No More Name

What a losing strategy: forbid someone from using the name. Acts 4:17

The name of Jesus created a revolution, and the Jews knew it. So they decided to forbid the use of the name.

This was both brilliant and insane. Smart because they accurately recognized the source of the revolution. Insane because they underestimated loyalty to the name.

This same threadbare strategy is still at work in our world.
 
There is not a day that goes by without this same demonic intimidation tactic being employed against you too.

- Don't you dare use the name, it will alienate people; they won't like you; it will turn them off.
- You don't want to come across like a religious fanatic.
- You don't want to polarize people or cause a controversy.
The lies are endless, trying to convince you not to use the name.

You know better. You are a person of the name.

Lord Jesus, I am a person of your name. I am permanently linked to your name and I will carry your name forever.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

No Other Name

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

When Peter and John stood trial for the first time before the same leaders who crucified Jesus, they boldly identified themselves with the name. They were not ashamed. They did not cower, hide, or compromise. They did not try to get off easy.

They were more interested in saving their accusers souls than saving their own necks.
They fearlessly declared, there is no other name.

Every day you have a choice: will you hold out the name, or will you hide the name?
Will you lift or lower the name?

Let me ask you, are you proud of the name, or are you ashamed?

Do you exalt the name in your workplace, or are you embarrassed by it?

Are you more worried about your reputation, or whether or not your neighbor will go to hell?

Peter and John knew the stakes were too high to be afraid for their lives. They were convinced there is no other name.

Lord Jesus, by your name I am saved. And there is no other name by which anyone is saved. I love your name. There is no way I can be ashamed of your name. Never.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Take The Name To Work

“By what power or by what name did you do this?” Acts 4:7

The name of Jesus should not be relegated to the sanctuary. The name of Jesus is desperately needed in the workplace, the classroom, the hospital, the penitentiary, and the streets.

The largest crowds that gathered in the book of Acts assembled because the name Jesus was spoken in the street.
 
When the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth dramatically healed a paralyzed man, everyone asked the same question, By what power or by what name did you do this?

The name raised the paralyzed man to his feet. The name caused him to dance. The name drew the crowd. The name caused a controversy. The name became the topic of conversation in the street.

Notice that even the unbelievers and skeptics recognized the connection between the power and the name.

I challenge you to take the name with you when you go to work or school today. Take the name of Jesus when you walk through your neighborhood, go shopping, get on the airplane, send your emails, and interact with your colleagues, classmates and friends.

Don't hide the name. Don't just use it when you pray or sing with your Christian friends at church. Use it in business. Use it in your neighborhood. Speak the name of Jesus freely. No one should wonder what is the power that makes the difference in your life.
 
Every day you want to answer the question, by what name do you live?

Loving Father, you have saved me by the power of the name. I am not ashamed of the name. Use me as I use your name--the name of Jesus.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Faith In The Name

"And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all." Acts 3:16

Notice: the name is the power source, and faith is the detonation device.
 
A paralyzed man has just been completely healed from his bed sores as well as his spinal injury, and the crowd needed answers. When Peter explains to the amazed townspeople the source of this astounding miracle, he is very careful to point to both the power source as well as the detonation device.

The name has made this man strong: that's the power source.

By faith in his name: that's the detonation device.
 
Clearly the name is the focus. It is the name that has the power, and it is the name that gave back to the man his mobility.

But faith in the name called forth the power and applied it to the man's muscular, neurological, and circulatory systems, allowing him to spring to his feet and jump like a track star.

This extraordinary miracle came from the name, and so did the faith in the name.
The name comes first, and faith follows. Faith in the name is a gift from God, just as the name itself is a gift from God.

If you have received the name, make sure you also receive faith in the name. While the name is the source of everything, faith is what accesses the power.

Loving Father, I receive from you the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I receive faith in the name to access and activate all you have for me today.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Don’t Undervalue The Name

“I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” Acts 3:6

Peter didn't have a nickel in his pocket. But he had the name of Jesus, and that name was able to accomplish more for the paraplegic lying on the side of the dusty road in Jerusalem that day then if he had a million dollars.
 
The man sat where he had sat for years, day after day. He was barely surviving, scraping by, begging for money.

Peter realized instantly that the man didn't need a nickel, he needed the name. The name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Peter knew the transformational potency of the name.
 
Peter saw beneath the surface-need of the man. Peter saw his heart, and he knew that the man's entire life could be changed in an instant by the name.

What seemingly insurmountable obstacle are you facing today?

It's not a matter of how much money you have. It's a matter of how much faith you have in the name.

I challenge you right now to look your insurmountable obstacle in the eyes, and declare, in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk!

