Daddy's Girl

 Download a PDF of Letters about My Daddy at this link.

My sweet Daddy, Eston Willis, was born on July 30, 1919, and went home to be with Jesus in 1989. He loved us so much, I remember his warm hugs, his big smile, and his passionate love for Jesus Christ and His Word. He taught me so much about the precious promises found in God’s Word. These Truths from God’s Word encourage me, and I pray they will be an encouragement to you, too! As I pray God’s Word, fear, doubt, and discouragement leave and His peace renews my heart and mind. As I experience His peace, I recognize when I have been held captive by controlling thoughts. As I stand in agreement with God, saying the same thing God says about my specific thoughts, I see the lies I have believed as wallpaper in my mind. 

I ask God to help me tear down the lies wallpapering my mind and re-wallpaper my mind with the Truth of God’s Word, to starve the flesh and feed the Spirit. I ask God to help me see situations in my life the way He sees them. The more I see the way God sees, I become saturated with the favor of God, seeing His view of me through the blood of Christ, I become favor-minded, re-wallpapering my mind with Truth.

You are who God says you are…

In Christ, you are...

BLESSED with every spiritual blessing, 
ACCEPTED in the Beloved Son of God, 
ADOPTED as a child of the King, 
CHOSEN before the foundation of the world, 
REDEEMED by His Blood, 
FORGIVEN by His Grace, 
LOVED with an everlasting love, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

When you feel betrayed, God says: You are BLESSED
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Ephesians 1:3)

When you feel ignored, God says: You are ACCEPTED
"According to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:5-6)

When you feel abandoned, God says: You are ADOPTED
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. (Ephesians 1:4-5)

When you feel inadequate, God says: You are CHOSEN
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” (Ephesians 1:4)

When you feel rejected, God says: You are REDEEMED
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us.” (Ephesians 1:7-8)

When you feel condemned, God says: You are FORGIVEN
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us.” (Ephesians 1:7-8)

When you feel forgotten, God says: You are LOVED
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” (Ephesians 1:4)  “The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3) “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” (Deuteronomy 33:27) “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” (Isa. 49:15-16)

When you feel insecure, God says: You are SECURE
“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders” (Deut. 33:12).

When you feel worthless, God says: You are CALLED
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Pet. 2:9)

When you feel unloved, God says: You are PRECIOUS and I LOVE YOU
“You are precious and honored in my sight, and . . . I love you” (Isa. 43:4). "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

When you feel unable or unstable, God says: You are ABLE
“The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!” (Hab. 3:19).

When you feel it’s impossible, God says: ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE
"Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God” (Luke 18:27)

When you feel exhausted, God says: I WILL GIVE YOU REST
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

When you feel you can’t go on, God says: MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT
"But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

When you feel you don’t know what to do, God says: I WILL DIRECT YOUR STEPS
"Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

When you feel you can’t go on, God says: YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS
"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)

When you feel it’s not worth it, God says: IT WILL BE WORTH IT
"We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28)

When you feel you can’t forgive yourself, God says: I FORGIVE YOU
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

When you feel you can’t manage, God says: I WILL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEEDS
"God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 4:19)

When you feel worried and frustrated, God says: CAST YOUR CARE ON ME
"Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”(1 Peter 5:7)

When you don’t know what to do, God says: I WILL GIVE YOU WISDOM
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

When you feel all alone, God says: I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deut.31:6)

Lord Jesus, Thank You for this encouraging Truth from Your Word, that in Christ, we are who You say we are. Thank You for the free gift of salvation, that we are justified on the basis of Your finished work on the Cross. Thank You that, right now, we are under the completely sufficient imputed righteousness of Christ. Because we have placed our trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ, we are redeemed by Your precious blood. The threat of failure, judgment, and condemnation has been removed. Knowing that God’s love for us and approval of us will never be determined by our performance is the most encouraging promise to which we cling—what great things You have done! We love You, Lord. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

Look Up—meditate on Ephesians 1 …pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

Look In—as you meditate on Ephesians 1 …pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."

Look Out—as you meditate on Ephesians 1…pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.

The Truth of God’s Word

 As I pray God’s Word, fear, doubt, and discouragement leave and His peace renews my heart and mind. As I experience His peace, I recognize when I have been held captive by controlling thoughts. As I stand in agreement with God, saying the same thing God says about my specific thoughts, I see the lies I have believed as wallpaper in my mind. 

.

