THE NAME OF JESUS

POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS

Many believers are leading good Christ-like lives in most areas of their walk with the Lord. One problem they have is understanding and using the authority of the name of Jesus.

WHAT IS BEHIND THE NAME OF JESUS?

Christians in every country of the world are faced with serious situations. Health prob­lems, financial or political situations are constantly changing which causes greater stress on mankind, and the majority of the Christians do not know what to do. A feeling of hope­lessness is trying to grip people to cause them to stop depending on the faith that God has given us. We are to remember that we are in a spiritual warfare. Satan wants as many believers as possible to live defeated lives, and does not want the power of God to be demonstrated through us. The devil does not want the world to see any difference between themselves and the Christian. Satan’s idea is to keep as many people as possible from serving the Lord.

A spirit of hopelessness comes from Satan, but you have the authority to come against this spirit in the Name of Jesus. A great battle is being waged in the world today, which is not political, but is spiritual in nature. Many groups are trying to discredit the deity of the Lord Jesus, and some are claiming that Jesus is only a created being. The following verses will show us that He is the Creator, and not a created being:

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2. He was in the beginning with God. 3. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 9. That was the true Light which gives light to every man who comes into the world. 10. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 12. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. 14. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Revelation 19:13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God. 16. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

John the Baptist was well acquainted with Jesus. The Holy Spirit told John that Jesus would be coming, and John had these words to say about Him:

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 34. “And I have seen and testified that THIS IS THE SON OF GOD.”

Jesus told the Samaritan woman that He was the Messiah who was the Son of God. He did not condemn Peter for saying the same thing, see Matthew 16:13-17. He also told the religious leaders of the Jews that He was the Messiah.

John 4:25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” 26. Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

Mark 14:61 But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62. And Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

The centurion at the crucifixion also recognized Jesus as the Son of God.

Matthew 27:54 Now when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

The demonic spirits had this to say, because they were well acquainted with Jesus, His authority and the power He possessed:

Luke 4:41 And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.

The people who claim that Jesus was only a man, only a good teacher, or another created being, ARE INSULTING the Creator of the Universe. Fighting against the Creator puts a person in a very serious situation. They fail to realize that it is only through His mercy that they are not judged by Him at this time, because they are already condemned.

John 3:15 That whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoev­er believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who DOES NOT BELIEVE IS CONDEMNED ALREADY, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 36. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.

SATANIC FORCES ARE AFRAID OF JESUS’ NAME

Every kind of satanic spirit IS AFRAID of the name of Jesus. In many places in the Gospels we see the demonic spirits show their fear at the presence of Jesus. They were extremely afraid of the authority and the power behind the words that Jesus spoke.

Matthew 8:28 When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceed­ingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. 29. And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” 30. Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding. 31. So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.” 32. And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.

The satanic forces are still very much afraid of the name of Jesus. They are unable to withstand the power that the name Jesus stands for. You can come against any demonic situation and cause it to move back when you come with the authority of the name of Jesus. The protection of the power of His name will also cover you when someone else is in prayer for you. The demonic spirits recognize this power and do not want to test their strength against the power of the name of Jesus. The exception to this rule is when the person has not been submitting to the authority and the commandments of the Lord. The satanic forces now have the ability to go around the protection we had, because you have removed part of your spiritual armor. You then need to repent and come back under the protection, see James 4:7 and Ephesians 6:10-18.

James 4:7 Therefore SUBMIT TO GOD. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Why is it that so many believers are powerless in their Christian walk? They do not seem to have any power against the attack of the satanic forces. These believers fail to see the connection between the problem and their actions concerning total submission to God. You will NEVER have power against the satanic forces if you are not willing to follow the instructions of the Lord. He will not allow His power to flow through you to overcome the problem when you are not living in total submission to Him.

In 1 Peter 3:7-12 you will find that when you are not in unity with your spouse you will have your prayers hindered. You also put yourself in the position of not being able to resist the attacks of the satanic forces.

1 Peter 3:7 Likewise you husbands, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

Trying to act in faith without living a matching life of faith will accomplish nothing. It is necessary for you to start where you are. You can’t jump into a high realm of faith at once, if you have been living in the area of doubt for a long time. You must make a start and grow from there. Mark has this to say:

Mark 4:28 For the earth yields crops by itself: FIRST the blade, THEN the head, AFTER THAT the full grain in the head.

