“I HEARD MY NAME”
I was at church, getting my things together at the end of a worship service, when I heard a voice behind me call out my name. I had never heard my name spoken by this voice before so it captured my attention. “Who is that?” I wondered within myself. As I turned around, I saw a kid standing there whom I see frequently in our church services but rarely ever converse with. There’s something special (at least to me) about hearing my name spoken by a kid. Kids have so many things vying for a place within their young minds: the names of friends, celebrities, sports heroes and social media influencers … the things they’re learning at school in math, history and science classes … the “every-day life” lessons they’re having to learn on a daily basis … etc., etc. So, when a kid takes time to learn my name, they’ve taken up valuable space in their memory banks! Maybe I’m overstating this whole thing, but that’s just the way I feel about it.

After conversing with them, I began thinking about the joy it brought my heart to hear this kid speak my name. I thought within myself: “I wonder if this the way God feels when a sinner calls upon His name for the first time” … when He hears His name spoken from a voice that’s never spoken it out loud before. Not calling out His name as an expletive or in irreverence, but in a humble request for mercy and forgiveness. When there are so many names, places, dates, and pieces of information vying for a person’s attention all the time, do you suppose it brings joy to God’s heart to hear His name spoken by one who has made room within their heart and mind to remember His name … and to speak it? I’m almost certain of it. After all, Romans 10:13 says, “Whosoever shall call upon THE NAME OF THE LORD shall be saved.” What a wonderful thought! When a person speaks His name in reverence and humility, requesting an audience with Him, what a beautiful moment that is in God’s kingdom. Jesus said that angels rejoice around God’s throne when a sinner repents and calls on the name of the Lord (Luke 15:10).

When a sinner becomes a child of God, they discover the POWER IN HIS NAME. So, it’s not a “one-time thing” where you call on His name one time and that suffices. You discover that name can help in life’s difficult situations. You call on it when times are hard and when times are good. And each time you call on His name, He hears and responds.

So, today, If you need forgiveness … CALL ON HIS NAME. If you want a fresh start … CALL ON HIS NAME. If you need strength … CALL ON HIS NAME. If you lack peace and joy … CALL ON HIS NAME. HE LOVES TO HEAR HIS NAME COME ACROSS YOUR LIPS!

Acts 4:12
Salvation exists in no one else, for there is NO OTHER NAME under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

John 14:13-14
And I will do whatever you ask IN MY NAME, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me for anything IN MY NAME, I will do it.

Acts 10:43
All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins THROUGH HIS NAME.”