What's In a Name?

The definition of a name: A word (or set of words) by which a person is known, addressed or referred to.

A name (or word spoken over your life) carries authority, destiny and vision.

In our family, the name Tramel meant something. Builders in Fresno and the Tri-counties area of California knew they could get quality steel work from the Tramel family. In our family, the name "Buck" meant something. We were Buck's kids. At one family reunion, we even wore shirts that said, "Buck's Kid" so people would know who (and whose) we were. In our household, I could use the phrase "Mom said so," and it held weight. A name carries authority.

In the Bible, David received a word from Samuel. It was one word... king! This word gave David hope and an ability to carry on. David knew Goliath couldn't kill him because he had not yet become king. A word carries destiny.

One of Jesus' disciples had a powerful name change. Simon's name became Peter when Jesus declared, "On this rock I will build my church." A name carries vision.

What does your name mean? My name, Tam, means, "Palm Tree." Ugh! I didn't think that was very exciting until I discovered that my favorite character in the Bible, Deborah, sat under a palm tree as she judged the nation, Israel. To judge, in those days, was an honored position. People came for advice, to have matters settled, and trusted the wisdom she carried. Being part of that kind of story isn't a bad thing,

A few years ago, God gave me a new word. The word was MORE. Words are a funny thing. They are just as easy to miss as they are to catch. As the word MORE began to grow, it morphed into a name. M.O.R.E. became the name of our ministry and our life calling. God showed us that there will always be MORE!

Today, take a moment to ask God for a single word, a name. It may be one you already know, or it could be something that's been waiting in the wings for you to discover. Either way, it will carry authority, destiny and vision. It will be the seed of something much bigger. Go ahead and plant your seed and see what happens. The world is waiting to see the fruit you bear.

Jesus Teaches His Disciples The Value of Women

Matthew 15:22-28

A Canaanite woman came to Jesus while he was with his disciples. She needed a miracle for her daughter who was tormented by a demon. She was desperate.

At that time, Jewish men didn’t even regard woman important enough to be counted when they recalled an event.  A Canaanite woman wasn’t regarded at all because she was not Jewish. This woman plowed through all these obstacles for the one opportunity to see her daughter delivered. Her love for her daughter was bigger than her fear of men.

At first, Jesus seems to ignore her.  The disciples become uncomfortable and want to send her away. She persists. Next, Jesus says something to her that sounds a bit demeaning. He says, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." She begins to worship him. Hmmm.

At her next request he says, “It is not meet (proper in Jewish culture) to take the children’s (what is meant for the children of God) bread and to cast it to the dogs (puppies that hang around the table). The woman refutes that even the puppies get the crumbs that fall from the master’s table.

I wonder if Jesus created an intentional display more for his disciples than for the woman. He seemingly ignored her, but the pause grabbed the disciples' attention. Jesus then pointed out two very important Jewish beliefs: 

   1) Woman and non-Jews had no value. 

   2) Only descendants of Jacob received blessing. 

I believe that Jesus was about the change the culture of his time. He was going to demonstrate to his disciples that everyone (every gender, every nation) was called into the fullness of The Father.

Next, the woman worshiped Jesus. She understood where this was going.

Jesus then says, “O woman…” He calls her by the very thing that would have disqualified her by tradition. He continues with, “Great is thy faith.” This woman knew what God could do. She worshiped the God she believed, and she pursued him as one who realized her value and deserved his blessing. Jesus then declares, “Be it unto thee even as thou wilt (desires).”

This woman had been granted her every desire, right in front of the Jewish disciples! They would never be able to forget this day. The foundation of those who followed Jesus would be changed forever. Let's never forget the lessons we've been taught. Let's keep digging for the gold beneath the surface.