Faith will be progressive. You are to intensely study the Word, because this is the way God has chosen for you to build your faith. Romans 10:17 tells you: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing (or understanding), by the word of God.” Trying to act in faith without living a matching life of holiness will also accomplish nothing. The apostle John shows you that confidence to receive from God is tied in to how you are serving the Lord.

1 John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep his commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

Many believers are bound by a spirit of lack, and are not getting their needs met. Some feel that they can’t afford to tithe, but fail to understand that tithing is not optional, it is commanded. In the eyes of God tithing is not a charitable deed, see Matthew 6:1-4. The Christians who are not tithing are opening the door to the attacks of the enemy, which will allow the satanic forces to be victorious in other areas of their lives as well.

The carnal nature is not allowing the spirit of the person to totally submit to the Lord. This will keep the satanic forces from fleeing from us when we try to resist them. Most of the time the carnal nature will want to be in control of the spirit of the person. It does not want the Lord to have total authority. The pastor of a Church is an example. The person’s carnal nature will say that he does not have to submit to the pastor, or follow the song leader’s instructions, and these attitudes will immediately stop the power of God from working.

THE USE OF THE NAME OF JESUS

John 14:12 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

Jesus has given you the authority or “power of attorney” to use His name in all situations where it is needed. Every time you come to a situation that is beyond your control you have the wonderful privilege to use the power behind His name. John 14:13 shows you that the Father receives glory because His power has been used.

Few Christians understand why the latter part of John 14:13 is in the Bible. Satan constantly wants to bring problems to the people who are serving the Lord. He wants to demonstrate his power and show the world that God is not in control. God wants the Christian to come against the satanic forces through the power of the name of Jesus. This immediately brings glory to God the Father, because it shows the world that God has more power and authority than Satan. Many Christians rob God of glory because they depend on their own strength and resources, instead of the power of God. Some Christians claim that miracles are not for today. They think that miracles were needed to get the church started, but after the days of the apostles, the miracles were terminated. This idea came from Satan himself, because he hates God receiving any glory.

You were not given the authority to use the name of Jesus like a magic wand. You were given this authority to be used when you came against a situation that you could not take care of. When a person has a puncture he will replace the tire with the spare. God is not expecting him to lay his hands on the tire and say: “In the name of Jesus, be filled with air.” God expects him to do what he can. When you reach your limit and ability you can then expect God to supply the additional strength or power that is needed.

My grandmother, spent over sixty years as a missionary in Africa. During this time God worked through her in a mighty way. Before my grandparents went to Africa in 1912 the roof of their home caught fire. Her immediate thought was, “Where is a Scripture to cover this problem?” The Holy Spirit immediately reminded her of the following verses:

Hebrews 11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

The next thing she did was point to the fire and say, “In the name of Jesus it shall not be.” The fire was immediately stopped, and the roof was not damaged at all. Only the rafters under the roof were scorched. In the 1950's when my parents were back in the States, my father went looking for the house. It had been moved six miles away from the previous location. The new owner gave them permission to go into the attic and look at the rafters, and found they were still in the same scorched condition. This was mute testimony of my grandmother’s faith.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR PRIVILEGES

You do not use divine faith to write a check for fifty dollars, if you have one thousand dol­lars in the bank. You would be using your authority to write the check. You as a believ­er must understand that Jesus has already given you the authority to use His name.

Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17. and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Hebrews 1:1 God, who at various times and in different ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2. has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds.

Are you a child of God? You are a child of God if you have accepted Jesus as your per­sonal Savior, and are living for Him. As a child of God, you are a joint heir with Christ because of your place in the family of God. Most believers are willing to accept this WITH CONDITIONS. The conditions they have in mind are that the fulfillment will not take place until we arrive in Heaven or begin the millennial reign with Jesus. That will be the time when we will rule and reign with Him for one thousand years. That type of believer fails to understand that the Lord has many more privileges to be used by us now. He has given you authority to resist the satanic forces, as well as ask many things through the authority of the wonderful name of Jesus.

