Blog - Do Not Depart

Philippians :: Week 8 :: Are you good enough?

July 8, 2011 by Lisa Burgess 7 Comments

It’s good to be good. I get that. God calls us to do good things so he can be glorified (Matthew 5:16).

But do we carry it too far?

Not in doing good things (let’s always want that!), but by incorrectly thinking that doing good things makes us good.

Immediately after Paul told the Philippians to fill up on joy (Philippians 3:1), he gave them a very stern warning:

“Look out for the dogs!
Look out for the evildoers!
Look out for those who mutilate the flesh!” (verse 2)

Who were those dogs? They were grace-stealers. They were Jews who were trying to pull the fresh Christians away from grace and back into law.

They were the voices we still hear today, whispering and sometimes shouting: “You’re not doing enough. You’re not good enough! Is that the best you can do???”

But Paul gave a confident and reassuring answer that we need to listen to. He said we don’t have to be good enough.

And he should know. If anybody had a beefy spiritual resume, it was Paul (verse 4). He had credentials. His Benjamite blood line was pure, traceable all the way back to Jacob, as far as a Jew could go.

He was a Pharisee on fire for obeying the law, far more zealous than any Sadducee. But…

Was it good enough? Could his credentials earn his salvation?

Can yours? What do you take pride in?

Maybe you have a stellar record of church attendance. Or you teach a Bible class or two. Or you make great sacrifices to homeschool your kids. Ah, great items for the resume, yes?

No.

While those may be good things, they’re still zemia compared to knowing Christ. Zemia is the Greek word Paul used for “loss” in verse 3. As in detriment. Disadvantage.

If you’re relying on your own credentials to build your joy, you’re at a disadvantage. You’re wasting energy trying to be perfect on your own.

Instead, concentrate on knowing better the one who already is perfect. Hang out with him and let his blood rub off on you. His perfection is the only one you’ll ever need.

When we try to be right by our own goodness, we’re wrong. But when we accept the righteousness from God that depends on faith (verse 9), we go all the way through suffering to the other side of resurrection.

It’s painful to try to be perfect on our own. And it’s unnecessary. Christ has already done it for us.

So let’s heed Paul’s warnings and do as he did:

Rejoice in the Lord
Beware of grace-stealers
Put no confidence in our own works
Know Christ and build faith in him

Because it’s not what you do for him, it’s that you know him.

And that is reason to rejoice!

What have you gleaned from Philippians 3:1-11?
Do you still struggle with trying to do it all yourself?
How do you lean on Christ?

Friday Favorites: Bible Translations

July 8, 2011 by ScriptureDig 3 Comments

Ever wonder which Bible translations we like best? Everybody has a favorite and we wanted to share ours with you. And if you are curious about the differences in translations and translation methods, we encourage you to read How to Judge a Book by its Cover.

Teri Lynne: Oh so hard!! I love the English Standard Version (ESV) for study and that’s what I carry to church. But I also use the New Living Translation (NLT) for devotional reading. So those are the two that I turn to most often … but I can’t deny my fondness for the Amplified Bible (AMP) or the New American Standard Bible (NASB) which is what I grew up with.

Julie: I’ve been using the English Standard Version (ESV) as my primary translation for the past couple of years. Not only have I appreciated the word for word translation, I’ve also really enjoyed the study notes in my particular version. Much of what I have memorized and studied until now has been from the New American Standard (NASB). I logged most of my early spiritual growth in the NASB.

Sandra: My go-to Bible translation is the English Standard Version. I think it’s easy to read while sticking close to the original text. I especially love the study Bible version (it’s heavy though so it stays home!). I get this question every week because I work at LifeWay, and I always recommend the ESV.

Kathy: I use the NIV and the ESV for study, but I love to use the New Living Translation for my devotional reading. The NLT is a “dynamic (or functional) equivalence” translation, which translates thought-for-thought rather than word-for-word as in the formal equivalence. Although not as literal, it makes for easier devotional reading since it updates idioms and figures of speech. (Here is a great article about the kinds of translations and how to choose one.)

Stephanie: Amplified. Since I’m a studier and a word girl, my hands-down favorite is always the Amplified. I read the New King James for my quiet time and I use the New Living Translation when I want to convey something in modern terms. Yet, I still love the King James Version – especially when I’m reading through the Psalms.

