Name Above All Names

 

When my son was three years old,  I overheard him saying, "There's power in the Name of Jesus! Grrr!"

Made me chuckle at the surety in the statement coming from such a small vessel, but it threw me quickly into a moment of reflection.  How often we forget what's behind that Name: JESUS.

"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, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11) 

EVERY other name is subject to the Name of Jesus!  

What "name" are you battling?  Is it addiction?  Anger?  Anxiety?  Broken relationships?  Depression?  Disease?  Fear?  Grief?  Guilt?  Poverty?  Sickness?  Begin to speak His Name over your situation.  Even if you can only muster enough strength to whisper, "Jesus" - continue to do it over and over again. There is unfathomable power and authority behind that Name! (Matthew 28:18)

Salvation in the Name of Jesus:

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

“And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21

Demons flee and protection found in the Name of Jesus:

“But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the Name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.” Acts 16:18

“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My Name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:17

Strength and soundness of mind in the Name of Jesus:

“And His name, through faith in His Name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.” Acts 3:16

Healing in the Name of Jesus:

“Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the Name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:30

“Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. By faith in the Name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ Name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.” Acts 3:6

The Name that saves.  The name that delivers. The Name that heals.  The Name that strengthens.  The Name that calms the storm. The Name of hope. The Name of victory.

Jesus.

The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you will have life by the power of His name.” John 20:30-31

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zpLPh6LibE

Being Perfect

 

Matthew 5:48, "Be PERFECT, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect."

Have you ever struggled over this Scripture?  Some may even think if this is what it means to be a Christian, I can never measure up.  They end up walking away from a relationship with Christ or half-heartedly serving Him because it feels pointless to try something that’s unobtainable. 

I’ve read that the word 'perfect' (teleios) has several meanings.  One definition is "completion," another speaks of maturity but not necessarily sinless, and another is "the appropriate state at the appropriate time."  For instance, a tree that has no leaves in winter is perfect.  It is at the appropriate stage for the appropriate time. 

Not everyone is in the same season.  It would be silly for a mature tree to compare itself to a newly planted seed.   That's not a level playing field.  They are in a totally different stage of growth.

 

So why do we?  I know it’s human nature to want to compare sins; place people at different sin degrees.  We play "Let's Compare" instead of "How can I become more like Christ?"   

"A butterfly should never judge the caterpillar." -et

God meets each of us right where we are.  As long as our heart is to serve and please Him ~ we are in the appropriate state at the appropriate time! Does this mean we aren't ever to keep one another accountable and spur one another on?  Of course not, but that's a different message :)

Like any relationship, it takes time to grow.  For relationships that you are cultivating and desiring deeper intimacy in, you will pass through different stages to get to that level.  It takes time to develop. Our relationship with Christ is the same.   In a relationship, you will either be moving forward or moving backwards.  It’s through full surrender and willingness to let God work in us that brings the needed growth. Sometimes it's through tough times that we grow and sometimes it's simply in the quiet moments spent with the Potter. 

I want to encourage you that if your heart is fixed on a sincere desire to follow Christ and walk in obedience to His Word, you are in the appropriate state at the appropriate time... To God, this is to be perfect.  Without flaw? No, but definitely on your way to completeness...

"And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ (right up to the time of His return), developing (that good work) and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you." Philippians 1:6