Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee (Genesis 17:5).
Whatever name you answer has a direct bearing on your destiny; your name gives meaning to your destiny. This explains why God changed the names of certain individuals in the Bible in line with their destinies in Him. A good example is Abraham, who was formerly named Abram. Abram meant exalted father or assumed father. In the process of time, he had no children, though many servants were born in his house. But one day, the Lord spoke to him and said, “… behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee” (Genesis 17:4-5). Abraham believed God, and immediately started answering the name Abraham, “the father of many nations.”
Another important example is Jacob; he was named Jacob because at birth he held on to his brother’s heel. Jacob means swindler or deceiver; and true to his name, he deceitfully obtained his brother’s birthright, with the aid of his mother. However, when he encountered the Lord and asked to be blessed, He wouldn’t bless him until his name was changed from Jacob (the deceiver) to Israel, a prince with God (Genesis 32:28); and his destiny was transformed for good.
Consider the Apostle Peter; before he came to Jesus, he answered the name, “Simon,” meaning a reed shaken by the wind, unstable. As Simon, he was inconsistent. But one day, Jesus said to him, “…thou art Peter, (Greek: Petros) and upon this rock (Greek: Petra) I will build my church…” (Matthew 16:18).
If the meaning of your name isn’t consistent with the Word of God, you’ve got to change it. It makes no difference that you’ve answered the name all your life; if its meaning isn’t consistent with the revelation of who you are in Christ, respond to God’s Word and change it as an act of faith.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2).
From time to time, it’s important to review the way things are going with you and determine the areas in which you need to make changes. Many keep doing the same things and expect a different result; that’s not going to work. You’d need to employ new ideas; bring in something new. If you want a different result from what you’re experiencing right now, you must review things and make the necessary changes. Begin with changing your way of thinking. Perhaps at work, you’ve been noted for not being so diligent, and now you want a change.
First, you’d have to change your attitude and approach your work with a new mindset. Start practicing getting to work early to gain time and then learn to sit down and finish your work within the stipulated time frame, and excellently too. Learning to be ahead on your work, and finishing early, will give you time to review your work and ensure perfection. Do this consistently and soon enough, you’ll begin to receive sterling recommendations and promotions from your bosses.
Maybe you’ve always desired to study the Word and pray more effectively; that won’t happen until you take the right and necessary steps. You can start by being more diligent with your study of the Rhapsody of Realities devotional and meticulously going through the scripture references and the daily scripture reading.
Right now, list out areas where you need to make definite changes, and consciously write out the new steps you’re going to take to effect those changes, and then go for it! Make this part of your personal development project for the quarter, or the rest of the year, and watch your life grow for the best.
In Romans 12 verse 2, the bible says … And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God.
He says, be not conformed to this world, because He doesn’t want us to think nor act like the rest of the world. He wants us to be different. That’s why He says “be not conformed to this world but be transformed”
Romans 12 verse 2, the bible says … And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Then He tells you how to have that transformation, by the renewing of the mind. This means changing your way of thinking through the word of God. Let the word of God give you a new mindset. Let the word of God control your values, your ideas, your opinions, your choices. There are a lot of people who have their own opinions. They have their own set of values that are not governed by the word of God. But as God’s children, we are new creations in Christ Jesus. We belong in a different kingdom, God’s Kingdom; and the life that He’s given us to live is different from that known by the rest of the world. But if you are carnally minded, you will act and think like the world.
God wants us to be spiritually minded. He wants us to think like Him; like those who are in His Kingdom. So, He says not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of the mind. You renew your mind through the word of God. Then only can you think differently and in consonance with how God wants you to think, through His word. If we study the word of God, we will have His way of thinking, His mindset. And we will see things from God’s perspective. That’s what He wants.
And God said moreover unto Moses, thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations (Exodus 3:15).
The Bible shows us quite clearly that God is very interested in the meaning of names. Hence, He changed the name of Abram (exalted father) to Abraham (father of many), and Jacob (deceiver) to Israel, meaning a prince. However, you’d notice that even after changing Jacob’s name to Israel, he still introduced Himself to Moses as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Why still the God of Jacob, since He had changed the man’s name to Israel? After all, He didn’t say, “I’m the God of Abram,” but “the God of Abraham.”
The reason is that God was at the time concerned about the attitude of Israel as a nation. The people of Israel at that time acted in a manner that wasn’t consistent with God’s will for them. They acted in a way that depicted them as not different from other nations, and whenever they so acted, He called them Jacob. However, when they acted according to His Word, He called them Israel. Israel means a prince of power with God, whereas Jacob means swindler or deceiver. Thus, in saying, “I’m the God of Jacob,” instead of Israel, He lets us know that irrespective of Israel’s behavior, He was still their God and remained faithful to them.
It reveals something about the character of God: He’s faithful to us even when we’re not. He doesn’t change His character because of your character and behavior. Whether you act like “Jacob” or act like “Israel,” His Word concerning you is steadfast: He has loved you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3); He’s already accepted you as His very own (Ephesians 1:6). He doesn’t turn His back on you just because you erred.
God’s promises and blessings are not for you because you have acted like “Israel”; they’re yours because you’re in Christ. However, He expects you to be steadfast and unmovable, with unshakable faith in His Word.
The scriptures gave the account of a man called Jabez from the tribe of Judah. His entire family members were nobody. They were not honorable but stranded people. Nothing good came from that family. Even his name was called “sorrowful”. But I perceive that he learned this was not God’s plan for his life. So, Jabez changed the rule. He said: “Lord, I don’t want to end like my brethren. Bless me, indeed! I don’t want an ordinary blessing. For too long, I have not been able to speak for myself, but when you are ready to bless me, bless me with the blessing that will speak for me. Enlarge my coast, lengthen my cords, and preserve me from evil”. Then God answered him. That same God will answer you. He will change your story. Just like Jabez, you, too, will testify to the glory of God.
You will break protocol and become number one. You will take your seat of honor. You are taking the first place. They will not notice you coming. They will see you arrive suddenly. You will emerge from the back. You will pursue, overtake, and recover all. Henceforth, refuse to see yourself as ordinary. When you go to the examination hall, know that you will pass. Whether they like it or not, know that you will succeed. When you go to your marketplace, know that you will sell. You will build that house. You will drive that car. The Lord will fully satisfy every need in your life.
Beloved, God is still God. He has not changed, and He cannot change. He is still in the business of transforming lives and lifting the unlikely. That bad situation will turn around. God will intervene and change your story.
Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord (Romans 12:11 AMP).
Part of the reason young people can be very successful, where older people fail, is that many young people don’t know enough to be afraid. Most older people know too much; they have too much information about what doesn’t work. They remember when they tried out something and it failed, and so they became cynical. It’s a lot harder to inspire such people to make a fresh move or have a fresh start.
Understand that being old in this context isn’t so much about a person’s age, but about the state of his mind. Your body might age but refuse to age in your mind. Think fresh; think success. God loves to use young people, because they think fresh all the time; they easily believe and are always passionate about learning something new. It’s never too late to learn and be inspired by a dream of success. Even if you’re already grey-headed and advanced in years, God can still use you. Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, and at that age, he was still strong and vibrant. The Bible says, “…His eyesight was sharp; he still walked with a spring in his step” (Deuteronomy 34:7 MSG).
What will you be like when you’re ninety-two? I can tell if you put this message to work: You won’t be crying because nothing works. Instead, you’ll be the one teaching and imparting faith to the younger generation. You’ll be changing lives with the Gospel, speaking in tongues, prophesying, and speaking words of faith by the power of the Holy Spirit.
–GSW–