From The Pit

“I called on your name, O LORD, from the depths of the pit." Lamentations 3:55

When you're in the pit--even the depths of the pit--when you can't see daylight and feel helpless and hopeless, there is one thing you can grab onto. You can call on the name.

My pastor friend's son took his own life. It was a miserable, dark time in his life. But my friend told me, "I discovered that when your life hits bottom, when you feel like you have nowhere to turn, like you've fallen down a mineshaft and you find yourself all alone in the bottom of a pit, I discovered that God is in the pit. You can meet God in the pit. You can call on God's name in the pit."

If you, my friend, find yourself in the pit, you too can discover that God is in the pit. You too can call on God's name in the pit.

Before God gets you out of the pit, God wants to meet you in the pit. This is why God gives you his name. Even in the pit God's name gives you God's presence.

Father God, I call on your name from the depths of my pit. Meet me here. Meet me now. Meet me in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.


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.

Jealous For My Name

"I will be jealous for my holy name." Ezekiel 39:25

Jealousy is a sin for everyone--that is, everyone but God.

In fact, it would be a sin, so to speak, for God to not be jealous.

Jealousy is the desire to be first and foremost in someone else's heart. While that is entirely inappropriate for us as people, it is entirely appropriate for God to want to be first and foremost. We were made for God to be first and foremost. We only operate properly when God is first and foremost.
 
When God desires to be first and foremost in your life, it's because he wants you to function properly. He wants you to be fulfilled.

For this reason, God is jealous for his name.
 
When you become jealous for God's name, you become one with God's purposes. You can now pray with greater authority because what you want is exactly the same as what God wants.

Father God, I repent of jealousy for my name. Replace my twisted jealousy with jealousy for your name that I might pray in alignment with your will and purpose.


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.

Vindicate My Great Name

"I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations." Ezekiel 36:23

As you pray for God's name to be hallowed, you can pray with absolute certainty that your prayer will be answered. No matter how God's name may be profaned among the nations today, God will certainly vindicate his name tomorrow.

As you pray for God's name to be hallowed today over your own life, your family, your church family, your community and nation, you can pray with confidence. God promises, I will vindicate the holiness of my great name. And he will.

When God's name is vindicated things snap into alignment with their God-given purpose.
When God's name is vindicated, everything becomes healthier. Happier. Holier.

When the holiness of God's great name is vindicated, God's kingdom comes to earth as it is in heaven.

When God answers this prayer, he will answer 1000 other prayers.

Father God, vindicate the holiness of your name in my life, in my family and children, in my church family and in my community 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.

Concern For My Name

"But I had concern for my holy name." Ezekiel 36:21

As you start the day, you may step on the scale to check your weight, look at the newsfeed to check your stocks, or text your kids to see how they're doing.

When God starts the day, there is only one thing he looks for--how's my name doing?
God is concerned for his name. When his name is doing well, everything is doing well.

Since God's highest concern is for his name, your highest concern should also be for God's name. And when concern for God's name becomes the first thing you look for each day, God's name will dominate your prayer life.

No matter what else you are burdened to pray for today, your greatest burden should be, how is God's name doing in that area.
 
You don't always know how to pray but when you pray for God's name to be glorified over that situation, you are praying for God's best.

As you pray, the best you can pray for yourself, your children and family, your work and your ministry, is to pray for the glory of God's name.

Father God, I come to you today with a concern for your name--for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Over my life, my family and children, my career and my calling, my church, my community and the nations of the world, glorify your name 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 Sake Of My Name

"I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived." Ezekiel 20:9

Every day God acts for the sake of his name. He never stops. His name and the elevation of his name is his highest priority.
 
Like a smart inventor, God marks his brand with his name. Since everything in the universe has been created by him, his name is branded everywhere.

God is also jealous for his name to be recognized.
 
Just think of it: on every sunset, every planet and star, every animal, fish and bird, every song, painting and video, every small business, manufacturer and enterprise, every nation, people and tribe, God is continually acting for the sake of his name.

The sooner you recognize this and the sooner this orientation shapes your prayer life, the more effective your prayers will become.
 
Father God, stamp your name--the name of Jesus--on my heart and mind, on my marriage and children, on my job and on my leisure, and certainly stamp your name on my prayer 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.

For The Sake Of The Name

"Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.” Daniel 9:19

When you make your appeal to God in prayer, you have no higher basis on which to make your appeal than to appeal on behalf of God's name.

