Revelation of the Word:

THEME: NEW NAMES

Matthew 16:16-19 NIV

“Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

INSIGHT

–Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter and realigns his destiny. While Peter’s name means rock, it is actually Peter’s confession about who Jesus, the Christ and the Son of the Living God. Jesus will build His church upon this confession. Jesus Himself is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Christ declares that He will build His church upon the same confession that Peter made of properly identifying Jesus.

SUMMARY

Change of name is not new according to various Biblical accounts. Abram’s name was changed to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah as God wanted to do a new thing and release new blessings in their lives and their generation. God released His blessing to them and their generations making them great and a kingdom of kings and releasing an eternal possession through faith in God (Genesis 17:5-9). This was confirmed when the same blessing was proclaimed upon Jacob their grandson (Genesis 35:10-11), for he had wrestled with God and man and had prevailed (Genesis 32:28). King Nebuchadnezzar’s chief executive official changed the names of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah to Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego according to the Babylonian gods and their culture (Daniel 1:6-7). Saul’s persecuted disciples of Christ and later after his conversion, his name was changed to Paul, and he was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:9). This change of name occassioned a new life in Christ and a became a devout apostle of Christ. Jesus changed Simon’s name to Peter upon whose confession of faith, Christ has build His church. Jesus Himself is the Rock (Petra), upon which the church is built. No one then can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11). Therefore we need to have unvaivering faith in Christ Jesus Who will come to take His bride the church when He returns (Revelation 21:2).

PRAYER

Almighty Father we adore Your name and exalt You for there is none like You. We thank You that Your Name is our strong and migh tower and surely we run to it and we are safe. We thank You for Your Name is our weapon in times of trouble, for at the mention of Your name Lord Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Thank You Lord that You are for us and always fight for us in all situations. Thank You Lord that You have good plans for us, to prosper us and not to harm us, to give us hope and a future. Father we thank You for You have named us a blessed chosen generation and royal priesthood. You have named us a victorious people because of Your Son Jesus Christ. We pray that every negative meaning of our individual names shall be transformed and conformed to Your will and purpose in our lives. That we shall obtain a new name in You Jesus Christ. We exalt You and magnify You oh Lord. May You sanctify us by You precious blood and purify us from all sins and iniquities. Our Father who art in heaven; hallowed be Your name; Your Kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from evil; for thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory; forever and ever. May You bless us and keep us dear Lord Jesus. May You shine Your face towards us and be gracious unto us. May You show Your countenance unto us and give us peace. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forevermore. Amen.

Further reading: 1 Corinthians 10:2-4

Blessed Weekend

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