The Overwhelming Importance of Christians Understanding that in Christ’s Person … in His Name, there is Awesome Power!

23 Aug 2026 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Today’s Scrip-Bit   23 August 2026   Acts 4:16.

Acts 4:16.        ‘Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name among men, whereby we must be saved.’

Sunday’s here again my friends, time to join the joyful throng of believers in worship and fellowship in the Lord’s sanctuary, or wherever you may be gathered, for Jesus assured us that ‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ (Matt. 18:20) That means that even a small group, meeting in the open air, with His authority and intent, has His full presence. So, the size of the gathering or the place is of no real importance, just the Christ-like intentions we bring to it.

And let’s also remember that getting together in worship needs to be a regular occurrence, not a once every so often matter. It’s like the author of Hebrews reminds us. ‘Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much more, as ye see the day approaching.’ (Heb. 10:25) That’s because as the scholars advise: ‘The assembling of God’s people provides opportunity for reciprocal encouragement, strengthening, and the stirring up that can be gained from one another. The church is a body interacting; it is not merely a dispensary of spiritual food and medicine.’ (smile)

So let’s get to some interacting right away, by singing this modern worship song, written by Will Reagan and made popular by Tasha Cobbs, titled, ‘There is Power in the Name of Jesus.’ And we’ll offer up our sweet sacrifices of praise in a rollicking, heartfelt, mid-tempo version of the song. Singing: ‘There is power in the name of Jesus There is power in the name of Jesus There is power in the name of Jesus To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain (Repeat)

There’s an army rising up There’s an army rising up There’s an army rising up To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain. All sufficient sacrifice, freely given, such a price. On our redemption Heaven’s gates swing wide, That’s why we believe that There is power in the name of Jesus There is power in the name of Jesus There is power in the name of Jesus To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain.

We believe that there is power, power, wonderworking power in the name of Jesus. And that’s why There’s an army rising up There’s an army rising up There’s an army rising up To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain! Oh He’s our Jesus, Jesus – the Conqueror – Mighty Conqueror! That’s why we hear the chains falling, the chains are falling! Shout it out!  I hear the chains falling I hear the chains falling!  I feel the freedom, freedom from the bondage of sin! Yes, He has set us free, because there is power in the name of Jesus, power in the name of Jesus, power to break every chain, break every chain, break every chain…’

Oh friends, that was indeed a powerful piece of worship, and it encourages us to invoke the name of Jesus over our families, communities and struggles! And there’s no doubt that we truly believe what we sang; that there is indeed power in the name of Jesus to do all we said He could do. As one overview tells us: ‘It’s a central declaration of Christian faith, it reflects the belief in spiritual authority, healing, and redemption found in Scripture.’ But before we go further, let’s make one thing absolutely clear; there is power in Christ’s name only because there is power in Christ’s person.

As an article on the subject from the website gotquestions.org explains: ‘Any power that Christians access in Jesus’ name comes from true faith in who Jesus is and what He does for sinners. The saving, healing, protecting, justifying, redeeming power of God resides in the Person of Christ, and Jesus is His name. Where there is no faith, no relationship, or no submission to His lordship, the name Jesus is nothing but a word. We are wise to guard ourselves from the temptation to misuse the name of Jesus. As adopted sons and daughters into God’s family, Christians experience God’s saving grace through faith in the Person of Jesus. When we call on Him, we participate in His power and find that “the name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10).

And as Peter told the Jewish council when they arrested John and himself for preaching Christ crucified: ‘Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name among men, whereby we must be saved.’ (Acts: 4:16) Yes friends, salvation can be achieved through no other name than Jesus. That just goes to show the awesome power of His name and person. It’s like Bruh Paul says about Christ in Philippians: ‘And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in the earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil. 2:8-11)

That shows just how powerful and exalted is the name of Jesus! But now, turning to the song where it talks about Christ’s power to break chains, there are several scriptures that agree with it. For instance, in Psalm 107: God’s Redemptive Power, the psalmist declares: ‘Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder (broke their chains in pieces).’ (Ps. 107:13-14)