Seemingly insurmountable obstacle, I call out to you now in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Baptized In The Name

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38

You are not only saved by the name, you are baptized in the name.
 
To be baptized means to be immersed. Saturated. Permeated through and through.
The name of the Lord is not just the front door through which you pass, the name of the Lord is the house in which you live.

The name of the Lord is the lens through which you see everything. The name of the Lord is the air you breathe, the roof over your head, and the ground beneath your feet.
 
The name of the Lord affects everything you do because it affects who you are. The name of the Lord is stamped on you as God's mark of ownership.

When you are saved, you are baptized in the name. Saturated. Immersed. Permeated through and through by the name. You think the name. You carry the name. You are forever linked to the name.

You are more at home in the name than anywhere else on earth.

Lord Jesus, I love your name. I settle into your name. Your name is my home. My identity. The place I belong--where I am fully accepted. I am alive and thrive in your name.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Do You Believe?

"Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Acts 2:21

The name of the Lord is accessible not to a select few, but to everyone.
 
The name of the Lord is not for you to just contemplate, but to call on.

The name of the Lord doesn't simply give you information, it gives you salvation.

The name of the Lord is your invitation to encounter Christ now. No matter who you are, no matter what you've done, no matter what you need, Jesus offers you his name.

The name of the Lord will move any mountain, calm any storm, cross any river, and conquer any foe.
 
It doesn't depend on your name, but his.

Identify the specific threat from which you need to be saved today, and call on the name of the Lord.

Lord Jesus, I call on your name today. I declare the supremacy of your name over my foe--your name is greater than my challenges. I now receive your deliverance and salvation in Jesus name.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Do You Believe?

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

Yes, Jesus rose from the dead. This is a highly documented historic fact. But even prior to his bodily resurrection, he identified himself by the name Resurrection. And when he did, he immediately followed the disclosure of his name with a call for response and engagement--do you believe this?

Jesus called his friends to believe that he was Resurrection even before his resurrection. He called them to believe his name.

Think of it: even prior to his physical resurrection, Jesus called people to believe in his name Resurrection.
 
On this Resurrection Sunday, April 5, 2026, Jesus calls you to respond. Do you believe this? He is looking for engagement. Jesus' resurrection calls for a double affirmation of faith. He wants you to believe both in his bodily resurrection some 2000 years ago, and to believe in his name.

Do you believe this?

Yes, Lord Jesus, I believe in your name Resurrection, as well as in your resurrection! On this Resurrection Sunday I declare the reality of who you are--the Resurrection and the Life.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Don’t Mourn Alone

"Jesus said to her 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?'” John 11:25-26

If you lost a loved one this year, holidays are hard. Brutal. But you don't need to mourn alone.
 
Jesus stood in a cemetery with best friends at their brother's tomb who had died only days earlier. It's here that Jesus was so emotionally moved, it includes those two pungent words, "Jesus wept."

But in addition to his empathy and compassion, Jesus offered his name.
 
Standing at the gravesite, Jesus completely changed the entire landscape and atmosphere. He said, everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.

If Jesus was unable to deliver, these words would have been cruel. Offensive. Down right mean.

But in the next few minutes, Jesus turned that graveyard into a dance floor. Jesus spoke the word and his buddy came out of the grave smiling.

Life busted forth out of the burial plot for one reason--there is power in the name.
 
If you grieve going into this Easter, take heart. Take the name.

Jesus is Resurrection. Jesus is Life.

Lord Jesus, sure I am sad, but in my grief and in my sorrow I take firm hold of the name.

Today I take the Resurrection and I take the Life. I live and I believe in the name, and I know that I will never die.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Resurrection Faith

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live," John 11:25

Mark Twain said, "The difference between what you believe and what you almost believe, is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug."

It does you no good to almost believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
 
This is one of the greatest offers you will ever receive: Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.

Sure, one day you will certainly die--we all will! But Jesus promises you that when you die, you will not actually be dead. Only your physical body will be dead, but your spirit--your true self--will be more alive than ever. And there is just one thing you need to do to live forever. Believe--you just need to believe in Jesus as Resurrection Life.
 
What a deal. What an offer. What a promise.

Believe means to trust what Jesus can do for you--to raise you from spirit death to spirit life. You can't raise your life from the grave, but he can. He's Resurrection Life!

If you believe him, tell him now. Just tell Resurrection Life that you trust him, that you trust his name, and that you receive from him new life.
 
Lord Jesus, Resurrection Life, yes, I trust you. I trust your name. I believe in your name and I now receive from you your resurrection life.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Resurrection Life

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live," John 11:25

Resurrection is what raises you out of the grave. Life is what keeps your heart beating, lungs breathing, and brainwaves firing. Jesus is both Resurrection and Life.

