Exercising Your Authority

Dearly Beloved,

Grace, Mercy and Peace from God the Father, from our Lord Jesus Christ and from the Precious Holy Spirit by whom we access to all that the Father has and all that Christ is. See John 16:13-15

We have been thoughtfully examining the subject of authority. Having defined that authority is the right to command and enforce obedience, the legal right to use power, the legal capacity to act on behalf of another, right, privilege, mastery, magistrate etc. We also learned that authority is delegated power or influence.

As children of God we need to understand our authority in Christ if we are going to walk in dominion in the earth. That is why we taking this time to expound on how to exercise our authority. We have already dealt with two points:

1. Know that the enemy (the devil, satan and his minions) are defeated. See Hebrews 2:14-15; Colossians 2:14-15 NLT
2. Know that you have authority over the devil. Luke 10:17-19; Mark 16:17

Today we need to look at a third aspect: Know the Power in the Name of Jesus. To exercise your authority as a believer and function in dominion over the forces of darkness you must understand the Power in the Name of Jesus Christ. The word “Name” in the Greek is Onoma which means “Authority or Rank.”

The Name of Jesus carries His authority and rank. Whenever we speak or demand anything in that Name, no devil can withstand it because it is tantamount to rebelling against Jesus Christ Himself. See Luke 10:17; Mark 16:17. To speak in His Name is to speak as Him. When we speak in His Name we are speaking in His stead, as His representatives. He backs up the commands and demands we make in His Name.

Luke 10:17 NKJV

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

Luke 10:17 NLT

When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” 

John 14:13-14 NLT

You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! 

The word “do” in the above Scripture is the Greek word, “Poieo” which means “To make, produce, perform, acquire, do, fulfill, bring forth etc.” When a demand is made in the Name of Jesus, Christ Himself is committed to back it up and fulfill, produce or bring forth that command. Be bold to use the Name in prayer or in warfare. No devil can withstand you when you use that Name. See Acts 16:18.

The Name of Jesus carries His Anointing. The Bible says, “Because of the fragrance of your good ointments,Your name is ointment poured forth;Therefore the virgins love you.” (Song of Songs 1:3) When we command sickness or diseases to depart, they have to because they are subject to the Name of Jesus. When we speak in the Name of Jesus, His Power and His Anointing will back up that command. Begin to address issues and situations in that Name and circumstances and situations will begin to obey you. 

Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Every devil bows to our command and our demand in the Name of Jesus. To rebel against us is to rebel against a higher authority. They have no choice but to obey.

Acts 3:16 NLT

“Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes. 

Exercise faith in that Name. Speak confidently in that Name. Be bold. Be tough. It’s faith in the Name that unlocks the Power in the Name.

Mark 9:38-39 NLT

John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.”

“Don’t stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. 

The Name will work for any believer that will exercise faith and confidence in the Power of the Name. There’s miracle working power contained in that Name. It’s time to start commanding and demanding what we want to see manifested in our lives or circumstances in the Name of Jesus Christ. It’s your move. Selah

Have a testimony-filled and prosperous day in the Name of Jesus, Amen. May you experience amazing favors throughout the day in Jesus Name, Amen. 

Your Servant in Christ, 

DWF

Preserving the Faith of the Fathers For Future Generations 

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How to Use Your Authority

Authority, is the legal right to use power. It is the right of command or the right to command and enforce obedience. It also means delegated power. It means right, privilege, jurisdiction, magistrate, force, capacity, competency, liberty etc when you translate the Greek word “Exousia.”

Without understanding your authority in Christ and knowing how to use it, your impact and your progress in the earth will be minimized.

It all begins with knowledge. Ignorance is satan’s most powerful tool of subversion. The first step to walking in victory and exercising your authority is gaining knowledge.

2 Corinthians 2:11 NKJV

lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. 

To be ignorant is to be vulnerable. This is because satan takes advantage of the ignorant. The Bible says, “My people are gone into captivity because they have no knowledge...” (Isaiah 5:13). Furthermore, the Prophet Hosea declares, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6a). This shows that ignorance is at the root of any Christian failure or defeat. Knowledge is absolutely vital in the fight of life. You have to know your God, who you are, what you have, what you can do and who your enemy is etc.