God loves his name. He protects his name. He always exalts and defends his name.

When Daniel interceded before God on behalf of the city of Jerusalem and the people of God, he gained influence in his prayer by appealing to God's name because God put his name on both.

When you intercede before God on behalf of your city and the people of God closest to you, you too will gain influence in prayer by appealing to God's name.

No matter whom you are praying for today, you want to pray the name.
 
God's name will lead you in prayer.

Father God, over my city and over my people, I declare the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. May your name be hallowed in my region and in my people.


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.

Lead With The Name

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might."
 Daniel 2:20

When you step into an intimidating situation, always lead with the name. Let the name go first--it will bring peace and it will bring Presence.

When King Nebuchadnezzar, the fiercest king on earth, demanded college-aged Daniel to interpret his nightmare, it was like stepping into a horror movie.
 
So what did the young Jedi Daniel do? He led with the name. He even blessed the name, and declared that both wisdom and might belong to the name.

What intimidating situation are you facing today?

The name of God brought peace and confidence to Daniel, and the name of God will bring peace and confidence to you as you face unknown and intimidating circumstances. You don't face them alone--you face them in the name. And don't forget it.
 
Father God, I bring to you my intimidating situation and I declare, blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. Go before me. Lead me with 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.

The Name Determines Your Walk

"For all the peoples walk each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever." Micah 4:5

You can tell a lot about a person by watching them walk. Are they confident? Happy? Depressed? Defeated? Do they walk with a bounce in their step, or do they shuffle their feet across the floor?

When you watch someone walk, you can quickly identify the name of their god.

A lesser god or idol will leave you insecure, fearful, apprehensive, tentative.

But walking in the name of the Lord our God, the Lord of lords and the King of kings, the Creator who loves you and designed you, who protects you and guides you, will make you confident, bold, fearless and adventuresome.

When you walk in the name of Jesus you walk in authority. You walk in purity. You walk in victory.

Father God, I praise you that I walk in the name of the Lord God Almighty. I walk in confidence in 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.

The One And Only

"The LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day the LORD will be one and his name one." Zechariah 14:9

On that day. What a day it will be!
 
The LORD will be one and his name one means the one true God and his Son Jesus Christ will be universally recognized as the one and only God, and his name will be recognized as the one and only name worthy of worship.

No rivals. No demon idols jockeying for notoriety. No more atheists, secularists or agnostics. His name will appear on every news stream, every pop song, every building.
 
On that day. Jesus won't just be on a list of the people of greatest influence--there will be no list.

Jesus will be crowned rightful king over all the earth. No elections. No contest. No coups. No enemies.
 
Full support. Full admiration. Full cooperation. And for the first time in history, a 100% approval rating.

Fix that day in your mind. Etch it in your heart. This is precisely the day we are praying toward.
 
Father God, I long for this day. I work for this day. I pray toward this day with all my heart, when your name becomes the only name and your kingdom is the only kingdom 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.

The Sun Of Righteousness

"For you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall." Malachi 4:2

The name of God brings the blessing of God.

In a unique twist of words, God promises a special blessing to those who fear, revere, and honor his name: the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

Each of these phrases brings a distinct blessing.

The sun of righteousness promises an infusion of social justice and personal integrity.
Rise with healing in its wings promises healing, vitality, and hopeful exuberance. While a sunrise does not normally have wings, the beams of light often resemble wings that add to the uplifting hope of the morning sky.

You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall promises optimism, fearlessness, and hopeful adventure.
 
All this comes from a healthy reverence of God's holy name.

And it's yours if you want it. Just fear his name.

Father God, I stand among those who fear and revere your name. I take as my own every nuance of these glorious promises. Yes, the sun of righteousness shall rise over me with healing in its wings. And I shall go out leaping like a carefree calf from the stall.


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 It To Heart

"If you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the LORD of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings." Malachi 2:2

If you take God's name, he expects you to take his name to heart.

There is obviously a categorical difference on the one hand between simply taking the name of God casually--to hedge your bets, like a cheap insurance policy--and on the other hand to take his name to heart.

To take God's name to heart is all-inclusive, permeating, wholehearted. It's an inner resolve to honor, exalt, promote, give preference to his name above everything. To value, cherish, esteem, prioritize, and protect God's reputation over your own or anyone else's.
 
