IT REALLY MAKES ME WONDER

It seems in today's society, people accept talking about God. Well, most anyway(s).

"Thank God." "I pray to God..." "The Man upstairs," even "a higher power" can be spoken without people feeling uncomfortable.

In fact, people accept, again for the most part, the term Christ. "When Christ returns" or "He is a saint; he's almost Christ-like," can be said without people squirming or dropping eye contact.

But mention Jesus, and people change. They will stiffen, bow their neck, paw the ground. Even telling them that you're a church-goer, or telling them you're a Christian will not have the same effect. Tell them you're a follower of Jesus. Don't even add Christ. Just Jesus. For them to think that you're on a personal or first name basis with Him scares them.

"No Other Name But the Name of Jesus;" "I'd Rather Have Jesus than Anything;"

"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus --There's Something About that Name," and a ton of other hymns and praise songs about how precious the name of Jesus is lifts my spirit. And to think that I am on first name basis with him is not brash thinking on my part--it's His desire. John 10:14 tells us, that Jesus is the good shepherd, that He knows His sheep and His sheep know Him. What's more is that He lay down His life for His sheep. If we are His sheep, we are on a first name basis, praise the Lord.

1Peter 4:16 reveals to us that "as a Christian, do not be ashamed". If we were on first name basis with the governor or senator from our state, if we were on a first name basis with the President, we'd feel honored. How about first name basis with the name above all names-- the King of all Kings!