For instance, Daniel the Prophet declared, “The people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits.” (Daniel 11:32b) This reveals the truth that it’s the knowledge you possess and your acting on that knowledge that determines your outcomes and results in life. See 2 Timothy 2:24-26; Psalm 82:5-7.

What are the things I need to know?

Firstly, Know that the enemy has been defeated. Christ has defeated satan on our behalf on the cross; in His death, burial and resurrection.

Colossians 2:14-15 NLT

He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

Hebrews 2:14-15 KJV

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

Your enemy has been defeated. He has been paralyzed, made of none effect, brought to nought, rendered idle, inactive or inoperative, deprived of force, influence and power. That’s the meaning of the word, “Katargeo” in English. See John 12:30; 16:11; 1 John 3:8.

Secondly, Know that you have authority over the enemy. There are many believers who do not know that they have authority over the devil. When you know that you have authority over the devil. You become bolder, commanding and demanding with confidence.

Luke 10:19-20 KJV

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. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 

We have authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over ALL the power of the enemy. Therefore, satan has no power over us except the power that we give him. According to the Written Word, we have the mastery, the dominion and the victory over satan and all his minions. Jesus said so. See Luke 10:17-20. We have been delivered from the power of darkness. See Colossians 1:13. He has no authority or power over you. He is subject to you. Jesus said, “The spirits are subject unto us.” In other words, devils and demons obey us. See Luke 10:17 NLT.

Ephesians 4:27 says, “Neither give place to the devil.” The word “Place” means “spot,” “opportunity,” “license,” “location,” or “position.” Satan cannot take any place you did not give him. You are not the victim. You are the victor surrendering your authority to the enemy through ignorance or negligence. Whatever is born of God overcomes the world. You have the capacity to win in life. The greater One is in you to put you over in all life’s fight. You are more than a match for any devil because you are in union with deity. You can cast out any devil and it has to obey you. See Mark 16:17; Luke 10:17. Take a bold stand against the work of the enemy and start commanding and demanding that they leave or depart from your life in the Name of Jesus. Selah

To be continued....

Yours in Christ,

DWF

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The Character of God’s Love

Dearly Beloved,

Greetings in the Matchless Name of our Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have become commissioned ambassadors of the kingdom of God. See 2 Corinthians 5:20; Philemon 1:8 AMP; Mark 3:14 (Wuest NT); Mark 6:7 (Wuest NT). 

Grace, Mercy and Peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ our Lord through whom the Father has demonstrated unconditional love towards us. 

Today we focus on understanding the Character of God’s Love. One of the greatest things that can happen to anyone is to encounter or experience the very Love of God. There are several things that will happen in you, to you, for you and through you when you discover how much God loves you. 

1. God’s Love for you is eternal. According to Jeremiah 31:2-3, “Thus says the Lord: “The people who survived the sword Found grace in the wilderness—Israel, when I went to give him rest.” The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying, “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” God’s Love for you transcends time and space. It is a love that began from the foundation of the world. Psalm 103:17, ESV; Isaiah 54:8, ESV; Isaiah 55:3; Revelation 13:8; Ephesians 1:3-5. Knowing that God’s love for you predates your birth or your existence comforts your heart.
2. God’s Love for you is unconditional. See Romans 5:8. Christ died for us as a demonstration of God’s Love towards us while we were still sinners. If God cared about us while we were sinners, how much more now that we are His children. Expect an overwhelming demonstration of love and care. Ephesians 2:4-8, says, “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” God shows us His Love to demonstrate to the world that He loves us as much as He loves Jesus. See John 17:23. God the Father wants the whole world to know that He loves you and I. Think about it. God uses us to show off that He is a caring and compassionate God and Father. Selah 
3. God’s Love for you is empowering. When you know how much God loves you, you will be emboldened to live life fearlessly and courageously. See Romans 8:37 which says, “Nay in all these things we are more than conquerors.” John the Apostle wrote, 1 John 4:16-18, “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” When you know how much God really loves you, you will lose your fears. You are His beloved, therefore, you are highly favored. See Ephesians 1:6. Knowing you are highly favored will make you bold in the place of prayer and fearless as you face life. See Hebrews 4:16; Ephesians 3:14-19.
4. God’s Love for you is endearing. When we really know how much the Father Himself loves us and how much Jesus loves us, we will be drawn to serve God passionately and selflessly. 1 John 4:19 says, “We love Him because He first loved us.” Think about it: Because of you Christ came down to die while we were sinners. He did not wait for us to deserve such a great sacrifice. He came anyway. He shed His blood for guilty humanity. Christ would have still died for you, if you were the only one in the world. In the sight of God, you are a pearl of great price worth selling everything for. You are His dream come true: Reborn humanity bearing the life and nature of God. You are His consolation. You are the reward of His suffering. Having you means that His death was not in vain. See Romans 8:31-33; 5:5; 5:8-11, AMP; Galatians 2:20; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NKJV

