First Sunday of the New Year, and we had a lovely teaching on the Book of Acts today. Our pastor this morning taught on the Doctrine of Ascension and it’s inherent promises for the church as inspirationally laid out by Luke in the first chapter of Acts. One of the talking points that resonated with me is the realization that we, today, continue the Book of Acts! Just as in the early days of the church, what we do and say reflects on whom we claim to follow, Jesus Christ. This reminded me of one of the attributes of God that we learned in Women’s Bible Study this past semester.
Jehovah-Nissi: God Our Banner
Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines Jehovah-Nissi as “…the title given by Moses to the altar which he erected on the hill on the top of which he stood with uplifted hands while Israel prevailed over their enemies the Amalekites (Ex 17:15).”
Banners are everywhere in today’s world. People put up banners to announce a birthday, new baby, retirement, etc. Seasonal parades are filled with banners announcing what groups are marching past. Some people even wear sash banners for pageants and/or special events.
Not too long ago, however, banners were used for a more specific and somewhat frightening purpose. Banners were carried ahead of marching armies to announce not only that an invasion was coming, but also, under whose name the army marched.
When I march out into the world, whose name is on the banner I carry? Jesus Christ. What tells the rest of the world that I march out under the banner of Christ?
Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.
Matthew 7:20
My actions and words say more about whose child I am, than any banner I could carry. This is my challenge this year, to go through life purposefully, with the intention of announcing Jehovah-Nissi through my words and actions.
Bigger On The Inside 
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