“To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it” (Revelation 2:17 NIV).
Jesus has a secret name for you. Do you know what it is? I just got done reading a wonderful book called, “Your Secret Name: Discovering Who God Created You To Be” by Kary Oberbrunner. I highly recommend this book. The author of the book was crippled by an emotional illness that was very severe. He had believed the bad names others had given him and he had given himself. But through several God inspired events he was able to finally tell a counselor what he was doing and get help. His new name now is FREE, meaning free of all the lies of Satan.
The premise for the book is that God has a secret name for you and it is important that you learn what it is. Too many times the names that are attached to us are not what God wants. Some examples are: fat, ugly, dumb, learning disabled, anorexic, bulimic, depressed, anxious, liar, deceiver, adulterer, or addict to name a few. These names are given by the ultimate deceiver, Satan, and are given in order to cripple those who have them and throw them into utter darkness. But Jesus has given each one of us a secret name; a name that can transform us into what God wants us to be.
After reading this book I prayed and meditated about what God’s secret name for me was. As I was praying a word came into my mind: JOYGIVER. Anyone who truly knows me will agree with that. I love to make people laugh, and my own laugh is unforgettable. People have commented how my smile makes them happy. So when I start believing the names Satan puts in my mind that aren’t good, I will remember that Jesus’ name for me is JOYGIVER, and I will smile and tell Satan to get behind me.
You too can learn what your secret name is. Don’t believe the negative names that might come to your mind. Pray and meditate and ask the Lord to reveal to you what your secret name is. It will come to you. Then remember that name when you are tempted. When you get to Heaven, He will greet you by your secret name. Isn’t that wonderful!!!
Dear Lord,
Satan wants us to believe the lies that we are worthless. Help us as we search for your secret name for us, and help us to live up to it when we find it. Give us strength not to give in to temptation and believe the old names that we once had.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
