What’s In A Name?
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Read Acts 9:36-42.
Nia and her mother were on their way to the shopping mall. “Oh, Mom. Alexis has a baby sister named Tracy, and she’s so cute! Mom, how do people choose names for their babies?”
“Well,” answered Mom, “some babies are named for a family member or another person the parents like. And sometimes a name is chosen because of its meaning.”
Nia was surprised. “Names have meanings?”
“Some do,” said Mom. “I have a book that tells the meaning of many names.”
That evening Nia found the book and looked up the names of her friends. Father pointed out, “The Bible says, ‘A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.’” (Proverbs 22:1, NKJV).
“But we don’t choose our names,” said Nia.
Dad answered, “No matter what we are named, we can have a good name.”
Then Mom said, “The Bible tells the story of Dorcas, who did sewing for poor people. Her name meant ‘gazelle.’ But do you think people thought of a gazelle when they saw her?”
“No,” said Nia slowly, “they probably thought of all the nice things Dorcas did for them. Oh! I get it! A good name is like a good reputation—what you’re known for.”
“That’s right,” said Dad. “And since you have accepted Jesus as Savior, you also have Christ’s name—Christian. God wants you to live in a way that honors that name.”
“If I do that, I’ll always keep my good name!” exclaimed Nia.
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have the name Christian? You do if you’ve asked Jesus to be your Savior. Each day ask Him to help you do everything in a way that honors Him, and then you will truly have a good name.
TO MEMORIZE:
Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:17
HONOR GOD’S NAME.
From the book
