In the Name of Jesus Christ

 Our name represents who were are. Others can use our name to slander us or to compliment us. If we know a powerful, influential person, we can use their name to get us things that we could not get by ourselves. In that sense we say that there is power in a name. This is especially true for the name of Jesus Christ. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Because of His sacrificial death, Jesus has been elevated to a place of all authority being given to Him by the Father. He is love, and He is all-powerful, so He can do anything, and He always does the right thing. Once we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we can speak in His name when He gives us the authority to do so. That is what He did for Peter and John, as they encountered the lame man begging near the Temple. (Acts 3:6,7) He wanted alms, but Peter and John fixed their eyes on him, and Peter said that he did not have any silver or gold. However, Peter would give the man what he did have. Peter knew Jesus as His Lord and Savior, and He knew Jesus could and would heal this man. Therefore, He reached out in the name of Jesus the Nazarene, and told him to walk, He grabbed his hand to help him up, and immediately, his feet and ankles were strengthened. Then, he started walking. This was all possible because of Peter and John knowing Jesus.

When we come to know Jesus, we become a part of His body, the church. We are to allow ourselves to be used as His hands and feet, or even His voice to reach out to those around us with the love of Jesus. When we encounter a person with a need for healing or salvation, or even a financial need, we can ask Jesus to show us how to help them, and He will. Whatever we do, we do it in the name of Jesus Christ, because it is done by His power and authority, not ours. If Jesus desires to use us to bring healing, we can see that happen in His name. In cases of family or financial needs, we can pray in Jesus' name for those needs to be met, and He will act in line with His will. Remember, nothing is impossible with Jesus, and without Him, we can do nothing. Therefore, we can't heal or provide what others need on our own. We can do it in Jesus' name and give Him all of the credit, if He shows us it is His will. Then, we give Him all the praise and thanksgiving.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Acts 4-6.