Wednesday, February 14, 2007

The Name Above All Names

For a couple years while I was in college, I met weekly with 3 other friends to memorize Scripture. The first passage we memorized was Philippians 2:1-11:

     If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

     Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

     Who, being in very nature God,
          did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
     but made Himself nothing,
          taking the very nature of a servant,
          being made in human likeness.
     And being found in appearance as a man,
          He humbled Himself
          and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!
     Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place
          and gave Him the name that is above every other name,
     that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
          in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
     and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
          to the glory of God the Father.
I've been reminded of this passage recently (along with Acts 4:12 - "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."), when hearing a new Phillips Craig and Dean song, titled "Your Name." The song, which was written by Paul Baloche, features the following lyrics:
As morning dawns and evening fades
You inspire songs of praise
That rise from earth to touch Your heart
And glorify Your Name

Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
'Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your Name

Jesus, in Your Name we pray
Come and fill our hearts today
Lord, give us strength to live for You
And glorify Your Name

Your Name is a strong and mighty tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name, let the nations sing it louder
'Cause nothing has the power to save
But Your Name
You can listen to different full versions of the song at the artists' respective myspace pages: Phillips Craig and Dean or Paul Baloche. Click on the "Your Name" link in the song lists to the right side of the pages.

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