The Wonder of Jesus: Embracing His Joy and Goodness

Devotional

Day 1: The Prophetic Power of Names

In biblical times, names were not just labels but carried deep prophetic meanings that often revealed the destiny or mission of the individual. The name Jesus, meaning "Jehovah is salvation," is a profound example of this, as it encapsulates His divine mission to save humanity. Understanding the significance of names in the Bible can enrich our appreciation of the narratives and characters within it. It invites us to consider the deeper implications of our own names and the names we give to others, recognizing the potential for them to carry meaning and purpose. [02:45]

Isaiah 62:2-3 (ESV): "The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God."

Reflection: What does your name mean to you, and how does it reflect your identity or mission in life? Consider how you might live out the deeper meaning of your name today.

Day 2: Embracing the Wonder of Jesus

The name "Wonderful," derived from the Hebrew word "Pele," signifies Jesus' extraordinary nature and His ability to inspire awe and delight. This wonder is not limited to His miraculous acts but extends to the joy and abundance He offers in life. Jesus came to provide a life full of joy, encouraging us to appreciate the beauty of creation and the pleasures of life. Embracing this wonder allows us to experience the fullness of life He intended for us, transforming our perspective and deepening our relationship with Him. [06:34]

Psalm 40:5 (ESV): "You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told."

Reflection: How can you cultivate a sense of wonder and awe in your daily life? Identify one aspect of creation or a moment in your day where you can pause and appreciate the wonder of Jesus.

Day 3: Joy in His Presence

Jesus' presence brings joy and strength, even in times of grief. His spirit provides comfort, transforming our mourning into laughter and filling us with a sense of peace that surpasses understanding. This joy is a testament to His wonderful nature and His desire for us to live abundantly. By inviting His presence into our lives, we can experience a profound sense of joy and resilience, even amidst life's challenges. [15:10]

Nehemiah 8:10 (ESV): "Then he said to them, 'Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you invite Jesus' presence into your life today to experience His joy and strength? Consider a specific situation where you need His comfort and joy.

Day 4: God's Unfailing Goodness and Mercy

The enemy often tries to convince us that God is withholding goodness from us, but this is a lie. God desires to be extremely good to us, and His mercy ensures we do not receive what we deserve. Embracing His goodness allows us to experience His love fully and recognize the marvelous nature of His works in our lives. By trusting in His goodness, we can live with a sense of gratitude and assurance, knowing that He is always working for our benefit. [19:32]

Psalm 145:9 (ESV): "The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you doubted God's goodness. How can you remind yourself of His unfailing mercy and goodness today? Identify one way you can embrace His goodness in your life.

Day 5: Following Jesus' Example of Compassion

Jesus' life exemplifies compassion and accessibility. He ministered to all, regardless of their status, and always had time for people, performing miracles even on His way to other destinations. This admirable quality challenges us to emulate His example, being present and compassionate in our interactions. By following His example, we can make a meaningful impact in the lives of others, reflecting His love and compassion in our daily actions. [16:11]

Colossians 3:12 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the compassion of Jesus through you today? Consider a specific action you can take to show compassion and kindness to someone in need.

Sermon Summary

In this series titled "Baby Names," we explore the significance of names, particularly in biblical contexts. While modern baby names often reflect trends or personal preferences, biblical names carried deep meanings and prophetic significance. For instance, the name Jesus, given by divine instruction, means "Jehovah is salvation," highlighting His mission to save humanity. Similarly, Isaiah prophesied about a child named Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, each name revealing aspects of Jesus' character and mission.

Today, we focus on the name "Wonderful," derived from the Hebrew word "Pele," meaning extraordinary or hard to understand. This name signifies Jesus' miraculous nature and His ability to inspire awe and delight. Jesus came not only to save us from sin but to offer us a life full of joy and abundance. He desires for us to enjoy the beauty of creation and the pleasures of life, as everything was made for our enjoyment and sustenance.

The essence of Jesus' name encompasses His authority and the fullness of His character. When we invoke His name, we access His power and the wonder it represents. This wonder is not just about His miraculous acts but also about the joy, pleasure, and admiration He brings into our lives. Jesus' presence fills us with joy, even in times of grief, as His spirit provides comfort and strength.

Moreover, Jesus' life exemplifies compassion and accessibility. He ministered to all, regardless of their status, and performed miracles on His way to other destinations, showing that He always had time for people. This admirable quality challenges us to emulate His example, being present and compassionate in our interactions.

