Daily Power #64

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Rom. 10:13)

What people call me clearly reveals how well they know me—or if they know me at all. When I answer my phone and hear, “Hello, Mr. Gressshull, I’m seeking donations for our community kids’ fund,” I know right away that this person doesn’t know me because they don’t even know how to pronounce my name!

Or if my wife and I are in a restaurant, I give the hostess our name and then wait for a table. After a few minutes, the hostess calls out, “Grow-SHELL? Party of two? Your table’s ready.” The hostess knows my name and how to pronounce it, but she still doesn’t know me.

If you call me “Pastor Craig,” then that means you know a little bit about me. Maybe you’ve been to our church and you’ve heard me preach. If you call me “Craig,” like many friends do, then you probably have shaken my hand and talked with me about something important.

But if you call me “Groesch,” then it means we’ve been friends for a long time. We’ve got shared stories to tell. We go way back and know each other really well. There’s familiarity and depth of relationship.

What you call God reflects what you believe about him. If to you, he’s the “big man” or the “guy upstairs,” you probably don’t know him well. But as you draw close to him, he may become “Father,” “Shepherd,” “Provider,” or “Friend.” He becomes your refuge, your shelter, your redeemer, your savior, your righteousness, your rock, and so much more.

What name do you use for God? What name do you want to use?

Power Lift

Thank you, God, that I can have a personal relationship with you through your Son, Jesus Christ. Today I want to spend extra time getting to know you better.