I Have A New Name!!

Tonight I want to talk about those people in the Bible whose names were changed by the Lord and sometimes by themselves or even others.

In almost every society around the world, names carry great meaning. In many countries, a name given to a child is not done in haste. Instead, it's given because of the significance it holds and the weight it carries.

When I was pregnant with my son, I carefully chose his name because I wanted it to represent who I thought he was or could be in his life. So, he got the name, Joshua Caleb.

They were the two men in the Bible who were brave and knew that no obstacle was too big for God.

I had tried for many years to become pregnant but was unable to conceive. After almost three years of standing in prayer line every night at church, God blessed me with a son. Just like Joshua and Caleb, I knew there was nothing too big for God.

The reason God changed names in Bible times is that He wanted those individuals to embody the true meaning of the new chosen title. His dream for an individual is contained in their name.

For example, when He changed Abram's name to Abraham, the new name meant "father of a multitude". God promised him that because of his obedience and faith in God that he would be blessed with many descendants.

Now, Abraham is revered among Jewish people as a common ancestor.

God also changed Abraham's wife Sarai's name to Sarah.

The original name Sarai literally meant "mockery" and that's basically what she did when she was told that God was going to give her a son; she laughed at the promise.

But her new name, Sarah, means princess. Now that's fitting for the wife of a man who is the father of many nations.

There were others whose names God changed and I'll include them in the verses below so you can read about them.

I love that God changes the names of those whom He has redeemed. Those whom He has cleansed of their ugly sins, he calls by a new name.

How awesome!!

It's exactly what He did for me.

I want to give you an example of who I used to be known as and who I am known as now.

OLD NAME: NEW NAME:

LOST FOUND Luke 15:6

ENEMY FRIEND John 15:15

POOR PROSPEROUS 3 John 2

REJECTED ACCEPTED John 6:37

UNLOVED LOVED John 3:16

BROKEN WHOLE 1 Thes 5:23

SINNER REDEEMED Eph. 1:7

WEAK STRONG Joel 3:10

BOUND LOOSED Matt. 16:9

TAIL HEAD Deut. 28:13

SICK HEALED Isaiah 53:5

SAD HAPPY Prov. 15:13

DEPRESSED JOYFUL Prov. 17:22

ANXIOUS CALM Philip. 4:6

FATHERLESS DAUGHTER Psalm 68:5

GUILTY FORGIVEN 1 John 1:9

That's a name change only God can give you.

God can give you a new name as well. No matter what you've done in your past or what state your life is currently in. If you are a child of God or a sinner, you'll find yourself in one of these two columns.

If you are tired of the old name others call you, give your heart to God and allow Him to give you a new name!!

Much love,

Christy

Helpful Verses:

Genesis 17:5-15; Numbers 13