That’s the Power of Love

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (Mark 16:17-18)

Jesus said in His name we would facilitate demonstrations of supernatural ministry. But what does it mean to do these things in His name? The Greek word for name is onoma and means authority and character. To understand the power of the name of Jesus, we must ask, “What is Jesus’ character?” It is love. As believers, we are called to walk in the authority and character of Christ by displaying His love in every facet of our lives. His love working through us gives us access to His supernatural power.

The very nature of the acts describes in Mark 16:17-18 shows love. Jesus said, “In my name, they shall cast out devils.” Why? Because the person bound by a demonic spirit is hurting, is not fulfilling God’s plan for their lives, and is restrained from living in God’s peace. Love compels us to cast out devils.

The next thing listed in Mark 16 is: “they shall speak with new tongues.” We speak in tongues because love wants everyone to be unified and hear from God. Love shares what God is saying, and speaking in tongues is one way we speak God’s perfect will.

Following this, Jesus said, “They shall take up serpents.” In the middle of difficult moments and troublesome attacks, the love of Jesus serves as a shield, protecting believers from harm and guiding them safely as they do what God called them to do.

Following this, Jesus said, “if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them.” Jesus protects His people from natural poisoning. He further keeps them from being poisoned by the malice and hatred of the world. Finally, Jesus said, “they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” The love of God within us wants freedom from pain and physical attacks on others.

Practical Application

Are you looking for opportunities to use signs and wonders to show God’s love to others? Ask the Holy Spirit to make you aware of ways you can display His love and power to others. Then listen and obey.

Acts 5:16; Luke 10:17

Daniel’s Miracle

Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. (Daniel 6:19-23)

You probably heard the story of Daniel and the lion’s den when you were a child. But Daniel’s story was not the cute kid’s story many imagine. The people against Daniel wanted him to be slaughtered maliciously and painfully by hungry lions. Scripture makes it clear to us that the lions were hungry to illustrate the impossible situation into which Daniel was thrown. Everyone knows hungry lions do not wait or pause when the prey is within reach - they pounce. The story of Daniel in the lion's den is a testament to the faithfulness and miraculous power of God for those who fear and love Him.

As King Darius anxiously waited to hear the fate of Daniel, he arose early in the morning and hurried to the den of lions. With a voice of fear and trembling, the king called out to Daniel, wanting to see if the God Daniel served could deliver him from the ferocious beasts. Daniel's response was one of unwavering faith and confidence in the power of his God. Daniel declared to the king that his God had sent an angel to shut the mouths of the lions, preventing them from harming him. The lions weren’t suddenly docile; the lions were forcibly held back from doing what they wanted to do.

Practical Application

Daniel's experience in the lion's den teaches us a lot about faith and the power of God to intervene supernaturally in the lives of His people. No matter what you face, no matter how much the odds are stacked up against you, with God on your side, you win.

Hebrews 11:33; Psalm 91:11

The Power Gifts

To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles. (1 Corinthians 12:9-10a)

I Corinthians 12:9-12 outlines nine gifts of the Spirit, which are divided into three groups: utterance gifts, revelation gifts, and power gifts. These gifts allow a faith-filled believer to accomplish extraordinary things that show the power of God.

The power gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians12:9-10a include the working of miracles, gifts of healings, and the gift of faith. These gifts bring about supernatural interventions in the physical realm. Each of these gifts defies natural laws and shows how God’s mighty power can manifest through a Spirit-filled believer.

The gifts of healings are used to bring about physical, emotional, and spiritual healing to anyone who is suffering. The gifts of healings manifest in various ways, sometimes with a word of knowledge or a prophecy.

The gift of faith, or special faith, enables believers to exercise unwavering confidence in God's promises and supernatural provision in the face of impossible looking circumstances or situations. This gift goes beyond ordinary faith and allows individuals to believe for the impossible, trusting in God's ability to perform miracles and fulfill His promises no matter what the situation looks like. When special faith is operating, it’s impossible to doubt!

Working of miracles defies natural laws. For example, I’ve read reports of missionaries who had many more mouths to feed than they had food, but they prayed, and God answered by multiplying their rations, just as Jesus did with the five loaves and two fishes. They experienced a gift of the Spirit we call the working of miracles.

Practical Application

As believers, let us earnestly desire the gifts of the Spirit and seek to operate in them. When presented with opportunities to exercise the power gifts, step out in faith, trusting in God's ability to work through you to perform miracles, healings, and acts of faith. God wants to use you, but you must be willing.

1 Corinthians 12:27; 1 Corinthians 10:17