Believer's Authourity

Ephesians 3:19-23
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principalities, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

If you have received the gift of salvation from Jesus Christ, then you are the church which is the body of Christ। Notice in the scripture above, Eph 3:20 "Christ was raised from the dead and is seated at His Father's own right hand in the heavenly places, far above..." Now notice the scripture from Eph. 2:6 "And hath raised US up together and made US sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." This is our place of authority on the earth. Christ is seated on the throne and we are seated with Him in authority. The president still can exercise his authority no mater if he is physically in his oval office or not. That is the same with us. We are seated with Christ in authority, so all we have to do is speak in the name of Jesus and things are done here on the earth.

Notice also in Eph। 3:21 what Christ was placed above: "All principalities, powers, might, and dominion, and every name that is named." And also look at Eph 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." This is saying that we are in a war against Satin and his demons.

These devils try to influence and control believers and nonbelievers alike and we must not only stand against those demons who try to influence us but also those who would come against us, our family, finances, or ministry। Also we can take authority over them on behalf of others for their healing and deliverance. Mark 16:16-18 "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned. And these signs 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 by no means hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

And here is one of my favorite verses of authority: Mark 11:22-25। And Jesus answering saith unto them, "Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall SAY unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he SAITH shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he SAITH. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them and you shall have them. And when you sand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone: so that you Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses also."

May this be an encouragement to you today as you stand in faith. Now may the Lord bless you, and keep you, may He make His face shine upon you and give you peace, Amen.

Being Holy

BEING HOLY by: Charles R. Swindoll

Psalm 42

Our fast-lane living these days does not lend itself to the traits we have traditionally attached to godliness. Remember the old hymn we sang in church years ago? “Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord; abide in Him always and feed on His Word. . . . Take time to be holy, the world rushes on.”

We read those words, believe them, and would even defend them, but we sigh as we confess that more often than not we are strangers to them. The idea of taking the kind of time “to be holy” that our grandparents once did is rather dated.

Does this mean, then, that we cannot be holy? Does an urban lifestyle force us to forfeit godliness? Must we return to the “little house on the prairie” in order to be godly?

Obviously, the answer is no. If godliness were linked to a certain culture or a horse-and-buggy era, then most of us would be out of luck! As much as we might enjoy a slower and less pressured lifestyle, God has not called everyone to such a role or place.

Which brings us to a bottom-line question I seldom hear addressed these days: What exactly does it mean to be holy . . . to be godly?

Godliness cannot be confused with how a person looks (hard as it is for us to get beyond that) or what a person drives or owns. As tough as it is for us to be free of envy and critical thoughts, it is imperative that we remind ourselves that “God looks on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7); therefore, whatever we may say godliness is, it is not skin deep.

Godliness is something below the surface of a life, deep down in the realm of attitude . . . an attitude toward God Himself.

The longer I think about this, the more I believe that a person who is godly is one whose heart is sensitive toward God, one who takes God seriously. This evidences itself in one very obvious mannerism: The godly individual hungers and thirsts after God. In the words of the psalmist, the godly person has a soul that “pants” for the living God (Ps. 42:1-2). What matters is the individual’s inner craving to know God, listen to Him, and walk humbly with Him.

Godly people possess an attitude of willing submission to God’s will and ways. Whatever He says, goes. And whatever it takes to carry it out is the very thing the godly desire to do.
The godly soul “pants” and “thirsts” for God.
The godly take God seriously.

Reprinted by permission. Day by Day, Charles Swindoll, July 2005, Thomas Nelson, inc., Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved. Purchase "Day by Day" here.

To the Broken Hearted

Psa 34:18 The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Do you have deep sorrow in your heart today? If you do then you can take comfort in the knowledge that you are not alone. The man of sorrows is with you. Jesus is the man of sorrows, for He bore all the sorrows of the world. Isa 53:3 He was despised and rejected--a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care. Isa 53:4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows* that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins!

Cast all your cares upon the Lord for He cares for you. Psa 56:8 (NLT) Lord, you keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. The Lord loves you so much that He feels sorrow when you feel sorrow.

Whatever it is that you are going through, it does not stand a chance against the Lord. Jhn 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."

Therefore, Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Pro 3:5,6

Empty yourself before the Lord and you will find comfort and rest, do it daily if needed, and expect God's hand to turn things around for you. Psa 69:32The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God's help live in joy.

Isa 14:3 And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve.