That's No "Nom De Plume"A Devotional
© 2001 Steve Lattier and Men's Help MinistriesFor those of you not up on your French a "nom de plume" means a "pen name" or a name taken for writing with anonymity. Suffice it to say that was NOT God's intent when He gave us the Bible. Even so, Many people haven't a clue who God really is. Really though, it is not like God is trying to hide behind an assumed name or something. I looked up the word "name" in the original Greek language and found the word " o[noma" (yes that symbol is correct) it is pronounced on'-om-ah. That was the Greek word that was used in all the references to God when He said the words "my name" or something similar. I , as most regular people thought that a name was just something to simply separate us from each other and to keep from overusing the phrase "hey you.." Sometimes the more thoughtful of us will try to choose a name for our children that has depth or history. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw the definition in the lexicon. It totally re-educated me and transcended my predetermined expectations. Here it is. "O[noma" {noun, neuter} :
the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, i.e. for one's rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellences, deeds etc. If you read the intent there it says that a name is not just something to holler at someone when you want their attention, it is the sum of their existence! Or in God's case it is ALL! That changes my whole outlook on several passages in the Bible.
The Word:Jeremiah 16:20 Do men make their own gods? Yes, but they are not gods!" [21] "Therefore I will teach them-- this time I will teach them my power and might. Then they will know that my name is the LORD. (bold mine)
"So the Israelites will know that His name is the Lord?". By the definition above then that passage should read "so that they will know that my name is Lord, God, Creator, Deliverer, Giver of Life, Provider, Alpha and Omega, I Am, not to mention every single miracle since He stepped out of eternity and created time! It is not just His name it is His very essence, it IS Him! No wonder why there are so many references in the Bible that say we should be in awe of His name! His name must also mean the very power behind the miracles that He performed throughout the ages, not just the miraculous acts themselves.
The Word:Jeremiah 10:6 No one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power. (bold mine)
If you haven't sung the song I am quite sure you have at least heard it, "There is power in the blood." That is true and that is what washes our sins away, but it doesn't stop there Christian!!!! If you are saved then all you have to do is have faith, and there is greater power in His NAME. People these days are all wandering around lost looking for power. Power to control their lives, they look at alcohol to control their pain or loss. They look to diviners and clairvoyants to help them gain power over their futures. They look to their own abilities to keep their jobs secure. They look to people like Tony Robbins and L. Ron Hubbard to give them "real" power for their own living. Sadly many of these people are Christians, they haven't even gotten a basic grasp on where the real power and security lies. God protects those that are His.
The Word:John 17:11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one. [12] While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. (bold mine)
God not only protected those disciples and kept them safe by the power of His name, He passed His name along to His Son! There is an old phrase, I think that it is a line in a poem it asks "What's in a name?" I think that after today there will be an awesome answer to that question. God established the history of His name and he passed all of it on to His son. His Son, Christ, Jesus, whom the Jews know as "Yeshua" or the "Mosioch ben Judah," the Messiah was given that name and all the authority and power with it. Of all the miracles that Jesus performed while he walked the earth he said that we could do even greater ones. First we must have faith and second we must ask for those miracles in his name.
The Word:John 14:10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. [11] Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. [12] I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. [13] And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. [14] You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (bold mine)
There is so much power vested in the name of our Lord, Jesus that miracles happen when it is used with authority. Cancer can be driven out, sickness and infirmity healed, even the dead shall rise because of the power of that name. It is up to us to have faith enough to use it for the glory of God! There is such power in the proper use of His name and we pass it by every day because we lack the faith to use it. Remember Jesus said that all we had to have was the faith of a mustard seed and He would move the mountains!
The Word:Acts 4:7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?" [8] Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! [9] If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, [10] then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. (bold mine)
The disciples used the name and wielded the power it holds for the glory of God. Everywhere they went they showed the power of that Name. Even in the story above It was the power of the Name of Jesus that healed the crippled beggar. You recall the miracle. Peter and John were walking through the Gate Beautiful when the crippled man asked for money. Peter healed him in the name of Jesus. As for the crippled man just as it is for us their must be faith! There was only one instance that Jesus healed a man where the man's faith was not mentioned, that was the story of the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda. Jesus simply told him to get up! I believe Jesus was proving a point that day to the Pharisees. We however must have enough faith to believe!
The Word:Romans 3:16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. (bold mine)
When we muster the faith to call on His name there is a certain amount of courage and boldness that gets bestowed on us in that moment. You can't hardly mention a name so old and full of power and glory without a little boldness, let alone wield it! Yes I did use the word "wield" the name of our Lord is mighty and more powerful than any weapon. Like a sword or other weapon it can be wielded on the enemies of God. You can use it to cast out demons, the name of our Lord is powerful enough to even make the devil himself flee! You, Christian, just have to have the faith to use it! Stop being so shy, God is not going to tell you to stop using His name so much! It is free! Christian, we are all to often too embarrassed (oh I don't want to use it for this it isn't a big deal…
or prideful (I can get through this, no sense wasting Jesus' time) to even pray let alone bring glory to God by calling on His name.
The Word:Romans 10:11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."* [12] For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, [13] for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."* (bold mine)
Can you imagine what would happen in this world if even ONE Christian in each church in this world stood their ground against the bad things of this world, had awesome faith in the NAME above all names, like the apostles, and used it with the authority given to them when they accepted their salvation? WOW!
Pray with me: Father I am sorry for not having strong faith. My lack of faith has led me to turn away from you at times and lean on the worldly things of my own understanding. My lack of faith has even caused me to sin Lord. Forgive me of my sins Father, bless me with mustard seed faith. Teach me you call on you in my times of need, teach me to use the power of your NAME Lord. With your boldness and authority I say that this will be done in Jesus name. Amen!If you are not saved and would like more information please email me, see me, or visit us at
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/pastorstevel/menshelp.html then click on the link for your free ticket!
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