Children's Bible Ministry of Connecticut, USA

God's Name

The name, Stephen or Steven comes from the Greek word stephanos which was a crown given to the victor or winner in the Greek athletic or Olympic games. In those days the prize was not a gold or silver or bronze medal, but a woven crown of oak, ivy, or olive leaves. It might also be made of violets or roses. Sometimes this winner's crown was given to honor a public servant of the people.

In the Bible book of Acts in the New Testament, in chapters six and seven we read of Stephen, a faithful servant of the Lord, who, because of his unfailing trust in the Lord Jesus Christ was stoned to death by his enemies. Stephen was the first Christian martyr, the first believer to die for his faith in Christ. Surely, he has a stephanos, a winner's crown!

What is your name? Do you know what it means? Your name is important to you because it represents you. You don't like for people to mispronounce your name or call you by the wrong name or call you names. You want others to respect you. When they respect your name, they respect you.

One of God's commandments says, "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." (Exodus 20:7 ). God is holy and pure and clean. He wants us to be careful how we speak of Him and how we use His Name.

I sometimes hear people use God's Name in a foolish way or when they swear. They speak the name of God when they don't mean it at all. They lightly say, O God or God or Jesus Christ without any thought to Who He is. It hurts my ears and my heart. Let us learn to use God's Name rightly. When we mistreat God's Name, we mistreat God. And remember, God says He will hold us guilty if we take His Name in vain.

If I can be of help to you in knowing the Lord
or if you would like to write me a note write to:

"Mister Steve"