Have you taken God's name to heart?

Have you told God?

Father God, I want to go on record--today I take it to heart to honor your name in all things, above all things, and at all times.


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 Name Among The Nations

"From the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations."
Malachi 1:11

God's name is great. Forever.

Today God's name is recognized as great among his people, his church.

And one day soon God's name will be honored as great among the nations. All nations. Languages. Tribes. Peoples. Everyone who has breath will declare the excellency, the majesty, the supremacy of the name of the Lord our God, and his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Malachi prophesies, not once but three times, that every nation on earth will join together in a mighty chorus declaring the greatness of God's name.

And notice that this declaration of praise to God's name doesn't run hot and cold, on again off again. It is continuous. Endless. From the rising of the sun to its setting.

There is no time like now to get started. Prime the pump. Pave the way. Make your apostolic, prophetic declaration to the greatness of God's name today.

Do it now. Do it often. Do it continuously.

Father God, I declare today (and every day) the greatness, the glory, majesty, dominion and power of 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.

Despise The Name?

"But you say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ By offering polluted food upon my altar." Malachi 1:6-7

Apparently it is easier than you might think to despise God's name. While you would never intentionally despise his name, you can do it unintentionally. Casually. Unthinkingly.

In Malachi's conversational preaching style, he opens his prophetic book with a stiff rebuke for despising God's name--one of the most grievous sins possible. Naturally, the people responded defensively, questioning the legitimacy of such a claim, and demanding evidence. God marshaled as blatant evidence their sloppy worship and anemic, half-hearted offerings.
 
You mess with your worship and you mess with the name.  

What does your worship evidence?

Do you give your full 10% tithe plus offerings, or do you give some shabby, fake substitute that shows you actually despise God's name?

And what about the other areas of obedience--loving your spouse, showing kindness to colleagues and classmates, and forgiving your enemies--do you demonstrate your love for God's name?

When you love his name, you demonstrate it in your daily life.

Father God, search me and try me. I certainly do love your name, but see if there are any areas of my life where I am a hypocrite--where I unintentionally despise your name. I promise in advance to repent because I want to fully honor 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.

The Anointed, Anointing Name

"Your name is oil poured out." Song of Solomon 1:3

God's name is like fine essential oil--it is itself anointed by God and it is potent to anoint others.

God's name is fragrant, potent and pleasant. It is pleasant to you and pleasant to others around you.

This word picture of anointing oil is useful to help you better understand how to generously use his name each day.

You want to receive the oil of God's name for yourself. You want to rub his name all over yourself, so to speak. The oil of God's name is certainly for you, but it's not only for you. You also want to use his name generously when you minister to others today.
 
You don't need to ration the oil of God's name--it will certainly never run out. There is plenty of oil for you and there is plenty of oil for you to share with others.

Father God, I love your name. I love the name of Jesus. Your name is oil--anointing oil--that never runs out. It's for me to apply to myself and to others. I take your anointed name 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.

Protected In The Name

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." Proverbs 18:10

The name of the Lord is not only an offensive weapon to use when you advance the Kingdom of God, it is also your place of refuge and security when you need to escape the battle, shake off your fears, and get some rest.

Think of it: the name of the Lord is a strong tower, which means it clears the atmosphere from enemy forces and gives you a higher vantage point and greater visibility.

The righteous man runs into it and is safe means that when you run into the mighty name of Christ you are guaranteed protection on all sides.

This promise is for you.

This is an easy verse to memorize and a useful verse you can apply to your life daily.

Father God, today I take your name as my strong tower, and I run into it for safety, protection and peace. I rest in the shelter of your mighty 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.

Bless The Name In Good And Bad

"The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
Job 1:21

It's easy to bless the name of the Lord in good times--when your relationships are strong, your family is healthy, and your stocks are up. But when sickness comes and tempers flare and money is tight, it's not so easy. We think we have a good reason to stop blessing the name.

Take a tip from Job.

When houses burned down, his investments were ruined, and his children died, he dug deep. Though his circumstances were bad, God's name was still good. God's name was just as blessed today as it was two weeks ago. Job knew he actually needed God's name more now in the hard times than he did in the good times.
 
In the hard times Job declared, The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

He blessed the name of the Lord not because he felt like it, but because God deserved it, and because it was true.

