T5+: A New Name

Marion Marrison - Is the name familiar to you? The actor's picture probably would be. In early filmmaking, a name change for an actor wasn't unusual. While going to college in Southern California Morrison's motion picture career began with moving props and playing bit parts. When a director gave the student a big break in a western called The Big Trail, the name Marion Morrison just wouldn't do for the marquee, credits, or promo. But John Wayne would.

Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome" (Genesis 32:28).

When God changed Jacob's name, it signified a turning point in his life. The name Jacob means "deceiver" or "supplanter." Jacob had lived up to this name by fooling his father, Isaac, and cheating his brother, Esau. But God had other plans for Jacob. No longer would he be called a deceiver. Instead, he would be known for his relationship with God. He was given the name Israel, which means "he struggles with God."

God wants to give you a new identity too. You don't have to be known by the sins and mistakes of your past. You can be called a child of God.

When you live for God, he changes you from the inside to the outside. It is not that you do all of these things like going to church and raising your hand, but he changes your heart so that you want to go to church and serve Him and raise your hand to worship Him. He makes you a new person, one that is more Christ-like.

Father, I know that you are a God that can change lives. Lord, I thank you for how you have changed my life and how you are continue working in my life. I pray that my new life be one that glorifies your name. I thank you and pray this in Jesus name.
Amen.