John 14:9-14 Phillips “Have I been such a long time with you,” returned Jesus, “without your really knowing me, Philip? The man who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The very words I say to you are not my own. It is the Father who lives in me who carries out his work through me. Do you believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? But if you cannot, then believe me because of what you see me do. I assure you that the man who believes in me will do the same things that I have done, yes, and he will do even greater things than these, for I am going away to the Father. Whatever you ask the Father in my name, I will do—that the Son may bring glory to the Father. And if you ask me anything in my name, I will grant it.
Acts 3:16 Phillips It is the name of this same Jesus, it is faith in that name, which has cured this man whom you see and recognise. Yes, it was faith in Christ which gave this man perfect health and strength in full view of you all.
I Speak Jesus
Songwriters: Jesse Pryor Reeves, Dustin Smith, Abby Benton, Carlene Prince, Raina Pratt.
I just wanna speak the name of Jesus over every heart and every mind ’cause I know there is peace within Your presence – I speak Jesus
I just wanna speak the name of Jesus ’til every dark addiction starts to break, declaring there is hope and there is freedom – I speak Jesus
‘Cause Your name is power – Your name is healing – Your name is life
Break every stronghold – Shine through the shadows – Burn like a fire
I just wanna speak the name of Jesus over fear and all anxiety – to every soul held captive by depression – I speak Jesus
Shout Jesus from the mountains – Jesus in the streets – Jesus in the darkness over every enemy – Jesus for my family – I speak the holy name – Jesus, oh
Observation
The name “Jesus” has no more power than any other name, UNLESS it is imbued with “faith in Christ” – Jesus of Nazareth, Son of Man, Son of God, Messiah, Word of the Father and so much more. When it is invoked in the power and authority of Jesus the Christ, there is no power that can stand against the name of Jesus because the full power and authority of the One True Almighty God stands behind it and flows through it. “I assure you that the man who believes in me will do the same things that I have done, yes, and he will do even greater things than these, for I am going away to the Father.”
Greater things?? Do we really believe this? Do we pray in Jesus’ name expecting the power of evil to back up and the degradation of sin to begin to disintegrate? Most of us are stretched in our faith to reach out expecting to see the kind of immediate results had at the word or hand of Jesus. Why is this so? Do we reach out hoping rather than believing, saying the words without expecting to see a change, or wavering because we are wondering what God’s will really is in the matter? In Christ, we have the overwhelming advantage in power and we need to recognize and use it.
Impact on Me
Many years ago, I read a pamphlet with extracts from a prayer warrior’s journal. This is the one statement I remember. “We don’t have to hold out against the devil. He has to hold out against us!” This changed the way I pray. I began to understand the difference between the power of the enemy and the power of our God. My pastor said that the difference in power is as if the devil is a microwave and God is the Sun. I need to be reminded often because circumstances can seem like an avalanche – so sudden, heavy and unending!
“I Speak Jesus” is a song of war, one that reminds me that, because I am in Christ, I can step out and take the offense, have the courage to invade the Enemy’s camp and take back what he has stolen, be bold to wield the weapons of God to enforce the Enemy’s defeat by Jesus on the Cross, choose to continually live, walk, speak in the power and anointing of the name of Jesus. “Your name is power – Your name is healing – Your name is life. Break every stronghold – Shine through the shadows – Burn like a fire.” There are days I feel ready, a fully armed and trained soldier, and others when I feel like I am still in basic training….
Devotion
Father, Almighty, Everlasting, All Powerful, All Merciful God, You deserve all praise and honor. Who am I that You would adopt me as Your own, equip me to represent You, forgive me when I act like a coward or doubt Your faithfulness and ability to accomplish Your will? I am so grateful for Your mercy when I fail by just saying the words of a prayer rather than bathing them in faith, believing for Your power to work out Your will. I want to speak the name of Jesus with the same expectation Jesus had of Your response, Your power flowing. To do so, I need to follow the example of Jesus to increase my intimacy with You and so to deepen my faith. Help me choose to do so. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Pressing On In His Footsteps 