Jesus: The Name Above All Names

The name Jesus, meaning “The Lord Saves,” is the name above all names. It encapsulates the purpose of His coming. To rescue humanity from sin and reconcile us to God.

I often reflect on the simplicity and power of this name. Whether in moments of worship or times of desperation, calling on Jesus has brought peace, strength, and clarity. His name is not just a word… it’s a declaration of hope and salvation.

The Power of His Name: At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that He is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).

The Purpose of His Name: Jesus came to seek and save the lost, offering redemption to all who call on Him (Luke 19:10).

The Promise of His Name: In His name, we find forgiveness, healing, and eternal life (Acts 4:12).

Calling on the name of Jesus invites us into a relationship with the Savior who loves us and gave Himself for us.


Reflection Questions

  1. What does the name Jesus mean to you personally?
  2. How can calling on His name bring peace and hope to your daily life?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the name of Jesus, the name above all names. Teach me to live in the power and purpose of Your name, sharing the hope of salvation with others. Help Kneel Ministries glorify Your name in all we do. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

True Love Is a Choice, Not Just a Feeling

When I was younger, I thought love was all about feelings. The butterflies, the excitement, the romance. And while those things are beautiful, they’re not what true love is built on. Over the years, I’ve learned that love is more about choice than emotion.

Marriage taught me that love isn’t always easy. There were days when the feelings weren’t strong, but the commitment had to be. True love means choosing patience when you’re frustrated, kindness when you’re hurt, and forgiveness when you’re wronged. It means showing up every day, even when it’s hard.

I didn’t fully understand this until my marriage ended. The pain of divorce opened my eyes to what love really is, and what it isn’t. Love isn’t selfish or conditional. It’s not about getting what you want; it’s about giving selflessly, just as Christ gave for us.

Now, as I navigate singleness again, I’m approaching love differently. I’m not looking for someone who just makes me feel good; I’m looking for someone who is willing to choose love daily… through the good and the bad. And I want to be that kind of person, too.

The ultimate example of love is Jesus. His love wasn’t based on feelings; it was a choice. He chose to leave heaven, to serve, to sacrifice, and to forgive. His love wasn’t easy, but it was perfect.

If you’re in a relationship, I encourage you to ask yourself: Are you choosing love, even when it’s hard? And if you’re single, take this time to prepare your heart to love like Jesus. True love isn’t about finding the right person; it’s about becoming the right person.


Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me what true love looks like through Jesus. Help me to love others with patience, kindness, and selflessness. Whether I’m in a relationship or preparing for one, guide me to love as You do. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

El Chay: The Living God

El Chay, “The Living God,” distinguishes the one true God from lifeless idols. This name emphasizes that God is active, present, and engaged with His people. He is not distant or silent. He is alive and moving in the world today.

There was a moment in my life when I questioned if God was really working in my circumstances. It was during a season of silence when I desperately wanted to hear from Him. Then, in a quiet but undeniable way, He reminded me of His presence. El Chay is not just a name. It’s a reality I’ve experienced.

God Is Active: Unlike idols that are powerless, El Chay is living and powerful, always at work in His creation.

God Is Present: El Chay assures us that God is not far off but near, walking with us through every circumstance.

God Brings Life: As the Living God, He breathes life into us spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

Calling on El Chay reminds us that we serve a God who is alive and intimately involved in every detail of our lives.


Reflection Questions

  1. How does knowing El Chay as the Living God strengthen your faith?
  2. Where have you seen evidence of God’s active presence in your life?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being El Chay, the Living God who walks with me every day. Teach me to trust in Your active presence and to live in the confidence of Your power. Help Kneel Ministries guide others to experience Your life-giving presence. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Depression

There was a time after the divorce when the nights felt unbearable. I’d lie awake, replaying everything in my mind, questioning what I could’ve done differently. The weight of loneliness and failure pressed down on me, and some days, it felt like I was just going through the motions.

I never thought I’d struggle with depression. As a pastor, I’d counseled others through it, reminding them of God’s promises and faithfulness. But when it hit me, I realized how isolating it could feel. Even though I knew God was with me, there were moments when it was hard to believe it.

What helped me most was being honest, with God, with myself, and with those I trusted. I stopped pretending everything was fine and started pouring out my heart to the Lord. I also leaned on the people who cared about me, like Samantha and kiddo, who reminded me that I wasn’t alone.

Slowly, God began to renew my hope. He didn’t magically erase the pain, but He gave me strength for each day. Through prayer, Scripture, and even counseling, I discovered that depression doesn’t define me, God’s love does.

If you’re struggling, know this: you’re not weak or unfaithful. You’re human. And the God who created you sees your pain and wants to carry you through it.


Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for being close to the brokenhearted. When life feels overwhelming, remind me of Your presence and fill me with Your peace. Help me to trust You even in the darkest moments. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Becoming the Right Person

For years, I thought a successful relationship was about finding the right person, someone who fit my list of ideals and brought out the best in me. But over time, I’ve learned that a healthy relationship starts with becoming the right person, not just finding them.

Becoming the right person means allowing God to shape my heart. It’s about growing in patience, learning to love selflessly, and becoming someone who reflects Christ in my words and actions. Relationships aren’t about getting everything we want… they’re about giving what we’ve received from God: grace, kindness, and unconditional love.

Right now, I’m in a season of preparation. I’m working on becoming the man God has called me to be. Not just for a future wife, but for our daughter, my friends, and everyone in my life. I’m learning to listen more, love better, and trust God’s timing.

If you’re in a season of singleness, ask yourself: How is God shaping you in this time? What qualities is He growing in you to prepare you for the relationships He’s placed, or will place, in your life?


Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for using every season of my life to shape me into who You’ve called me to be. Teach me to focus on becoming the right person rather than seeking perfection in others. Help me to trust Your timing and to reflect Your love in all my relationships. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

The Heart of Giving

Tithing isn’t just a financial transaction… it’s a reflection of our heart. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, Paul reminds us that God loves a cheerful giver. Giving out of obligation or guilt misses the point; true giving comes from a place of gratitude and joy.

When we tithe, we’re saying, “God, I trust You. Thank You for all You’ve given me.” It’s an opportunity to participate in God’s work, supporting ministries, churches, and those in need. More importantly, it aligns our hearts with God’s, teaching us to value generosity over greed.

I’ve learned that cheerful giving isn’t always easy, especially during tight financial seasons. But when we give joyfully, we discover that God’s blessings go far beyond material provision. He transforms our hearts, deepens our trust, and uses our gifts to impact His kingdom.


Reflection Questions

  1. How does your attitude toward giving reflect your trust in God?
  2. What steps can you take to become a cheerful giver?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the opportunity to give and to participate in Your work. Teach me to give with a cheerful heart, trusting in Your provision and purpose. Help me to honor You through my generosity and to reflect Your love to others. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Resilience Through God’s Strength

When life falls apart, resilience feels impossible. I’ve learned firsthand that my own strength isn’t enough to weather the storms. But through the hardest moments, God has reminded me that His strength is made perfect in my weakness.

Resilience isn’t about never falling… it’s about choosing to get back up, leaning on God’s strength instead of our own. When my ex-wife left, when the divorce was finalized, when the weight of parenting alone felt overwhelming, I didn’t feel strong. Yet, time and time again, God met me in my brokenness and gave me the strength to keep going.

Christ’s strength doesn’t remove the pain, but it sustains us through it. Resilience isn’t about avoiding hardship; it’s about trusting that God is with us every step of the way, equipping us to face whatever comes.


Reflection Questions

  1. How has God strengthened you during difficult seasons?
  2. What steps can you take to rely more on His strength instead of your own?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being my strength when I feel weak. Teach me to lean on You and to trust in Your power to sustain me. Help me to grow in resilience, knowing that You are with me every step of the way. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

El Deah: The God of Knowledge

El Deah, “The God of Knowledge,” reminds us that God’s understanding is perfect and complete. While our knowledge is limited and sometimes flawed, God’s wisdom encompasses all things, past, present, and future.

I often wrestle with uncertainty, especially when I don’t know the next step to take. During one of these moments, I was reminded of El Deah. God’s knowledge is not just vast, it’s personal. He knows every detail of my situation, every outcome, and every need.

God’s Knowledge Is Complete: El Deah sees the whole picture, even when we can’t.

God’s Knowledge Is Personal: He knows the number of hairs on our heads and every detail of our lives (Matthew 10:30).

God’s Knowledge Is Wise: Trusting El Deah means relying on His wisdom to guide us, even when the path ahead is unclear.

Calling on El Deah invites us to rest in the assurance that God’s perfect knowledge is working for our good and His glory.


Reflection Questions

  1. How does trusting El Deah bring peace in moments of uncertainty?
  2. In what areas of your life do you need to rely on God’s wisdom rather than your own understanding?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being El Deah, the God of knowledge. Teach me to trust in Your perfect wisdom and to surrender my uncertainties to You. Help Kneel Ministries encourage others to rely on Your guidance. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

El Kana: The Jealous God

El Kana, “The Jealous God,” might sound surprising at first. In human terms, jealousy often has negative connotations, but when attributed to God, it reflects His deep, covenantal love and desire for our exclusive devotion. El Kana is not jealous out of insecurity but because of His passionate commitment to us.

I’ve seen how distractions can creep into my life, whether it’s work, entertainment, or even good things that take precedence over my relationship with God. During one such season, I was reminded of this name. God’s jealousy is not about control but about wanting the best for us: a life fully devoted to Him.

God Desires Our Hearts: El Kana calls us to wholehearted devotion, rejecting idols and distractions.

God’s Love Is Relentless: His jealousy reflects His commitment to us and His unwillingness to share us with anything that diminishes our relationship with Him.

God Protects the Covenant: El Kana defends His covenant with His people, ensuring that nothing breaks the bond He has established.

Calling on El Kana reminds us to examine our hearts and remove anything that competes with our devotion to God.


Reflection Questions

  1. Are there areas in your life where distractions or idols compete with your devotion to God?
  2. How does knowing God as El Kana encourage you to prioritize your relationship with Him?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for being El Kana, the jealous God who desires my whole heart. Teach me to remove anything that takes my focus off You and to live a life of undivided devotion. Help Kneel Ministries inspire others to prioritize You above all else. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.

Why Tithing Matters to God

Tithing is one of the most misunderstood and debated practices in the church, yet it remains a powerful way to honor God and acknowledge His provision in our lives. In Malachi 3:10, God not only commands tithing but invites us to test Him in this area, promising blessings in return.

Tithing is not about the money, it’s about the heart. When we give the first 10% of our income to God, we declare that He is our provider and that we trust Him to meet our needs. It’s an act of worship, reminding us that everything we have comes from Him.

I’ve experienced seasons of financial uncertainty where tithing felt like a sacrifice, but every time I’ve trusted God in this area, He’s shown His faithfulness. Tithing isn’t just about obedience. It’s about experiencing God’s provision, faithfulness, and blessing in ways we couldn’t imagine.


Reflection Questions

  1. How does tithing reflect your trust in God as your provider?
  2. What steps can you take to honor God through giving, even in challenging seasons?

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your provision and faithfulness. Teach me to trust You with my finances and to honor You through tithing. Help me to give with a joyful heart, knowing that everything I have belongs to You. I give You all honor, all the glory, and all the praise. It’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen & Amen.