A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! James 3:5-6,9-10 NLT
For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. Matthew 12: 34 NLT
1. WHAT HAVE OTHERS CALLED YOU?
Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon….The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego. Daniel 1:3-4;7 NLT
DANIEL MEANS “GOD IS MY JUDGE”
BELTESHAZZAR MEANS “LADY, PROTECT THE KING”
HANANIAH MEANS “YAHWEH HAS BEEN GRACIOUS”
SHADRACH MEANS “I AM FEARFUL OF GOD”
MISHAEL MEANS “WHO CAN COMPARE TO MY GOD? NO ONE!”
MESHACH MEANS “I AM DESPISED, CONTEMPTIBLE, & HUMILIATED”
AZARIAH MEANS “YAHWEH HAS HELPED”
ABEDNEGO MEANS “THE SERVANT OF NEBO”
2. WHAT HAVE YOU SPOKEN OVER YOURSELF?
Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.” Luke 1:18-20 NLT
WHAT YOU CONTINUE TO SPEAK IN YOUR LIFE YOU WILL EVENTUALLY LIVE IN YOUR LIFE.
3. WHAT IS YOUR TRUE IDENTITY?
After a very hard delivery, the midwife finally exclaimed, “Don’t be afraid—you have another son!” Genesis 35:17 NLT
Rachel was about to die, but with her last breath she named the baby Ben-oni Genesis 35:18 NLT
Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” “What is your name?” the man asked. He replied, “Jacob.” “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. “From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.” Genesis 32:26-28 NLT
‘“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.’ Revelation 2:17 NLT