I have been going through some stuff lately (who hasn't??) and I have been really trying to open up my heart and ears to God. He is beyond amazing. No, nothing magically transformed, yet, though I have been blessed, in my situation. However, I know with deep assurance that He is with me every step of the way. He is leading and guiding. I don't know where we are headed first but I know that He has great things in store. I am super excited for 2020!
I was going to read my Bible this morning while it was quiet. I started to grab my favorite go-to Bible, my HCSB Study Bible for Women. As I was reaching, He led me simply to the one next to it, my NIV Leadership Bible. I thought, "Okay, God." I figured there must be something that He wanted me to see. I heard, "Matthew 8." in my spirit. Okay.
Originally, in my mind it was going to probably be that or the book of Luke but He chose for me. Both Bibles have Matthew 8 but, like I keep telling my husband, the featured content or focus of each is different. So, I was curious to see what He was leading me to.
The short answer...authority. He reminded me that we have authority through Jesus Christ. The same authority that God, Himself, has. God spoke the universe into existence one creature and feature at a time. The final creation was mankind, created in His likeness and to be a reflection of Him. Therefore, just like the centurion mentioned in Matthew chapter 8,
"8The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” ~ Matthew 8:8-9
we are able to speak with authority and bring things into being by command. (No, not like Genie in Aladdin: "Poof! What do ya need?!") We have authority to change the atmosphere around us. We have the authority to change our situation through prayer. We can change our attitudes and thoughts of ourselves and those around us with our words.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words." ~Proverbs 18:21 (AMP)
We also have the authority to cast out demons.
"1When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,
2and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick." ~Luke 9:1-2 (NIV)
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"16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
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The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”
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He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.
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I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.20
However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”" ~Luke 10:16-20 (NIV)
We need to stop allowing the devil to have a place in our hearts, minds, and lives.
"27 And do not give the devil an opportunity [to lead you into sin by holding a grudge, or nurturing anger, or harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness]." ~Ephesians 4:27 (AMP)
We need to take up our armor and we need to take authority over any demons that try to take over us or those around us, or our own situations.
"10 Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power. 11 Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks. 12 For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age. 13 So put on God's armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.
14 So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate, 15 and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace. 16 At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One. 17 And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you. 18 Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people." ~Ephesians 6:10-18 (GNT)
Our Heavenly Father is a mighty, victorious warrior.
"“The Lord your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy." ~Zephaniah 3:17 (NASB)
"26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the [ak]sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the [al]sky and over every living thing that [am]moves on the earth.” ~Genesis 1:26-28 (NASB)
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"18 Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." ~Matthew 18:18 (NASB)
So, let's remember that if we are obedient to Christ,
"13 The Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you only will be above, and you will not be underneath, if you listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, which I charge you today, to [n]observe them carefully, 14 and do not turn aside from any of the words which I command you today, to the right or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them." ~Deuteronomy 28:13-14 (NASB)
We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us. (Phil. 4:13).
"10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." ~Ephesians 6:10 (NASB)
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"‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you." ~Jeremiah 32:17 (ESV)
"11I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for.+ 12Then you will call to me. You will come and pray to me, and I will answer you. 13 You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart." ~Jeremiah 29:11-13 (GNT)
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"5 But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all. 6But when you pray, you must believe and not doubt at all. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is driven and blown about by the wind. 7-8If you are like that, unable to make up your mind and undecided in all you do, you must not think that you will receive anything from the Lord." ~James 1:5-8 (GNT)
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"7 “Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks will receive, and anyone who seeks will find, and the door will be opened to those who knock." ~Luke 11:7-8 (GNT)
I pray that you have a beautiful day and a fabulous week. God's got this and you.
He knew what was coming way before you did. 😎👍
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