And to prove the miracle working power of Jesus and His Exalted Name, listen to this scripture from Acts, where in the city of Philippi, Bruh Paul and Silas are beaten and deposited deep in the bowels of the prison bound and shackled in chains. ‘And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands (chains) were loosed.’ (Acts 16:25-26)

Oh yes my brethren, there is indeed power in the name of Jesus to break chains, both literally and figuratively! That’s why when we call upon His name in sincerity and truth, chains will break! But we need an army to rise up and help those living in bondage to break their chains. Jesus has already done His part, as the song says: ‘All sufficient sacrifice, freely given, such a price. On our redemption Heaven’s gates swing wide,’ Once and for all time, Jesus gave the ultimate sacrifice of His sinless life on the cross of Calvary to pay our sin debt.

As the author of Hebrews declares: ‘Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.’ (Heb.9:12) And the only way we can repay a very small portion of that debt we owe Jesus, is by living sincerely for Him, and being a part of the  mighty army He needs to help break the chains and bondage that Satan has on too many of our fellow human beings. Let’s show Him we truly care nuh, by rising up and standing strong and faithful in His mighty name! Much LOVE!

…the name…the name that holds awesome power…JESUS…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

The Overwhelming Importance of Christians Knowing and Believing that Jesus is ALL They Need in this World

26 Oct 2025 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hebrews 12:2b.        ‘Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher (originator and perfector) of our faith.’

It’s Sunday my brethren, and you know what that means; it’s time to fellowship in the Lord’s sanctuary, as that’s His command for the Sabbath day: ‘Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.’ (Ex. 20:8) And the author of Hebrews also reminds us of the importance of a regular gathering of believers, when he writes: ‘Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much more, as ye see the day approaching.’ (Heb. 10:25) Yes friends, it’s ever so important for us to keep encouraging each other as the day of Christ’s return draws ever closer. 

And I like how the scholars explain that verse. They say; ‘Not forsaking the assembling is an admonition that involves far more than erratic attendance. It involves the entire worship of Christ and is an outward indication of an inner condition. The assembling of God’s people provides opportunity for reciprocal encouragement, strengthening, and the stirring up that is gained from one another (cf. Col. 3:12-16) It consists of participation in worship and fellowship. The church is a body interacting (1 Cor. 12:14-27); it is not merely a dispensary for spiritual food and medicine.’ Please my people, let’s remember that and attend church regularly and also get involved with the activities that take place there. 

Now, let’s get to today’s song of worship. It’s simply but oh so elegantly and importantly titled: ‘Give me Jesus.’ And it seems this Christian song has been around for a long time, since about the mid-nineteenth century. No one knows who really wrote it, and apparently even the slaves sang it. But in the twenty-first century, people like Fernando Ortega have revised and recorded it. And for our purposes, I’ve taken poetic license and included a couple of verses from other renditions. However, as always, we’ll do a Danny Gokey soulful, scintillating version, with its haunting piano, soulful strings and beautiful background vocals. 

So, let’s offer up our sweet sacrifices of praise with truly heartfelt sentiments. Singing: ‘Ohhh ohhh, Give me Jesus, Give me Jesus…In the morning when I rise, In the morning when I rise, In the morning when I rise, Give me Jesus. (Chorus: Give me Jesus, give me Jesus. You can have all this world, just give me Jesus.) When I am alone, Oh When I am alone When I am alone, Give me Jesus, You can have all this world Just Give me Jesus For He is all that I need, Just Give me Jesus. 

Dark midnight was my cry, Dark midnight was cry, Dark midnight was my cry, Give me Jesus. [Chorus] Just about the break of day, Just about the break of day, Just about the break of day, Give me Jesus. (Chorus) And when I want to sing, And when I want to sing, And when I want to sing, give me Jesus. (Chorus) Oh, when I come to die, Oh, when I come to die, Oh, when I come to die, Give me Jesus. (Chorus: Give me Jesus, give me Jesus. You can have all this world, give me Jesus. 

