Acts 19:13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches." 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.
Once upon a time, the naming of children born into the world carried special significance. My wife honored me at the birth of our three children by beginning their first names with the letter “C”(Calvin, Carah, and Ciara). I’ve met people who are named after grandparents, godparents, or even famous people (George Washington…Benjamin Franklin…Abraham Lincoln…). In our society, a name is a label that identifies a person. But in the Hebrew culture, a name indicated far more. The name expressed the essence of the person's being. Now I understand why Abram’s name was changed from Abram (high father) to Abraham (father of a great multitude) and why Jacob’s name had to be changed from Jacob (supplant, undermine) to Israel (one who prevails with God).
In the ancient world, people often pronounced names in hopes that the power of that being would be activated. Thus, in Acts 19, the seven sons of Sceva were trying to exorcise demons by, “…the Jesus whom Paul preached…” (Acts 19:13) These young men were following the tradition of pronouncing names as magic incantations in hopes that there would be a release of supernatural power from their efforts. The disparity in doctrine between their ideology and ours is simply a matter of delegated authority. Even though Jesus ascended back to heaven, prior to His Departure He delegated His Authority by giving us the right to operate in His Behalf and to use His Name (Mark 16:13). We’re authorized and deputized to utilize The Most Powerful Name in the universe—The Name of Jesus! Hallelujah!
Even though He went back to heaven, He sent The Holy Spirit to abide with us forever. And when we call on The Name of Jesus, The Spirit of God—not human or any earthly power—releases The Necessary Power for miracles. Today’s exhortation is simple…Thank God for our delegated authority!
Let’s Pray: “Father, thank You for the authority that You’ve given us—particularly The Authority to use Your Great Name, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”
Daily Confession
Thank You for making me the head and not the tail
Above only and not beneath
The lender and not the borrower
The conquerer and not the conquered
Thank You for giving me all things that pertain to life and godliness
And for delivering my life from death and destruction
So that I might live and not die
To declare Your Works
Thank You that no sickness shall live in my body
For by Your Stripes I am healed
Thank You that I shall not be stressed, oppressed or depressed
But I'm kept in perfect peace as my mind is stayed on Thee
Thank You that I'm not distressed, distracted, or in disarray
But I'm focused on what You've called me to do
Thank You that there is no lack in my life today
For my God shall supply all my needs according to His Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus
This is the day that the Lord has made
I will rejoice and be glad in it,
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
Questions of the Day
**Who Am I?**
1. I promised God that if he’d give me a son, I would give him back
to God and I did. Who am I? Who is my son?
2. I was 90 years old when my son was born.
3. I died while giving birth to my son. I’d given his father a son
prior to birthing my 2nd son. Who am I? Who was my husband?
Who was my famous son? Who was the son who I gave birth to at
death?
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