Many Christians are trying to believe that Jesus meant what He stated. On rare occa­sions, when there is a big emergency they will jump into the realm of faith. They will then see the power of God manifested through the words they used. The plan of God is for us to be living in the realm of faith on a daily basis. Many believers are only listening to the preachers and not putting into practice the things that the Bible is teaching. Jesus called these people “hearers of the Word, and not doers,” James 1:22-25. The hearers of the Word see what takes place, whereas the doer of the Word opens the door for the power of God to work through him, Matthew 7:24 - 27.

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24. for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Matthew 7:24 Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25. and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26. Now everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27. and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.

APPLY GOD’S PROMISES

Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your loving kindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above ALL Your name.

God has magnified His Word ABOVE His name. He has given us the privilege to quote and use HIS NAME. Jesus is expecting us to use HIS NAME, because He will back up our words by His Word. We can boldly stand on His Word as the need arises. We limit ourselves, instead of looking to God’s Word and allowing it to work through us.

Many Christians allow a feeling of inferiority to come into their lives when they compare themselves to what they are in the Lord, and what they could be. This will have an ad­verse affect on those around us. You must realize that it is the Spirit of the Lord that is able to do all things through you, when you accept what the promises of God teach, as well as apply them to yourself.

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

The answers to prayer through divine faith will not come because of your ability, but because of God’s availability. You must also be available to allow His power to work through you. This takes place when you use divine faith and speak the words that match what the promises of God teach. Faith moves first, then God moves in answer to the use of your faith. God is unable to perform any miracles when He is con­fronted with unbelief.

There are two conditions that cause the promises of God to be fulfilled in your life. The first one will always be purity. The second condition is divine faith. Many Christians miss great opportunities because they need to spend time in prayer for instruc­tions before they act. The opportunity passes them by while they are praying. You need to do your praying beforehand, so that when the opportunity arrives, you can be guided by the Holy Spirit to speak the words which will release the power of God to meet the need.

Psalm 138:8 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands.

There are many more promises that are available for us. Do you believe them? Most Christians act like they do not. God wants us to:

1. Believe His Word

2. Become doers of the Word

3. Act upon the promises in the Word.

THE AUTHORITY OF THE NAME OF JESUS

Today many Christians have lost sight of the authority of the name of Jesus. They are aware that Jesus is the Head of the Church; however they are living powerless lives. They act as though Jesus has the same limitations and will only receive His power after Satan has been put into the bottomless pit.

THE FEELING OF HOPELESSNESS

Many believers are faced with serious situations. This may be because of health problems, or financial situations that may leave the person with a feeling of hopelessness. Satan is wanting to destroy our trust in God and make us become very discouraged, so that we lose all hope.

Hopelessness is a satanic spirit that will try to oppress us to keep us from being effective for the Lord. Job gives us this picture in Job 7:1-6.

Job 7:4 When I lie down, I say, “When shall I arise, and the night be ended?” For I have had my fill of tossing till dawn. 5. My flesh is caked with worms and dust, my skin is cracked and breaks out afresh. 6. My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope.

Deuteronomy 28:67 In the morning you shall say, “Oh, that it were evening!” And at evening you shall say, “Oh, that it were morning!” because of the fear which terrifies your heart, and because of the sight which your eyes see.

Hopelessness produces oppression and heaviness and may end up in depression. It will affect people’s attitude, and cause things to be said that will stop faith from working. People do not realize that God is ready to help each one of us in any time of need. Many people allow the enemy to constantly tempt them to stop depending on the promises of the Bible, or stop serving the Lord. Resist these enemy forces in the wonderful name of Jesus, and they will have to flee!

Psalm 37:39 But the salvation of the righteousness is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. 40. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, be­cause they trust in Him.

THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON

The name of Jesus is the most powerful weapon Christian­ity has. One of the names of Jesus is the Word of God. This means that all of the promises of the Bible are tied to, and backed by the name of Jesus.

Revelation 19:13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2. He was in the beginning with God. 3. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 14. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

The early Church depended totally on the power of the name of Jesus. Everything that the Church had and stood for was possible because of the name of Jesus. The Church of today must wake up to the fact that we are fighting spiritual battles, and must be completely de­pendent on the name of Jesus.

