IN MY NAME

Identity theft is a serious and growing concern in the world today. It occurs when someone steals your personal information for fraudulent purposes. That is, the impostor acts in your name. From a spiritual and positive perspective, as believers we act and declare in God’s name. We do so because we belong to Him, He lives in us and we have the authority to do so. We did not steal His identity; we are His identity because God created us (human beings) in His own image (identity). That was why Peter said, “Once, you had no identity as a people; but now you are God’s people”. 1Peter 2:10a.

Having established that we can act and declare in His name, are we walking in the authority and revelation of that name? The value we place on material things is often directly proportional to its degree of relevance or importance. Prophet Isaiah gave a tip of the iceberg regarding that name when he declared that: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6.   Now when Jesus offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for us, the authority to use that name was delivered to us. Apostle Paul said “He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth”. Philippians 2:8-10.This verse clearly expresses the superiority of the name of Jesus over every other named thing on earth, under the earth and also in heaven. Friends, this feels to me like a blank check. When we don’t exercise our authority using His name, it’s like having a huge cash deposit in your name without knowing about it while living in abject poverty.

Often, we get religiously accustomed to things such that the values we attach to them begin to diminish. I’m sure you are familiar with that wonder working name, but please do not get so used to the name to the point that it becomes mundane to you. It was obtained in the place of sacrifice and it’s full of power and revelation so it is time to start calling that name with reverence, awe, and out of a place of authority and not out of fear because the enemy can smell fear. We are not to pray FOR victory but pray FROM a place of victory. During Jesus farewell speech to his disciples, He affirmed, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth’. Friends, because we are in Christ, we have that authority as well. Furthermore, Jesus said : And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name, they will drive out demons, they will speak in new tongues, they will pick up snakes with their hands, and when they drink deadly poison it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people , and they will get well. Deliverance is available in that name, immunity from deadly diseases is in that name, miracles can be found in that name, healing, prosperity, protection and most important of all salvation. That was why Peter spoke boldly that “there is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name by which we must be saved.”Acts 4:12

Can you pause and imagine what the world will look like if all believers start operating from the place of authority in the name JESUS? The results will be amazing, unimaginable, dominating, the possibilities are endless! Only our faith in God will unlock these endless possibilities of living a life of dominion here on earth. I am learning to exercise my authority with the name I’ve been given and I invite you to join me in this journey.

There’s something about the name of Jesus; it’s inexplicable. You can call on that name ANYTIME! You can call on the name when filled with joy; you can also call when your world seems to be crashing. It’s a great NAME, applicable in all situations. Call the name with excitement, call with great expectations, call with great authority, HE IS WAITING TO ANSWER.

                                                                                                Shalom@thejoyofhispresence