Kristi: For serious study, I love my NASB! Just this past year I have begun using the ESV for study, also, and I’ve really enjoyed it. My most common go-to is the NIV, however. I grew up on the NIV, have memorized most consistently out of the NIV, and just find it comforting and familiar. Speaking of… my favorite well-marked, well-traveled, well-loved NIV disappeared after church a few weeks ago, so if you’ve seen it send it back. I miss it. :)

24/7 Streamside ~ Psalm 1

July 7, 2011 by ScriptureDig 2 Comments

Understanding how verses 1-4 apply to me personally makes all the difference when I get to verse 5 … “Therefore…” It’s like God hits the turn signal, it’s flashes a warning, and we turn in to the conclusion of Psalm 1.

If we grow beside living water, we bear fruit. God uproots us and tranplants us to life, but we have to reject wickedness and, instead, embrace truth constantly.

The wicked lead lives apart from God and produce nothing lasting. “Therefore,” the righteous are approved of by God; the wicked don’t stand firm in the judgment. It’s a turning point with an eternal difference.

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Fast forward to the 21st century … How do I avoid walking/sitting/standing with the “wrong crowd?” God isn’t talking about avoiding the world. Jesus said He doesn’t want us to be taken out of the world (John 17:14-16); He wants us to be salt and light IN the world (Matt. 5:13-14). “Walking … sitting … standing” are active verbs revealing a decision to stay with people who reject God. Instead of accepting the companionship and counsel of wicked men (who haven’t turned to God), someone who seeks to be blessed won’t continue with and listen to/heed the wicked. In our modern world this may mean:

not exchanging the truth of God for opinions found in books, blogs, tv, etc
not going to someone who doesn’t follow God for counsel, advice, or partnership
not spending regular time with someone who makes fun of, argues against, or shames God and His truth
not putting ourselves in a place to be influenced by someone who doesn’t delight in God’s Word

How do I meditate 24/7? Maybe this was realistic for someone herding sheep all day, but be come on?!? Meditating really means searching for insight, continuing to try to know, staying with truth, and always returning to truths of God’s Word. (Kathy gave thoughts on meditation here.) This may look like:

reciting Psalm 101:3 each time I turn on the tv or computer – “I will set no worthless thing before my eyes … “
remembering the words of Psalm 4:8 when I return to a dark house at night and fight fears – “In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.” If I’m alone & feeling insecure, I may keep muttering this truth over and over until the Lord covers me in peace and brings me sleep.
reminding myself that “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God,” (Psalm 20:7) when I’m at a family gathering or school meeting or lunch with co-workers, and they’re laughing at people who need the “crutch” of believing in Jesus.

How do I stay by the stream? We live in arid times when men would rather wither than trust God and bear fruit for others. Strangely, it’s never been easier to access God’s Word! We have it in so many forms at the touch of a button or stroke of a finger, but we’re more distracted than ever. Enjoy drinking from God’s Word!

Invest money and time and thoughts to dig in and discover God’s truth and application to YOU in the 21st century.
Think about it throughout your day, in all events of life.
Memorize it, hiding it in your heart. (Psalm 119:9-10)
Talk about it with others who love God, and worship with others who follow Him.
Be a committed part of a church family that’s bearing fruit.

Sweet Scripture Dig friend, there’s no need to wither. We’re meant to be living on God’s Word and bearing fruit!

Psalm 1 gives us a glimpse of treasures in the song book of God’s people. If you’d like to spend more time in select chapters over the next few weeks, join me at Come Have a Peace as we pass through this gateway chapter and look into the garden of the Book of Psalms.

What helps you most to stay close to the stream of living water?

Useless. Irritating. Chaff. ~ Psalm 1

July 6, 2011 by ScriptureDig Leave a Comment

Tossing Chaff — Tossing chaff as seen from my window

From the window of our bedroom, I looked out across the rice fields surrounding a distant mountain. During harvest, people covered their faces and arms, threshing stalks of rice and separating sharp hulls of no use. As farmers tossed the stalks into the air, chaff filled the sky and was caught by a hot wind; it blew in from the fields and irritated our lungs and eyes. Useless. Irritating. Chaff.

Psalm 1 leaves us wondering about who first wrote its words. We’ve looked at observations and considered some meaning, but how did the words of the 6 verses apply to the original audience? As God breathed these words, what did He know about the early worshipers that made this song so powerful?

