20151008 AUTHORITY TO BE ON THE OFFENSE

AUTHORITY TO BE ON THE OFFENSE

Matthew 10:1 Jesus called His twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.

This is the first time that Jesus sends His disciples out on their own to do the work of the Kingdom. He has all authority and He gives authority to them to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. After His resurrection He passed that same authority on to all who would believe in Him. See Mark 16:17-18.

Too many Christians live on the defensive. We are to live on the offensive against our enemy, the kingdom of darkness. We are to do so by living with an understanding of the authority we have as believers. We get to go into the Holy of Holies with boldness because of what Christ has done for us. We should deal with evil spirits and sickness with the same boldness because of the authority given us to do so.

All that being said, when someone tells you they are sick, pray for them. When you suspect an evil spirit is at work in a situation, command it to leave in the name of Jesus. Always understand that our authority comes from Jesus, but walk in that authority.

Father in heaven, forgive us for sitting back in fear when You have given us authority over the enemy. Increase our boldness and grant a fresh anointing of miracles in this day and time. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

20150918 FORGIVENESS AND HEALING

FORGIVENESS AND HEALING

Matthew 9:5-8 Is it easier to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or 'Stand up and walk'?  (6) So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!"  (7)  And the man jumped up and went home!  (8)  Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for sending a man with such great authority.

Sickness is, at least, the indirect result of sin. Often upon healing Jesus would tell the healed to go and sin no more. We know that there was a blind man about whom Jesus said his blindness was for the glory of God, but had Adam and Eve not eaten from the forbidden tree there would have been no sickness, no death. In the verses we’ve been looking at the last few days Jesus seems to allude to the fact that this man’s sickness was the result of sin. Jesus first words to him signify this.

Yesterday we talked about the evil in the hearts of men who thought Jesus a blasphemer because He dared to forgive this man’s sins. Today we see His final response to them. He commands the man who was carried to Jesus by his friends to stand up and carry his bed home. The man did it and Jesus proved His point… He, the Son of the living God, Creator, King of kings has the power to forgive sins and to heal the sickness that sin has caused.

Once again I urge us to always search our own hearts when sickness strikes us. Confess any known sin, and pray for healing before reaching for the medicine cabinet or the doctor’s phone number.

Father in heaven, today I pray with the Psalmist, Psalms 139:23-24  Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  (24)  Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

20150915 WALKING WITH OR TALKING ABOUT JESUS?

WALKING WITH OR TALKING ABOUT JESUS?

Matthew 8:28-34 When Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gadarenes, two men who were possessed by demons met Him. They lived in a cemetery and were so violent that no one could go through that area.  (29)  They began screaming at Him, "Why are You interfering with us, Son of God? Have You come here to torture us before God's appointed time?"  (30)  There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding in the distance.  (31)  So the demons begged, "If You cast us out, send us into that herd of pigs."  (32)  "All right, go!" Jesus commanded them. So the demons came out of the men and entered the pigs, and the whole herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.  (33)  The herdsmen fled to the nearby town, telling everyone what happened to the demon-possessed men.  (34)  Then the entire town came out to meet Jesus, but they begged Him to go away and leave them alone.

Here we have a couple of guys who have been aggravated by demons for quite some time. The demons have been ruling their lives and making them violent men, so much so that no one would even go into that area. Then… Jesus shows up. They know Who He is and they fear Him greatly.

There are many stories about demons in the Gospels. The thing I find important here is that when Jesus is around there’s nothing to fear. We have been given authority over the demons. The key is to be walking with Jesus, not just talking about Jesus.

One day as a preteen I was playing in the park across from our house. A gang of boys who were acting the part of bullies showed up and started picking a fight with me. I was always small (back then) and I was vastly outnumbered. As the leader was trying to berate me into throwing the first punch I just stood there because Dad always told me, “Don’t you throw the first punch, but don’t be afraid to throw the second.”

Suddenly a look of fear crossed the bullies face and all of the group took a step back. Unbeknownst to me my brother who is 4 years older than me and quite a bit larger stepped up behind me. After they all stepped back he asked, “Steven, are you alright?” The bullies all scattered and I said, “I think I’m fine… now.”

I think of that story often when dealing with the attacks of the enemy. My God is bigger and He has promised not to leave me nor forsake me.

Please take this warning to heart. Those who just talk about Jesus but don’t walk with Him will find themselves in grave danger if they attempt to take on demons. Read Acts 19:13-17.

Father in heaven, thank You that You are always with us. Thank You that we can trust You to be bigger and more powerful than all the demons of hell. Help us to truly walk with Jesus and fill us with Your Holy Spirit power to deal with the enemy whenever he raises his ugly head. May the enemy tremble when they see us coming because You are always with us. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!