For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

When you truly understand the cross and the love of Christ for you that drove Him to the cross, you will no longer live for yourself. You will hate sin. He gave His life for you so you would live your life for Him. You don’t have your own life anymore. He bought you with His own blood. Your spirit and your body belongs to Him. See 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Live your life in such a way that you demonstrate your loyalty to your Lord and the lover of your soul. Live to put a smile on His face. Live your life in such a way that people see that you are His. Selah

May today be characterized by encounters of favor. May you be satisfied with good things today. May God the Father direct your heart into the Love of God in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

In His Majesty’s Service,

DWF

Preserving the Faith of the Fathers For Future Generations 

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Preaching And Healing.

“He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.” 
Mark 6:5-6 (NIV)

In today's devotional we will further emphasize on the importance of faith especially when you are going for a healing meeting or to a man of God to pray for you to be healed.

Praying for the sick to be healed is not magic, this is the reason why some people do not get healed; it is due to the fact that they do not exercise their faith in the power of God to be healed. This is shown in our opening scripture, that their lack of faith made the power of God ineffective in their lives.

If your faith is little, the Bible shows you how faith comes in Romans 10:17, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Therefore, Jesus went around teaching the Word of God to them in the villages,  so that their faith could be built according to our opening scripture.

When you observe the ministry of Jesus in the Bible, you will notice that when the crowd came to Him, He preached the Word of God to them so that their  faith could be stirred before He healed them. Luke 5:15(TLB) says, “Now the report of his power spread even faster and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases.” It implies that, Jesus' style of ministry is teaching, preaching and healing. Teaching and preaching coming first before ministering to the sick shows us the importance of faith in ministering to the sick and receiving healing.


Prayer.
Dear Father, I ask that You confirm Your Word today through every available means it is preached with signs following, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

For further study, read: 
Psalm 107:20, Mark 2:1-2, Luke 6:17-19. 

Doing the Word.
If you are finding it difficult to receive your healing, then build your faith some more.

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Faith In The Name Of Jesus.

“"Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus' name has healed him before your very eyes.” 
Acts 3:16 (NLT)

Today, it is essential you know that we have access to every promise in Christ through faith. This is why Apostle Peter emphasized that the healing of the crippled man happened only as a result of faith in the Name of Jesus.

Therefore, if you desire to be healed or you are expecting a miracle, receive it by faith. What is faith? Faith is believing and acting on the Word of God. So, if you want to be healed or you desire to function in the miraculous, you must believe what God has said in His Word and act upon it. What has God said about your healing? What has God said about your authority in the Name of Jesus? That is what you have been learning in this devotional. Believe it and act upon it and you will experience the miraculous.

Without faith you cannot function in the miraculous. This was why when the disciples of Jesus came to Him questioning Him because they could not heal a boy that was brought to them who was a lunatic, Jesus said, “Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Matthew 17:20.

Therefore, the next time you stand to pray for the sick, be confident knowing that they will surely receive their healing even as you pray in faith in the Name of Jesus. That was the consciousness Peter possessed that made him to testify in our opening scripture saying, “… Faith in Jesus' name has healed him before your very eyes.” Do not hesitate to pray for the sick, knowing that the Father will honour His Word and heal every sickness, disease and infirmity in the Name of Jesus.

Instruction.
In the Name of Jesus, I declare according to the Word of God in Acts 1:8, that I have received power because I have the Holy Ghost in me. Thus, by my faith in the Word of God, I believe that whosoever I lay my hands on shall be healed and completely made whole, in Jesus Name.

For further study, read: 
Mark 16:20, Acts 9:32-35. Philippians 2:9-11.

Doing the Word.
Pray in faith in the Name of Jesus.

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