The great debate…… When a child is due what should be the name. It seemed that there are three major things to consider:

    1 Do we like it?

    2 What does it mean?

    3 Is there a person, liked or disliked, who the child could be considered to be named after?

• God takes seriously the naming of people.

• Abram means "exalted father". God changed his name to Abraham "father of many".

• Jacob means "he deceives". God changed his name to Israel "he struggles with God". (and the nation did and does!!!!)

• Saul means "asked for" God changed his name to Paul "little".

• Simon means "hearing" God changed his name to Peter "a stone".

• God chose the name for Jesus. He would save His people from their sins. Matthew ch1 v21

    When it comes to choosing a name for a child it is wise to consider the power in the meaning of the name. For example: a name may be well liked but if it means something like "bitterness" Ruth ch1 v20 or even "not loved" Hosea ch1 the question arises. What do we want to pass on to our child?

    To name a child after somebody is to say I want this child to be like that person. For example many people are named after sportsperson’s or some prominent person of the decade, others are named after Biblical characters. But this we must do! We must be very careful when naming a child after somebody. Do you want them to grow up to be like them in character or spiritually? It is possible that instead of blessing them we could be cursing them.

        A couple in the BDM Team found themselves skipping through name books for good meanings or good names and being frustrated both ways. They chose if a little girl arrived, to call her Louisa Victoria "maiden warrior" "victorious". When a little boy arrived he was called Micaiah "who is like Yahweh". He is not a spiritual warrior like the little girl would have been, but he is named after a no holds barred prophet of the living Holy God. (see 1 Kings ch22) He is becoming a good companion for his older sister Emilee "industrious gift from God" There is power in a name.

    God also takes His own name seriously. Exodus ch20 v7 "You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name". His name is due Glory and Praise Ps66 v2. It demonstrates His power and Majesty. Ps8 v1. There is only one Name by which you may be saved. Acts ch4 v2.

    Isaiah ch9 v6 tells us some of the names of Christ "And He shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace"

    Surely when we call ourselves Christians we are associating ourselves with Christ and should be reflecting Christ’s character. You will remember in Acts ch11 v26 that it was the followers of Christ other people first called Christians. I wonder, today, if we would be identified as Christians when other people meet us. Do we really reflect the character of Christ?

    Read Philippians ch2 v1-15 Here we are shown how we can reflect Christ. V3 says "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." (So much for the Olympics) I guess that when we call ourselves christians and do not follow this teaching we are misusing His name.

    Isn’t it wonderful that Christ Humbled Himself Philippians ch2 v6-8

    We are told in Micah ch6 v8. He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

    Then in v9-11 "God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father"

    To call upon the name of the Lord is to call upon God. To act in someone’s name is to follow that person’s instructions and because this is the majestic God the Holy one then we dare not rush off on our own without instruction. We must live in close relationship with the Holy Spirit and be led accordingly.

    Now, when we look at Luke ch9 v1-2 we see that we are given authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases and to preach the kingdom of God. In Luke ch10 v17 we see that the disciples found that even the demons submitted to them in the name of Jesus Christ. The Lord gently reminds them that He saw satan fall like lightning from heaven and they should not rejoice in their new-found power but that their names were written in heaven. He also reiterates the authority we have to overcome all the power of the enemy. It is very sad to see so many christians refusing to use it.

    There are many times that the Lords name is demonstrated in power read Luke ch24 v47. John ch14 v13. John ch15 v16. John ch16 v26. John ch20 v31. Acts ch3 v6. Acts ch3 v16. Acts ch4 v10. Acts ch16 v18. Ephesians ch5 v20.

    Read Mark ch16 v15-20 V17 says "In My Name they will drive out demons -------"

    There are many issues we must understand when we operate in this manner. I would respectfully suggest that you check the studies on this website, especially the warfare studies and work in conjunction with the Holy Spirit.

    In Revelation ch19 v16 "On His robe and on His thigh he has this name written

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