Cup O' Joy: {Your Name}

1 Min:

Isaiah 45:3

New International Version (NIV)

³ I will give you hidden treasures, 

riches stored in secret places, 

so that you may know that I am the LORD,    

the God of Israel, 

who summons you by name.

God knows your name.  He calls us by it. 

Isaiah 43:1

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹ But now, this is what the LORD says—

   he who created you, Jacob,

   he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

   I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

What does your name mean?  I encourage you to find out the meaning of your first and middle name. What is the significance of the meaning on your life?  Does it prophetically speak over you?  Does it depict who you are?  God calls you by this name and tells you that you are His.  Now that's pretty amazing!

5 Min:

Prayer:

Father show me the significance of my name. Does it define who you want me to be? Am I living up to the good name you have for me? Is it time for a name change on my part. Search my heart and show me how to live out the name you have given me through my earthly parents. Show me how to continue to live out "a good name" as you speak of in Proverbs 22:1. Do I need a name change like Sarah in Genesis 17:15? Show me what this means and complete your perfect will in me. In Jesus name, amen.

10 Min:

If you look in Genesis 17 God speaks of a covenant with Abram. If you read the scriptures you will see that God changed Abram's name to Abraham. He also changed his wife Sarai's name to Sarah. They were in their 90s and 100s at this point and had been called by these names for quite a long time, but God was changing them from this point forward to set them apart and to establish a new purpose in them.  I see this as a prophetic word over their lives, a promise if you will. God placed importance on changing their name to something that would speak over them. 

  If you look at the name Sarai it means "princess" but God changed her name to Sarah, which means to "rule, reign, govern". It was a name given to female royal leaders.  I take this to mean she received a promotion, don't you? God placed her at the top of the birth line to Jesus. That's pretty amazing.

  I want to again ask you what is the meaning of your name?  When naming our first born I wanted it to be significant and profound. Did you pay attention to what the names of your children mean as you were choosing their names?  Obviously it is a pretty significant thing to God. Even if you didn't, research the meaning of their names now. I'm sure you will see relevance there. 

 Back to there being power in our tongue, the same with one's name. This is what people speak over you when they say your name. Have you ever felt like you need a name change? A fresh start and a new meaning to your life?  I believe that God is still in the name changing business. Now you can take this literal or as a heart issue, or both. Ask God how he would want you to perceive it. Maybe your name means "sorrow" or something negative. I have a friend who is considering being called by her first name after 31 years of being called by her middle, just because of the meaning. She needs a fresh start. She has already received a new heart recently but needs to be know as a new person. Her 1st name speaks negative over her and her first name speaks life and promise.  She wants to be known for a good name like Prov. 22:1 speaks of.  

   God is wanting you to know that your name is precious to Him.  He holds great importance over you name and he actually calls you by it. Be encouraged that there is hope for those of you who need a new purpose or name. He wants to give you "treasure of darkness".  He wants to take you out of your darkest place and show you the treasure that you are and that he has for you. He wants to show you the "riches that are stored in the secret places."  He wants to show you that He is Lord, "the God of Israel."

Proverbs 22

 ¹ A good name is more desirable than great riches; 

   to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.