Finally, the enemy often tries to convince us that God is withholding goodness from us, but this is a lie. God desires to be extremely good to us, and His mercy ensures we do not receive what we deserve. We are encouraged to let God be good to us, to embrace His love, and to recognize the marvelous nature of His works in our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. The Significance of Names: In biblical times, names carried prophetic meanings. Jesus' name, meaning "Jehovah is salvation," signifies His mission to save humanity. This highlights the importance of understanding the deeper meanings behind names and their implications for our lives. [02:45]
2. The Wonder of Jesus: The name "Wonderful" reflects Jesus' extraordinary nature. He inspires awe and delight, offering us a life full of joy and abundance. Embracing this wonder allows us to experience the fullness of life He intended for us. [06:34]
3. Joy in His Presence: Jesus' presence brings joy and strength, even in times of grief. His spirit provides comfort, transforming our mourning into laughter. This joy is a testament to His wonderful nature and His desire for us to live abundantly. [15:10]
4. God's Goodness and Mercy: The enemy may try to convince us that God is withholding goodness, but God desires to be extremely good to us. His mercy ensures we do not receive what we deserve, and embracing His goodness allows us to experience His love fully. [19:32]
5. Emulating Jesus' Compassion: Jesus' life exemplifies compassion and accessibility. He ministered to all, showing that He always had time for people. This challenges us to emulate His example, being present and compassionate in our interactions. [16:11]
** [16:11]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:30] - Introduction to Baby Names
[02:45] - Biblical Significance of Names
[04:19] - Shoutout to the Bulldogs
[06:34] - The Name "Wonderful"
[08:08] - Jesus Came for Abundant Life
[10:52] - The Joy of the Lord
[12:02] - The Essence of Jesus' Name
[13:29] - Joy in Times of Grief
[15:10] - Admiration for Jesus
[16:11] - Jesus' Compassion and Accessibility
[19:02] - God's Goodness and Mercy
[21:33] - Embracing God's Goodness
[22:23] - Marvelous Nature of God
[23:39] - Testimonies of God's Wonders
[31:03] - Rediscovering the Wonder of God
[34:12] - Accessing God's Spirit
[36:54] - Living with Authority and Confidence
[39:05] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Sermon Clips

He would help me through the time. He was always my help, she said. And that is part of his wonderful, being wonderful. Another one is admiration. [00:16:10] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

One of the definitions of the adjective wonderful is admiration. We have admiration. We have a God that we can admire because of who he was and what he did, what he represented on this earth, what we are to be doing on this earth. He had compassion on those that were the down and out and the downtrodden, but he also ministered to those that were not so down and out. He had Nicodemus came to him in the nighttime, hidden by darkness, so the rulers of the synagogue, his guys that he was rulers with in the synagogue wouldn't see him, but he came to him and said, what do I got to do to be saved? And he said, you got to be born again. He said, well, how can a man enter into his mother's womb after he's already old? He said, no, no, you got to be born of the water and the blood, spirit and the blood. He said, you have to be born of the spirit. [00:16:11] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And he ministered to everybody. On his way is where he did. If you read the scripture, when Jesus did most of his miracles, he was on his way to somewhere else. He had time for everything. He had time for everybody. Now that's admirable. That's something we, we have to take after him when we are to be conformed to his image. We have to take that into consideration. I have a hard time because I'm task oriented. I get tunnel vision. And so when I'm got a purpose in my mind and I've got something to do, nothing else exists in this world. [00:17:06] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

God wants to do good to you. He wants to be good to you. He wants to let him be good to you. [00:19:02] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

He loves you even more than you love anybody in this world. [00:19:53] (5 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

That just blows my mind. God loves you more than anybody loves you. God wants to be extremely, extremely good to you. [00:20:43] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Mercy is not getting what we deserve. [00:21:00] (4 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

And God is extremely good about that. He wants to be good to you. Let him, I'm, I don't, I'm stuck right here, y 'all. Let him be good to you. [00:21:14] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Don't keep beating yourself up. That's what the enemy's trying to get you to do, to beat yourself up, to say, I don't deserve it. I don't deserve it. I've done so many things. We've done so many things. No, no, no. It does not matter to God. He wants to do something extremely good for you. [00:21:33] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

He has something extremely good for you in your future. [00:22:01] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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