Scripture to Read: Matthew 7:21–23
Jesus declares an incredible wake-up call as He teaches this in Matthew 7:21–23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, ’will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? ’23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’” It’s hard for us even to imagine those who will proclaim all the things they’ve done for Jesus only to hear Him say “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” Note what these people say they did, but don’t miss how it was done. Each time they mention what they did, they either begin or end by saying they did what they did, “in Your name.” This is important because the power was not in the people but in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember what God’s Word says in Philippians 2:9–11, “God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” The POWER is in Jesus’ NAME, and He is Who we must proclaim!
Challenge & Application
· What did God speak to you today in this devotion, and how will you apply God’s Truth to your life?
· How have you seen God’s power move as Jesus’ Name was proclaimed?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!