Week 1: January 6^th, 2019

Topic: You will be called by a new name – Part 1

Bible Reading: Isaiah 62:1-7

Introduction

A name is a word or set of words by which a person, animal, place or thing is known or addressed. It can be described as a word or phase that constitutes the distinctive designation of a person or thing. A name is a word or symbol used in logic to designate an entity. So, ‘in a nutshell’ the name of a place or thing is the word or group of words that is used to identify it. Which means it is the name of a person, place or thing that can easily distinguished them from one another.

The given names at birth: Everyone have names that are given to them at birth. Every name has reason/s why the person, place or thing is being referred to by the name, and such name also has meaning which might be right or wrong in the presence of God. In the Yoruba kingdom, there is a saying that “Oruko omo ni o ma nro omo” which means, the name of a child always has great impact on him/her.

It is the directive of the Lord to the believers to bring every child before Him on the eighth day to be given name/s. If the child is a male, he will also be circumcised on the eighth day. John the forerunner of our Lord was circumcised and called John on the eighth day Luke 1:59-60. Even Jesus Christ our Lord is not exempted from this process, He was circumcised on the eighth day and called Jesus according to the instructions of angel Gabriel to Mary His mother Luke 2:21. What name/s were you called at birth? How is the name/s impacting your life?

Name has meaning and value

Every name has meaning and value attached to it but this meaning and value may be divine/godly in nature or it may be satanic/evil in nature.

The meaning of a name: The Bible stated that “Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living” Genesis 3:20. What is the meaning of your name/s? Is your name influencing you to win souls for the Lord or put people in bondage? It is written that Lamech called the name of his son Noah, saying “This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord has cursed” Genesis 5:28-29. The same Noah was used by the Lord to preserve mankind and other creatures that survived the great flood which destroyed the first world Genesis 9:8-17. Noah was successful because of the Lord was with him and his name had great impact on him. Are you comforting the world through the word of God? Or your name is making you to torment the earthlings?

The value of a good name: It is the duty of believers to protect their names, so that people/unbelievers will not tarnish their image and blaspheme the Lord through them. They must not forget the scripture which says “Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory, I have formed him, yes I have made him” Isaiah 43:7. Since people are calling you by the name of God and you are created for His glory, abstain from criminal activities that can disgrace the Church or reduce the faith of other believers because “a good name/reputation is worth more than silver and gold.”  A good name earned by honorable behavior, godly wisdom and moral courage is more valuable than great riches. Personal integrity is more desirable than wealth and must be chosen rather than silver or gold Proverbs 22:1. You must never participate in any misconduct or allow your attitudes to drag the good name of the Lord in the mud because a good name is better than precious/fine perfumes. A good name/reputation is more valuable than expensive pleasures Ecclesiastes 7:1. Now that you have the knowledge that a good name is better than costly ointment, do not joke with your name, but take good care of it so that people will always glorify God through you.

The resolution of God to change your name this year

The word of God to your life this year is that as from this moment, you will be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will name. Almighty God has determined to give you a better new name which will transform your life instantly. He will announce this new name to the world today in manners that will increase your fame and make the world leaders to be blinded by your incredible glory Isaiah 62:2. Henceforth, you shall be a crown of glory and splendor in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You will no longer be called Forsaken or name your household Desolate; but you will be called Hephzibah and your household Beulah; for the Lord delights in you, and He will marry your household Isaiah 62:3-4. This promise of God will come to pass in your life quickly this year because the word that comes from the mouth of the Lord will never return to Him void without producing any effect or result. But it will accomplish what He desires and pleases Him. And it will prosper everywhere He sends it by achieving the purpose for which He sent it Isaiah 55:11. Since the Lord send this word to you this New Year, believe that it will be fulfilled and established in your life because God is not a mere human, He doesn’t tell lies, but always keep His promises. Our God is not like people who lie, He is not human who changes his/her mind. He does whatever He promises and fulfill whatever He speaks as it is written “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” Numbers 23:19. Have the assurance that you will be called by a new name this year, if you do not stray from the righteous path.

The scripture says “For with God nothing will be impossible” Luke 1:37. Therefore, your situation will be resolved this year and you will be called by a new name. If God can change the destiny of Jabez and transformed his life beyond his wildest imagination, then there is no one that God cannot positively change the history of his/her life 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. Do not think for God, as this may make you to lose hope but hold on firmly to your faith, and the event that will make people to jubilate with you and congratulate you will happen this year.

Claim this year as your year of breakthrough even if your condition is humanly hopeless because the Bible says ‘“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts’” Isaiah 55:8-9. For this reason, do not think for God or think of how will He achieve this feat in your life. You just believe because the way of the Lord is unsearchable and things that are impossible for humans to accomplish is easy for the Lord to achieve.

Your situation will be resolved this year

Whatever situation that accompanied you into this year will be resolved and it will turn to history in your journey, in manners that will make people to call you by a new name.

The sick: The great healer is around and He will heal you of all your aged infirmities; you will not be referred to as disabled/Sickler anymore but your new name will be ‘able bodied person’. God will have mercy on you today by strengthening and curing you. The Lord that healed the waters of Marah will heal the source of your life today and it shall be well with you throughout your existence Exodus 15:23-25. The messiah who healed the woman who had continuous flow of blood of twelve years will cure you of the sickness that is disgracing you everywhere and great transformation will be visible in your life. Since you have spiritually touched the hem of the garment of Christ, your ailment will disappear never to recur again Matthew 9:20-22. He that revived Lazarus who was dead for four days will revive whatever that is spiritually dead in your life. Whatever that had decayed in your body will be renewed and restored back to freshness. Everything that is spiritually stinking and those that are giving offensive odors which is driving benefactors/goodness away from you will cease permanently today John 11:38-44. Today you will be loosed from the spiritual captivity which is causing stagnancy in your journey.

The barren: ‘“Sing, O barren, you who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman,’ says the Lord” Isaiah 54:1. The promise of God for those looking for the fruit of the womb is that they will be addressed this year by a new name called ‘mothers’ and they will have more children than people that were married for a long time. This promise will be fulfilled without delay this year. Hold on to your faith because whenever you are pregnant you will not suffer miscarriage but you will give birth to healthy child/children. “No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days” Exodus 23:26. Almighty God that gave Isaac the promise child to Sarah will give you, good child/children. He that erased the reproaches of Elizabeth will erase your reproaches permanently today. God that met with Hannah at Shiloh will meet with you today and transform your life beyond human comprehension. He that wiped away the tears of Manoah’s wife will wipe away your tears and pacify you in every aspect of your life. Whatever type of barrenness that is presently plaguing your life will be eradicated completely this year in Jesus name.

The rejected: If you are one of those that are rejected and ignored by family, friends, neighbors and colleagues because of your situation; cheer up today, because your personality will be renewed and you will be referred to as a ‘influential person’. The word of God for you this year is “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the Chief cornerstone” Psalm 118:22. This year you will become the favorite of everybody and those that have rejected you will court your favor. Those that has been limited and underrated by people, saying, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” John 1:46. As from today, good and new things will not cease in your life. Every soul that has limited and underrated you will bow down before you and lick the dust of your feet in Jesus Name.