Today during worship at church, I experienced an amazing encounter with the Lord. I had a vision of Jesus. He was standing before me and looking straight at me- yes, He was looking into my eyes. I saw His compassion as He spoke to me. He said, Sandie, in My name, you shall do wondrous things. You are able to heal the sick, cast out demons, raise the dead and also able to preach the gospel with signs and wonders following- all because you use MY name. Don’t you know that I died to give you that authority? Just speak My name and it shall be done!

The vision was over. I knew the depth of the power in using His name as never before. It was as if a light bulb came on in my spirit! Now, I’ve known that we are to use His name- I’ve known that since I became a Christian. However, I’ve never understood it to the magnitude that Jesus was expressing it to me before then. Had I really stopped to fully understand that because of the Cross I now had power to rebuke the devil and that he must flee? And that he had to flee simply because I added to the end of my prayer or decree the words in the name of Jesus?

It’s More than Working for God!

Then the Lord said, Sandie do you know what co-laboring with Me really looks like? At first I was a bit stunned. Why? Because I thought I had that subject all figured out! I have talked about co-laboring with God for years! I have ministered on that subject over and over- even written about it. I have always looked at co-laboring with God as simply being in agreement with Him, being obedient to follow His directives and, well, ultimately working for Him. And to some degree that is true- but I’ve now learned that there is more!

He then took me to a passage I don’t think I have every really “seen” before! He took me to Mark 16:15-20. Look at what it says and notice the highlighted areas:

15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. NIV

Did you notice that it says that “…the Lord worked with them…?” And when they worked with Him, He confirmed His word by signs and wonders? In verse 17, Jesus also instructed them to use His name. Therefore, working with God is using the name of Jesus, right? Wait now- there’s more.

Working with God.

The word “work” is a Greek word that implies several things. This means that we are to cooperate with God. Another meaning implies that we are co-workers (co-laborers) and that we “work together.” This is clear- God is working, too! Yes! The work of the ministry is not on our shoulders alone- He is continually working alongside us. And, every time we use the name of Jesus, His name goes to work also!

Believers, let’s get busy doing the work of the ministry! However, we are learning to rest in Him, the finished work at the Cross and also knowing that He is truly watching over His Word to perform it! Hallelujah!
(See Jeremiah 1:12).