them (Ezek. 36:22). When David sinned before his nation, God publicly disciplined him in order to protect the holiness of His name.

We can so tarnish the name father before our children that it hinders them from loving God as their heavenly Father. We can be such unforgiving Christians that our sinfulness discourages people from seeking forgiveness from our God. We can show such disrespect for God as we worship Him that those observing lose their reverence of Him as well.

Our supreme desire should be to glorify the name of God by the way we live.

We ought to pray daily, as Jesus taught us to, that God's name be treated as holy.

- Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day 

Several days ago I spoke of the great sadness of my heart when I made mention of a so-called Church proclaiming its love for an idol right before crying out for Jesus to open up the Heavens that they wanted to see Him. 

Really read that single verse that begins today's devotional.  Is there any mention of anyone or anything else?  No...didn't think so. 

It's astonishing and astounding to me that degree of deviation from the message of the Gospel that particular Church has fallen.  

There is no room in any Church to worship anyone but Jesus.  Proclaiming love towards anyone or anything above Christ is a sin!   Jesus said plainly if you love even your blood relatives more than Him you aren't worthy of Him. 

Churches, like casinos and nightclubs grow for sometimes the same reasons. 

Because they are not doing what God wants and He is going to patiently wait until they realize it or if they venture off the path far enough He will remove their lamp stand. Read Revelation. What they are doing is exalting sin in their actions and activities. Satan is loving it. 

Some may disagree with these statements, but before you go there...I would very much appreciate a detailed defense of your position strictly from the Bible. No other defense will do. It's the same defense you would be giving before Christ. Filter your thoughts and actions through the Truth...then tell me it's supposedly ok.

Hallowed be thy Name.  

How often do we hear people mention Jesus's name off the cuff, no intent behind the use other than derision? They mean it's use as a curse word.  They do not consider it Holy at all.  Hmm...skeptical? Consider that you never hear anyone saying "Satan" in the same context.  People who find aren't believers in sudden pain who do take the Lord's name in vain, will never cry out "Satan!".  Satan absolutely has been trying to make the name of Jesus unholy for countless generations. Yet note again that his name is protected. 

Do you consider your words before you speak?   Have you ever been accused of not thinking before you speak?  There's much said in Scripture about the uncontrollable tongue.  It speaks forth both blessings and curses, often in the same breath. 

Swearing in any context is bringing dishonor to your adoptive parent...God.

There's no excuse to use any swear words.  The English language has thousands of words that can be used to adequately express yourself.  

Hallowed be thy Name.  Scripture says to set our minds on things above not on things down here.  In Heaven it's a whole different world than here.  All who are there are worshippers of God.  Both angels and all who have died in Christ. Nothing unholy is there.  Even Satan has to shed most of his nature to be able to stand before Christ in Heaven. 

If you aren't a believer this by no means is a reason for you to have for not coming to Christ.  Jesus can easily take care of any language problems.  Is it not He who formed the mouth?  Can He not heal it as well?

I pray each day that if necessary, that Jesus would put His hand over my mouth if something is about to come out that shouldn't. 

Scripture says to speak the truth in love.  Meaning to season your words.  Being careful of what is said.  Speaking in anger and hate isn't thinking before you speak. 

That's an unbridled tongue. 

I certainly weep for so-called Churches that have allowed so much of the world in that you cannot tell the difference.  They may be growing, but for all the wrong reasons.  We have lived in this part of Ohio for 20 years and have been to many Churches.  It's heartbreaking to see so many people who are clueless as to what ought to be a part of worshipping God that just isn't there. It's these places where there will still be hundreds showing up after the Rapture because they never really came to Christ. 

Pray for these lost people. Jesus said many will be before Him claiming to be saved yet He says to depart from Him, He never knew them.  Please, my friend, let it not be that you would be one of those.