Here Is Your Name Tag

Genesis 32;24-32 (KJV)

And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, and he wrestled with him.
And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.
Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.


This day's ecounragement, which should bring you to comment, is concerning our need to be "named". Too many of us allow, as I used to allow, ourselves to be named according to the power of this world. Is there a bristling up at that statement? Answer me this question then: When was the last time you went into a Wal-Mart, Kmart, Goodwill, or thrift store for some items of clothing, and upon being recognized, you didn't fumble for a 'good' excuse? Oh, and that usage of the word good is based upon what we know to be the embarressment we feel for being "caught" in those places. That' a whole nudder presentation that I could speak to, but let's continue with this one.

As this passage opens we see that Jacob is at a place where none of his riches, goods, or family are with him as he engages in this wrestling match. What I find seriously praiseworthy, right off the top, is that just like Jacob, we have those moments in our lives. So there is importance to jump into this event to reach for wisdom; wisdom on your situation; the present situation that you know you are wrestling with. What is even more exciting about this situation that you are wrestling with God about is the truth of your willingness to wrestle God. Hallelujah!!!!!

Okay, let's get into this. Like Jacob, most of us think these wrestlings we go through are with man (v24), when in fact we ARE wrestling with the will of God for our very life: our very name (v28 and v30). See, once we come into that place where God says, "It is time for you to stop with all this lowliness of living, and you must rise up to begin to accomplish all that I have created you to accomplish." There is not going to be a whole lot you will have to say concerning the matter, especially if you have accepted that God is God: to accept Christ Jesus as your Lord and Saviour; following Him to perform all that you know that is in line with His commandment. And, just like Jacob, we do wrestle; to receive our blessing. Nothing wrong with that, but what must be understood is that you will be blessed according to how God desires to bless you. Listen up Brothers and Sister..... GOD IS INTERESTED IN WHO YOU ARE, NOT WHAT YOU HAVE OR HOW MUCH YOU ACCUMILATE!!!!!!

The next thing about wrestling with God for blessings is that God will remind you, more than likely with a 'rest of your life' indication, that you did wrestle with Him. Jacob was touched upon the hollow of his thigh. He walked with a limp for the rest of his days. When we set ourselves to truly experience the lifetime of God, and wrestle with Him about it, we might do well to prepare ourselves for that 'rest of your life' indication as well. I can tell you all that my passion to alert my younger Brothers to this lie that this world is feeding them, is always married to the sorrow within me for the failure of all of us Men that abandoned our places of power; therefore allowing for the enemy to arrive with the lie, and so easily distribute it. This sorrow within me does not leave me, I weep for my younger Brothers. But, God has blessed me with a Boldness to stand in the face of the enemy and speak to him the knowledge of God that is contained within me, and that the knowledge WILL be given to these young men: for them to possess it, and quite possibly recognize the lie; to remember the wisdom taught, and reject the lie. This is what was deposited within me in 2004, and upon my night of wrestling I was told that my name would be Philio and that sorrow laid within my heart. Do you all understand? This blessing bestowed upon me didn't have any material possessions accompanying it. In fact, I have actually had reduction of material possessions. But, what I have gained is a greater sense of purpose, a greater relationship with God through my walk with Christ Jesus, and a greater strength; a strength that moves me to not bow out because of what this world might try present as "your name is actually this vehicle, or this address, or this section of town, or this type of woman, or this label".

Brothers and Sisters, just like Jacob: who after that night walked, or limped, as Israel, we must not LET GO of God until we are "named" of Him. To receive all of what He has for us. How do you stand that wrestling match; to prevail? Continue to read, study, and meditate upon the Word: read the Bible. Find a Bible based fellowship, where you will receive solid, right teachings. Begin to build fellowship with those that are where you know you are to be. Lastly, PRAY!!!! This is your personal communication with Christ Jesus. You will grow: this is how you prevail. You will receive your name. A name that God had already desired to give to you. That name will not only follow you, but it will be counted to all the generations that follow behind you. Look at Jacob, he was named Israel. His name not only lives on through his generations of decendants, but this world knows his name. Now consider what God desires to name you. My name may not reach such a level as Israel, but I do know this: when I was told that I would be named 'Philio', I knew that everyone who came across me, operating as God desires me to operate, would not hesitate to call that name.

Oh, by the way 'Philio' is the Greek word which means Brotherly Love.

Holla,
Yer Brova