[Matthew 1:24-25] "Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus."

There is power in the name of Jesus!  However, the power is not in saying words, but in understanding, believing, and having faith in all that the name of Jesus Christ signifies. His name represents His finished work on the cross. Fulfilling God's plan of redemption and salvation, victory over sin, death, and over the devil's entire realm. It is by faith in this name above all names, the name of Jesus Christ, that people are saved, set free from bondage, healed of sickness and disease, and made whole. There is no other name under heaven more powerful!  This week, call on His name for anything you may need and believe!

[Matthew 24:4] "And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you."

We live in a culture that teaches us we have to pander to trends and other ideals that contradict the word of God.  If we do not, we risk becoming irrelevant or could potentially offend someone.  We can't mirror culture in order to achieve the goal of gaining bigger church crowds, offerings, or egos.  As Jesus states, "We must never be deceived" by ourselves, others, or the enemy.  This week, guard yourself from anything that steers you away from the truth of God.

[Matthew 6:8]  "Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him."

​It's incredible to think that we have a Father in Heaven who knows what we need before we can even speak the words.  He knows everything about us: our today, tomorrow, inside, and out... He sees it all!  Yet, we sometimes allow doubt and worry to creep in when life's circumstances become overwhelming.  Winston Churchill said it best: "When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened."  This week, rest in our all knowing Father who has your past, present and future in His hands!  

​[Isaiah 58:12] "Those from among you shall build the old waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In."  

The first definition for breach is an act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct. If we look around our society today, there has been a breakdown of relations with God because of the church's failure, as a body, to live up to the code of conduct as a believer.  Spiritually "a repairer of breaches" is one who restores the right way.  We have influence over those around us with our words and actions.  We can repair and rebuild walls that culture has built by upholding the values set forth by the word of God.  This week, repair and restore! Don't break down!