YOUR NAME IS IMPORTANT – Pastor Chris
Sunday, November 15, 2020
Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee (Genesis 17:5).
Whatever name you answer has a direct bearing on your destiny; your name gives meaning to your destiny. This explains why God changed the names of certain individuals in the Bible in line with their destinies in Him. A good example is Abraham, who was formerly named Abram. Abram meant exalted father or assumed father. In the process of time, he had no child, though many servants were born in his house.
But one day, the Lord spoke to him and said, “… behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee” (Genesis 17:4-5). Abraham believed God, and immediately started answering the name Abraham, “the father of many nations.”
Another important example is Jacob; he was named Jacob because at birth he held on to his brother’s heel. Jacob means swindler or deceiver; and true to his name, he deceitfully obtained his brother’s birthright, with the aid of his mother.
However, when he encountered the Lord and asked to be blessed, He wouldn’t bless him until his name was changed from Jacob (the deceiver) to Israel, a prince with God (Genesis 32:28); and his destiny was transformed for good.
Consider the Apostle Peter; before he came to Jesus, he answered the name, “Simon,” meaning a reed shaken by the wind, unstable. As Simon, he was inconsistent. But one day, Jesus said to him, “…thou art Peter, (Greek: Petros) and upon this rock (Greek: Petra) I will build my church…” (Matthew 16:18).
If the meaning of your name isn’t consistent with the Word of God, you’ve got to change it. It makes no difference that you’ve answered the name all your life; if its meaning isn’t consistent with the revelation of who you are in Christ, respond to God’s Word and change it as an act of faith.
PRAYER
Blessed Father, thank you for your Word that reveals my identity, inheritance and abilities in Christ! Your will for my life is unveiled to my spirit and I live daily to fulfil your will and purpose for my life, taking paths that you’ve preordained for me, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
Genesis 32:24-28; Matthew 16:16-18
1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Hebrews 12:1-13 & Ezekiel 11-12
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 John 2:15-29 & Ezekiel 46