On the resurrection countdown leading up to Resurrection Sunday, today we declare the twin name of God-- Resurrection Life.
 
Resurrection Life attacks the two arch enemies of the human race--death and the grave. 
Resurrection Life offers you the remedy to your greatest fear.

Resurrection Life is more than a solution; Resurrection Life is a person. He is a Savior. He is Jesus. And he invites you into a love relationship today.

Resurrection Life is someone you want to get to know.
 
Just as Jesus stood outside Lazarus' grave, today Jesus is standing outside your grave and calling you by name. He wants to take you by the hand as he offers you Resurrection Life.

Lord Jesus, today I take you as Resurrection Life. Lift me out of my tomb, remove my grave clothes, and set me free. You alone are my Resurrection and you alone are my Life.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

The Resurrection

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live," John 11:25

We look forward to celebrating Resurrection Sunday--the greatest event in human history, the bodily resurrection of Christ from the grave! And as we do, each day we will dig a little deeper into John 11:24.
 
What a verse--what a reality!

Jesus didn't just rise from the dead; his name is resurrection. He was Resurrection long before that first resurrection Sunday.

Resurrection is not just an event in history; Resurrection is God's name. And keep in mind Resurrection is not a name given to him following the big event; it is a name he's carried long before.
 
People didn't name him Resurrection after the fact; his Father named him Resurrection before the creation of any other living thing. Before the death of any living thing, Jesus was already ready to be it's resurrection.

This week, as you celebrate the resurrection, be sure to celebrate Resurrection.
Be sure to celebrate the name.  

Lord Jesus, today I declare your name, Resurrection. Hallow your name, Resurrection. Make your resurrection power known in me, my family, my church, my community.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Knocks You Off Your Feet

"When Jesus said to them, 'I am he,' they drew back and fell to the ground." John 18:6

When the reality of God's name hits you--when you get it--it is powerful enough to knock you off your feet.

When the muscle bound Roman soldiers came to handcuff Jesus and take him into custody, they needed to know which one was Jesus, so they asked. He answered them with only two simple words in his language (three words in English), and it knocked them off their feet.
 
He simply spoke the same two words he had spoken no less than 15 times before, yet this time they landed with the force of Thor's hammer.

Jesus simply said, EGO EIMI, or I, I AM, I, AND ONLY I AM HE.

And bammm! Before the soldiers knew what hit them, they involuntarily fell backwards like a sack of potatoes.
 
Don't underestimate the power of God's name.

When God's name hits you, it hits you hard.

God's name will humble you. Bring you low. Knock you off your feet.

At times, his name will motivate you to get on your knees, and at times it may knock you involuntarily to the ground.

When you receive his name for what it is, it will move you to worship.

Lord Jesus, I honor the potency and the supremacy of your name. Today, I voluntarily get on my knees and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Protected By The Name

"Holy Father, keep them in your name." John 17:11

The name of God provides you with round-the-clock, 24 hour protection.

When Jesus prayed for you and me on the final night before his crucifixion, he prayed for our protection. More specifically, he prayed that we would be kept safe from evil and from the evil one by the power of the name that is above every name.

You are under the protection of the name, and God wants you to affirm it.

There is no greater force on earth than the name of the Lord your God. Just as Jesus prayed for your protection by calling on the name, you too can pray for protection by calling on the name.

As you pray protection for your marriage, your children, your family and friends, and even for your own life, be sure to pray the name.

Lord Jesus, I need protection and I take your name. For myself, my family and friends I take the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Keep me, keep us in your name.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Manifest The Name

“I have manifested your name." John 17:6

You were born for one ultimate purpose--to manifest God's name.

On the final night of Jesus' life on earth, he prayed a prayer that summarized his entire 33 years. As he looked back on all of his miracles, his teachings, his acts of kindness, he added it all up in one all-inclusive statement: I have manifested your name.

I have manifested your name is not just a generic, casual sum-all. I have manifested your name is a precisely accurate description of Jesus' entire life. And it shows what was on his mind for those 33 years--the name, and accurately making known the name.

Jesus fulfilled his life purpose to manifest the name, and he is now ready, willing, and able to fulfill your life purpose to manifest his name. This is your birthright, and it is purchased for you in Christ's redemption.

Jesus makes it possible for you to manifest his name.
 
Lord Jesus, you lived to manifest your Father's name. Now manifest your his name in my life.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Joy In Prayer

"Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." John 16:24

There are few things that can bring you greater joy than receiving a dramatic answer to a specific prayer.
 
And no one knows this more than Jesus.