Water – Since the Psalms were first given to Israel as a national hymnal, the audience would’ve been made up of people familiar with life in arid places. Precious water was the life blood of prosperity, and distance from it was the difference between life and death. To bear fruit, a plant has to be planted or transplanted to a place where it can live.
Covenant – They also knew that prosperity and perishing were part of the covenant God had made with them as a people. This was not brand new information, but it gave voice to their song of commitment. (Exodus 19:3-9)
Farming – Most of those listening knew first hand the labors of the field and the process of moving from planting to fruit bearing. To those in agricultural Palestine, a tree intentionally planted to flourish by a life giving stream was a familiar contrast to the useless chaff removed during threshing, leaving behind the valuable grain as it was blown away in the wind.
Kings – The people of God who first sang this Psalm knew that a king has the right to approve of or prefer a man who please him. Many had suffered in captivity and knew the anguish of a disapproving king. As God’s chosen people, He has the right to receive or reject those in His kingdom.

The blessed man bears fruit, but the wicked man bears useless chaff.

“Scoffers” refused to follow the covenant given by the King to His people. At that time, that mean following the first 5 books we have, the Torah. Walking it’s truths led to either bearing fruit for others or perishing without being a benefit (Useless. Irritating. Chaff.)

God repeated the priority when His people prepared to cross into the land He promised them. He challenged Joshua, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Josh. 1:8).

The people who first sang Psalm 1 knew that to be prosperous, they must constantly consider and practice God’s holy Word. Every harvest season, as they tossed grain into the air and watched chaff blow away, they would remember and be warned.

The blessed man bears fruit, but the wicked man bears useless chaff.

So what about the non-farmers of the 21st century? Does Psalm 1 apply to us?

Come back with me to the life-giving Word tomorrow, and let’s make it personal.

Little things say a lot ~ Psalm 1

July 5, 2011 by ScriptureDig Leave a Comment

In the South Carolina low country, there are marshes and rivers and ponds, lined with haunting moss-draped live oaks from which Dogwood trees peak out like little girls in brightly colored party dresses. At first glance, it’s just a beautiful garden. Strolling along the pathways, however, the lives of people with titles like “Enslaved Africans, Overseer, Owner” unfold as you walk through the restored rice plantation. As you follow the garden walkways the story of the founding couple is woven through acres like the vines that cling to trees framing the canals; two people who loved the land, art, writing, and history had a vision to preserve something of great value. The garden is a collection of what caused their hearts to sing and all they treasured.

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The Psalms are deeply personal, yet mean to be sung corporately. They often give voice to what can not find expression within our own limits. Understand the meaning of the basic facts gives us a glimpse to why these treasures have been preserved for us to enter into.

What does it mean to be “blessed?” ~ showered with favor from the Lord; in it’s Latin form, the word “beatus” is the same that gives us the word for “beattitude” in the Sermon on the Mount of Matt. 5:3-11. The Greek equivalent of the original Hebrew word means “blessed,” and it’s the same word used in James 1:12, where the we find, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

Sometimes the smallest things in the garden give me the most awe, and words are no different. The word for “man” refers to a “specific person,” meaning this is the example of a specific person to be followed. In Hebrew it’s literally “the man.” This is the example we are called to follow, that of “the blessed man.”

This man – this blessed one – resists moving with, stopping with, and staying with those who reject the instruction of God. He embraces God’s truth and focuses on it consistently. To “meditate” on the law has the idea of “active pondering.” This is not sitting uselessly, staring into space, emptying our minds. Instead, it is repeatedly remembering, thinking with focus, calling to mind again, staying with one thought, considering carefully …. While our world rushes on to the next idea, gets a “short link,” abbreviates, and flags for reading another time, meditating is making a decision to spend extended time resting in one place of truth until it soaks in and takes root.

Little things say so much. When verse 6 tells us the Lord “knows the way of the righteous,” it means He looks with affection, approval, and preference on the righteous man. It’s quite a contrast with the wicked man who will perish. People are and will be known by God. People do and will perish. God doesn’t want to keep us from discovering the truth of what makes the difference. He invites us to step inside the gateway and understand.

Tomorrow … the tree and the chaff … and me. Will you come with me?