God invites you to bless his name today, over the happy places in your life as well as over the challenging.
 
When you dig deep and bless God's name over the hard times, you sanctify those places. You will then be amazed what God will do.

Father God, today I choose to bless your name over the good as well as the bad. I bless your name specifically over these hard places [name them specifically] 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.

Bless People In The Name

"Aaron was set apart to... make offerings before the LORD and minister to him and pronounce blessings in his name." 1 Chronicles 23:13

Sometimes it's easier to pray and ask God to bless people than it is to go ahead yourself to speak blessing to people. God has commissioned you to do both.
 
God gives you his name not only to use when you speak blessings to God, he gives you his name to speak blessings to people.

God explicitly commissioned Aaron and his priesthood with twin duties: to use the name of God when they spoke blessings to God, and to use the name when they spoke blessings to people.
 
Don't make it complicated. Keep it simple. Be yourself. Speak from your heart. Use your own words. Something like this.

"I don't say it often enough, but I want you to know that you have a good heart. You are smart. God has blessed you in so many ways. God has called you and you have a unique purpose to fulfill. I love you. I pray for you. I'm excited to see what God will do through your life."

Ask God who he wants you to bless today in Jesus name.

Father God, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, teach me to speak blessings in your name. Free me from my fears and inhibitions. Give me revelation into whom you want me to bless, and embolden me to speak a timely word.


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 Seeking

"Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!" 1 Chronicles 16:10

Joy is the added octane that fuels a healthy prayer life.

You can praise your way through things you can't even pray through, especially when you use the name.

Don't just use God's name when you pray; God wants you to glory in his holy name. To relish his name. Savor his name. Enjoy his name. Let it roll around your tongue. Receive fresh revelation from his name. Fresh insight. His name leads you to a fresh encounter with Christ and that encounter is one of joy. Pleasure. Fulfillment. Glory.
 
Now is when the fun begins!

Once you start to glory in his holy name, you no longer simply use the name when you pray, the name begins to lead you in prayer. And it leads you with joy--the joy of the Lord.
Your routine prayer life will suddenly be infused with Holy Spirit joy. As you seek the Lord, your rejoicing in him will supercharge your prayer life.

It did for King David, the man after God's own heart, and it will for you.
 
Father God, I glory in your holy name. I rejoice in your presence as I seek your blessing.


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 Antidote For Boring

"Give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name." 1 Chronicles 16:8

Here is an antidote for a boring, meaningless prayer life: Give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name.

If your prayer life has become stale, try this two step antidote--it is God's way to breathe fresh breath and new life into your daily time with God.
 
Step one: give thanks to the Lord. Count your blessings. Name five specific things God has done for you. Describe them to him.

Step two: call on God's name. Use his name. Declare a specific name of God you deeply appreciate. Tell God why that particular name is special to you.

You don't need a struggling prayer life to use this 1-2 antidote.
 
If you already have a Christ-encountering prayer life, give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name.

If you don't have a Christ-encountering prayer life, give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name.

When you give thanks to the LORD, you encounter the manifest presence to Christ.
 
When you call upon his name, you encounter the manifest presence to Christ.

Now it's your turn.

Father God, I take hold of your word. You tell me to give thanks to the LORD, and to call upon your name. I give thanks to you LORD with all my heart. I praise you because I love to praise you and you made me to praise you. And I call on your name because I love your name and you made me to call on 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.

The Name Brings Fire

"You call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the LORD, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” 1 Kings 18:24

If you want the fire of God's conspicuous, manifest presence in your life and family, the key is the name. Call on the name because the name brings the fire.

At Elijah's big showdown with the false prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, he challenged them to a contest of names--You call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the LORD, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.

The names of other gods are empty, impotent and useless. The name of the Lord, the one true and living God, is powerful, potent and robust. The name of the Lord brings fire.
 
It wasn't even the prayer that brought the fire; it was the name.

When you pray, particularly when you pray for the fire of God's manifesting presence, don't put your faith in your prayers; put your faith in God's name.
 
It's God's name that brings the fire.

Father God, I come now in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to receive fire. Send me the wind of your Holy Spirit, and send me the fire of your manifest presence. I receive 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.

God’s Name Draws A Crowd

"When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came." 1 Kings 10:1

When you pray, you pray in secret--just you and Jesus. It is private. Personal. Relevant. Meaningful. Intimate. God loves his one-on-one time just with you.