I ask God to help me tear down the lies wallpapering my mind and re-wallpaper my mind with the Truth of God’s Word, to starve the flesh and feed the Spirit. I ask God to help me see situations in my life the way He sees them. The more I see the way God sees, I become saturated with the favor of God, seeing His view of me through the blood of Christ, I become favor-minded, re-wallpapering my mind with Truth.

.

When you feel rejected, God says: You are ACCEPTED

"According to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. (Eph. 1:5-6)

.

When you feel abandoned, God says: You are ADOPTED

“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. (Eph. 1:4-5)

.

When you feel betrayed, God says: You are BLESSED

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” (Eph. 1:3) 

.

When you feel inadequate, God says: You are CHOSEN

“You are my witnesses,’ declares the Lord, ‘and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he” (Isa. 43:10). “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him.” (Eph. 1:4)

.

When you feel afraid, God says: You are REDEEMED

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isa. 43:1).

.

When you feel condemned, God says: You are FORGIVEN

 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us.” (Eph. 1:7-8)

.

When you feel forgotten, God says: You are REMEMBERED

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” (Isa. 49:15-16)

.

When you feel insecure, God says: You are SECURE

“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders” (Deut. 33:12).

.

When you feel worthless, God says: You are CALLED

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Pet. 2:9)

.

When you feel unloved, God says: You are PRECIOUS and I LOVE YOU

“You are precious and honored in my sight, and . . . I love you” (Isa. 43:4). "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

.

When you feel unable or unstable, God says: You are ABLE

“The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!” (Hab. 3:19).

.

When you feel it’s impossible, God says: ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

"Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God” (Luke 18:27)

.

When you feel exhausted, God says: I WILL GIVE YOU REST

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

.

When you feel you can’t go on, God says: MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT

"But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

.

When you feel you don’t know what to do, God says: I WILL DIRECT YOUR STEPS

"Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

.

When you feel you can’t go on, God says: YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS

"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)

.

When you feel it’s not worth it, God says: IT WILL BE WORTH IT

"We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28)

.

When you feel you can’t forgive yourself, God says: I FORGIVE YOU

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

.

When you feel you can’t manage, God says: I WILL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEEDS

"God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 4:19)

.

When you feel worried and frustrated, God says: CAST YOUR CARE ON ME

"Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.”(1 Peter 5:7)

.

When you don’t know what to do, God says: I WILL GIVE YOU WISDOM

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

.

When you feel all alone, God says: I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deut.31:6)

.

Lord Jesus, Thank You for this encouraging Truth from Your Word, that in Christ, we are who You say we are. Thank You for the free gift of salvation, that we are justified on the basis of Your finished work on the Cross. Thank You that, right now, we are under the completely sufficient imputed righteousness of Christ. Because we have placed our trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ, we are redeemed by Your precious blood. The threat of failure, judgment, and condemnation has been removed. Knowing that God’s love for us and approval of us will never be determined by our performance is the most encouraging promise to which we cling—what great things You have done! We love You, Lord. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

.

Look Up—meditate on Ephesians 1 …pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

.

Look In—as you meditate on Ephesians 1 …pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."

.

Look Out—as you meditate on Ephesians 1…pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.

Name Above All Names: Devotions for Lent--Truth

artwork by Krista Hamrick

John 14:6 …

NASB: Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Amplified: Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Expanded: Jesus answered, “I am ·the way, and the truth, and the life [orthe one true way to have life]. ·The only way to the Father is through me [^LNo one comes to the Father except through me].

J. B. Phillips: “I myself am the road,” replied Jesus, “and the truth and the life. No one approaches the Father except through me.”

The Message: Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me.”

