Thursday, December 27, 2007

Shalom,

Once we understand from the Word of God that we have been given authority over all the power of the enemy, we need to know how to use that authority. Remember that when Jesus first gave authority to His disciples, when He was still ministering here on earth, He said:

Luke 10:19 (KJV)
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

The Amplified Bible is a little more accurate here because it shows that the two Greek words translated power in the KJV are two different words. The first "power" is the Greek word "exousia" which means authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right and strength. The second "power" is the Greek word "dunamis" which means inherent power, the power that resides in something or someone. The verse is here:

Luke 10:19 (Amplified)
19Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.

Remember that before Jesus ascended into Heaven after His death, burial and resurrection, He said this to His disciples:

Matt 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.(KJV)

That word "power" is again the Greek word "exousia".

The Amplified Bible says this:

Matt. 18:18-20 (Amplified)
18Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.
19Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).

All power and authority has been given to Jesus and we now, as part of His body, have that SAME power and authority over the enemy here on earth. How do we use that authority? Jesus gave us this example:

Mark 11:22-23 (KJV)
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.23 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.

Verse 22 should more accurately be translated ..Have the faith OF God, not IN God. Jesus was telling us to operate in the same kind of faith that He operates in. How does that faith operate? Jesus goes on to tell us that. He said we are to exercise our God-given authority by SAYING! You and I need to be speaking to things, situations and circumstances in our lives to MOVE! Whatever mountain of circumstance we may be facing, Jesus said to handle it this way. SPEAK TO IT! What do I say? Say "Be removed!"

The reason many born again believers feel that their prayers are not heard, is that they are continually asking God to do something that He specifically told US to do! What is Jesus doing in Heaven now? Let's find out:

Heb 10:12-13 (KJV)
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

Rom 8:34 (KJV)
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Rom 8:34 (Amplified)
34Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us?

Jesus is seated at the right hand of God the Father, interceding for us, and waiting for US to use the authority He gave us to put HIS enemies, who are also OUR enemies, under His feet! Under the "foot" of our God-given authority! We need to be continually meditating on the Word of God, finding out what belongs to us as children of God. We cannot operate in something we know nothing about!

What SHOULD we be asking God for? We should ask for the things we need and don't have. We need to ask for His specific guidance and direction for our lives. This comes AFTER we have followed the general guidance found in the Word. We are told to ask for wisdom for any given situation when we need it. (James 1:5) We are told to ask for the Lord to send laborers into the harvest. (Matt. 9:38) Ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit baptism (Luke 11:13) so that you can pray in other tongues, praying spirit to Spirit with God, so that you can develop a better understanding of His Word, which must be spiritually discerned. (1 Cor. 2:14) THEN you will begin to understand how to operate in YOUR God-given authority over YOUR life!

Shalom in Him!