If Jesus’ words are actually true, have you ever taken a moment to think about the implications?
Any sickness can be healed. Any demon can be cast out. Any sinner – you, a friend, a relative, an enemy – can be saved. The mountains in people’s lives and their circumstances can be moved. Peace and joy can come into your life. Blind eyes can be opened. Prisoners can be set free. All of this and more is promised!
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (John 14:12-14 NIV)
Whatever you ask … greater things will each of us do. And His words apply not only to you and your family, but also to neighborhoods, cities and nations! The ends of the earth await the awakening of our faith to Christ’s promises. You need to be equipped, empowered, emboldened and trained to bring God’s kingdom from heaven to earth. You have been called to Jesus’ commission for you to GO preach and teach about His kingdom throughout the world. To heal the sick, cleanse the unclean from their sins and diseases, raise the dead and cast out demons.
Yet, Jesus will not spontaneously answer your requests until you instinctively obey Him. Obedience to His requests prepares us to experience His indwelling. His indwelling in us is where His love finds its fulfillment. Then we are able to take His love out into the world around us. It is vital that we obey the Father as Jesus modeled His obedience to the Father.
But Christ’s ultimate goal is not only obedience, but also your oneness with Him. He would rather dwell intimately in ONE obedient heart who is crying out for more of Him, than to have 10,000 casual believers who only know Him from afar. He is after your LOVE! He wants you to be after intimacy and oneness in Him more than anything else.
True love is passion for oneness. Obedience born of love leads to greater love. Greater love ultimately leads to the open disclosure of Christ to your heart, putting you into your rightful position as a true son or daughter who the Father can trust in His kingdom.
He who has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me, and he who loves Me will be loved by the Father, and I will love him and disclose myself to him. (John 14:15)
Do you want to see and do greater things? Do you want to walk in answered prayers? Do you want to bring God’s kingdom from heave to earth? This is what you must do:
- Long for HIM and only HIM. Run after oneness with Him. Don’t run after more power. The power follows your relationship and oneness with Him. Jesus longed for continual loving intimacy with the disciples. This is His heart towards you … and it should be your heart towards Him … intimacy with Jesus … oneness with Jesus.
- Be obedient. Obedience is love in action. Do only what the Father is doing and tells you to do. Obedient, pure, holy hearts are vessels of honor unto the Lord. Obedience is what prepares us to be vessels of honor, prepared and ready to bring His kingdom from heaven to earth. Obedience keeps it ALL about HIM and NOT about US.
When your heart is in obedience the Father can trust you with the greater things. When your heart is in this position, God will release greater measures of His kingdom to be released through you. Jesus will fulfill His promise to provide, “Whatever you ask of the Father in Jesus’ name.
The key to unlocking that promise is: “In MY Name!” All of God’s promises are accessed through the name of Jesus. Jesus’ name is a divine, kingly seal. His signature is on all of your marching orders. As you are one with Him in intimacy, so you become one with Him in purpose.
Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (John 20:21 NIV )
You in turn should be praying, “as You were sent, Jesus, so send me!” Jesus’ name is synonymous with His commission, which is your commission – Heal the sick, cleanse the sinner, cast out demons, raise the dead!
Using Jesus’ name in prayer does not mean you can ask for and receive anything you desire, except where your desires are conformed to the desires of Christ. To the degree you come to Father God with Jesus’ thoughts, desires and motives, you will receive power to fulfill Jesus’ purposes … not YOURS. When you attach “in Jesus’ name” at the end of your prayers, you need to make sure that your heart’s intention is not coming out of a religious spirit, manipulation or selfish desires. Our heart’s motivation must be pure and motivated by Christ’s desires, THEN our prayers will be empowered with heaven’s resources.
Our oneness with Christ prepares us to mirror Him, His will and to represent His purposes. Whatever we ask in His name, it shall be done!
Pray this prayer throughout the week to embrace the power in His name.
What name is like Your name, Lord Jesus? When I speak it in worship it is like sweet honey to my lips. When I utter it in battle, it is a mighty weapon no enemy can oppose! Lord I ask grace as I learn Your ways and how to fully represent You in every aspect of my life. I pray that I will be empowered by Your name to bring healing, freedom, deliverance and Your love to the hurting world around me.