Pastor F. B. Meyer writes: "I am the Way," said our Lord. Each day, as we leave our home, we know that the prepared path lies before us, in the good works which God has prepared for us to walk in. And when we are ignorant of their direction, and are at a loss as to where to place our steps, we have only to concern ourselves with Christ, and almost unconsciously we shall find ourselves making progress in the destined way. Christ is the Way: love Christ, trust Christ, obey Christ, be concerned with Christ, and all else will be added. Christ is the Way. When the heart is wrapped up in Him, it is on the way, and it is making progress, although it never counts the rate or distance, so occupied is it with Him. To be wrapped up in the love of Christ is to make ever deeper discoveries into the heart of God. He is the Way to God: to know Him is to come to the Father. We fully know truth only as it is in Jesus. When the Spirit of Truth would lead us into all truth, He can do nothing better than take of the things of Christ, and reveal them to us, because to know Christ is to know the truth in its most complete, most convenient, and most accessible form. If you know Christ intimately and fully, even if you know nothing else, you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. If you love truth, and are a child of the truth, you will be inevitably attracted to Christ, and recognize the truth that speaks through his glorious nature. Distinguish between Christ the Truth, and truth about Him. Many true things may be said about Him; but we are not saved by truths about Him, but by Himself, the Truth. To know Him is to be at the fountain-head of all truth; and the soul which has dwelt with Him by day and night will find itself not only inspired by an undying love for the true, but able to hold fellowship with truth-lovers and truth-seekers everywhere; nay, will be able even to instruct those who have the reputation of great learning and knowledge in the schools of human thought. "I give eternal life unto my sheep," He said, "and they shall never perish." "He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life." If, then, you are wanting life, and life more abundantly, you must have Christ. Do not seek it, but Him: not the stream, but the fountain; not the word, but the speaker; not the fruit, but the tree. He is the Life and Light of men. And if you have Christ, you have life. You may not be competent to define or analyze it; you may not be able to specify the place or time when it first broke into your soul; you may hardly be able to distinguish it from the workings of your own life: but if you have Christ, trust Christ, desire Christ above all, you have the Life. "I," said Jesus, "am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

Pastor John Gill writes: “Christ is not merely the way, as he goes before his people as an example; or merely as a prophet, pointing out unto them by his doctrine the way of salvation; but he is the way of salvation itself by his obedience and sacrifice; nor is there any other; he is the way of his Father's appointing, and which is entirely agreeable to the perfections of God, and suitable to the case and condition of sinners; he is the way to all the blessings of the covenant of grace; and he is the right way into a Gospel church state here; no one comes rightly into a church of Christ but by faith in him; and he is the way to heaven: he is entered into it himself by his own blood, and has opened the way to it through himself for his people: he adds, he is not only true, but truth itself: this may regard his person and character; he is the true God, and eternal life; truly and really man; as a prophet he taught the way of God in truth; as a priest, he is a faithful, as well as a merciful one, true and faithful to him that appointed him; and as a King, just and true are all his ways and administrations: he is the sum and substance of all the truths of the Gospel; they are all full of him, and center in him; and he is the truth of all the types and shadows, promises and prophecies of the Old Testament; they have all their accomplishment in him; and he is the true way, in opposition to all false ones of man's devising. Christ is the author and giver of life, natural, spiritual, and eternal.'

Pastor Wil Pounds writes: “Jesus Christ is the full, final, and complete revelation of God. Jesus is the truth. “I myself am the truth.” “I and I alone, and no one else am the truth.” Jesus is the actual embodiment of the truth. He is the authoritative representative and revealer of God. He hears what the Father says and does what the Father tells Him to do (5:19; 8:29). You can paraphrase John 14:6, “I am the way that reveals the truth (about God) and gives life (to people).”  Jesus Christ is the very reality of all God’s grace toward us sinners. Grace and truth could not merely be given. It actually came through the living person of Jesus Christ. The truth is found in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the truth. Truth is God’s very reality revealing itself in Jesus. Truth is knowledge of God through Jesus Christ. To have the Truth is to have eternal life (17:3). Have you humbled yourself and bowed down before Him who is the Truth—eternal Truth? The emphasis in this great statement is not just truth as opposed to a lie, reality as opposed to mere illusion, but His faithfulness, reliability, trustworthiness, sureness. Jesus Christ is the "God of truth" (Ps. 31:5; Isa. 65:16). Absolute truth is characteristic of God, and it is only as we know God that we know truth. It includes the complete reliability and the complete integrity of God. He will certainly act in accordance with the highest conceivable integrity and righteousness. The emphasis is on the fact that you can know Him so clearly that it may be said you see Him. The work of the Holy Spirit is to take the things of Christ and show them to the believer. Do you seek the truth? “Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me” (v. 11). “Believe that the Father is in Me and I in Him” (10:38). What is our response? “And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life” (1 John 5:20). Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life.”

