“And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.”
And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there.”
Finally, if you are going to survive the fight of your life, you’ve got to...
Let God Change Your Name
In the movie, Fireproof, Kirk Cameron plays a husband named Caleb whose marriage is about to go up in smoke. When challenged by his father to fight for his marriage, he begins the “love dare.” Caleb starts to do random acts of kindness for his wife and doesn’t get the response he is looking for. His wife’s heart is unmoved as she seeks a divorce and a potential new relationship. Finally Caleb reaches his breaking point and wants to quite, when he is confronted with the fact that he doesn’t know how to love. He realizes that he must first accept God’s love for him through Jesus sacrifice on the cross. Caleb becomes a changed man and now that his heart was fully in it, he wins back his wife’s heart. Caleb’s conversion to Christ started a work in his heart that began to change his character. You see, what Caleb got was a name change.
Names in the Bible were very significant. Every time Jacob said his name, he was reminded that he was a deceiver. When God asked him what was his name, he was, in essence, saying my name is deceiver. His name was a description of his character. So when God changed his name from Jacob to Israel, one who struggles with God and man and prevails, He was changing his character from deceiver to overcomer! Jacobs new name meant he now has a new destiny. A new identity! His encounter with God changed the course of his life.
Friends, this is exactly what Jesus wants to do in your life today. He wants to give you a new name. He wants to change you from sinner to saint! From unrighteous to righteous! From victim to victor! From faithless to faithful! From lost to saved! But you’ve got to let Christ change your name. Give Him your heart and mind and let Him change your character. You’ve got to surrender to win! Friends, this is the great controversy! The war is being waged between Christ & Satan for your mind! The fight is intense. Can’t you hear the battle all around you...on the job, at home, at school, in your choices for music, games and entertainment? The intensity of the battle even seeks to invade your family, dating relationships, or even your spouse. This is the fight of your life!
But I can hear Jesus saying, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 Jesus doesn’t try to sugar code the reality of this world of sin. He says in this world you will have trials and tribulation. He says in John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. Do you hear what Jesus is saying here? He says in the midst of the Devil coming to steal, kill and destroy, He will come and give you life more abundantly. He says be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. His victory can be yours! The battle is not yours, it is the Lords!
Though there maybe trouble in your life and the battle seems overwhelmingly intense. Know that through Christ you can and will survive the fight of your life by confessing your fears, while claiming God’s promises. You will survive if you don’t give up the fight until you get your blessing. And you will win the fight of your life if you let God change your name.
Friends, it is surviving and winning these little fights of life that will prepare you for the big one that is coming. The inspired pen says “Jacob's experience during that night of wrestling and anguish represents the trial through which the people of God must pass just before Christ's second coming.” PP 198 The Bible says in Jeremiah 30:7, “Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble, (now hear is the good news) But he shall be saved out of it.” God’s people will be delivered! But it’s going to take patience and the faith of Jesus for the Bible says in Revelation 14:12, “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” You see the victory lies in your faith. 1 John 5:4-5 say, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” Friends, you’ve got to put your faith and trust in Jesus! He is the only way your going to make it. You need Jesus. I need Jesus. Will you receive Him today? Maybe you’d like to accept Jesus for the first time. Or maybe you’ve slipped away from Him and the fight of your life is overwhelming you like a flood and you want to say, that you want to recommit your life to Him. There is grace and forgiveness at the cross! Today is the day! Now is the time. Receive Jesus today. Start the journey by clicking here.
"CJ" CLAYPOLE S. COUSINS JR., IS SIMPLY A MAN WHO IS IN LOVE WITH JESUS. HIS PASSION IS TO LIVE, PREACH AND TEACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. IN ADDITION TO PREACHING & TEACHING, CJ ALSO LOVES TO SING AND WRITE ABOUT JESUS. HE ALSO SERVES AS THE PASTOR FOR GROW GROUPS & RPCTV AT RESTORATION PRAISE CENTER.