What’s in a name?
By Erik Farstad
January 16, 1998
"A good name is more desirable than great riches... Proverbs 22:1a
When people hear your name spoken of, what is the first thing that comes to their minds? Do they say, "Wow, he/she has a great car!...They have a lot of neat things!...I wish I dressed like that!...etc, etc." Or do they say, "Wow, there is something really different about that person!...They are so kind, generous and giving!...What a selfless life they lead!"
What we say, do and how we live our lives shows what is important to us. Thus leaving a "name" to describe our lives. I am reminded of when John and Peter stood before the Sanhedrin Council to give an account of their actions. All those listening noticed something different about them. "...they had been with Jesus." (Read Acts 4: 1-13) This is what "name" was given to these two followers of Christ: They had been with JESUS. Is that not the name we want people to account and remember of our lives?
This world tries to teach us that those with the most toys wins. Where are you storing up your riches, here on earth or up in heaven? The rich man asked Jesus what he had to do to receive the gift of eternal life (Read Matthew 19:16-21). When you know the answer, ask yourself if you can live up to it!!!
What "name" do you want associated with you?
Let this be your prayer today:
Dear Lord, I want your light to shine through me today. I want people to associate my name with your name. If there is anything that I have chosen before the name of Christ, whether that be riches, relationships or actions, I ask that your Holy Spirit convict me to bring me to the place that you desire. Let the reputation I convey to the world be Christ-likeness and glorifying unto you. I am frail and weak and can do nothing without you Father. I ask that I do not become dependent on my strengths and abilities, and begin think to that I can do it or it is because of my skills. Let me always acknowledge that all things come from you. I claim today that there is no other NAME but the name of JESUS! In His precious name, Amen.
Go take HIS name to the world!
I recommend posting the following verse somewhere where you see it daily. It may help to remind you of what really matters!
"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7
In Him, "E"