It’s just a little further inside the garden gate.

Hiding His Word Link-up

July 5, 2011 by Katie Orr 2 Comments

Are you memorizing scripture?

Have you written a post this past month about your progress?

Have you shared any tips which we can all benefit from?

Now’s the time to link them up! Just leave the link to your post in the linky below. If you leave a link, be sure to visit at least a few of the other links and leave a comment of encouragement to the others memorizing scripture alongside of you! If you want to use a button in your post you can grab it from the flair page.

I saw this is the #HideHisWord Twitter stream this week, and thought it was fun to know! Here is more from the #HideHisWord Twitter stream. If you haven’t checked it out yet, we would love for you to join us!

The gateway ~ Psalm 1

July 4, 2011 by ScriptureDig 2 Comments

As Tara and I entered the garden, we saw abundant plant life, a magnificent sculpture, and a pathway leading beyond. It was my first time to Brookgreen Gardens, and my dear friend was eager to share it with me. Approaching the entrance, the beauty drew me in, stirring my interest to see more, but the gateway itself was only a glimpse of all that awaited.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Psalm 1 is what the ESV Study Bible calls “the gateway” to the Book of Psalms. This week we’ll spend four days lingering at the gateway to this Book, the song book of the people of God. If you want to know some background for the Psalter, I invite you to read here or to go here to note some of the landmarks that will help you journey further into the Book. If we take time to see the elements included in the first of the 150 Psalms, we prepare ourselves to appreciate and enjoy the beauty of what lies beyond the gateway.

To know this passage of 6 verses, it helps to observe the facts. Tomorrow we’ll consider more of the meaning of what we find in this first poem that was and is still meant to be sung.

This Psalm describes 2 kinds of men: blessed men and wicked men.

Blessed men prosper. Wicked men perish.

Blessed men do 5 actions in the first 3 verses:

walk not … in the counsel of the wicked

stand not … in the way of sinners

delight … in the law of the Lord (meaning the Torah, first 5 books, at the original time of writing)

meditate … on God’s law

prosper … in all he does

Wicked men do 2 actions in verse 5:

stand not … in the judgement

stand not … in the congregation of the righteous

There are 3 “but” statements:

Blessed men don’t linger in wickedness BUT delight in God’s word.

Wicked men are not like a prospering tree BUT are like chaff.

God approves of the righteous BUT the wicked will perish.

2 Similes are used in this poem:

Blessed man … like a tree that is by a stream, yields fruit, & doesn’t wither

Wicked man … like chaff blown away uselessly by the wind

Tomorrow we’ll reflect on what some of this means, but for today, let’s recognize that “the Lord knows the way of the righteous.” Since there are 2 kinds of men, it’s important to know that God is fully aware of our hearts.

As I entered through the gate of the southern garden, I saw sculpture, plants, and architecture. I acknowledged the pieces, but uncovering their meaning amplified the beauty of the discovery.

Join me tomorrow as we pear further into the meaning of the facts in these 6 verses shaping the arch through which we enter the Book of Psalms. I encourage you to take time to read Psalm 1 aloud; find it here. Better than that, would you memorize it with me over the next 4 days? It’s not a hard Psalm to commit to memory, and we already know the “pieces.” The rest of the week, let’s look at questions like:

What makes the blessed man proper?
Why doesn’t the tree wither?
Why is chaff useless, and what is it, anyways?
What does it mean the “the Lord knows”?
What does it really mean to be “blessed”?
How in the world can you “meditate day and night”?!?!?!?
What does the counsel of the wicked and the seat of scoffers look like in the modern world?
What do you want to know about this Psalm?

I’ll see you tomorrow ….. just inside the gateway….

Friday Favorites: Biblical Character

July 1, 2011 by ScriptureDig 2 Comments

{For the next several weeks, we’ll be sharing with you some of our favorites every Friday.}

With so many outrageous and interesting people mentioned in God’s Word, we thought you might be interested in knowing who some of our favorites are.

Teri Lynne: Rahab. I find myself continually in awe of her determination and willingness to stand against her culture and possibly even her family in order to assist the Hebrew spies. While she had no personal knowledge of God, she had seen and heard enough to know that He is the true God and was willing to risk everything in order to know more about Him. How I pray that I’ll have that same determination to stand strong!