No one receives more dramatic answers to specific prayers than Jesus. And no one receives more joy in answer to prayer than Jesus.

When Jesus said, Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full, he was speaking from experience.
 
Jesus lives to pray, and he lives in answer to prayer. So he perpetually experiences the fullness of joy.

And Jesus wants you to experience the same life of relevant prayer and the fullness of joy in answer to prayer.
 
The key is learning to pray the name.

Lord Jesus, teach me to pray. Teach me to pray the name. Teach me to receive in the name--to receive dramatic answers to specific prayers and to receive fullness of joy.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

The Tragedy Of Nothing

"Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." John 16:24

O, the tragedy of prayerlessness. And perhaps even worse, O the tragedy of all the wasted prayer without the proper use of the name!

When Jesus confronted his disciples on their prayerlessness, surely he wasn't suggesting that they never prayed, but apparently when they prayed, they flagrantly failed to use the name--at least they failed to use it correctly.
 
When he said, Until now you have asked nothing, he was exposing a common yet shocking omission. In all their praying, they missed the essential part--they missed the name.

How many people fail in their prayers because they fail to use the name!

Praying without the name is good for nothing.

Praying without the name receives nothing.

Praying with the name is good for everything and receives anything.

Father God, forgive me for failing to pray your name. Today I come in your name, to receive from your name. Revive the relevance of my prayer life by the relevance of your name.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Whatever

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you." John 16:23

Whatever is all-inclusive.

When Jesus said, whatever you ask of the Father, he meant whatever.
 
There is just one clarification, the 3 key words essential to every answered prayer: in my name.

Remember, in my name is not a good luck charm or magic chant like hocus pocus or abracadabra. In my name means according to the authority, power, character and will of the name of the one true God whose Son is Jesus Christ.
 
So yes, whatever you ask for according to the authority, power, character and will of the name of the one true God whose Son is Jesus Christ--and I do mean whatever--you can be confident that he will give it to you.

Whatever!

Count on it.

Father God, I repent of my unbelief, and I receive faith for whatever. Fill my prayer life with your name and your whatever, in Jesus name. Amen.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

I Have, I Will

"'Father, glorify your name.' Then a voice came from heaven: 'I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.'” John 12:28

Imagine hearing an audible voice from heaven when you pray!
 
When Jesus earnestly prayed Father, glorify your name, immediately he heard a booming voice from Father God, I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.

If you like getting answers to prayer, here is one prayer that is always answered: Father, glorify your name.
 
You may or may not hear a booming voice from heaven, but you can be sure God will answer this prayer.

The glorification of God's name sits over history. It is woven into the annals of civilization, and it is on every page of your story as well.
 
Even in the good and evil, right and wrong, justice and injustice, God's name is glorified. His name has been glorified and it will be glorified.

While you may never hear God's audible answer to this prayer, when you pray Father, glorify your name, he will answer.

Father, today I declare, glorify your name. And now affirm my prayer. I know you have glorified your name, and now glorify it again.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Glorify Your Name

"Father, glorify your name.” John 12:28

When Jesus faced the most stressful decision of his life, choosing the way of the cross, he prayed the name. He prayed a simple, though strategic 4-word prayer, Father, glorify your name.

Father, glorify your name is a bulls-eye prayer no matter what life-situation you face, but particularly when you feel cornered, confused, and up against the wall.

Father, glorify your name centers your life squarely in Christ and under Christ.

Father, glorify your name places both your current circumstances, as well as the outcome into God's hands.

Father, glorify your name is both a humble prayer that clearly acknowledges your dependence on God, and a bold prayer that confidently affirms your trust in him.

Father, glorify your name stamps God's name on it no matter what it is.
 
And Father, glorify your name invites God to manifest his presence in the ambiguities of life.

Father, glorify your name. Glory your name now. Always. In and through all I face today, please glorify your name to me and through me. Amen.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

My Beloved Son

“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22

Every child longs for their father's blessing--to hear their dad say, "You're my son (or daughter); I love you; I am so proud of you."

Father God knew what his son longed to hear. It is likely that Jesus had heard his Dad say these words a thousand times, but this time we get to hear them. And this is why.

You may have never heard your mom and dad speak these words of blessing over you, but God wants you to know that you have a heavenly Father who consistently speaks them over you.
 
If you are in Christ, every blessing that the Father gives his Son he gives to you.

This is the beauty of the name.

When you take the name Jesus, you take all the blessings of the name.

God wants to put his hand on your forehead right now, look you in the eye, and tell you, You are my beloved son (or daughter); with you I am well pleased.

Receive the Father's blessing now.
 