Pastor John MacArthur writes: “Jesus says , "I am the way, the truth, and the life." We don't need to know how to get to heaven; Jesus is coming to get us. We are to trust Him. He is the way. When the right time comes, He will take us by the hand and lead us right to the Father's house. If you were to go into a strange town and ask for directions, it would be better if someone told you to follow him instead of having him explain how to get to your destination. That's what Jesus is going to do. Instead of giving us directions, He will take us to the Father's house. Don't worry about what will happen at death or the Rapture. Jesus will come back for you. Do you trust Him in death? Do you trust Him? What if you die, do you trust Him? Are you ready to just die and He'll just take you? Do you believe Him for that? He says to those disciples, "Trust Me, I'll bring you. Trust Me, Jesus says, “You don't need a map, I'm the way, the truth and the life. I am the way to the Father, I am the truth whether in this world or the world to come. I am the life that is eternal. It's all in Christ. He's everything a man needs. Everything Adam lost, you regain in Jesus Christ. Trust Me, trust My presence, trust My promises, trust My person, I'm the way. No matter how bad it looks, there's comfort because you can trust Him. Jesus then finished off this statement by saying this, "And no man cometh unto the Father but by Me."  You may have heard about heaven and about the comfort that comes by trusting Christ, but you will never be there, you will never go there because the only way to get there is through faith in Jesus Christ and you've never put your faith in Jesus Christ. Disaster of all disasters. “No man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” Don't take another breath until you've invited Jesus Christ to come into your life to be your Savior and your escort into the presence of the Father.”

Heavenly Father, we thank You for teaching us trust. We thank You that Jesus Christ is so worthy of our trust. We want to tell You we trust You. Thank You for comforting us with these words. Thank You for saying You'd always be with us, Your presence. Thank You for the promise that You're up there getting it ready for us. Thank You for the wonderful fact of Your person, that You are the way that after we die and leave this world or are taken in the Rapture, You're our personal escort. We don't need to have a chart or a map, You're the way, You're the truth and You're the life. We thank You for that. Thank you for your wonder-working power! I once was locked in a prison of darkness to Your truth and light. Thank You for shining the light of Your truth into my heart and freeing me from sin. Please use me to share the truth about Your great power with others who need to know true freedom in Christ. In Your mighty Name Above All Names—the Way, the Truth, and the Life, we pray, amen.

Look Up—meditate on John 14:6  pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

Look In—as you meditate on John 14:6  pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."

Look Out—as you meditate on John 14:6 pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.

* If you liked this post, you'll love this page -- Name Above All Names: Devotions for Lent

* If you liked this post you’ll love this book – Name Above All Names Devotional: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ

How this book came to be...

Krista Hamrick’s beautiful original art print, Name Above All Names Alphabet, has so inspired me. Each of the 26 individual Names she has identified are so special, as Krista has intricately painted, almost like stained glass windows, each one with its Scripture reference. Krista has said, “This is probably the painting that I have most enjoyed researching, designing, redesigning and painting. Beth Willis Miller has expanded upon each name with devotional word studies. By knowing, believing and trusting who God says He is, we can be confident in who He has created us to be.” I so agree with Krista! 

My heart has been drawn to do a word study for each of the names included in her art print. Krista and I felt led to publish our Name Above All Names Devotional: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ …available now on Amazon as a softcover book and as a Kindle book at this link. 

Combining the beauty of Krista's artistic excellence with these word study devotionals is perfect for individual quiet reflection or small group Bible studies focusing on the Name Above All Names—Jesus Christ—and His attributes and characteristics.

Review by Michele Morin: “The infinite variety in nature, the curious complexity of human behavior, the synchronicity of multiple systems in our own anatomy — and in the solar system — all point, through general revelation, to the nature of God: multi-faceted, magnificent, and yet mysterious. Special revelation in Scripture picks up where creation leaves off, and Beth Willis Miller has teamed up with artist Krista Hamrick to focus on twenty-six pieces of evidence in Name Above All Names Devotional: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ. The result is an alphabetical collection that resembles a twenty-six sided gem, each facet reflecting a slightly different hue of the nature of God the Son. From Alpha and Omega to King of Zion, each devotional highlights the Scriptural basis for the name in multiple translations and then provides commentary on the verses. Beth applies the truth and then invites her readers to join her in a prayer that turns the truth into a paean of praise. No mere academic exercise, the point of Name Above All Names Devotional is threefold:

Look up – Meditate on the name and what it reveals about the character of God.

Look in – I am propelled to ask galvanizing questions about my discoveries: “Because God is ___________________, I should therefore _______________.”

Look out – Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.

