The Name Above All Names

She was confused, pacing in the clinic’s waiting area. She had been in and out of this jail. Her addiction to alcohol was so severe that her liver started deteriorating and same with her cognitive functions. She was known to be “homeless”. I glanced at her chart before assessing her and taking her vital signs. Her name was “Penny Cash”.

When I was just a new nurse years ago, I used to pass medications to inmates housed in different housing. With careful preparations to place the prescribed medications inside a tiny envelope with the inmate’s name on a printed label in front of this envelope, medication nurses would go and give those one by one, as the inmates walked up with a cup of water and their ID’s. This man was housed alone and with the deputy opening just the tiny door in his cell’s door, he would often just stick out his right arm and with a cupped palm, I would pour the medications on it. Giving him meds for a while, I had learned about his story. He stabbed a female companion to death. Spared from death penalty, he was given a life sentence because of that horrifying act. I looked at the name printed on that envelope: “Lawless” was his last name.

Doing the charge nurse role one night, I had told my co-workers to take a break altogether so at least they could enjoy their break and it was a quiet shift at that time anyway. If I needed help, I could easily just call them over the radio. I got a call from one of the units and requested for me to evaluate this distressed man.

When this young male came, I started probing, “The unit told me that you seem restless. Are you hearing voices, Sir or do you have any history of mental health problem?”

“Yes. I’m hearing voices. The devil is telling me to kill myself,” as his voice seemed to have come from under the grave and his intimidating look met mine.

“Do you believe in God?” I calmly asked.

“No! There is no God!” as he smiled sheepishly.

“What’s your name?”

Christian” [I placed him on suicide watch to be treated appropriately].

When morning approaches, it’s a busy time for the LVN’s as they do their accuchecks and administer insulin to those who are on it. One time, I was helping them by calling the inmates’ names so the LVN’s could monitor retrieving back the needles from every inmate and would not be distracted by others.

Mr. Freeman! You’re next!” I hollered.

“Oh, I’ll be here for a while, Ma’am, I still need to go to my court dates” was the response of this smiling middle-aged male.

I’m not making fun of these names I had mentioned. Everything was true! And I started paying attention because I was thinking to myself that their names made it more interesting with whatever situation they were in.

We, as individuals, are known by our names. People kill others sometimes, to protect their treasured family names. Some try to protect their reputation because of their names. Some are famous because of that, too. Sometimes, it can be very unpleasant when we call other people “names”. Names can influence. Names can hurt.



But there is a Name that stands out among all the names. It is the Name of “Jesus”. For those who are saved, “Jesus” is the most meaningful name we have ever known.

Philippians 2:8-11 –“And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross. Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

You have the power to choose now whether you want to commit your life to Jesus as Lord or will you rather be forced to acknowledge Him as Lord when He returns?

And Christ can return any moment. Are you prepared?

29 comments:

  1. Great post, and loved how you tied the inmate's names in with their situations, and with the Name that is the only Name by which we can be saved.

    I did a study on Biblical names last year, and was quite surprised to the depths and systems God and the Israelites went to in giving names to their children, etc.

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  2. My pastor has for the last month reviewed with us the names of Jesus. We have learned so much from this study. The greatest of all names that always stands out is JESUS! Thank God for HIS wonderful name; for our Savior! What would we do without HIM?
    Sweet blessings,
    Bren

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  3. Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus. I love you my friend.

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  4. Amen! I can't imagine being without Jesus. He is awesome! God Bless you!

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  5. You are an amazing writer, woman :) Gifted for a Divine Purpose!!!

    AMEN.

    Jesus, what a beautiful name
    Son of God, Son of Man
    Lamb that was slain
    Joy and peace, strength and hope
    Grace that blows all fears away
    Jesus, what a beautiful name

    Jesus, what a beautiful name
    Truth revealed, my future sealed
    Healed my pain
    Love and freedom, life and warmth
    Grace that blows all fears away
    Jesus, what a beautiful name

    Jesus, what a beautiful name
    Rescued my soul, my stronghold
    Lifts me from shame
    Forgiveness, security, power and love
    Grace that blows all fear away
    Jesus, what a beautiful name

    Song by Darlene Zschech

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  6. Indeed JESUS IS THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES! Thank you for your sharing regarding the inmates as well. Your life is such a tool in the Hands of GOD and that is beautiful.

    Love the new blog look. Blessings upon you and your family in Jesus Name.

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  7. Wonderful post - as always. Yes, His name is, indeed, the name above all names:-)

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  8. Rosel,

    I love this post! So amazing was the way each situation responded back to a form of a name. The one that hit me the most was Christian, a man who didn't believe in God yet, had the name of Christ in his own. Hoping that at some point in this man's life he will be able to see the Christ in himself and accept God!

