Holy Spirit Power

There is power in the Name of Jesus. I bet you have heard that phrase before. It has been in the lyrics of many songs, written in many books, and talked about for ages. But what does it really mean? For me, I had heard it but never could quite connect with it. Of course Jesus is God and He has all power and authority on this earth. The question is, how does that really affect me? I mean talking about the power of Jesus name sounds awesome, and amazing, but it just never registered with me on a deeper level.

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17

I have many times when I uttered or cried out the name of Jesus. I was in the midst of deep depression, terrible anger, or horrible sickness. I was full of despair as I called His name, begging for help. Yet it seemed to do no good. God didn’t show up for me in those moments (or so I thought). I was still depressed or angry or sick. So how could calling out Jesus name have power to do anything? After all, it is just another word, isn’t it? I never really thought words had that much power. Yes words can hurt people, but beyond that what can they really do? Well for starters it is using the spoken word that God created the entire world and everything in it. And Jesus is called The Word, and is also the one whom all things were created through. Words hold more than power – they hold the ability to affect great change!

To understand the power of using Jesus name, we need to first examine what power Jesus Himself had as He walked on this earth. While Jesus had His earthly ministry He used His words to heal the sick, cast out demons, raise the dead, and defeat Satan himself. By what power did Jesus do these things? With the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus did not perform any miracles until after He was baptized and anointed with the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus did not even face His temptation in the desert until after being anointed by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the power and authority that Jesus wielded during His earthly ministry, and it is the power of the Holy Spirit that has been given to use to use, just as Jesus did.

How can we possibly have the power to do the things Jesus Himself has done? I have thought for a long time that sounded great, but wasn’t something actually achievable. Some people believe it is not even Biblical. As we go through our day-to-day lives it is rare, if ever, that many people see miracles. And when we do see miracles it is not something that comes from our hands, but something that seems to just happen and clearly be an act of God. The thought of someone laying hands on the sick and healing them or casting out demons is something that I thought was done for this day and age. Boy was I wrong!

I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. Luke 10:19

The Holy Spirit is our connection to God – He is God living inside of us. The Holy Spirit is a gift from God and a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance from God. Through the Holy Spirit we are given all power and authority to heal the sick, cast our demons and even raise the dead. What!? Yes! As a matter of fact I remember exactly where I was when someone told me of healings going on at a local church. I was in disbelief, but also totally intrigued. Some people believe that this is a sort of show, or even an exploitation of the Holy Spirit. It is really easy to have this mindset when you have not personally experienced the power of the Holy Spirit moving like this in your life.

I am a skeptic by nature. I would have never even believed in demons, and I was a witch in the past. I would have never believed in healing, or any other such things, until I experienced them myself. Even then, I was skeptical. It seems a little crazy, out of the realm of possibility. Yet God clearly tells us that these are things for believers right here and now in His Word. We must try to get out of our comfort zone and get out of our knowledge of who we think the Holy Spirit is, and start making room for the Holy Spirit to move in new and exciting ways around us!

I remember the first time I went to a healing service and watched people lay hands on the sick. The power of the Holy Spirit was moving so strongly in that room that it was absolutely overwhelming. I had never experienced the Holy Spirit in that way ever before and frankly it was a little scary. Now I greatly look forward to seeing what the Holy Spirit will do in my life, as I lay hands on people for healing, or cast out demons. I love to pray for people and help bring Holy Spirit power into their lives! It is amazing to pray for someone and watch them positively glow with the Holy Spirit power!

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8

It is by this power and authority of the Holy Spirit inside of us that we will be able to use the name of Jesus Christ. It is with faith that we can exercise this power. His name is like the key that unlocks the power that we hold inside. When we pray in Jesus name we are letting the world (seen and unseen) know that we are commanding the authority He has given us. When you pray for healing you must pray with faith and belief. You must command the sickness to leave and belief that God is using you to heal that person. No, God does not heal every single person every time. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try! God is a loving Father who wants to give us the gift of a whole body in working order.