Tag Archives: jesus gave us authority

February 21, 2024 · 5:09 AM

Walking In Authority

In one of my favorite episodes of “The Andy Griffith Show”, Barney becomes a bit unhinged. He pulls over Gomer Pyle and makes a scene about him pulling a U-turn. They argue and Barney gives him a ticket. Immediately after, Barney leaves the scene a pulls a U-turn. Go,er steps into the middle of the road to block Barney and starts yelling, “Citizen’s arrest!” Andy shows up and makes Barney spend time in jail. I’ve seen citizen’s arrests in other shows and movies, but never in real life. I’ve even seen YouTube videos where unhinged people have attempted it, but the other party ignored them. Why? Because they lacked the authority without a uniform and badge. I realize there are laws that allow for citizen’s arrests, but would you let a regular person arrest you?

In Acts 29, there were these men who had seen Paul heal the sick and cast out demons. They were sons of a priest named Sceva and they began traveling from town to town casting out demons. They would cast out the demons by saying, “In the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches.” In one incident recorded in this chapter, the demon replied, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” They got the beating of a lifetime after that. They knew there was power in the name of Jesus, but they lacked the authority to use it because they didn’t know Him. They were attempting a citizen’s arrest if you will on a demon, but they weren’t truly citizens of Heaven. The demon saw there was no authority and remained in the person. I don’t think they ever attempted that again.

In Luke 10, Jesus sent out His disciples to proclaim the Gospel. When they returned, He told them how He saw Satan fall like lightning. Then in verse 19 He said, “Now you understand that I have imparted to you my authority to trample over his kingdom. You will trample upon every demon before you and overcome every power Satan possesses. Absolutely nothing will harm you as you walk in this authority” (TPT). As a believer, I want to remind you that you have been given the authority of Jesus. Wherever you go, whatever you face, you can walk in His authority and not be afraid. You have the power of light in a dark world. The power of healing for the sick. I believe it’s time for us to start trampling the kingdom of darkness around us by walking in the authority God had given us. When we rise up in this authority, Satan will fall like lightning again and God’s kingdom will prosper. Ask God to guide you today wherever you go as a citizen of Heaven walking in that authority setting people free.

Photo by photo nic on Unsplash

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September 28, 2021 · 6:04 AM

Speak To Your Storm

How do you respond when your world is shaken? Fear? Panic? Calling out to Jesus? Blaming Jesus? Does it drive you to a vice or coping mechanism? None of us are exempt from having our world shaken and turned upside down. Our response when that happens is what matters. I’ve let those times push me away from God, cause me to be cold towards Him and find coping mechanisms to deal with the pain. I usually try to repair the situation myself first, and if I can’t (or make things worse), I then go to God. In the long term it’s boosted my faith. However, I believe God uses life altering moments to give us an opportunity to exercise our faith.

In Matthew 8:23-27, Jesus and the disciples get into a boat, after a long day of performing miracles, to cross the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was exhausted and fell asleep while the disciples rowed. Verse 24 says, “Suddenly a violent storm developed, with waves so high the boat was about to be swamped. Yet Jesus continued to sleep soundly” (TPT). The Greek word for “violent” in this text is the same word used for earthquake. Their world was being shaken and Jesus was asleep giving them the opportunity to exercise their faith after watching Him perform miracles. Instead they turned to fear and panic. They woke Him up and He calmed the storm. Jesus asked why they had so little fear implying that they could have spoken to the storm and calmed it themselves.

When’s the last time you spoke to the storm? It’s good to turn to Jesus in our time of need, but He’s also given us the authority to speak to our storms in His name. Luke 10:19 says, “Now you understand that I have imparted to you my authority to trample over his kingdom. You will trample upon every demon before you and overcome every power Satan possesses. Absolutely nothing will harm you as you walk in this authority.” It’s time you and I began to walk in the authority that has been given to us. Storms are designed to take the training wheels off, not to get us to rely on them more. Speak with the authority of Jesus’ name into your storm, trust God to do His part and walk in faith believing He will answer. Your life shaking storm should cause faith to rise up, not fear.

Photo by Shashank Sahay on Unsplash

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August 28, 2014 · 7:20 AM

The Signet Ring

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I’ve come across a few places in the Bible were a signet ring was used. One of the first places was in Genesis when the Pharaoh took off his signet ring and gave it to Joseph. He made him second in command, and gave him all the authority of Pharaoh through that ring. In Esther, the King gave Haman to give him authority to destroy the Jews. The King later took it back and gave it to Mordecai. In the New Testament, we see the father give the ring to the prodigal son when he returned. It was symbolic in saying, “This is still my son. He has my authority to do things in my name.”

In Haggai 2:23, God said to Zerubbabel that He would set him as a signet ring. He said, “I will set you as a signet ring, the sign of my sovereign presence and authority.” The King of Kings basically gave Zerubbabel all His authority. Instead of giving him a ring, He told him, “You are my ring. You are my authority. You are my presence on earth. You bear my mark and will leave my imprint on everything you touch.” It was very significant that God did this.

A signet ring was important. It had the seal of the king engraved on it. With it, he sealed or stamped letters to prove it was his word. It also represented authority. Anyone that the King would give that ring to had his authority. Whatever they said or did, it was as if the King himself had declared it. The ring had executive authority and power. It was not to be taken lightly by anyone who wore it. So I find it interesting that instead of giving Zerubbabel a ring, God said he would be as one.

Let’s fast forward to when Jesus was on earth. He spoke to His disciples in Luke 10:19 and gave them all authority. He in essence gave them His signet ring. Then, just before He ascended in Matthew 28, He reminded them, “All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to me.” It wasn’t just some of it or most of it. He has all of it. He then sent them out with what’s known as the Great Commission giving them the authority to use His name as their authority.

You and I have been given that authority as followers of Christ. We are His signet ring on this planet. We have the authority of the King, but we don’t always act like it. I believe it’s time we did. If the enemy has come against you, invoke the authority of the name of Jesus. If you need something to accomplish His will, use your God given authority through Jesus. You are a child of the King of Kings. Start acting like it. You shouldn’t live your life with a defeated mindset. You should have a victorious, over coming mindset because that’s what you’ve been given. Go and use your authority wisely today.

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