Thursday, October 9, 2014

By:  Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

His Name ... My Name

Isaiah 43:6-7 I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by MY NAME, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.

I have had the privilege of working with a lady named Ms. Dora for approximately 16 years at the Sheriff's Office. She was the person in our office who pushed buttons daily ... not only telling people where to go BUT directing them there as well.  Now, don't let my description of what she did define who she is ... she IS actually one of the sweetest ladies you'll ever meet ... one of the nicest SWITCHBOARD operators ever!

 Upon retiring, Ms. Dora went to the Clerk of Courts to obtain a certified copy of her birth certificate.  That day, she received one BIG surprise.  She learned that her birth name is NOT Dora.  It's Deloris! 

 For all of the preceding years of her life, she NEVER knew that she had another name.  Many of us just like Ms. Dora spend years failing to recognize the name by which WE have been given.  Today's passage reveals that as believers we are actually called by HIS NAME!

 When I married my husband, I acquired his name. What does that mean? Well, I represent him, I can sign his checks (gladly), I can use his resources, I am bound to him. Likewise, God has given us the ability to use His name.  Consequently in granting us this awesome privilege, we are representatives of Him, His ENDLESS resources are made available to us, we are given the opportunity to be bound to Him forever and ever!

  Did you know that the Bible says that God owns the "cattle of a thousand hills"?  Yet, we spend our lives making decisions based upon our own name, our own strength, our own power, our own resources. I challenge you today to realize who you are in Christ!  Walk in the power that you have through Him.  Realize that the name you represent and carry IS the name ABOVE all names!

 Dear Lord, I thank You for the privilege of bearing Your name.  Help me to be a shining representative of You.  Never let me forget that I can turn to You, my Namesake, in my times of strength as well as in my weakness.

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.

Reflection: Have I lived a life reflective of His love and power ... reflective of His Name ... My Name?