Abram was 99 years old when the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am El-Shaddai — ‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.
The Lord said Abram’s name would be changed to Abraham, for he would be the father of many nations. Abraham sounds like a Hebrew term that means "father of many."
Sarai, Abraham’s wife, would henceforth be call Sarah. She would become the mother of many nations. Sarah means "princess."
In the Gospel of John Andrew brings Simon to meet Jesus. "Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, "Your name is Simon, son of John — but you will be called Cephas" (which means "Peter"). Cephas and Peter both mean "rock."
There was not one thing perfect about Abraham, Sarah or Peter. Their sins and mistakes are recorded in the Bible for everyone to read. But God knew them and named them.
If God loved those sinful saints enough to give them a special name, I trust his mercy will extend to the rest of us sinful saints as well.
Try this. Insert your name and let Jesus call your name: "___________________, Come follow me."
I imagine, with a smile on His face, he named James and John the "Sons of Thunder", no doubt as a reflection of their impulsive and bearish ways. I like that.
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