WOYWW: A New Destiny!

 We are celebrating a friend's birthday tomorrow and we found out she likes 

doing coloring books with her niece.  

When I went to the book store to find one for her, 

I did not like the ones I found.  

So I decided to make her a coloring book and that is what is on my desk this morning.

All I did was to make a book from a drawing pad. Then I traced different pictures with tracing paper on to the pages.  I hope she likes it!

 "It was there at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians." Acts 11:26

There are several schools of thought about how and why the first believers were called Christians. Some scholars think the term "Christian" was derogatory, as the Tacitus writes, "the vulgar called them Christians". Then there are teachers who believe the ones who followed the new way were called "Christians" by God Himself. "Were called" which is two words in English is only one word in Greek, which means "divinely called or appointed". I can well believe this, as God did promise to give those who are committed to Him a new name.

In Isaiah 56:1-5, God said through Isaiah that He will give a great name, an everlasting name. In Isaiah 62:2, it reads, "And the Lord will give you a new name." In Isaiah 65:15, "He will call His servants by another name."

 God changed the name of Peter, to probably confer the strength of a rock on him who was weak. God changed Jacob's name to Israel, "He who prevails with God." So with Abram who became "Abraham", which means father of many nations or a multitude. Is it not that when God gives a new name, it comes with a blessing? And not only blessing, but sometimes a new position, or a new mission. A new name is also like a prophecy of what that person will become. Is it not that God's Word will NOT return to Him void?

Indeed as Christians, we have a new identity in Christ! Our new name comes with a blessing, a mission and a new destiny! I think that is exciting, don't you?

 "...while they were engaged in liturgy of the Lord and were fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke to them..." Acts 13:2

There are many inspiring testimonies online about how God answers prayer when we voluntarily abstain from food for spiritual purposes. In the 13th chapter of the Book of Acts, we are in Antioch, in this vibrant young Christian church. Imagine many prophets and teachers in the church. Some of their names are mentioned: Barnabas the encourager, Symeon a black man,Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. These men of diverse backgrounds are worshiping the Lord, reading His Word and FASTING. I can imagine really lively and loud praising and singing, hands raised high, truly enthusiastic and pleasing to the Lord! When men of God get together, it can be rambunctious! And then what happens? The HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS TO THEM! The Holy Spirit instructs them to send Barnabas and Saul on their first missionary journey together.

"...while they were engaged in liturgy of the Lord and were fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke to them..." Acts 13:2

There are many inspiring testimonies online about how God answers prayer when we voluntarily abstain from food for spiritual purposes. In the 13th chapter of the Book of Acts, we are in Antioch, in this vibrant young Christian church. Imagine many prophets and teachers in the church. Some of their names are mentioned: Barnabas the encourager, Symeon a black man,Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. These men of diverse backgrounds are worshiping the Lord, reading His Word and FASTING. I can imagine really lively and loud praising and singing, hands raised high, truly enthusiastic and pleasing to the Lord! When men of God get together, it can be rambunctious! And then what happens? The HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKS TO THEM! The Holy Spirit instructs them to send Barnabas and Saul on their first missionary journey together.

When we want to hear God, when we are desperate for His intervention and direction, we have the recourse of fasting. When we fast, the battle is not ours but God's. "So we fasted and sought our God concerning this matter, and He listened to our entreaty," Ezra 8:23. What is in our hearts right now that needs the gates of heaven to open wider? Fasting and praying are the keys!

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I find a lot of inspiration

visiting my friends here:

Small Wonders, Testimony Tuesday,  Titus 2 Tuesdays, 
Count Your Blessings, Word Art Wednesday, Wildly Original

Whatever You Want Wednesday,Winsome Wednesdays, Share the Joy, 

What's It Wednesdays, Unite, WholeHearted Home,

 Rubie Tuesday Link Up, Be Inspired

 A Little R and R,  No Rules Weekend Blog Party

 Kelly for #RaRaLinkup

What We Accomplished, Wow Us Wednesdays
The Weekly Creative, Three Word Wednesday
Great Blog Train Bloghop, Cheerleaders of Faith

Thoughtful Thursday,  Hearts4Home Thursdays, Thought Provoking Thursday

Thriving Thursdays with Serving Joyfully

Thursday Favorites, Desire to Inspire Legacy Leaver Thursday

Creative Things, Bloom! Soul Survival, Inspiration Gallery
Family Fun Friday, Hearts for Home Thursday

Dance with Jesus Friday

Blessings!

Patsy