Hope for the New Year: God Gives You a New Name

I love the power that comes from intentionally choosing a child's name. Marilynn and I sought the Lord with each child for a name that would reflect his heart for their lives.

Name changes are also significant.

Think about a woman whose name changes after getting married. Or a child who gets adopted and takes on the last name of their new forever family.

God cares about names too. He cares so much that he would often change names to reflect who people became after encountering his love and being filled with his Spirit.

Abram to Abraham.

Sarai to Sarah.

Jacob (trickster) to Israel (strength of the Lord).

Simon (wishy-washy) to Peter (the Rock).

Saul to Paul - his Greek/Gentile name showing his gospel call to the Gentiles.

God loves you so much. He doesn't look at you through the lens of the names you may have called yourself or had others call you. God calls you his "child." Beloved. Chosen. Forgiven.

A life yielded to Jesus changes everything. It gives you a new identity and a new name.

Galatians 4:6-7 says, "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God."

One day everyone will be given a new name (Revelation 2:17). So many people here have the same name! Just google your name and see how many names like yours exist. But your name in heaven will be uniquely, perfectly, and eternally for you by our eternal Father.

What a special day that will be for all of us!