With full-color art work and space for notes, Name Above All Names Devotional is a treasure for devotional reading, a resource for serious study, and a thoughtful and inspiring gift for loved ones.” (review by Michele Morin)
Weekly LinkUps…

Truth

artwork by Krista Hamrick

It is so energizing and exciting to participate in #Write31days, an online writing challenge where writers pick one topic and write a post on that topic every day in the month of October. Within the #Write31days category of Inspiration & Faith, I chose to focus on the topic of the Name Above All Names every day for 31 days. You can view each of my daily posts at this landing page.


Krista Hamrick’s beautiful original art print, Name Above All Names Alphabet, has so inspired me. Each of the 26 individual Names she has identified are so special, as Krista has intricately painted, almost like stained glass windows, each one with its Scripture reference.

My heart has been drawn to do a word study for each of the names included in her art print. Krista and I felt led to publish our Name Above All Names Devotional: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ …available on Amazon at this link.

I was inspired by Stephen Curtis Chapman’s anointed hymn, Amen, while studying John 14:6 …

NASB: Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Amplified: Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Expanded: Jesus answered, “I am ·the way, and the truth, and the life [orthe one true way to have life]. ·The only way to the Father is through me [^LNo one comes to the Father except through me].

J. B. Phillips: “I myself am the road,” replied Jesus, “and the truth and the life. No one approaches the Father except through me.”

The Message: Jesus said, “I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me.”

Pastor F. B. Meyer writes: "I am the Way," said our Lord. Each day, as we leave our home, we know that the prepared path lies before us, in the good works which God has prepared for us to walk in. And when we are ignorant of their direction, and are at a loss as to where to place our steps, we have only to concern ourselves with Christ, and almost unconsciously we shall find ourselves making progress in the destined way. Christ is the Way: love Christ, trust Christ, obey Christ, be concerned with Christ, and all else will be added. Christ is the Way. When the heart is wrapped up in Him, it is on the way, and it is making progress, although it never counts the rate or distance, so occupied is it with Him. To be wrapped up in the love of Christ is to make ever deeper discoveries into the heart of God. He is the Way to God: to know Him is to come to the Father. We fully know truth only as it is in Jesus. When the Spirit of Truth would lead us into all truth, He can do nothing better than take of the things of Christ, and reveal them to us, because to know Christ is to know the truth in its most complete, most convenient, and most accessible form. If you know Christ intimately and fully, even if you know nothing else, you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. If you love truth, and are a child of the truth, you will be inevitably attracted to Christ, and recognize the truth that speaks through his glorious nature. Distinguish between Christ the Truth, and truth about Him. Many true things may be said about Him; but we are not saved by truths about Him, but by Himself, the Truth. To know Him is to be at the fountain-head of all truth; and the soul which has dwelt with Him by day and night will find itself not only inspired by an undying love for the true, but able to hold fellowship with truth-lovers and truth-seekers everywhere; nay, will be able even to instruct those who have the reputation of great learning and knowledge in the schools of human thought. "I give eternal life unto my sheep," He said, "and they shall never perish." "He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life." If, then, you are wanting life, and life more abundantly, you must have Christ. Do not seek it, but Him: not the stream, but the fountain; not the word, but the speaker; not the fruit, but the tree. He is the Life and Light of men. And if you have Christ, you have life. You may not be competent to define or analyze it; you may not be able to specify the place or time when it first broke into your soul; you may hardly be able to distinguish it from the workings of your own life: but if you have Christ, trust Christ, desire Christ above all, you have the Life. "I," said Jesus, "am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."

Pastor John Gill writes: “Christ is not merely the way, as he goes before his people as an example; or merely as a prophet, pointing out unto them by his doctrine the way of salvation; but he is the way of salvation itself by his obedience and sacrifice; nor is there any other; he is the way of his Father's appointing, and which is entirely agreeable to the perfections of God, and suitable to the case and condition of sinners; he is the way to all the blessings of the covenant of grace; and he is the right way into a Gospel church state here; no one comes rightly into a church of Christ but by faith in him; and he is the way to heaven: he is entered into it himself by his own blood, and has opened the way to it through himself for his people: he adds, he is not only true, but truth itself: this may regard his person and character; he is the true God, and eternal life; truly and really man; as a prophet he taught the way of God in truth; as a priest, he is a faithful, as well as a merciful one, true and faithful to him that appointed him; and as a King, just and true are all his ways and administrations: he is the sum and substance of all the truths of the Gospel; they are all full of him, and center in him; and he is the truth of all the types and shadows, promises and prophecies of the Old Testament; they have all their accomplishment in him; and he is the true way, in opposition to all false ones of man's devising. Christ is the author and giver of life, natural, spiritual, and eternal.'

