🌿Breathe Truth🌿
At the AWANA Grand Prix last night, the large screen showed the names of children from a family I had not met before. They are new to the program this year. But AWANA is wonderful in bringing families all over the city to collaborate in learning Scriptures.
Their children’s names were Exel, Flourish, and Triump. Names that gives the hearer this imagery of a winning life.
🍃🍃🍃
Before I ever had children, I had already known that if I did, I would give my little ones names from the Bible.
For the rest of their lives, when they hear their name called, it would be a reminder of God’s presence in their lives. A gentle prompting that the Bible character they are named after, is a man or woman who thirsted and treaded after God, and they can do the same.
But last evening, when I saw the names of Excel, Flouish, and Triumph, it was a total wow moment. Another mom and dad had decided to go all the way: Let’s give our kids Victory names.
🍃🍃🍃
In the Old Testament in Genesis 32:28, after wrestling with an angel, a pre-carnation of God, Jacob’s name was changed to Israel.
In the New Testament, in Acts 13:9, Saul’s new name, Paul, in denoted for the first time. In Acts 3, Paul has an encounter with Jesus whereby his vision is physically blinded. But the result is a spiritual awakening and a new name as well.
🍃🍃🍃
Once we become a believer, we are given a new name also. Child of God. Child of the One True King. Child of the Most High.
But there’s more. Other names which we are attributed to and which describes our new identity as God’s Child. Beloved. Treasured. Cherished. Redeemed. Forgiven. Chosen.
What do all these names have in common? They are names of victory. Just like Excel, Flourish, and Triumph.
🍃🍃🍃
We have official names that are parents give to us. But God bestows these lovely names that reflect our relationship with God and whose we are. We belong to Him and are a part of His family of believers.
Look at it this way: Think of these additional names as middle names. John Treasured Smith. Jane Forgiven Doe.
Or consider them as nicknames. Redeemer Clark. Cherish Williams. Chosen Jones. Reminders that we have an eternal name in heaven. Forever.
🍃🍃🍃
Just as Jacob and Saul walked in the newness and light of their new names, we can too. Jesus’ death and resurrection opens the way for us to truly embrace our gifted appellations as one loved and wanted by God and called His sons and daughters.
Walk in the light of your identity and name as a child of God. Your name means victory over sin and death every single day. Walk in the victorious light of the Real Truth.
🍃🍃🍃
Copyright 2019