Julie: Phoebe. While sitting at the Port of Piraeus near ancient Corinth, a national teacher and friend challenged me with the legacy of Phoebe. She was a sister in the Church who was entrusted with carrying the precious letter of Romans from Paul. Though she lived in a pagan region, she was known for her godliness and her active support and care for God’s servants. She began a great legacy for women today!

Sandra: Paul. I relate to his struggles. I have to remind myself everyday that I am the chief of sinners and that I’m saved by grace alone.

Kathy: Peter. I’ve always been partial to the Apostle Peter because Scripture clearly shows us how Jesus shaped this hard-working, headstrong, common fisherman into a passionate leader he could use to change the world. Jesus strengthened the shaky faith of this impetuous Galilean into a rock-solid, unshakeable faith willing to face martyrdom for Christ.

Stephanie: Deborah. I love how she defines the kind of woman I want to be when I grow up. Strong in faith. Strong in character. Brave. Bold. Determined. Wise. Not only was she a wife, but she also nurtured a nation. She was a world changer who was not afraid of taking a risk and trusted God to be faithful to His Word

Kristi: Joshua‘s life story is amazing to me. He was Moses’ aide and matured into manhood next to this humble man who talked with God face to face – and when Moses left the tent of meeting after his times with the Lord, Joshua stayed behind. No wonder he could see with different eyes as they spied out the land! No wonder he could courageously march around Jericho! A bigger view of God changes everything; I so long for God to consume my thoughts and compel me to live courageously with eyes of faith.

Philippians :: Week 7 :: An Ordinary Guy

July 1, 2011 by Katie Orr 12 Comments

Today’s post is a guest post by Rusheika. I have loved getting to know Rusheika in the #HideHisWord stream, as we have been memorizing Philippians together. I appreciate her love for the Word of God. Enjoy!

Are you ever tempted to put certain people of the Bible on a pedestal and think that you could never be like them? You may think, “Well of course Paul can “give thanks continually”… he’s Paul, an apostle, he wrote half the New Testament…!” So God gives us another example to follow. Timothy, others focused, Christ- centered. You may say, “But he was mentored by Paul, a gifted man who had a praying mother. He has 2 books of the Bible named after him! He has a lot going for him.” God keeps going…Epaphroditus. “Epaphro WHO? Never heard of him…!”

But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me. Phil 2: 25, 29-30

This is the only book in the Bible that we read about Epaphroditus. There is nothing to suggest that he was anything more than an ordinary guy. Nothing that states that he held any office in the church, no other ministry was spoken of. We don’t know his back-story. BUT Paul calls him a brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier. A messenger. A minister. One who almost died doing the work of Christ!

What can we learn from this ordinary person doing extraordinary things? Paul considered him:

Brother

His name, loved by Aphrodite (the goddess of love and sexuality) suggests that he was Greek. He was probably a native of Philippi. Paul therefore was not referring to him as a relative or even a fellow Jew. He was esteeming him as a member of the body of Christ. In spite of their differences they were part of one family… the family of God. The same family WE are a part of when we accept Christ -no matter our nationality, our back-story, who the world says we are, we are in God’s family!

Fellow Worker

The Greek word is sunergos from sun meaning closely identified together, and ergos- to work. It is doubtful that Paul would have considered Epaphroditus a fellow worker if Epaphroditus wasn’t working whole-heartedly, if he was not fully committed to the work God had for him. He was working with Paul, side by side, in one spirit. Can the same be said of me? Am I labouring with my fellow brothers in unity, fully committed to the work of Christ?

Fellow Soldier

In whatever capacity Epaphroditus served with Paul, there was a battle. He was a fighter, a warrior; he almost gave his life for the cause of Christ. Do you see yourself as a soldier? We are in a battle, it gets hot, and it gets rough. Are you prepared to fight?

Messenger

He went on behalf of the Philippians carrying a gift for Paul. Philippians 4:18 gives us the sense that it was a generous gift. Epaphroditus was trustworthy. The church relied him to be their messenger, to represent them. Are you reliable? Can you be trusted? Do you represent your church well? Do you represent the body of Christ well?

Minister

He didn’t just make his delivery and leave. He was sent to minister to Paul’s needs. He left his own life, his comforts, to minister to someone under house arrest. The word in the Greek is leitourgos and it carries the sense of priestly service, or service given to others at one’s own expense. Epaphroditus was willing to minister to the needs of Paul even at the expense of his own life. His actions were sacrificial and he showed immense humility. As you minister to others are you concerned about what it costs you?

