01/08/2020
A MONTHLY BROADCAST BY NISSI HYGINUS-OKU, THE EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT, THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, IGNATIUS AJURU UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE ON 1ST AUGUST, 2020.
A NEW NAME
A new name is given to a person or group of people when there is a significant change in the life of that fellow. After marriage, a woman usually changes her last name to signify the beginning of the next chapter through marriage.
The month of August is the eight month in the Gregorian calendar which is the most used calendar in the world. In spiritual sense, the figure eight or number 8 refers to a new beginning. Have you ever thought deeply in your heart why the RCCG Annual Convention at the Redemption Camp is always held in August with a great crowd both physical and virtual (at various comfort zones and viewing centres in churches) which is reported to be the largest gathering on earth annually? Why should it be in August? Why not January or any other month? The point I am making here is the significance of the number “8” in spiritual sense which depicts a new beginning! Something new starts up! Have you also discovered that the theme used for the RCCG Annual convention in August also seems to be the most spoken and discussed theme in RCCG even later in the next year? A new beginning comes up when there is something already existing. This always comes with something much better and of more value.
In Biblical times, names were even more intentional, often saying something about that person’s character or their situation. For example, King David’s name means ‘beloved’ and he was known as the man after God’s heart.
The Almighty God is interested in giving you a new name and causing a great turnaround in your life today. There are many examples of people whose name and story was changed by God Almighty Himself such as; Abram and Sarai were given a new name Abraham and Sarah respectively and they became parents of a child and parents of many nations (Genesis 17:4-6,15-16) – in both cases, the Almighty God choose to refine their names. For example, Abram means ‘exalted father’, and in Harran as well as on his journey, he played a fatherly role for his nephew Lot. As Abraham, or ‘father of many nations’, he seeks to fulfill his role of protector to God’s larger family. Sarai, whose name means ‘princess’ becomes Sarah ‘my princess’ and she grew into a woman who trusts God’s promises rather than scoffing at them in disbelief.
In Genesis 32:22-28, we see how Jacob’s name was changed to Israel. This new name commemorates Jacob engaging directly with God. But, the blessing Israel receives begins a change in him. Over time, he let go of his need to gain for himself and instead acknowledges the Lordship of God over his life, taking on the stature of the patriarch. There are so many biblical instances to give, there are even people alive today that have similar or even greater testimonies about how the Almighty God, the destiny changer; changes their names and story.
To as many who desires a new name from the Almighty God, I pray you will have an encounter with the Spirit of the Almighty God that will cause a great turnaround in your life in the name of Jesus Christ. If I were you, I would spend quality time praying earnestly to God asking Him to give me a new name. Hope you know what “earnest” means? I pray He grants you the grace to pray unto Him and also answer your request in no distant time.
God bless you!
Selah
Happy New Month!
With godly passion,
Nissi Hyginus-Oku
Executive President,
The Redeemed Christian Fellowship,
Ignatius Ajuru University of Education,
Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
