“The names you allow to label you often title the scripts you live by.”

A thought by Chris Hodge from his book, The Daniel Dilemma: How to Stand Firm and Love Well in a Culture of Compromise (Kindle Locations 549-550). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

What is your name? Do you like it?

Chris says, “Of course, we all have names. Whether or not we reflect the characteristics of our given names at birth is not the point. What matters most is the name we have written on our hearts and minds. It’s what we believe about ourselves and then live out.

“Maybe you were labeled ‘stupid’ or ‘fat’ as a kid, and despite earning a college degree or running 5Ks, you still see yourself based on those childhood labels. Perhaps you’ve let sickness define you. Cancer or diabetes or MS is not only your disease, but it’s also become your identity. You might let your relationships define you. You’re a husband or wife, an ex, a sister or brother, a boss, an employee. You may have let circumstances determine your name. Maybe the death of a loved one, tragedy, or bankruptcy have become your identity.”

Chris asks, “What’s your name right now? What are the names you secretly feel are attached to you like gum on the bottom of your shoe? It’s important to identify these. The names you allow to label you often title the scripts you live by. What you believe in dictates what you live out.”

He goes on, “This explains why the number one goal of your Enemy, the Devil, is to attack your identity. He wants to give you a different name—one that stands in direct contrast to the name God gave you when he created you.”

Chris says, “In almost every name-changing story in the Bible, after an encounter with God, a person’s identity becomes more authentically revealed. They experience the freedom to stop living by cultural constraints and to start living in spiritual freedom. And the same can be true for us. God doesn’t see what you are based on where you are now; he sees what you can become based on where he wants to take you. He knows the actualities, but he sees possibilities. He recognizes what you’re capable of doing and activates the greatness in you that you don’t see in yourself. When you give him control of your life, he’ll give you back your name!”

Would you like God to give you back your name?

Comments

“God does big things with small deeds.”

A thought by Max Lucado (2011-05-02) from his book, Cure for the Common Life (p. 115). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) I don’t know how you feel about what you are doing and how it can make a difference. You may feel that it is so small and not even worth the effort. Max says, “Begin. Just begin! What seems small to you might be huge to someone else. Just ask Bohn Fawkes. During World War II, he piloted a B-17. On one mission he sustained flak from Nazi antiaircraft guns. Even though his gas tanks were hit, the plane did not explode, and Fawkes was able to land the plane. “On the morning following the raid, Fawkes asked his crew chief for the German shell. He wanted to keep a souvenir of his incredible good fortune. The crew chief explained that not just one but eleven shells had been found in the gas tanks, none of which had exploded. “Technicians opened the missiles and found them void of explosive cha...

“There’s a big difference between building a castle and building a kingdom.”

A thought by Bob Goff from his book, Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People ( p. 41). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Have you ever built a sand castle or maybe a Lego castle? Have you? Bob says, “We actually build castles all the time, out of our jobs and our families and the things we’ve purchased. Sometimes we even make them out of each other. Some of these castles are impressive too. Lots of people come to admire what we’ve built over the course of our lives and tell us what great castles we have. But Jesus told His friends we weren’t supposed to spend our lives building castles. He said He wanted us to build a kingdom, and there’s a big difference between building a castle and building a kingdom.” Bob goes on, “You see, castles have moats to keep creepy people out, but kingdoms have bridges to let everyone in. Castles have dungeons for people who ha...

"Lie 2: The more you worry about it, the better your odds of avoiding it."

A thought by Louie Giglio in his book, Winning the War on Worry (p. 5). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.) Here is another lie that the Enemy uses with us. And Louie says, "This is a tricky lie. Yes, we often have cause for concern and preparation. But the Enemy wants you to believe that if you worry or fret over a certain outcome long enough, you can keep something bad from happening." But this is so important to realize. He says, "The reality is worrying has never once prevented something negative from happening. Planning might. Prayer has. But worry never will." He continues, "The Enemy tells you that by worrying about a situation (or every situation) you can make your tomorrow better. Really, worry just robs you of today. Jesus implored us: 'I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body mor...

Just Continue That Thought...

Search This Blog