Pastor Wil Pounds writes: “Jesus Christ is the full, final, and complete revelation of God. Jesus is the truth. “I myself am the truth.” “I and I alone, and no one else am the truth.” Jesus is the actual embodiment of the truth. He is the authoritative representative and revealer of God. He hears what the Father says and does what the Father tells Him to do (5:19; 8:29). You can paraphrase John 14:6, “I am the way that reveals the truth (about God) and gives life (to people).”  Jesus Christ is the very reality of all God’s grace toward us sinners. Grace and truth could not merely be given. It actually came through the living person of Jesus Christ. The truth is found in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the truth. Truth is God’s very reality revealing itself in Jesus. Truth is knowledge of God through Jesus Christ. To have the Truth is to have eternal life (17:3). Have you humbled yourself and bowed down before Him who is the Truth—eternal Truth? The emphasis in this great statement is not just truth as opposed to a lie, reality as opposed to mere illusion, but His faithfulness, reliability, trustworthiness, sureness. Jesus Christ is the "God of truth" (Ps. 31:5; Isa. 65:16). Absolute truth is characteristic of God, and it is only as we know God that we know truth. It includes the complete reliability and the complete integrity of God. He will certainly act in accordance with the highest conceivable integrity and righteousness. The emphasis is on the fact that you can know Him so clearly that it may be said you see Him. The work of the Holy Spirit is to take the things of Christ and show them to the believer. Do you seek the truth? “Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me” (v. 11). “Believe that the Father is in Me and I in Him” (10:38). What is our response? “And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life” (1 John 5:20). Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life.”

Pastor John MacArthur writes: “Jesus says , "I am the way, the truth, and the life." We don't need to know how to get to heaven; Jesus is coming to get us. We are to trust Him. He is the way. When the right time comes, He will take us by the hand and lead us right to the Father's house. If you were to go into a strange town and ask for directions, it would be better if someone told you to follow him instead of having him explain how to get to your destination. That's what Jesus is going to do. Instead of giving us directions, He will take us to the Father's house. Don't worry about what will happen at death or the Rapture. Jesus will come back for you. Do you trust Him in death? Do you trust Him? What if you die, do you trust Him? Are you ready to just die and He'll just take you? Do you believe Him for that? He says to those disciples, "Trust Me, I'll bring you. Trust Me, Jesus says, “You don't need a map, I'm the way, the truth and the life. I am the way to the Father, I am the truth whether in this world or the world to come. I am the life that is eternal. It's all in Christ. He's everything a man needs. Everything Adam lost, you regain in Jesus Christ. Trust Me, trust My presence, trust My promises, trust My person, I'm the way. No matter how bad it looks, there's comfort because you can trust Him. Jesus then finished off this statement by saying this, "And no man cometh unto the Father but by Me."  You may have heard about heaven and about the comfort that comes by trusting Christ, but you will never be there, you will never go there because the only way to get there is through faith in Jesus Christ and you've never put your faith in Jesus Christ. Disaster of all disasters. “No man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” Don't take another breath until you've invited Jesus Christ to come into your life to be your Savior and your escort into the presence of the Father.”

Heavenly Father, we thank You for teaching us trust. We thank You that Jesus Christ is so worthy of our trust. We want to tell You we trust You. Thank You for comforting us with these words. Thank You for saying You'd always be with us, Your presence. Thank You for the promise that You're up there getting it ready for us. Thank You for the wonderful fact of Your person, that You are the way that after we die and leave this world or are taken in the Rapture, You're our personal escort. We don't need to have a chart or a map, You're the way, You're the truth and You're the life. We thank You for that. Thank you for your wonder-working power! I once was locked in a prison of darkness to Your truth and light. Thank You for shining the light of Your truth into my heart and freeing me from sin. Please use me to share the truth about Your great power with others who need to know true freedom in Christ. In Your mighty Name Above All Names—the Way, the Truth, and the Life, we pray, amen.

Look Up—meditate on John 14:6  pray to see what it reveals about the character of God.

Look In—as you meditate on John 14:6  pray to see how you might apply it to your life. Be propelled to ask galvanizing questions about your discoveries: "Because God is_________, I will_____________."

Look Out—as you meditate on John 14:6 pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others. Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.


* If you liked this post you’ll love this book – Name Above All Names Devotional: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ

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