LIVING UP TO YOUR NAME

Whats In A Name (Proverbs 18:1-12) The name of the Lord is a fortified tower, the righteous run to it and are safe. The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. Before a downfall the heart is haughty,but humility comes before honor. (Proverbs 18:10-12) When I hear this verse it tells me of God's character, His name speaks of power, protection, safety and security. Especially when I trust in Him, He is like a strong wall that I can hide behind to be protected from lifes dangers. So when I call on that name I am calling on God's name relying on who He is as my, Creator, Redeemer, Shepherd, Savior and friend. So, what about my name? First I was given this name because my dads dad, my grandfather was named Peter. While I was still in my mothers womb, my grandfathers was very sick, and my understanding is, he called my mothers to his bedside and asked her, if you have a boy, would you give him my name? She promised she would. Therefore, my name is Peter. Which in the greek language meant "rock" or "stone" Also I learned at an early age, because I was taken to church and sunday school on a regular bases,Peter comes from Greek Petros, meaning "rock" or "stone," Which, Jesus used in discribing who Peter the disciple was in Character signifying that he was a strong person in that character, his steadfastness and strength, his reliability, and his faith in God (Jesus).. Because of this the name has becomee a popular name to call your child, because parents would like to see those kind of charateristics in their child All though just the name is not going to make your child who he will become, but I can vouch for the power in a name. Because I have known since young what my name meant, it gave me a desire to seek to live upto that name. (Matthew 16:18, John 1:42, Mark 3:16, Luke 6:14, and Galatians 2:9). So what do I mean? Well during my life time, in knowing the scriptures, I had a desire to align my your actions with the name, and thus strengthening the charater and personality I was born with. I believe it helped me fight the enemy that was out to destroy my soul. I have desires to have a charater, a behavior that would stand up to the meaning of my name. And so, that involved embracing a unique identity, which was acting with integrity, and ensuring my life reflected the "meaning " and purpose behind the name given to me at birth. But really, whats in a name? What is the importance a label? Well, the label on a can of soup, tells you what is inside that can. But our name is just a name, that can help mold the content already placed inside of us by our creator. Meaning my/our God given nature and value remain the same regardless of what our name may be. We are who God intended us to be, but like my name, it can help in building a Godly character. But really if you have been given a name that could have a negitive conintation. Like me second name, Claude: meaning limping.. So Peter meaning a rock, "strength" and Claude meaning limping, or as some children made fun of it as I had claws as in scraching. Later in life, I realize, I could put a positive behind that name, as in I needed God's strength, because my second name reminded me I would limp through life without Him. I have learned over the years about "the name of the Lord". That, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe" Proverbs 18:10, My strength or weaknesses were not in my names, but rather my strength was in the Lord and my weaknesses was in my lack of trusting Him. So, my friends beleive with me, that your strength is in the name "Chrisian" as to what and who you are in Christ who has cleansed you from all of your sins and has sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in you with all of Gods power and strength. Yes, God's name represents His character, power, and protection, offering spiritual refuge and security to you and to me as we place our trust in Him, thus He become like a fortified city, a stronghold against our enemies, and against the toughest of troubles the devil throws at us, and we come out the other side in victory You may ask, How do we "Run to It" to that name? First we begin to run to it through prayer, we call upon that name when we are facing trials, when we are afraid, when we are over whelmed and beginning to feel weak. And when we call, we are saying we are trusting in that name, in the Lord Jesus Christ, who is God and we believe we will find refuge in that name. When we run to Him, and come into His presence, it open up opportunities for us in life, and it opens up our mind to recieve guidance and direction from the Holy Spirit. Thus building our charcter, and giving us a way to take our name and be proud of who God has made us to be. So, whats in a name? Its just a name, and its up to you as to what you do with it. God has created you with a plan, and name or no name, if you follow the will of God, you can leave a good haritage, and prove that God is the one who gives you a name of honour, sucess, and a character of integrity, love and grace. My goal, and it can be your, is to live according to the will of the Lord, and when trials come, I run to the name, that will always protect me. Father God, thank you, for the NEW NAME YOU HAVE GIVEN ME IN CHRITS - I AM CHRISTIAN -A CHILD OF THE LORD AMEN