Philippians 2:5-11 ~ the Name of Jesus

Jesus Christ, painted by Mary Seward

Philippians 2:5-11

(New Revised Standard Version)

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.
And being found in human form,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death--
even death on a cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

I asked my, newly, 21 year old son, some years back, if he wanted to live in a rural area, suburbia or a really urban life. I thought if he clearly saw a path, he might be able to move his major in college into the right career path. He said he wanted different things on different days, and he'd see what came his way. One of my favorite analogies of life, it's like a leaky rowboat, put all your effort in going one direction and another area will spring a leak. But my son is right, plan to see what comes your way, prayerfully, is sometimes appropriate.

Matthew records what Jesus said to do:


1 Worship the Lord and serve him only. Matthew 4:10
2 Repent. Matthew 4:17
3 Follow me. Matthew 4:19
4 Shine your light before me and do good deeds. Matthew 5:16
5 Your righteousness must surpass the Pharisees Matthew 5:20
6 Settle matters quickly. Matthew 5:25
7 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow from you. Matthew 5:42.
8 Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44
9 Give to the needy. Matthew 6:2
10 Pray. Matthew 6:5
11 Forgive people who sin against you. Matthew. 6:14 Matthew 18:35
12 Fast from food once in awhile. Matthew 6:16
13 Treat people the way you’d like to be treated. Matthew 7:12
14 Enter through the narrow gate. Matthew 7:13
15 Do God’s will. Matthew 7:21
16 Acknowledge Jesus before men. Matthew 10:32
17 Honor your father and mother. Matthew 15:4 Matthew 19:19
18 Be humble. Matthew 18:4
19 Confront the person you have a conflict with. Matthew 18:15
20 Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 19:19 Matthew 22:39
21 Serve everyone. Matthew 20:26-28 Matthew 23:11
22 Love God with all your heart, soul and mind. Matthew 22:37
23 Feed, clothes, visit and invite in the poor and needy. Matthew 25:35
24 Make disciples of Jesus and baptize them. Matthew 28:19

And we make our choices.
We bring back our soul to Father God, to show Father God, how we developed.


God chose the particular time Jesus was born, Jesus had choices. God brought His Son to Israel, prayerful people, but not everyone recognized him as God.

Acts 4:12
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

John 14:13
Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Like Paul. Like Hank Erwin in the movie, Woodlawn, just one man with faith immediately caused others to realize, this is not just any name! It is God! Jesus the Lord!

Let's ask Father God for 2016 to be remembered as a time the light of Christ shone brightly.
Amen in Jesus the Son of God, Shepherd of our Souls, Almighty Lord!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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