Daniel, not just a name.

What does your name mean? Has anyone ever tried to give you a bad name? Nickname? What identity do you live by? One given by God or by man? Are you in friendly captivity with a name that you have acquired? Does it reflect your identity in Christ? Many of us carry around a name that no longer defines who we are and don't realize that we let that name guide who we are to become or who we are today. Do you hold on to a last name from a previous marriage, a childhood nickname, a hurtful name that someone may have called you in school? Did you keep your maiden name instead of take on the last name of your husband? How are you to become one in Christ if you start out separating yourself from your life mate by your name?

Daniel 1:7 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

The name Daniel means God is my judge. The chief official gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar, which means Bel will protect. This is a big deal! A really big deal!! The chief replaced Daniel's God given name with the name of a false god and a false promise!!! Assigning new names was a common practice in the ancient world. By doing this, their entire identity was to change until it matched the meaning of the new given name. It was a new destiny, created by man. King Nebuchadnezzar thought he could shape Daniel's destiny by changing his name.

God also practiced this name changing. He changed Abrams name to Abraham in Genesis. Let us remember that we have a few names that our God has also given to us. Names that cannot change: Daughter, child, friend.

Today, I encourage you to make the necessary steps to lay the names you hold on to at the alter. If they do not reflect who you are today, then don't own them as your identity. If you have been holding on to the pain associated with a name you were given or called, let it go, it's not your, it's more someone else's than it is yours. We are princesses (and prices) who are children of God, own it!!!

Lord, I pray that we will understand who we are in you. That the name you call us is more important than any other. I pray that we will find our identity in Christ, your son, and that we would move past the names that have been used to identify us before today. Today is a new day and we are your children. Amen to that!!!!!