UNDERSTANDING NAMES BY PR.KALUNGI DENIS

KIREKA CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

NAME                                                                                      

A surname roots us in history and family tradition, while first names establish a more particular identity and personality; you may become quite attached to your name, or you may wish you were called something else. You belong where your name is rooted. The first name on earth was Adam and it was from God.

Other names aren't quite as deep, but still relevant. Sarah and Abraham's first-born child is named 'Isaac' because Sarah says, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me." {Genesis 21:6}

Isaac's child 'Esau' is so named simply because his name means 'hairy', and Esau is indeed hairy. His brother Jacob is so named because Jacob means 'he grasps the heel', which is a Hebrew idiom for 'he deceives'. In this case, Jacob really is named after what he will become {Genesis 25:24-26}

Matthew 1:23—“A virgin will become pregnant and have a son, and he will be called Immanuel” {which means, “God is with us”} his name was already dedicated and predefined.

David means 'beloved' in Hebrew, which is appropriate because he was Israel's favorite King, albeit a deeply flawed one. Many other classic names from the Old Testament have God rooted in them – just look out for the 'El' Hebrew for 'God: Daniel, Nathaniel, Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, etc.

Jesus'. His first name is a common Jewish name 'Yeshua', which is derived from the word meaning 'to rescue/deliver'. As Matthew's Gospel explains it: "You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." {Matthew 1:21}

REASONS WHY NAMES ARE IMPORTANT IN THE BIBLE

1, A biblical name could record some aspects of a person’s birth.

2, Biblical names sometimes expressed the parents’ reaction to the birth of their child.

3, Biblical names were sometimes used to secure the solidarity of family ties.

4, Biblical names could be used to communicate God’s message.

5, Biblical names were also used to establish an affiliation with God.

6, Biblical names are given to establish authority over another or to indicate a new beginning or new direction in a person’s life.

Likewise here in Uganda, witch doctors do not see anyone’s face a name can be enough for you to be witched. I personally went to a witch doctor and I saw how everything is done there. Be mindful of the name or the name you name your child, the only name they will ask you is the clan name.

WHAT NAME WILL YOU NAME YOUR DAUGHTER OR SON AND WHEN?     

As you can see, names are very important in the Bible. It’s better to ask the Holy Spirit the best name as we may see in {Jeremiah 29:11} “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future

Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Me I believe God is the best person to name your sons or daughters.

SPECIAL NAMES WITH SPECIAL CALLING.

JESUS

Matthew 1:21—She will have a son, and you will name him Jesus—because he will save his people from their sins.”Meaning his purpose on earth was predestined by God

ISAAC 

Abraham and Sarah, who had not been able to have children together, were joyful when she finally got pregnant "in her old age." God told Abraham the news, along with the name their new son should go by And God said, Sarah, thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him" {Genesis 17: 19}.

SAMSON

Judges 13:5 you will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.”{This man is Samson who was destined to deliver Israelite's from philistines}

JACOB

Isaiah 43:1-3 But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob he who formed you, Israel Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine 

JOHN THE BAPTIST 

Luke 1:15-17 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

JEZREEL

Another prophet, Hosea, also had multiple children who were given meaningful names by the Lord. His first-born son was named Jezreel. When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.”  So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.

Then the Lord said to Hosea, “Call him Jezreel, because I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel

ARE THERE SPECIAL NAMES FOR FAMILY ALTARS OR FAMILY ANCESTRAL NAMES? YES

It’s common in Africa, mostly in Uganda people names their children after family ancestral demons like:

1, Kiwanuuka represents the spirit that controls

2, Mukasa is a spirit controlling water bodies and twin children

3, Duungu spirit representing hunting spirit

4, Lubowa these names have got different meanings representing the family altar

This is what God says,” For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet until her righteousness goes forth as brightness and her salvation as a burning torch. The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give {Isaiah 62:1-2} a name has to come from the mouth of God not from anywhere.

Are the names of your children covenanted with God or family altars/demons?

For mothers, it can be done without your knowledge but below are a few signs and symptoms of how you can notice that the child you carrying in your womb is dedicated. At pregnancy:

1, Dreaming that you have conceived and you conceive

2, Having sexual dreams while pregnant

3, Dreaming a dead person naming your child

4, Dreaming giving birth to so many tiny children

5, Dreaming delivering a dead child or an animal like a snake, rat

Here are some of the symptoms a mother can look out for as signs also to notice that her baby in the womb is demon-possessed

1, The expectant mother develops unusual traits like being quarrelsome, hateful

2, Development of the damaged uterus during childbirth

3, You can lose your mind and end up eating the very child you gave birth to

4, You vomit and constant spitting

5, Experiencing smelly surroundings

6, Bleeding in the early days of your pregnancy

7, Stillbirth miscarriages

8, The disappearing pregnancy or on and off pregnancy Pre-mature birth, the pregnancy will stray to other tubes.