Don't let anything interfere with your solo time with Almighty God--just you and Jesus.
And when you keep it secret--just you and Jesus--God will reward you openly.

When Solomon cooperated with God to build his house of prayer, a place for God's name, God rewarded him openly. The queen from the neighboring country of Seba (modern day Yemen) learned about the name, and she came to check it out. It wasn't Solomon's wealth or palace or buildings that attracted her; it was the name.

History shows that Mary Queen of Scots feared the prayers of John Knox more than all the armies of Europe.

The name of God shapes the course of history.
 
There is nothing that draws a crowd like the name.

Father God, I love your name and I love our private time together each day. Meet me so powerfully each day that through our time together you would make your name famous and shape the course of history 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.

For The Fame Of God’s Name

“I have heard your prayer and your plea, which you have made before me. I have consecrated this house that you have built, by putting my name there forever." 1 Kings 9:3

God has permanently put his name on his house of prayer. This means that when you cooperate with God to build his house of prayer, he will permanently put his name on your prayer life.

When Solomon stopped talking to God, God started talking to Solomon, and what a mighty statement God made! No sooner did Solomon complete his prayer at the dedication of his house of prayer, that God made the promise, I have consecrated this house that you have built, by putting my name there forever.
 
Imagine God permanently inscribing his name on your prayer life. Imagine God's reputation indelibly linked to what happens when you pray.

This is, after all, the objective of every healthy, Holy Spirit filled prayer life--to make God's fame and reputation known.

Think of it: God made you for the fame of his name.

You would do well to take this high calling seriously.

Loving Father, stamp your name on my prayer life. I want the time we spend together every day to result in the fame 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.

That All May Know Your Name

"...that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people." 
1 Kings 8:43

God's name sets apart God's people. We who are God's people know God by name.

God's purpose on earth, however, is that all people may know God by name and to fear his name.

When you know God by name and love his name, cherish it, honor it, and hallow it, you will also want his name to be known by your neighbors, colleagues, classmates, family, friends, and associates.

The more God's name means to you, the more effectively you will ask God to make his name known to others in your sphere of influence.

As God teaches you to pray his name, he will teach you to pray his name on behalf of others.

Loving Father, I want all people on earth to know your name, to fear your name the way I do. Today, I declare your name over my family members, neighbors, colleagues, classmates and associates. I declare salvation over them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.


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.

Your Great Name

"They shall hear of your great name and your mighty hand, and of your outstretched arm." 1 Kings 8:42

When God's people take hold of God's name, great things happen. But when God's name takes hold of God's people, extraordinary things happen.

When Solomon dedicated the temple, he dedicated it to the name. He knew that God's people would exalt God's name at the temple. But toward the end of his prayer, something shifts. He talks about the foreigner and the unbelievers who will also learn of God's great name when they see God dramatically answer specific prayers in the name--when they see God's mighty hand and his outstretched arm.

This is the principle: when believers start to properly use the name, unbelievers will start to recognize the name.  When God's name takes hold of believers, God's name will also begin to take hold of unbelievers. Unbelievers will not recognize God's name until God's people recognize God's name.
 
God has revealed his name to you, so that he can reveal his name through you to unbelievers around you. How can you expect unbelievers to recognize God's great name until you recognize just how great his name is?

Has God's name taken hold of you?

Loving Father, today your great name has overtaken me. Stamp your great name on every area of my life so that when people see me they will recognize you.


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.

Turn Back To The Name

"If they turn again to you and acknowledge your name and pray and plead with you in this house, then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your people." 1 Kings 8:33-34

All repentance is returning to the name, because in one way or another, all sin is turning from the name.

When Solomon dedicated the temple to God, he dedicated it to the name. He knew that hundreds of thousands of God's people would return to the name when they returned to the temple. Solomon knew that God would hear prayer in the name, and that God would forgive sin in the name.
 
Prayer without the name is hollow. Prayer with the name gets traction.

The name brings the presence--the manifest presence of Christ into your life.

In a sense, every time you pray, it is an act of repentance--turning back to God and turning back to his name.

When you come before God today in prayer, come with the name. Call on the name. Take hold of the name. And receive everything God has for you in the name.

Loving Father, yes! Count me in. I turned back to your name as an active repentance, and I turned back to you. I love your name. I take up your name. And I receive everything you have for me today 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.