When God Changes Your Name

Lately, Yahweh has been bringing me back to the story of Abraham and Lot over and over again.

Each time I read it, He reveals something new.

Sometimes He teaches me about obedience.

Sometimes He teaches me about faith.

Today, He reminded me of something even more personal:

The freedom that comes from knowing your true identity in Christ.

There is a peace that cannot be manufactured.

There is a joy that cannot be earned.

It comes only when we surrender to Yahweh, receive His salvation, and allow Him to begin the work of transformation within us.

Transformation is not a destination.

It is a lifelong journey of becoming more like Christ.

I encourage you to spend time reading Genesis 17 and allow God to remind you that restoration has always been part of His covenant with His people.

God Renames What He Redeems

One of the most beautiful moments in Genesis 17 is when God changes Abram's name.

Scripture says,

"As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations."
— Genesis 17:4–5

God didn't simply change Abram's name.

He changed his identity.

Before Abraham ever saw the promise fulfilled, God called him by who he was becoming.

That truth has encouraged me deeply.

God doesn't define us by our past.

He defines us by His promises.

Learning to Let Go

One lesson God continues to teach me is this:

Not every person is ours to rescue.

Abraham loved his family and acted with courage when the time was right, but ultimately God is the One who transforms hearts.

For years I believed it was my responsibility to change people.

Now I understand that my responsibility is much simpler.

Love them.

Pray for them.

Obey God.

Then trust Him with the outcome.

When we release control, we make room for God to receive the glory that belongs to Him alone.

Obedience Brings Unexpected Encouragement

Recently, God has been teaching me the importance of generosity.

As I studied Isaiah 58, I realized that He wasn't simply calling me to fast.

He was calling me to love people through action.

To give.

To serve.

To care for those in need.

That lesson became real when I gave to a man experiencing homelessness.

I thought I was blessing him.

Instead, God used him to encourage me.

The words he spoke became the inspiration for this very blog.

That's how our Heavenly Father works.

Simple acts of obedience often become divine appointments.

A New Identity

One of the biggest changes God has made in my life has been changing the message I carry.

There was a season when I promoted self-reliance.

Today, I proclaim complete dependence on Christ.

That shift is reflected even in my brand.

Be Your Own Body became Be Your Own Body in Christ because I no longer believe transformation begins with self.

Transformation begins with surrender.

The world teaches us to trust ourselves.

The Gospel teaches us to trust Jesus.

In a culture filled with spiritual confusion and competing beliefs, discernment has become more important than ever.

Not every spiritual path leads to life.

Jesus Himself declared,

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
— John 14:6

Those words are not restrictive.

They are an invitation.

The invitation to eternal life.

Delayed Obedience Is Still Disobedience

For some time, I sensed God calling me to begin this podcast.

I hesitated.

I questioned.

I delayed.

Eventually, I realized something difficult but necessary:

Delayed obedience is still disobedience.

God disciplines those He loves, not to shame them, but to shape them.

Just as healthy parents lovingly correct their children, our Heavenly Father forms our character through loving discipline.

Today, obedience feels different.

Not because it has become easier.

But because I have begun to trust the One who is asking me to obey.

His Name Will Be There

One evening, while spending time with the Lord before bed, He brought me to a verse that brought tears to my eyes.

1 Kings 9:3 says,

"The Lord said to him: 'I have heard your prayer and your plea... I have consecrated this temple... putting My Name there forever. My eyes and My heart will always be there.'"

Those words felt deeply personal.

Not because they were written directly to me, but because they reminded me of God's faithfulness to every covenant He makes.

He hears our prayers.

He sees our surrender.

He honors those who seek Him with sincere hearts.

As I reflected on Abraham's story, I realized something beautiful.

God is still in the business of changing names.

He still calls the insecure "chosen."

He still calls the broken "redeemed."

He still calls the wandering "sons" and "daughters."

He still speaks identity over people before they fully become who He created them to be.

Today, I am grateful to be in covenant with Him.

Not because of anything I have accomplished.

But because of everything Christ has already accomplished on my behalf.

His promise is greater than my past.

His purpose is greater than my plans.

His name is now the name I want my life and brands to reflect.

XOXO

KISS — Keep It Simple & Sanctified

Prayer Works!

Connecting hearts through the power of prayer.

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Matthew 22:37-39

Connect

Join Us in Community Prayer

pray@byobinchrist.com

Email Us Requests

© 2025. All rights reserved.

pray@byobinchrist.com