"HIS NAME IS JOHN!"

He strategically "restructured" the heritage of Zacharias' lineage by giving his son a name that "had never been in the history of that house". God named the son of the priest, JOHN. That name stood out and caused an uproar in the family and ministry of Zacharias. "No one has ever been named this in the history of this lineage". What is incredible about this is the fact that you can live a life so "predictable, so planned, so routine, that when anything "different" is done, EVERYONE WILL MARVEL!

It is not an expected thing. It is considered "abnormal" and out of the "flow of your routine."

NOTE: They knew the routine and customs of the lineage. There was no room for the "new". It was a custom that the child would carry the father's name. But God had other plans. God's plans caused an uproar in the family and the priesthood. God's decision caused "fear and unrest" in that family. It caused people to wonder. Every movement from God does not effect the "church". Every word from God does not need "pulpits and steeples" to effect life.

The "spirituality of God" is more "natural" than anything. His "practical perspectives" are really 'spiritually motivated demands placed on our natural environments'. God wants you to have courage when dealing with Him. He can speak instructions that "may not" give you "your" desired feedback. His instructions are not always "mannerable" or "considerate" of a person's feelings.

KEY: (Your purpose in God is not contingent on the feelings, ideas, or opinions of another. His Word to your life is not effected by another's apprehension. Destiny is not "polite", nor does it wait on the approval of men. Destiny does not consider your "past", your weakness, nor your lineage. It only answers to God! )*

 

Speaking of the Kingdom

(We are speaking of the Kingdom "beyond church environments" and "dealings with a brother". We are speaking of purposed situations and circumstances. We are not speaking of "witnessing to the unsaved" or "works of zeal". We are actually speaking of what the Spirit will do "by Himself" to an individual. We are speaking of the Spirits' dealing with a person and instructions spoken in the heart).

You must have courage to be "what your lineage has never been". You must have courage to totally empty yourself of the deposits that God has placed in you. You must stand and be called by the "new name that He has given you" and endure the backlash and the consequences of it. You know the story. When Elizabeth (who was made pregnant after being barren) told the family "His name is JOHN", they immediately went to the father to see if he "would straighten everything out and comply with the rest of the family."

NOTE: It is a good thing when you can have others to believe in the instructions of God with you. Agreement in public and private. Agreement in the impossible will bring amazing results. MANIFESTATION! We are speaking of agreement in God ordained "impossibilities". God spoken things. Imparted things that change the natural course of life.+

Zacharias confirmed the name and wrote on a tablet, HIS NAME IS JOHN!

He also endured the insults that were the consequences of change. He did not compromise his purpose for "peace with the family or the priesthood". He did not allow them to "nickname" the child Zacharias and keep his surname JOHN. He did not compromise the name of his purpose to keep peace with those who disagreed with him. He said, HIS NAME IS JOHN!" After he confirmed the instruction of God, his tongue was "loosed" and he was able to articulate the destiny of his house.

You are Required to get out of your Comfort Zone

NOTE: You will not have the capacity to articulate the destiny of your life, house, or lineage "until" you have believed and embraced a Word spoken in you that goes against the "comfort zone." This word/instruction could cause "funny looks" and apprehension "from yourself" and others. This word "totally redefines your identity and position in life". God's words are not always meant to be carried out through a "denomination", "sacred day", or "church affiliation". It may start there and THEN MOVE BEYOND INTO LIFE! *

REMEMBER THESE STRATEGIC INSIGHTS

You must have courage to "go against the flow" for the sake of purpose. vs.60-61

You must believe and embrace the "consequences of God's purposes concerning you" in order to "speak". (in order to articulate the destiny of your lineage) vs.62-64

You must recognize the significance (not pride) that God has seen in you. It may cause others not to initially "agree" with you. vs. 63, 66

Undrai and Bridget Fizer, publishers
http://www.exploringthevision.org