Yes, you can have all this world, Just Give me Jesus, Give me Jesus, for He’s all I need. In the morning when I rise…when I lay my head down…when I wake up…all I want is Jesus… I need Him…Just give me Jesus… All I need is Him. We worship You Lord, Yes, we worship You. You’re the answer to our prayers, You’re the calm in the storm, You are our rest and our refuge…All we want is You Jesus… So, you can have all the world, Just give us Jesus… Yes, You can have all the world, Just give us Jesus, Yes, just give us Jesus…’

And that’s exactly how it ought to be my faithful brethren! They can take all the world has to give, once we have Jesus, we’re more than satisfied, for He is ALL we really need. Who else has done, or can even dream of doing all that He’s done for us eh? Who else came down from heaven and showed His undying LOVE for us, by selflessly sacrificing His sinless life on the cross so that we could be set free, to be considered righteous and thus worthy to be returned to the Father’s fold?  Nobody else did it friends. Nobody else but Jesus! 

And tell me who gave us His Holy Spirit to dwell within us to remind us of His commandments and to lead, guide and comfort us in a wise and godly manner? Only Jesus! As He says in John’s gospel. ‘But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you.’ (John 14:26) And what about peace? He alone gives us true peace; peace that surpasses all understanding. (John 14:27; 16:33) Why? Because He is the Prince of Peace!  (Is. 9:6) 

And what about our Christian faith eh? It’s Jesus who also gave us that. As the Bible tells us: ‘Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher (originator and perfector) of our faith.’ (Heb. 12:2b) And who gives us that Great Invitation, to come to Him whenever we’re weary and heavy burdened, so that we can find rest for our souls and take up His easy yoke and light burden? (Matt. 11:28-30) No one else but Jesus! And who is the mightiest of them all eh; the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?  The name that is above every other name, to which all knees will eventually bow? And every tongue confess that He is Lord to the glory of the Father. (Phil. 3:9-11) That’s Jesus! 

And tell me nuh, who is going to wipe away all tears from my eyes, so that there won’t be any more death, sorrow, crying or pain? (Rev. 21:4) Nobody but Jesus! And who is our High Priest that sits beside the Father in heaven advocating and interceding on our behalf? (Heb. 4:14-15) Of course it’s Jesus! And finally, who’s going to offer me salvation and come and live with me till eternity in the new heaven and new earth eh? (Rev. 21:1-3) Only Jesus! 

Therefore, with all that Jesus is, has done, can and will do, why I would I want or need anybody else but Him eh? No reason whatsoever! So, please let’s come to our senses and realize what a treasure we have in Jesus and appreciate and LOVE Him the way we truly ought to! Much LOVE!

…godly wisdom dictates…that you seek Jesus with a sincere heart…then steadfastly cling to Him…like white on rice…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit   5 December 2021 Luke 14:27.

05 Dec 2021 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Luke 14:27.     And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Here we are together friends on another Sunday, just thrilled to be in each other’s company, whether physically in the Lord’s Sanctuary, or by technological means. The important thing is that we are together for worship, prayer and thanksgiving. And I recently read an interesting statement where a lady asked a pastor why we go to church, and he replied that we go to church because someone might need us there. That’s good. It’s also true. And the corollary to that is also true, we too might need someone there. 

Now if you have doubts about why we gather on the Lord’s day, then listen to these moving words from Hebrews, written to the displaced Christian Jews who were suffering serious persecution all over the Roman Empire. The author writes: ‘Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke (stir up) unto LOVE and unto good works. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.’ (Heb. 10:23-25) 

And the scholars explain: ‘10:25. Not forsaking the assembling: This admonition involves far more than an erratic attendance. It involves the entire worship of Christ and is an outward indication of an inner condition. The assembling of God’s people provides opportunity for reciprocal encouragement, strengthening, and the stirring up that can be gained from one another (cf. Col. 3:12-16) It consists of participation in worship and fellowship. The church is a body interacting (1 Cor. 12:14-17); it is not merely a dispensary of spiritual food and medicine.’ 

