Fast Time: Tuesdays 6am-6pm
Thank you for your willingness to participate in what God is doing! Above all, please be Spirit-led as you fast. Please note that this is the designated time frame set forth by the Shine Empowerment Network. You are invited- but not required- to join us in any way that you can. If you have a medical condition that prevents a complete fast, then please look for another way to participate. Use wisdom and follow the Holy Spirit.
Teaching: There’s Power in The Name
Names are common, right? Everyone seems to have them: Sally, Lucy, Tom, David. After all, if we didn’t have them how would we know who we were talking to when we started to conversate. Names are used for identification. In addition, in ancient Hebrew culture, names carried great significance. They might refer to an individual’s personality, relate to an event surrounding a person’s birth, or indicate a way that God would use the child’s life. A name conveyed the very character and nature of a person.
Philippians 2:5-11, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
John 14:13, “Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
Names are important. We have been especially conscience of what we named our children. We call them repeatedly it seems some days. With every breath, we are calling not only the name but the meaning behind that name as well. God put much importance on the power of our words. So, we speak destiny, purpose, & mission when we call our children what He calls them. So, what’s in a name? More importantly, what’s in His name?
If you have been born-again, there is one name that should hold more importance to you than others. It is the name of Yeshua or Jesus. After all, if someone would die for you completely innocent of any sins- that person should be pretty special to you, right? As the Son of God, Jesus was the most exalted person to ever walk the earth; therefore, His name is above every other name. He was blamed yet blameless. He was punished yet undeserving of any of it. He was willingly even though He didn’t have to be.
In Philippians 2:10-11, the apostle Paul explains that one day, every knee will bow to honor our Savior. Notice it says, every knee. That literally means, EVERY KNEE. It is a name that deserves respect and though used as a curse word today by many, one day, will get the respect deserved. It’s not just any name.
The name Jesus is the Greek version of the Hebrew name Yeshua, which means “salvation or God saves.” At the annunciation, the angel Gabriel gave him the name Jesus as his proper name, which expresses both his identity and his mission. This name indicates that Christ’s primary role was as the world’s Savior, not just a moral teacher. Scripture gives over 100 different names for Jesus, including the Son of Man, the Son of God, Prophet, Teacher, King of Kings, Immanuel, the Good Shepherd, the Light of the World, the Bread of Life, the Lamb of God, and our High Priest (Heb. 4:16; 1 Tim. 2:5). In the New Testament, the disciples usually address Jesus as “Lord” (Ps. 103:19).
There is no salvation or hope of eternal life apart from the name of Jesus (Acts 4:12). Many religions teach that people can earn divine favor through good deeds. The truth is, you and I might be able to clean up parts of our lives, but we are powerless to change our sin nature. We need the Savior. There is power in the name of Jesus.
Christ told His disciples, “Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). “In Jesus’ name” indicates four basic truths:
- We come to Him on the basis of our association with Him—we are His children.
- Our relationship with Christ gives us access to Him (Heb. 4:16).
- Through Him, we have authority to make requests of the Father (Matt. 7:7).
- We must ask according to His will. In prayer, we should seek His purpose instead of our own, and trust that if He says “no,” it is for our ultimate good.
This is no ordinary name I assure you! His name carries power. His name is the name by which we are saved, in which we have access, in which we have authority, in which we must ask according to His will. That is some name!
From the days of the early church, those in the world have hated the name of Jesus (Acts 4:17; Acts 5:28). Today, many people who are okay with talking about the idea of God take offense at the name of our Savior. I believe His name convicts them of their need for salvation.
American culture is increasingly opposed to Christianity. Years ago, prayer and Bible teaching were removed from schools. I believe the assault on Christian values was systematically planned by those who want to make America an atheistic nation. No nation has ever been able to deny the Lord without experiencing His judgment.
Let me leave you with this question- If His name didn’t mean anything or have power, why has the devil throughout mankind tried so hard to erase it from society? He was and is the Messiah come to fulfill the mission that was on His life. He came to save that which was lost, destroy the works of the devil, and separate that which is light from darkness. His name is offensive and divisive only to those not saved. To those who are looking for a Savior, He is the hope of the world and a pleasant drink to a thirsty, dying people. That name does in fact have power. So, what’s in His name? Everything.
The Different Names of God & The Meanings
Listed are some other Hebrew names of God that we can call on at the appropriate times, plus other names and their meanings throughout the New Testament. Praise be to God!
A Word From Christy
I pray that you see His name as the name above ALL names in your daily life and your prayer life. He makes ALL the difference and He has so much to offer. We must remember that the God we serve is alive and well. Jesus intercedes at the right hand of throne of God for us. He paid the ultimate price that we would have His name in victory, strength, and power, May we recognize WHO and WHAT we have been given and WALK in it that we may SHINE forth the Good News available to others! Don’t forget in all your getting to Shine! Watchmen Nee said, “‘It is a mighty thing that God has done in thus committing himself to his Church… The name of Jesus is in fact God’s greatest legacy to her.'” May we never forget THAT name!
Shining Brightly for the King,
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