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Whether Good or Bad, Make Records about the Name of the Lord

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Record-keeping and giving ministry reports tend to be a normal practice in most churches, but why? It lets people know what’s happening and can be a useful tool in making assessments leading to some strategic planning. Let’s be careful, however, that we don’t use them to brag about or berate ourselves. Whether merely reporting giving totals or attendance numbers, or using them in the assessment process, we need to make records about the name of the Lord. If the reports aren’t looking very well, we need to call on the name of the Lord for help. If we see good numbers or hear encouraging reports from ministry leaders, let’s use records in ways that honor the name of the Lord.

When We Make Records about the Name of the Lord There's Power

Records Reflect that You’re Not Doing Well? Call on the Name of the Lord.

These days we may find giving and attendance records down rather than growing. We need to learn what we can from this data to make changes. But, even more important, we can use it as an indicator of our need for help and turn first and foremost to the best source of help we will ever find. We need to call on the name of the Lord (Ps. 116:13) because “help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Ps. 121:2).

When we call on the name of the Lord, we’re identifying who He is. This Almighty and All-Knowing God with power and wisdom to create this world, certainly is capable of helping us.

People used different names for God in Scripture to indicate His role in their lives at that moment. We too can lay our records before the Lord and call on His name in ways that meet the need of the moment.

  • When we recognize our own inability to bring about the needed change, we’ll turn to El Shaddai, the Lord God Almighty, with whom all things are possible.
  • If we find our resources depleted, we can call of Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who will provide, who has promised to supply all we need to do His will.
  • When we’re unsure of how to proceed in the midst of obstacles to growth, we can call on Jehovah-Raah, the Lord who will guide, nurture, and protect us as our Shepherd.
  • We might find ourselves in hurtful situations or in a place of dysfunction and need to seek after Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals.
  • Perhaps we’ve been “doing church” our way and our records prove we’ve been unsuccessful. It’s time to turn over controls to Adonai, the Lord and Master.
  • Sometimes all we need is a reminder of His presence and so we call on Jehovah Shammah, the Lord who is there.

Records and Ministry Reports Show Growth? Honor His Name.

When our records and ministry reports indicate growth and health in our churches, we need to point people to the name of the Lord as the one who deserves the credit, not make a name for ourselves.

If we’re doing all in the name of the Lord (Col. 3:17), coming under the banner of His name (Ps. 20:5), why wouldn’t He get the praise, glory, and thanksgiving (Ps. 115:1; Eph. 5:20)?

If we’re seeing a number of people getting saved as a result of our ministry, since “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21; Rom. 10:13) , why wouldn’t we honor His name, rather than lift ourselves up?

Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. (Ps. 115:1)

Have you read this? – God’s Power: The Name of the Lord

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