Wow! Yes friends, we don’t go to church just to be spiritually revived, but also to give of ourselves and to interact with others in praise and thanksgiving to our wonderful God. And now that we have a better understanding of why the saints of Christ ought to assemble, let’s get to some good old fashioned hymn singing, offering up praises to our heavenly King and Father. No doubt some of you are surprised that we didn’t begin as usual with the singing, but I happened upon those verses of Hebrews, or was led to them, who knows, and thought it a good idea to refresh our minds on the subject. 

And today’s hymn is a great favourite, one written around 1896, by the American hymnwriter, Judson W. Van DeVenter (1855-1939) and most appropriately titled ‘All to Jesus I Surrender.’ So, in a soulful, harmonious, scintillating, mid-tempo riddim, let’s offer up our sacrifices of praise from deep in our sincere hearts. 

‘All to Jesus I surrender. All to Him I freely give; I will ever LOVE and trust Him, In His presence daily live. (Refrain: I surrender all, I surrender all; All to Thee, my blessed Saviour, I surrender all.) All to Jesus I surrender, Humbly at His feet I bow, Worldly pleasures all forsaken. Take me, Jesus, take me now. (Refrain: I surrender all..) All to Jesus I surrender, Make me, Saviour, wholly Thine; Let me feel the Holy Spirit, Truly know that Thou art mine. (Refrain: I surrender all…) 

All to Jesus I surrender, Lord, I give myself to Thee; Fill me with Thy LOVE and power, Let Thy blessing fall on me. (Refrain: I surrender all…) All to Jesus I surrender, Now I feel the sacred flame; Oh, the joy of full salvation! Glory, glory, to His name! (Refrain: I surrender all, I surrender all; All to Thee, my blessed Saviour, I surrender all…I surrender all, I surrender all; All to Thee, my blessed Saviour, I surrender all… All to Thee, my blessed Saviour, I surrender all…’ 

Ah mih people, that was a wonderful rendition, but the problem now is how many of us are truly ALL surrendered to Jesus? We sing it like we mean it, but in actual life do we give Him our ALL, do we let every aspect of lives fall under His omnipotent dominion, or do we hold back some parts that we still feel the need to control? Remember Jesus sees our hearts and explores the real motives that lie hidden there, so it doesn’t make any sense to sing one thing and deep down inside do something else. We might fool our fellow believer, but we won’t fool Jesus. 

And remember Jesus said He requires all of us, or nothing at all. Please don’t forget what He told the rich young ruler who enquired about eternal life, about keeping the commandments. And when the ruler said he had been doing that all his life, ‘Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt (want to) be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.’ (Matt. 19:21) 

Obviously, the man didn’t want to do that back then, and so do a lot of us today. We want to follow Jesus, but we don’t want to give up our earthly possessions to do it. However, Jesus requires us to sacrifice our will for His own. As Luke recounts of Jesus in his epistle. ‘If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren (brothers), and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.’ (Luke 14:26-27) 

Those are certainly tough words my brethren. But they are surmountable ones. Hear how the scholars explain them. ‘14:26. In comparison to one’s devotion to Christ, one’s family ties must be secondary. This does not set aside Jesus’ other teachings to LOVE one’s enemies, to honour father and mother, and the like. It does highlight that absolute loyalty to Christ is paramount, even though in many societies, including the one in which Jesus taught, as well as many today, following Him, involves precisely the either-or that this verse sets up.’ 

Thankfully though, in our current society, most believers do not have to give up all their physical belongings to follow Christ, but He does need our spiritual wherewithal, which can call for different kinds of sacrifices on His behalf. And that’s the main point in being a follower of Christ…that we subordinate our will to His, and are willing to give up whatever it takes, to make whatever sacrifice that’s necessary to do His will. 

Now that’s something for us to ponder on today. Considering all that we’ve said, are we fully surrendered to Christ? Only the individual believer can truly answer that. But let’s hope that we can all answer truthfully the question with a resounding ‘YES! Much LOVE!

…surrendering all to Jesus…is small potatoes…compared to what He surrendered for us…His sinless life… 

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8