by Dr. Kluane Spake

"My name is Judy, J U D Y!" I told my new kindergarten teacher while snickering behind my missing front teeth, and so that's what they called me. Nobody ever questioned it. Judy was my favorite name from my mostest special childhood book, "Judy and Jiggers." That book went along everywhere with me -- it was about a cute little girl who lost her dog.

Soon, my first dog was "Jiggers." And I was Judy. Anyway -

Months later, my mom came to pick me up after school. She asked for her little four-year-old, and no one knew whom she was talking about... because Mommy didn't know that I had changed my name, and everyone at school accepted it. I became a different person with that different secret name, and it was thirteen years before going back to my real name.

Far more impacting than our earthly name, the Lord gives us His covenant name. We become Christians or "little Christs." The word Christian is derived from the word Christ that means the Anointed One. It's our Christ-like name that changes our concept of who we are - little anointed ones - like Him! Our new identity reveals our legacy. Right now ask the Lord to give you the revelation of what being a Christian really means.

Our new name stands above all names. Incredibly, He gives to those who bear His name, the right to use it when approaching the Father. We don't keep our maiden name, or our carnal name in this union with Jesus. No, this interchange presupposes that we've given up our old autonomous life. In finality, we exchange our old identity with His -- Christ-ian. Our partner is the Person who opens the heavens.

There's unlimited power in that most precious name. His name becomes our source of personal finances, our blessings, our total existance on earth. Jesus said that whatever we ask the Father in His name, He'll give it to us (Jn. 14-26). In honor of this exchange, we promise to represent Him here on this earth. His name opens the treasuries of heaven for this dying world. Our life quest becomes one of apprehending all that is promised in His Name.

Teach us Lord, to respect this privilege of bearing Your awesome name.

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If this article has been helpful to you, please go to the bottom of the page and click the "thumbs up" button! Let's learn together! Thanx. Your online pastor, Dr. Kluane Spake