What Is In A Name

Proverbs 22:1 - "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches."

I read a devotional several months ago titled What Is In A Name. After reading it my thoughts traveled back to my childhood. My grandfather, on my daddy's side of the family, was one of five brothers. Two of my grandfather's brothers made many mistakes throughout their lives causing people to look down on this family. A bad reputation!

I have one brother and in our childhood many looked down on us because of our last name. We lived in a very small town.

Our mom and dad worked hard to bring honor to the family name. Our dad's goal was for each of us to change our name's image, to build character, bring honor and not shame to the Nuttle name.

My brother has traveled the world and is highly respected by leaders around the world and in our own country. My life is much more quiet but I try hard to remember the world is watching me to see if my daily living brings honor to my heavenly Father.

Now our name is Christian and we belong to the family of Christ. My brother and I are both committed Christians. He has truly fulfilled our dad's goal of bringing honor to the Nuttle's name and he does glorify God.

Although I know I make many mistakes each and everyday, I want people to be drawn to Christ by the things I do right; by glorifying God and bringing honor to the name, Christian.

Renewal

Matthew 6: 25-34 - This Scripture is about not being anxious,. . .God will provide.
Psalm 119: 103 - The psalmist said to God, "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey, to my mouth".

Have you ever witnessed a honeybee working. they are known for their ceaseless labor. A single worker bee makes 1/12Th of a teaspoon of honey in their lifetime. A good hive produces 50 - 60 pounds of honey to survive the winter.

It is a fact that a hard working honeybee will cease activity for a brief while. This is essential for renewal and doesn't hurt the hive at all.

If a honeybee can stop, have time out, then shouldn't we. When our stress levels rise we need to do like the honeybee does. After all Jesus took time to renew himself when he went up the mountain to pray - to create a time and space for God to refresh his spirit. IF Jesus needed to take time to rest then shouldn't we.

God Shuts the Door!

Genesis 7: 15-16
"A male and female of each kind of living being went into the boat with Noah, as God had commanded. Then the Lord shut the door behind Noah."

Do you think God wanted Noah to feel safe before the awful Storm so he shut and locked the door? Was God trying to make Noah feel safe? One thing is for certain; God closed the door out of love for Noah.

As we approach storms in our lives, God loves us with the same great capacity and looks out for us with the same sensitive care. How do you see God's care in you life?