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  9. This may be the best thing you've written. Though I'll qualify that with a "so far."

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  10. I love the name of Jesus. Every need is met there.

    Love & hugs,
    Mary

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  11. Bro.Peter: It was interesting for me to recall all those inmates' names. I'm always grateful that the Lord inspires me to relate it with something spiritual.

    Sister Bren: I bet everyone was on fire to learn about that famous Name in your study.

    Sister Denise: Precious Name indeed!

    Sister Tammy: We are truly nothing without Him.

    Sister Heather: Thanks for that lovely lyrics of a great singer.

    Sister Lisa: Thank you for the lovely comment re: my blog design. Thanks to the Lord and sister Heather, too for allowing me to use her design...[for free!!!:)].

    Sister Mary: Nice to have you here. Thank you for the drop by knowing you are busy.

    Sister Kat: It was sad for that man not to know Jesus and perhaps, manipulated by the enemy in the first place that prevented him from knowing the Savior.

    Bro. Billy: That nice comment coming from you??? I really appreciate it! Thanks.

    Sister Mary: Amen!!!

    Blessings and love to all of you.

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  12. And choose I must! Thank you!

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  13. Bro. Chris: May many more make that right choice to surrender to Christ now. I'm so thankful to the Lord that He's been soooo patient for a very, very long time. Glory to God!

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  14. That was a great post....Thanks for stopping by my blog.
    I just posted my last Disney post...
    Hope it will bring you a smile.
    I also have a new blog design.....

    Have a great week, Teresa

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  15. How interesting RCUBES! I had another thought as I was reading this...that God has new names for His children written on little stones! They will reflect who we are...not like the names in thsi post that did not seem to suit the owners of them!

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  16. Sister Teresa: Headin' over to your site now. Thanks for the hello.

    Sister Cynthia: Your comment is a great idea for another post :) You are such a talented writer.

    Blessings to both of you.

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  17. "There is not other name given among men by which we must be saved."

    You are right, names are important. All of us can be proud of our names (like the country song says). But, there is only one name that saves.

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  18. Bro.Warren: Amen!I'm glad He found me.

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  19. Hello...Waren sent me over here. Seems we have something in common. We both work for corrections. I am a teacher in a medium secure prison. I have been there for 4 years now. It is a challenge, but with that challenge comes the knowing that these people that society seems to have forgotten are to be recognized as the creation of God and I am blessed daily as I work with these men. This job has opened my eyes in so many ways, I can't even begin to count. Blessings to you. This was a good post and very interesting about names. I will likely be paying closer attention to names also. I have found that there is some irony in the names of my students:)

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  20. much2ponder: Nice to meet you. It's a blessing to know someone who works in the same setting as I am. Thanks to the Lord and thanks to bro. Warren. It's quite a challenge indeed but it's exciting at the same time to see this dark place in another light and be able to do things for His glory! Hope you'll come back and I will head over and pay you a visit, too. God bless.

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  21. Rosel,
    I love your new blog design. It fits you perfectly.
    I agree with Billy. I think this is your best writing so far. Very captivating!
    Jesus is the name above all names, the name we must trust in to partake in our salvation.
    Love visiting you,
    Christy

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  22. Sister Christy: Love having you :)
    Thank you for the nice comment re:my blog design. I give the compliment to sister Heather [she's in my blog roll] for sharing her talent with many blog designs she created. God bless sister.

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  23. Amen!
    What an awesome post...your voice for GOD grows stronger with each post. I am amazed and overcome by the power of GOD as I read your posts!!
    Thank you for your continued prayers...andrea

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  24. Sister Andrea: Glory to God! Thanks for your encouragement...always...

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  25. 53 years ago five American missionaries were murdered on the bank of a South American river by people they loved, prayed for, sacrificed for in the name of Jesus.

    If we do not die martyrs' deaths, may we live with martyrs' hearts. As one of them was famous for saying, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

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  26. Bro.Ike: I always enjoy reading your thought-provoking comments. That last line was great! Thank you for your visits. God bless.

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  27. thanks for the link you had left for me on depression. I had visited the link today and will be visiting again later to read further into the older posts.

    hugs-
    ~Silver

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  28. Re-reading this post over for the second time. Very powerful! No other name but Jesus! Very well written, thank you for sharing dear one. Blessings!

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  29. Sister Silver: Don't need to thank me. That's our purpose is to encourage others as we are encouraged first by the Lord.

    JBR: I'm happy to know that you never get tired visiting me. To God be the glory!

    Blessings to you both.

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