SALVATION

Salvation is possible because of the name of Jesus. The people who are depending on their good works will find that they have absolutely nothing to save them.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Acts 16:30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31. and they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9. not of works, lest anyone should boast.

DIVINE HEALING

Divine healing is possible through the power of the name of Jesus. Isaiah looked forward to this event, and Peter looked back to it.

Isaiah 53:4 Surely He has borne our grief's and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.

1 Peter 2:24 Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.

YOUR PEACE

The payment for your peace was taken care of by Jesus at the cross. Many Christians fail to take advantage of the peace that is available, and are frequently filled with turmoil. They feel oppressed, and filled with fear. They fail to realize that the name of Jesus will release them from this bondage, if they will only depend upon His Word.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The early Church depended totally on the name of Jesus, because it was Satan’s downfall. They knew that Satan had strongholds all around the world, which were controlling many governments, banks, businesses, and people. The early Christians came against them in the name of Jesus and started causing them to come down. Any time Satan starts to build a stronghold against your life today, you have the same authority to pull them down through the power of the wonderful name of Jesus.

The name of Jesus is so powerful that nothing can stand against it. The satanic forces shudder and tremble at the name of Jesus. Satan found out what was stopping him from having victory, and causing him defeat. He next started a big campaign against the Church, to cause them to lose sight of the power of the name of Jesus. He wanted the Church to feel that the name of Jesus had no more power than any other name. In many areas of the world people give their children the name “Jesus.” This eventually caused the name “Jesus” to become very commonplace, and lose its significance. The next thing Satan did was degrade the name of Jesus into a slang word, or to some people, a curse word. These people fail to realize that every time they do this, they are breaking one of the ten commandments.

Exodus 20:7 You shall not use or repeat the name of the Lord your God in vain, [that is, lightly or frivolously, in false affirmations or profanely]; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. (Amplified Bible)

There are others who feel that using an abbreviation of one of the names of God is acceptable. “Gee”, when used as “Gee whiz”, is a replacement for the name Jesus. “By Jove” is an abbreviation of “by Jehovah.” Many other examples could be given. People fail to realize that all of us are going to give an account for every careless word we say.

Matthew 12:36 But I say to you that for every idle (careless) word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

YOUR AUTHORITY TO USE HIS NAME

Jesus has given us a name to use that is above every name or authority in the universe. Everything has to bow or yield to the name of Jesus.

Philippians 2:9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11. and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

You are not to be controlled by the thoughts of the world, such as thoughts of depression, discouragement, reces­sion, and ideas that you will not succeed. This is possible if your mind is based on the thoughts that come from the Holy Spirit. Every time one of these thoughts come, you are to take control of it in the name of Jesus. Every one of these things has to bow the knee to the name of Jesus.

Satan is a name. The name of Jesus is far above that name. The spirits of crime, disease, drugs, lack, poverty, etc., are trying to come in and take control of the areas around you. You have the authority to resist and bind all of these spirits or names in the name of Jesus.

Cancer is a name, poverty is a name, recession in your family is a name. Arthritis, heart trouble, etc., all are names. You must recognize that each one of these things have to bow the knee and be subject to the name of Jesus, every time they try to come against you. The angels re­spond to the name of Jesus. When you quote Scripture that overcomes the problem you have, you can loose the angelic forces to take care of that problem because of the name of Jesus. They then have to obey the words of God which you are quoting. These will bring answers to your prob­lems.

LIMIT TO THIS AUTHORITY

John 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

The moment you are no longer part of the vine, you no longer have any authority. You are removed from the protection of the Lord, and can become spiritually destroyed. Verse six states that we are burned.

Many Christians are living powerless lives because they are not allowing the Holy Spirit to guide them. The power of the name of Jesus will not be effective in this type of person.

PENALTY FOR WRONG USE OF AUTHORITY

Victory over satanic forces is only possible as long as you are serving the Lord. The people who serve the Lord only part of the time will find that they are no match for Satan. Seven preacher’s kids thought that just because their father was a preacher they could have control over evil spirits. They told the evil spirit to come out in the name of Jesus, as Paul had preached. The evil spirit said that he knew who Jesus was, as well as who Paul was. He now wanted to know who they were. They ran away after they got whipped very soundly.

