JESUS.
What power is contained in His name; I cannot begin to imagine.
It seems silly to me, in my human perspective & understanding, that a mere name can have power in & of itself, but this name is no ordinary name. (Proverbs 18:10)
This is the name of God’s only Son, who came to earth as wholly man AND wholly God. (Colossians 2:8-9)
He humbled Himself from His heavenly throne to be born to us on earth… to teach & to love by example… to die on our behalf. (John 3:16)
Jesus IS.
There is power in that name because He IS power. He is I AM. (Exodus 3:14)
His existence, His power, His wisdom, His TRUTH… does not depend on us believing it.
He. Just. IS.
His Truth. Just. Is.
Demons tremble at His name because they know that in just His name alone lies more power than all of their power combined. (Luke 10:17)
Jesus Is LOVE.
Jesus, GOD OF ALL, came to humble Himself in flesh… to demonstrate His pure & inexhaustible love to us not only in His life of teaching & healing… but in offering His life for us. (John 3:17)
On earth, He displayed love because He IS love. (1 John 4:8)
He is patient.
He is kind.
He does not envy or boast.
He is not haughty.
He does not dishonor others.
He is not self-seeking.
He is not easily angered.
He keeps no record of wrongs.
He does not delight in evil.
He rejoices with Truth.
He always protects.
He always hopes.
He always perseveres.
He never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-9)
Jesus Is Lord
When others pushed Him to stone a woman, He replied, “He who is without sin may cast the first stone.” (John 8:7)
He is pure & kind. He is wholly righteous & wholly wise.
He created all & is above all. (Colossians 1:16)
He is King of kings & Lord of lords. (Psalm 95:3)
Jesus Is Our Willing Redeemer
When the people assumed He came to conquer their human oppressors, He instead came to conquer something much more threatening… their sin… our sin. (Romans 6:23)
He came to give us life… & to give it more abundantly. (John 10:10)
He could have called a thousand angels to rescue Him from the cross. (Matthew 26:53)
He could have just THOUGHT to be removed from the cross. (Genesis 1:3)
But instead, He hung there humiliated, naked, beaten, mocked, spit on, rejected, & betrayed by the very people He came to rescue (Isaiah 53:3-6) & while hanging there, lifted up to God, “Lord forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
Jesus Is Our Victory!
And with His last breath, He spoke “It is finished” because He knew His death meant victory for us. (John 19:30)
Because after death, taking our punishment upon Himself, He also rose victorious… resurrected & conqueror of both our sin AND death. (Matthew 28:6)
No longer did we carry the wrath of God for our wrongs against Him. No longer was it up to us to pay the price we owed. Jesus, as our Master, died in our place so that “whoever calls upon the name of the Lord [Jesus]” may LIVE as FORGIVEN before God. (Romans 10:13)
Who Jesus Is To Me
How lightly I take that name. How little credit I tend to give it.
How often I think I might know better than He this time or that. (Proverbs 21:2)
How often I question Him & want to go my own way. (Romans 7:19-25)
How little I deserve His offer of mercy.
And yet… Jesus.
I think, if I understood just how much power was in that name alone, I would just be getting the tiny first glimpse of the great power He possesses. (Philippians 2:9-11)
What confidence that understanding would instill in me to stand up for Him & to live for Him with unashamed devotion. Because even in my weaknesses & inadequacies, I know HE can fill in where I lack. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
Jesus Is Near
“Thank You, Jesus. You are the Christ. You are the Savior to the world You love. Help us lower the veils from our eyes. Remove our blindness so that we can see with full clarity just how wide & deep Your great love for us really is. Thank You for paying our debt. Thank You for offering us MERCY. We deserve Your wrath… it can be easy to sugarcoat my sin, but I do… I DESERVE Your wrath… & yet, You have mercy & give grace. Thank You, Lord. THANK YOU. Help embolden me to share Your love letter to the world… the Gospel aka the Good News aka how YOU came to SAVE us. Help me be bold for the greatest love story known to man. Amen.”
Shining Hope starts with believing in the saving work of Jesus Christ… & sharing that HOPE with this hurting, bleeding world.
Because in Him we find HOPE.
Coming Next Week
Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement.
As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.
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A Note from Michelle:
This blog/website has been running for over TWO years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3
If you would like to hear more of my story, check out the “About Me” page. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” page, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3
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Fashion as a Force for GOOD:
Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Check out this week’s featured beauty!!
Moonstone Hoops (from India)
Artisans from India cut & frame moonstones on these gold-toned elliptical hoops. Moonstones are prized in India for the unique way they reflect light.
Artisan Information:
Women in India still face widespread discrimination that often leads to poverty & exploitation. Your purchase provides opportunities for women to earn sustainable income through creative expression as fair-trade Artisans.
Purchase this piece & empower a woman in India!
How You Can Help:
SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!
Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me to continue this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win win!