Loving Father, I take the name Jesus, and I take all the blessings of the name. Because I am in Christ, I take all the blessing of Christ. I hear you say, 'You are my beloved; with you I am well pleased'. Yes, I am your child, your beloved child. I am so thankful that you are pleased with me.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

The Christ

"For to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

Christ is not Jesus' last name.

Christ is a familiar name, though perhaps the most misunderstood name of God.

Christ is the Greek word for the Hebrew word Mashea, or Messiah, which means "anointed and anointing one."
 
When the angels declared to the shepherds that Jesus is the Christ, they designated Jesus as the promised Messiah, the one who is anointed by the Holy Spirit, as well as the one who anoints others in the Holy Spirit.

Jesus carries the name Christ because he carries the Holy Spirit.
 
Today God is revealing to you the Christ, the one who carries the Holy Spirit, and the one who is prepared to anoint and baptize you in the Holy Spirit.

As you encounter Christ today, you will receive your anointing.

Jesus, today I take you as the Christ. You are Messiah. I receive from you the fullness of anointing you have for me now.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

The Name Given

"At the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb." Luke 2:21

God is jealous for his name. Protective. He doesn't leave his name up to your imagination. He is very particular, and for good reason.

Father God sent an angel to Joseph to make sure the name on the certificate of circumcision would be Jesus. He also sent the angel to Mary with the same instruction just to make double sure. When the time came for the name to be formalized, both parents were in full agreement--call him JESUS.
 
Just as Joseph and Mary received, validated and affirmed the name given, so God extends to you the name given--the name Jesus. Now it's your turn.

Don't change it, challenge it, or replace the name Jesus. Jesus is the name given. He wants you to receive it, validate it, and affirm it.
 
You can't improve on it. You can't add to it or embellish it.

Jesus. Only Jesus. All of Jesus.

Just call him Jesus.

Jesus. Lord Jesus. Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God. My Jesus. Eternal Jesus. Supreme Jesus. All sufficient Jesus. I exalt you today.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

The Name Given

"At the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb." Luke 2:21

God is jealous for his name. Protective. He doesn't leave his name up to your imagination. He is very particular, and for good reason.

Father God sent an angel to Joseph to make sure the name on the certificate of circumcision would be Jesus. He also sent the angel to Mary with the same instruction just to make double sure. When the time came for the name to be formalized, both parents were in full agreement--call him JESUS.
 
Just as Joseph and Mary received, validated and affirmed the name given, so God extends to you the name given--the name Jesus. Now it's your turn.

Don't change it, challenge it, or replace the name Jesus. Jesus is the name given. He wants you to receive it, validate it, and affirm it.
 
You can't improve on it. You can't add to it or embellish it.

Jesus. Only Jesus. All of Jesus.

Just call him Jesus.

Jesus. Lord Jesus. Jesus the Christ, the Son of the Living God. My Jesus. Eternal Jesus. Supreme Jesus. All sufficient Jesus. I exalt you today.


YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.

Vinedresser

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser." John 15:1

No wonder Jesus compares us to branches on a grape vine. After all, grapevines are the most energy intensive, high maintenance of all fruit and vegetables. Grapevines require almost nonstop care, and so do we as followers of Christ.

It is essential for you to recognize Jesus as the True Vine. But it is equally essential to recognize Father God as the Vinedresser. It is the Vinedresser who loves, cares for, prunes and maintains your life.

Pruning is as indispensable to a grapevine as filtration is to your bloodstream. What your kidneys do to the blood running inside your body, pruning does to your hobbies, activities, and lifestyle outside the body.
 
If you are weary, overworked, or hyperextended, you probably need a fresh encounter with your Vinedresser.

Your Vinedresser is the one who cuts off your branches (activities and pursuits) that never had their origin in him to begin with, and he's the one who prunes even your fruitful and fulfilling areas of life. Even good things can get overgrown and out of control.

Ask yourself: is God big enough to trim your branches? Have you given him dominion over your schedule? Do you consistently give him permission to weed out, cut off, prune and eliminate activities and habits from your lifestyle?

That's what it means to know him as Vinedresser.

Loving Father, gracious Vinedresser, I take you today as the gatekeeper over my day planner and schedule. I give you dominion. Feel free to cut off ,uproot, weed out, or  prune any of my hobbies, activities, compulsions and desires. I want you to have the final word in my daily life and my lifestyle. You are my Vinedresser.

YEAR ON FIRE
© Fred A. Hartley, III
All rights reserved
The English Standard Bible (ESV) is normally used, unless otherwise indicated.

This daily Christ-encountering, fire-starter is not intended to replace your daily Bible reading and prayer time, but rather to motivate you to spend extended time in His presence.