Acts 19:13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14. Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. 15. And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” 16. Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17. This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwell­ing in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

JESUS IS YOUR EXAMPLE

John 14:12 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

It now becomes necessary for you to read through the Gospels several times, to find out what Jesus did. In the above verses He tells you that not only can you duplicate the things that He did, but you can do greater things as well. This will not be true for all Christians because some do not believe that it will happen for them. They have filled their spirit with the idea that God is not performing miracles today like He did during the days of the apostles.

What does the last part of verse 13 tell you? You are seeing that the Father wants to be glorified. The more you come against the attacks of the enemy, and are victorious be­cause of the name of Jesus, the more glory the Father receives. The people who remain with an attitude of unbelief are cheating God out of the glory He would love to receive. This is the plan of Satan, who wants to look more powerful than God. He wants to have the victory, and have you live in defeat.

During the life of Jesus you see that He had power over disease, demons, death and nature. Jesus did not have to argue with the problem or demons, but took authority over it. The spirit of disease had to leave because of the power of the name of Jesus. This same authority has been given to you! You have every right to use it and you must start using it in a greater way to bring more glory to the Father.

Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7. And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them; walking, leaping, and praising God.

Once a man came out of his church and spoke of what Peter had said in the above verse. He now stated that they had reversed the statement. They were very pleased that they now had much silver and gold. They failed to realize that they had traded the silver and gold for the power of God. Peter knew that the name of Jesus was more im­portant than silver or gold, because it could provide heal­ in as well as the silver and gold. That church now had silver and gold but was unable to help the people receive the power of God.

Our lives must not only reflect the life of Christ but must also demonstrate the power of God as was seen in the life of Christ. We must realize that the name of Jesus is all powerful, and nothing can stand against it. We are to use the authority that Jesus has given us and come against the problems coming from nature or disease, etc.

On one occasion I was driving up a mountain, when the wind was very strong. As I came around one bend the wind hit me extremely hard and shook the vehicle. I gripped the steering wheel to keep it under control and at the same time said, “In the name of Jesus, STOP.” The wind immediately stopped. Four other times during my life I have spoken to the wind in the name of Jesus, and it has had to obey me. I am no exceptional person, because God wants to work through every believer in the same manner. The requirement is that we are to believe His word. We are to start acting on the authority He has given us, and come against these forces in the name of Jesus.

Once in South Africa, it began to rain while about thirty five thousand were attending an open air meeting. Several of us began to pray that the rain would stop. I said to the clouds, “In the Name of Jesus, stop raining.” The drops that had left the clouds fell to the ground, but the rain stopped. About a half hour after the previous cloud had moved away, and a new one with a lot more water formed over us. When it began to rain again, the M.C. stated that we would continue to pray, even if it did rain. A number of people got up and left, but many more decided to endure the problem. I jumped to my feet, pointed to the cloud and said, “Maybe last time you didn’t hear me, but I said ‘In the Name of Jesus, stop raining.’ ” The rain immediately stopped and waited until the meeting was over, and then it began to pour.

PROTECTION OVER PROBLEMS

The name of Jesus is all powerful. There is nothing stronger than this wonderful name. There is nothing that does not have to obey the commands given in the name of Jesus, when the statements are backed by the authority given by Jesus. He gives you the right to use His name. He also has the right to withdraw your authority to use His name when you are not living for Him, or you are operating with the wrong motives.

Many people are afraid of stopping to help people when they are stranded on the highway. Those of us who are depending on the protection of the Lord at home or work, can expect His protection everywhere in the world as well. I have stopped to help people on the road in Africa, Mexico and the United States, and have always been able to depend on the protection of the Lord. I have picked up a large number of people looking for rides, and the majority of the time, if they were not saved, accepted the Lord while they were with me. I am depending on the protection of the Lord everywhere.

