“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see everything has become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“One wan to become a new person is to make like Prince and fashion a persona, the way stars pluck duds from a wardrobe. This is not what happened to Saul. The followers of Jesus were afraid of Saul, and for good reason. Saul had made a name for himself by persecuting the early Christians, tracking them down, and hauling them off to prison. But Jesus turned Saul’s life around. Paul formerly known as Saul Egan spreading the good news about Jesus and doing great things for the church. This 180-degree change in direction was a total transformation only God could pull off.” (Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (Kindle Edition.)

Identity Theft

Have you ever known someone who changed their name? I am not talking now about someone who gets married and decides to change their last name. No, I am talking about someone who doesn’t like their first name and so they legally change it to something else. I have had a few friends who have done just that. It is a bit jarring, I must say. I have usually found out about the name change when they send me a friend request on social media and they have to explain that they used to be known as “such and such” but now they go by “so and so”.

Getting a name change in the Bible is significant — it is not just a passing fancy. Abram becomes Abraham to signify that G-d is serious about his progeny becoming as many as the stars in the sky and the sand on the shore. Jacob becomes Israel when G-d tells him that he will continue to struggle with G-d throughout his life, but it will not be in vain. And Saul becomes Paul once Jesus visits him giving him renewed purpose in his life.

We may be named Steven, Paul, Leah, or Matthew, or even Ariah, but through our baptisms G-d renames us as “children of the Heavenly Father.” That is a name no one can take away from us — and will always have its true value.

Let us pray,

Oh Lord, the name above all names, forgive us our sins and renew us as your children every day. Amen.

Pastor Dave

“On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water”‘ –John 7:37-38

“As living water pours sustenance on us, so we pour it onto others. It’s not for wasting in the way rock stars empty bottled water into bathtubs. We can’t horde it; it can’t be sold. It can only be given away, just as Christ gave his life away for us (including those of us who are poor or homeless). Think what a little living water, showered with utmost care and humility, can do for someone who is thirsty. Think about what it has done for you.” (Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (Kindle Edition.)

Pour It On

Water is becoming a limited if not incredibly costly commodity in many cities and communities today. Too many of our brothers and sisters in this society are without access to clean and abundant water for drinking and agriculture. Across the Midwest and the Southwest people are drawing up lines of demarcation around rivers, aquifers, and other sources of fresh water so they have the “rights” to determine who and how this water can be used. And those sources are growing smaller and smaller.

Jesus offers “living water” to his followers, not just regular water. What is “living” water? “Living” water is the unconditional and unquenchable love, mercy and grace that Jesus offers to all people. There is no rite of passage to this water, there is list of accomplishments one must complete to have access to it. It is something we must accept, not earn. And yet, too many people treat this water as if it is too hard to find and too precious to divide. But it is neither – it is free and flowing and available any time. Instead of putting boundaries around this water, we should be pouring it out abundantly as Jesus teaches us. When we share the love and acceptance of Jesus to everyone we meet, we just do not know how life-changing that water will be to whomever we pour it upon.

Let us pray,

Lord of ever-flowing water, make me a vessel to pour out your love, mercy, and compassion to those parched for it. Amen.

Pastor Dave