16^th September

“One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit that enabled her to tell the future. ….she followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.” This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of JESUS CHRIST to come out of her!!” And instantly it left her.”

Acts 16:16-18

In Jesus’ name, we have the power see healing, deliverance, people set free from addictions, from hurts, pains and mental issues. We have the power to take back stolen ground, to take back deceived hearts and to bring life where there is death. This power does not come from ourselves but is from the power that is in the name of JESUS CHRIST.

Paul and Silas too, first hand, experienced the power of Jesus’ name on a regular basis. One example is the one found in today’s key verses. Paul and Silas, en-route to Macedonia, had stopped over in town near Philippi and were on the way the place of prayer. There they met a demon possessed girl that clearly had one purpose; to disrupt Paul and Silas’ mission. Day after day she shouted out that Paul and Silas were men of God and carried with them the message of salvation. Of course, on first looks this is a good thing right?! But a demon possessed woman would most assuredly not be an advocate for salvation. After all, salvation in its fullness means deliverance from evil. So we can most probably assume that she was not advertising Paul and Silas’ mission in a positive way.

After days and days of this provocative shouting, Paul, completely exasperated, turned to her and in JESUS’ name, cast out the demon within her. What happened next? The demon immediately left. This action eventually meant that Paul and Silas were arrested as the demon possessed girl made lots of money for her master. No spirit. No money for the master.

There are many layers and messages to this story, but something that stands out above all, is the power of the name of JESUS CHRIST. Truly nothing can stand in opposition to JESUS. He is victorious in all situations. This is the God we serve and the Man we call King.