I have been challenged this week to be selfless in serving others, to fight hard and to be trustworthy in the roles God has given me.

What about you? How does Epaphroditus’ life challenge you?

Rusheika is married to Joseph and a homeschooling mom to three boys and one girl. She seeks to be intentional in her walk with Christ and encourage others to do the same. She shares her journey at Hide and Seek.

Thank you, Rusheika!

What is Your Name?

June 30, 2011 by ScriptureDig 1 Comment

All this week I will be sharing some thoughts on the life of Jacob, based on a series of messages I gave at a youth retreat last fall. I pray that this has been encouraging and challenging for you, as it was for me!

Jacob wrestles — Image from visualBiblealive.com

Monday we asked the question, “Who are you?” Tuesday, we considered “What do you really want?” Wednesday the question was, “Where are you?” Today we finish our studies of the life of Jacob with one final, very important question: what is your name?

Today we find Jacob, the heel-grabber, the deceiver, fearing for his life as he nears his reunion with Esau. In verses 9-12, Jacob prays as we have never seen him pray before.

Then Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you’: “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies…

Genesis 32:9-10

This is the first time we have seen Jacob acknowledging God’s undeserved mercy and blessing toward him, and expressing faith in God’s promise to watch over him. And what is God’s answer to his prayer?

After dividing his family and possessions into two groups, hoping at least one of them would escape if Esau attacked him, he sends them across a stream ahead of him and prepares to spend the night alone. Then verse 24 says, “Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.” What? How random is that?? It seems strange, but really it is God’s answer to his earlier prayer. If you haven’t read this recently, take a few minutes to brush up on this account – Genesis 32:24-30.

Who is this random man who wrestles with him? Jacob apparently knows – in verse 30 he says, “…I have seen God face to face…”

He is wrestling with Jesus himself! (This is what is known as a “Christophany” – an Old Testament appearance of Christ.)

So Jesus is wrestling with him and Jacob just will not give up. He is fighting and fighting and fighting, so Jesus touches his hip socket, dislocates it, and forces him into submission. Then Jacob refuses to let go of Him unless He blesses Him. Jesus asks Jacob his name, he gives it, and then Jesus says he is no longer Jacob, but will be Israel.

Here is my rephrased version of this chapter.

Jacob, “the deceiver,” the “heel grabber,” finally cries out to God. He finally recognizes that he is absolutely unworthy of all of God’s blessings upon Him, and begs for God’s protection and deliverance. God’s answer to the prayer? Jesus Himself comes and fights Jacob into submission – it is a long struggle, but He physically forces Jacob to submit. Jacob then clings to Him until he receives His blessing.

And then, Jesus asks him what his name is.

Isn’t that a strange question, since God created Jacob, has watched over him, pursued him, and knows him intimately? Did Jacob’s “hello, my name is:” tag fall off during the wrestling match? Why does He ask Jacob’s name?

Imagine the tension here. He is clinging to “the Man” he somehow knows is God Himself and has asked for a blessing. Jesus looks into his eyes and says, “What is your name?” And now Jacob has to say it: I am Jacob. I am a deceiver. I am a heel-grabber. And he knows full well that he has done a bang-up job of living up to that name. Jesus hears his answer and then replies, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel…

This change of name was very significant. He is no longer the deceiver. His name has been changed because his character has been changed.

Imagine that your deepest, darkest sin in your life was your name… what name would you have to confess to Him if you were in Jacob’s position?

We all have something to confess to Him. No one is good except God alone.

It is interesting to me that in Genesis 32:28, Jesus changes Jacob’s name to Israel and says, “because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.”

In Revelation chapters 2 and 3 there are seven letters to different churches- and each ends with a promise to those who “overcome.”

In Revelation 2:17, Jesus says that He will give to those who overcome “a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him to receives it.”

We overcome the same way Jacob did… we don’t overcome by following rules. We don’t overcome by looking the part. We don’t overcome because we have a Christian heritage. We overcome by submitting to Jesus Christ, admitting to Him who we really are, and clinging to Him with all of our strength.

When you do that – He changes your name.

And He changes your story.