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Name Change

After Jacob grabbed onto God with everything he had, God changed the Grabber's name to Israel. At that point, things really started happening! Israel (the man) became the father of the 12 tribes of Israel (the country). He also became one of the most significant people in the Old Testament-not on his own strength-but because God fulfilledHis plan in spite of Israel's weaknesses.

The Bible is filled with folks just like Jake-and just like you-ordinary people failing, confused and frustrated who become victorious, confident and strong simply because they finally give God 100 percent. You see, when we give God everything, things start happening! That's when He looks past our humanness and begins to work in supernatural ways to accomplish His will.

God's plan will not be thwarted by your humanity. He supercedes your failure with the power to make wonderful things happen out of mistakes.

There's another name change in the Bible that made history. The apostle Paul wasn't always Paul. He started out as Saul-dedicated to killing as many Christians as he could. But on the road to Damascus, he was confronted by God Almighty. Convinced Jesus Christ actually was whom He claimed to be, Saul gave God 100 percent. God then changed his name to Paul- and things started happening!

He wrote letters to several new churches, and these letters became part of the New Testament. He preached the gospel throughout the Roman empire on three mission trips. He discipled Timothy and was instrumental in helping the Gentiles become Christians. Paul was filled withGod's strength, and because of that, he was never afraid to face confrontation head-on.

God has a beautiful knack for taking our weaknesses and turning them into His strengths. But there's a catch: We have to admit and commit. Once we admit our failure and commit everything to Him, He's able to work through our past and develop His character within us.< p> Are you willing to allow God to make the changes He needs to make in your life? What if He wants to change your name-or how you perceive yourself? He may want to change your reputation-how you're known and perceived by others. Are you willing to allow Him total control?

Know It!
God won't force you to give Him total control. But it's only when you do, that He begins to complete the life- changing work He wants to do in and through you.

Read It!
Genesis 32:28; Acts 9; Philippians 1:21-22.

Pray It!
Jesus, I admit my failure to You. Will you forgive me for ( fill in the blank ). I accept Your forgiveness, and I commit everything I am to You. Have Your way in my life, Lord. Change my life, my actions-even the way I see myself. I want to be putty in Your hands.

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Focused on H2O

Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem for a special feast- Feast of the Jews-when he found the paralytic at Bethesda. Jesus would have passed merchants selling fish, lamb and other food in the open-air market. He would have noticed children playing in the streets and heard the haggling of shop keepers trying to earn a day's living. He would have seen women selling brightly-colored shawls and fabric, and would have smelled freshly-baked bread warming over an open grill. Though hundreds of activities and people could have distracted Him, He walked straight to the paralytic at Bethesda.

Jesus walks straight to you, as well. Yes, He has famines to end, new stars to hang, tortured Christians calling His name, diseases to tend to and planets to rotate, but He still sees you in the midst of your need and walks straight to you.

It's interesting to note that the paralytic was so intensely focused on the water's surface, He didn't even notice who was in his presence. The Creator of the universe standing next to me? Hmmm. Wouldn't know about that, I don't want to take my eyes off of the water.< p> How often are you so focused on your own problems that you fail to notice the King of Kings is standing next to you waiting to meet your needs? We get so busy looking to other sources for answers, that we forget to notice Jesus is the answer!

Yes, Jesus asked the paralytic what seemed a silly question. But He had to get the man's attention. What does He have to do to get your attention? Jesus will get your attention, and He'll go to great lengths to get it. Hopefully, His death and ressurection has captured your attention.

Eventually He'll command the attention of everyone in the world when they'll bow and confess that He is Lord on the Day of Judgement. On what or with whom are you so focused on right now, that it's interfering with your full attention to Jesus Christ?

Know It!
God wants you so tuned in to Him, that when He needs your attention, He automatically has it. When you're faced with problems, don't think of God as your last resort. Turn to Him first; after all, He's standing right next to you just waiting to help.

Read It!
Lamentations 3:22-26; 2 Chronicles 16:9; John 5:1- 18.

Pray It!
Dear Jesus, when I'm faced with a problem it sometimes seems easier to go to a friend or look somewhere besides You for the answer. Remind me that You're ready and willing to share Your wisdom with me. Help me turn to You as a first step instead of a last resort.

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