Hi, this is Joni Eareckson Tada and welcome to the New Year. And I’m sure starting it off with this song:
Lord, we welcome You here among us
With grateful adoration
Lord, we welcome You here among us
With grateful adoration
Knowing Your undeserved mercy and pardon
We welcome You here, we welcome You here
Lord, we welcome You here
Let Your glory come, let Your Spirit pour out on us,
Mighty Redeemer, Great Light of the World.
Lord, we welcome You here; Lord, we welcome You here.
And boy, do I mean that from the bottom of my heart – and I hope you do, too. The Father has opened the door into a brand-new year and we start it off right by welcoming the Lord Jesus as he goes out ahead (aren’t you glad for that) to lead the way, light the path, and chart the days and weeks ahead. Because this New Year really is all about Jesus.
I remember Dr. R.C. Sproul once telling a remarkable story about a well-respected, elderly professor at a seminary who was to speak on the topic of Jesus Christ. R.C. watched as the old man climbed the steps to the podium, cleared his throat, and then, for his sermon, spent the entire 45 minutes slowly repeating by heart every name and title of Jesus Christ…
Rock of Ages… Redeemer… King of Kings… Bread of Heaven… Living Water… Son of God… Sure Foundation… Captain of the Lord’s Army… And I’m just scratching the surface here.
At the end of the 45-minute litany of the names and titles of Jesus, the entire audience was reduced to quiet tears. I think this is what happens when you focus on Jesus and all that he has accomplished. It just reduces you to tears. Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Isn’t that a great verse to hold on to in 2010?!
So I’ll tell you what: I would like you to join me this week on meditating on each of these names: Friend of Sinners… Healer of Broken Hearts… Resurrection and the Life… and I’ve got a wonderful tool for you to use to do just that. It’s a beautiful little pamphlet here beside me (I’ve got it right here) from which you can learn the names, the character, and the personal attributes of Jesus Christ. The 50 names are featured in this easy-to-use chart format along with their Scripture references, the meanings of each name (I love that part), related titles, and much more about the Lord. Meditating and memorizing these names I think would be a great discipline for you and me in this New Year. Would you visit me today at joniandfriendsradio.org and ask for this pamphlet with the names of Jesus? Again, that’s joniandfriendsradio.org. And just think of those names: Good Shepherd… Fairest of Ten Thousand… Savior… The Way, Truth, and the Life… Wow, so join me in memorizing those names, and finally have a blessed New Year, friend… I’m looking forward to journeying through it with you together on Joni and Friends.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 91376
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