9, Failure to experience labor pains 

It is possible either way but I can give examples of names covenanted with God 

John the Baptist 

Luke 1:15-17 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.” He was dedicated to doing God’s work.

Samson 

Judges 13:3-5 the angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” Samson was dedicated by God, what about you? I believe there is someone to rescue your family, village, country

Isaac

Abraham and Sarah, who had not been able to have children together, were joyful when she finally got pregnant "in her old age." God told Abraham the news, along with the name their new son should go by And God said, Sarah, thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed, and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him" {Genesis 17: 19}

WHOEVER IS DEDICATED TO GOD IS CONDITIONED

Samson was conditioned never to be touched by a razor

John the Baptist was conditioned not to drink neither wine nor strong drink

WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF GOD DEDICATED PEOPLE?

1, Dedicated people make commitments

2, Dedicated People Believe

3, Dedicated people are passionate

4, Dedicated people plan

5, Dedicated people are flexible

6, Dedicated People are Self-Disciplined

7, Dedicated people can voice their commitments

8, Dedicated people are inspiring

PEOPLE WHO ARE DEDICATED TO FAMILY ALTAR OR DEMONS ARE SOMETIMES SHOW BELLOW MANIFESTATION/SIGNS AT CHILDHOOD WHEN GROWING:

1, Birthmark it could be a black patch

2, Talking in sleep

3, The baby may refuse to suckle

4, Such child will cry endlessly

5, The child may  be mentally retarded

6, Bedwetting

7, Child turns rebellious

8, Walking sleep

9, Child not eating certain foods

10, Persistent headaches.

At times through ignorance, we open doors for demons to enter our children while pregnant through habits like:

1, Stealing while pregnant

2, Adultery while pregnant

3, Fighting while pregnant

4, Abusing while pregnant, a child at her mother’s womb is a mature soul that listens to what is happening and at this time Christians pray for the child in the womb

So many people have faced challenges because of family names for example:

One was named after her aunt who passed away and she was barren, she also faced the same problem {the spirit was saying I did not produce so you will not produce also, you have to be like me}

One also was named after her aunt who was slenderer and she also become a slenderer {the spirit was saying you have to be like me}

Another was named after his grandfather who was poor but whenever he could get the money it could disappear in a few hours till he realized it was the spirit of the name they named him after.

CAN GOD CHANGE YOUR NAME BECAUSE OF THE SPECIAL OBLIGATION? YES

Some people’s names were changed because of God’s special call for example:

Abraham was before Abram the name that belonged to his clan but when God called him for a special call his name was changed to Abraham

Abram to Abraham

One of the most well-known prophets in the Bible, Abraham, originally went by the name "Abram," until after the Lord made a special covenant with him and gave him a new name to go with it: Neither shall thy name anymore be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee” {Genesis 17:5}. Abram was not a father of nations not until his name was changed to Abraham 

Sarai to Sarah 

Abraham wasn't the only member of his family to receive a name change from God. His wife, Sarah, also received a new name: And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be” {Genesis 17:15}. Sarai did not become a mother of nations not until her name was changed to Sarah 

Jacob to Israel

Jacob, as he was originally called, was the son of Isaac. Like his father and grandparents, he, too, received a new name from the Lord: Israel. This new name meant "he perseveres with God" or "let God prevail." His sons later came to be known as the Twelve Tribes of Israel: 

“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." Genesis {32:22–32} his name was to be first changed from Jacob to Israel to become the father of nations.

Peter to Rock 

The fisherman Simon is renamed 'Peter' by Jesus. 'Peter' means 'rock', and he is to be the rock of Jesus' Church {Matthew 16:18}. Ironically, Peter shows himself to be quite lacking in the stability and integrity one expects from a rock, often completely misunderstanding Jesus, and denying him three times. But despite his failings, Jesus continues to trust him to fulfill his calling {John 21}.

Are sure your name is fine, ask God for the true meaning of your name to him.

CAN GOD CHANGE YOUR NAME IF YOU PLEASE TO HIM? YES, HE CAN.

Jacob 

Genesis 32:26-28 then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome

Paul to Saul 

Saul was a fierce persecutor of Christians, so when he became a follower of Jesus himself, a name change seems appropriate. Saul {Hebrew name} also had the Latin name 'Paul' and so it seems he used the new moniker as a symbol of his change, as well as his mission to the Gentile; 'Paul' being a more familiar name to a Roman Gentile audience.

PRAYER

I CHRONICLES 4:10

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

Psalms 51:5

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.