As Apostolics we are confronted everyday with the influence that the secular world is having on our culture at large.  The idea of God and His influence in the world is systematically being removed from every aspect of most people’s lives.  You probably have observed that it is particularly the Christian faith this under the most attack in our society.  I have often observed that I hear the name of Jesus Christ more as a swear word than as a praise or an actual prayer.

I work in a corporate environment and one of my co-workers would often use Jesus’ name as a swear word.  Whenever she would make a mistake or become frustrated the name of Jesus Christ would invariably be said, and not in the proper manner.  One day I got tired of it.  I observed to her, that it is only the name of Jesus Christ that is used a swear word.  No one ever uses other religions designations for God to curse with.  For instance you have never heard someone say “oh Allah”, or “oh buddha.”  I asked her, “why is it only Jesus that is used a swear word?”  (It is because only Jesus’ name has power.  The secular world realizes this and so tries to destroy His influence by making Him a curse word.)  She did not have an answer, but promised me that from now on when she made a mistake she would say “Oh buddha” instead of “Jesus Christ.”

A few months went by and one day I had someone sitting with me who I was training for our team.  My coworker got frustrated with something and yelled out “Oh buddha!”  The lady that I was training, turned around and asked my coworker why she had said “Oh buddha.”  My coworker explained about my stance on using Jesus name as a curse word and how she agreed to say Oh buddha instead of Jesus Christ.  The lady that I was training turned back to me and began to ask me questions about Jesus name.  I told her I was an Apostolic minister, and before you know it we’re looking at the book of Acts online.  I was able to teach her about baptism in Jesus name and the infilling of the Holy Ghost.  The opportunity opened up for me, because I got tired of people using God’s name in vain and decided to stand up for Him.  So let me encourage each and every one of you, to stand up for Jesus and His name.  Who knows, maybe buddha can get you a Bible study as well.

In His Service,