When you love someone, you want to learn what pleases them…and what displeases them.

The same is true for our Savior and King, Yeshua the Messiah, or Jesus Christ.

Many of you already know that the Hebrew name for Jesus is Yehoshua, or Yeshua in its shortened form.

Many of you also know that Jesus is a transliteration of Yeshua in Hebrew to Iesous in Greek and later Jesus after the letter ‘J’ was added to the English language in the 1500’s.

We also know the importance God places on names in both Old and New Testaments.

So here’s my question for serious contemplation and conversation…

What if…Just what if…Jesus doesn’t like being called Jesus just as a man named Michael doesn’t like being called Michelle…and vice versa? Both Michael and Michelle have the same meaning, but they aren’t the same name.

Nor, do we call Joshua of the Old Testament Jesus, as both names have the same meaning, but they aren’t the same name.

If companies will sue over misuse of their name…is it possible that Yeshua wants to be called Yeshua. God introduced Himself to the world through the Hebrew people… not a race, but a faith He created as His own people.

Is it our place to tell our Savior what He wants to be called? When we refer to foreign leaders, do we translate or transliterate their name, or do we refer to them in their particular language?

How do people abroad refer to Barak Obama, Donald Trump, or Joe Biden?

If we REALLY love God through His Son as we claim, shouldn’t we at least consider it?

The truth is that it’s possible for millions of sincere people to believe the WRONG thing.

I’m not asking this question with my mind made up that using the name Jesus is wrong. I just feel if we really want to ‘get to know Him and please Him that we should continually refine our faith and relationships.

In how many different ways will He feel we haven’t tried to get to know Him…

Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV)

^{21 (A)}“Not everyone who ^(B)says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will ^(C)enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who ^(D)does the will of my Father who is in heaven.^{22 (E)}On that day ^(F)many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not ^(G)prophesy in your name, and cast out demons ^(H)in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ ^{23 (I)}And then will I declare to them, ‘I ^(J)never knew you; ^(K)depart from me, ^(L)you workers of lawlessness.’

It’s the same as wondering how does He feel about people using the Roman symbol of His execution to represent Him…but that’s another discussion.

Think about it. Talk about it.

BE BLESSTIFIED!

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One of the best ways for a teacher to establish his or her classroom culture and expectations is by modeling that behavior.

The tone of our culture troubles me.

Our society has legitimized a culture of insults, profanity, retaliation, and foolishness.

This behavior is being modeled by too many of our leaders , while being justified, excused, ignored and mimicked by their supporters.

People are so impressed by ‘keeping it real’, telling it like it is, adolescent humor, indecency and avoiding being Politically Correct that many have lost the value of exercising Emotional Intelligence, tact, kindness and restraint.

Too many people see being loud, proud, obnoxious and visceral as strength, while seeing meekness, humility and patience as weakness.

Our children are having this negative behavior modeled every day.

Even in our movies, we feel the ‘bullied nerd’ is weak until he or she stands up to the bully violently.

Remember, Yeshua Himself said don’t repay evil with evil, but turn the other cheek. He said don’t resist an evil person (unless of course your life is threatened). But of course, striking back if someone slaps you isn’t about self-defense, but pride. Returning an insult with an insult is about pride.

Matthew 5:39 (NKJV)

³⁹ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

The picture below was posted in a community Facebook group. The poster was complaining about this behavior, but many adults were celebrating trespassing, nudity and indecency. When the Lord said ‘turn the other cheek’, this isn’t what He was talking about…👇🏼

It’s possible some of the same people who celebrated this, also frown on this foolishness 👇🏾👇🏼

Do you think God approves of either?

Adults who call themselves disciples of Christ are going to have to do a better job of setting the example of walking in the Fruit of the Spirit, which the world sees as weakness.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ^23 [a]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

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Our children are learning to fight instead of keep the peace…

They’re learning to argue instead of reason…

They are learning to place blame and accuse instead of looking for solutions…

They’re learning to hate instead of love…

They are learning to make excuses to satisfy their will instead of God’s will.

Could many of our childish adults be the children who were spoiled when they were growing up? It’s time to stop the erosion of decorum in leadership.

Grown folks! We have got to do better.

BE BLESSTIFIED!