What is in a name?

Proverbs 22:1 - "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches."

Today's devotional was Titled What is in a name. After reading it my thoughts traveled back to my childhood. My grandfather, on my daddy's side of the family, was one of five brothers. Two of the five made many mistakes throughout their lives causing people to look down on the family name. A bad reputation!

I have one brother and in our childhood many looked down on us because of our last name. We lived in a very small town. Our mom and dad worked hard to bring honor to the family name, and our dad's goal was for each of us to work hard to change the image of our family name, by building character, bringing honor and not shame.

My brother has traveled the world and is highly respected by leaders around the world and in our own country. My life is much more quiet but I try hard to remember the world is watching me to see if my daily living brings honor to my heavenly Father. Now my name is Christian and I belong to the family of Christ. Both my brother and I are committed Christians.

Marc has truly fulfilled our Dad's goal of bringing honor to the Nuttle's name and he does glorify God.

Although I know I make many mistakes each and everyday, I want people to be drawn to Christ by the things I do right, by glorifing God and bringing honor to the name Christian.

Scripture is inspired by God

2 Timothy 3: 16-17 - "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient equipped for every good work."

Have you ever watched a movie twice. When viewing the second time you see something you missed the first time. You think, Wow how did I miss that.

Every time we read scripture the same thing happens. Maybe you have read a passage several times, then all of a sudden you have a new found insight, you are enriched with new wisdom. God's word is full of riches to help us continually learn as long as we live.

Choices

Ephesians 4: 1 - "Lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called."

It's not whether you win or lose but how you play the game. Do we live our lives like that? Live honestly even telling the truth brings consequences, we would like to avoid?

On a spiritual level we have choices to make: Do we take part in the ministries of the church? Do we choose to forgive those who have done us wrong? Do we live according to the Bible?

Every choice we make brings opportunities to spread the love of Jesus.

No Substitues

Ps. 119: 97 - The psalmist wrote, "Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all day long."

I read a devotional about "No Substitute". Most dentist have all the newest gadgets and equipment to take care of our teeth. But there is no substitute for flossing. A simple daily task.

For Spiritual health there is no substitute for praying and reading scripture daily. Doing simple tasks prayerfully brings us closer to God

Sins - Forgiven

Grace For the Moment by Max Lucado

Col 2: 14 - "He canceled the record that contained the charges against us. He ....destroyed it by nailing it to Christ's cross."

Between the hand and the wood was a list. A long list of our mistakes, our lust, lies and greedy moments, and prodigal years. We can't read the list. the mistakes are covered. the sins hidden. Hidden at the top by Jesus hand. Down the list they are covered by His blood.

Thankometer

Psalm 30: 12 - The psalmist wrote, "O LORD my God I will give you thanks forever."

In the upper room Bryony Wood's devotional talked about a Thankometer. People wear pedometers to measure how many steps they take in a day. What if we wore a thank-o-meter to measure how much gratitude we express. It is important to be grateful no matter what our circumstances are.

Most of us have more blessings then we can count. But even if we were stripped of all our blessings we will always have God's grace and salvation for all eternity. that calls for giving thanks! How many blessings can your count today.