Late one night I was driving in Mexico, and saw a man standing in the middle of the road, who was waiving his arms for me to stop. His pickup was parked at the side of the road. I thought he needed help, so I stopped behind the pickup. The Lord then showed me that this was a holdup. Instantly I said, “In the name of Jesus you will not touch me.” A spirit of fear came over the man, and he jumped into his pickup and rolled up his window, because he was afraid that I might come after him. I then pulled up beside him and asked him what he wanted. I could see fear on his face when he told me he wanted nothing, because he wanted me to leave him alone. He must have seen the angels protecting me as promised in Psalm 9l:11.

On another occasion a girl was trying to pass another car and misjudged her distance. She was now coming toward us in the same lane. She panicked because she did not know what to do. I immediately said: “In the name of Jesus get out of my way.” She instantly turned the car and got out of our way. I told my friends in the car that most people would have thought that this was the time to pray, but I prayed this morning, this was the time for action. It was now time to act and tell the person what you want them to do. Many Christians act like thermometers and allow the situations to take place. Others act like thermostats and control the situa­tions.

THE WILL OF GOD

There will be times that you do have the authority to use the name of Jesus against forces that are contrary to you, but it will not be the will of God for that occasion.

On one occasion I needed to use the phone in a small town in Africa, and two pay phones were next to each other. The first had a long line of people who were waiting to use the phone. The second had no one in line, so I asked if there was anything wrong with the other phone. Someone told me that it was out of order. I went to it and put my money in, and then said, “In the name of Jesus start working.” The phone immediately started to work. The next time I was in the same town I had the same problem. I went to the phone that was out of order, and started to say the same thing. The Lord then told me that this time it was not His will. I hung up the phone and got my money back. I was able to use another phone in one of the busi­nesses. There was a very bad accident on the highway during this delay. One of the men in the accident had both legs cut off. We did not have any trouble because I was delayed by the phone that would not work. At the end of the week I returned to the United States, and my wife and two of our daughters were at the airport to meet me. Both daughters asked me the same question. Did I remember something that happened that day? The Lord had told both of them to pray for me because I would be in serious danger. I now understood why the Lord did not want the phone to work that day. I could have insisted on the phone working, if I had wanted to, and God would have allowed it to work, in order to honor His word but it was not His will. Remember there will be times when it’s not God’s will for you to do something, because He sees the consequences ahead.

Jesus wants to demonstrate His power to the world in a great way, because this brings great honor to God the Father. He needs to work through people who are willing to allow Him to work through them, and are willing to allow the Father to receive all of the glory and credit. The idea you should have is, “Look what God has accomplished,” instead of “Look what I have done for God.”

John 14:12 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Grateful acknowledgments and thanks are given to the many ladies and gentlemen of faith who have gone before me. We have many examples in the Bible as well as a large number of people who have lived, or are still alive during this century. We can all learn from their wonderful examples.

To my beloved wife, Ethlyn for her encourage­ment and help in the preparation of the material.

To our daughter-in-law, Kathleen Richards, for her proof-reading and helpful suggestions.

To all the wonderful ladies and gentlemen who stand behind me in prayer and financial support.

The material in this booklet is taken from the ninth and tenth chapters of “Spiritual Warfare” by the same author.

Unless otherwise indicated

Scriptures taken from

The New King James Version

Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982

Thomas Nelson Inc.

Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee

For information concerning other materials written by the same author contact our Website: www.jesus4you.com

OTHER MATERIAL BY:

Gordon H. Richards

Building Our Faith - 14 chapters

Living By Faith - 14 chapters

Our Christian Privileges - 14 chapters

The Holy Spirit - 12 chapters

Prayer - 14 chapters

Daniel - 12 chapters

Daniel’s Vision Of Things To Come - 13 chapters

Spiritual Warfare 10 chapters

God Wants To Meet Your Needs - 10 chapters

Divine Hope - 6 chapters

Philippians - 4 chapters

Faith For Answered Prayer

Can We Lose Our Salvation

Overcoming Depression

A Successful Marriage

The Gifts Of The Holy Spirit

Victory Through Prayer

Power of the Tongue

The Nature Of Love

End Time Victories

Daily Devotional: Increasing Your Divine Hope -

January thru March

Daily Devotional: Prayer - Talking With God -

April thru June.

Daily Devotional: Restoration - God’s Plan For You -

July thru September

Daily Devotional: Holiness, a Lifestyle -

October thru December.

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