John 14:13-14 “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!”
“I want to instill into you a sense of the power, the virtue and the glory of that name. Six people went into the house of a sick man to pray for him. He was an Episcopalian vicar, and lay in his bed utterly helpless, without even strength to help himself. He had read a little tract about healing and had heard about people praying for the sick, and sent for these friends, who, he thought, could pray the prayer of faith. He was anointed according to James 5:14, but, because he had no immediate manifestation of healing, he wept bitterly. The six people walked out of the room, somewhat crestfallen to see the man lying there in an unchanged condition.”
“When they were outside, one of the six said, “There is one thing we might have done. I wish you would all go back with me and try it.” They went back and all got together in a group. This brother said, “Let us whisper the name of Jesus.” At first when they whispered this worthy name nothing seemed to happen. But as they continued to whisper, “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!” the power began to fall. As they saw that God was beginning to work, their faith and joy increased; and they whispered the name louder and louder. As they did so the man arose from his bed and dressed himself. The secret was just thus, those six people had gotten their eyes off the sick man, and they were just taken up with the Lord Jesus Himself, and their faith grasped the power that there is in His name. O, if people would only appreciate the power that there is in this name, there is no telling what would happen.”
Taken from http://www.smithwigglesworth.com/sermons/eif3.htm
The name of Jesus gives us new life. Just as the vicar, in the above story, received his life back, we can receive new life when we call on the name of Jesus.
“New life” includes anything we need, including but not limited to the following:
1. Freedom from sin (redemption and sanctification)
· 1 John 1:9 “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
· 2 Timothy 2:21”If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean (sanctified), and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.”
2. Freedom from poverty (financial provision)
· Philippians 4:19 “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
3. Freedom from sickness (divine healing)
· Isaiah 53:5 (NIV) “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
4. Freedom from the enemy’s lies
· John 8:32 “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
The key to “New Life” is keeping our focus on Jesus and not allowing the cares of life to claim our attention. Easy to do? No! Is it necessary? YES!!! I love Smith Wigglesworth’s words, “The secret was just thus, those six people had gotten their eyes off the sick man, and they were just taken up with the Lord Jesus Himself, and their faith grasped the power that there is in His name.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
While we are focusing on Christ, he is focusing on us. He is petitioning his Father on our behalf. 1 John 2:1 “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous,”
Whenever we feel the need for “New Life” we need to simply call on the name of Jesus. Philippians 2:9-10 “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.” Nothing can stand against that name. Call on Jesus in every circumstance and he will hear and answer. The enemy will have to flee and “New Life” will be the result.
There is power in his name. JESUS!!!
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