“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All
power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matt.
28:18; KJV). In Luke 10:19 the apostle records that Jesus gave us power over
all the power of the enemy (satan). Again, in Matthew 10:1,8, we read that
Jesus gave us power to cast out evil spirits and to heal the sick. The Greek
word for power, used in our examples above, is exousia, which means authority.
Jesus has given us authority over all the works of darkness; let that sink in!
Because
of his death and resurrection Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth. Jesus
utterly defeated satan and all his minions; he stripped them of all power and authority
(Col 2:15). As Christians, Christ dwells in us (John 17:23) and we share in his
authority.
The
Bible also tells us that the devil is beneath the feet of Jesus (Eph. 1:20-23)
and again, because of our relationship with Christ, the devil is under our feet
too. No wonder the Bible says: “greater
is he that is in you, then he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
Make
sure you go and use the power that God has given you today to share the gospel
and undo the works of the devil; at work, at school, at home, or wherever you
find yourself. If God has given you power, he will show you how and when to use
it.
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book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to
others.
"For
in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision;
but faith which worketh by love" (Gal. 5:6; KJV) The Greek word for faith
is pistis which means trusting totally in God and all that he says. The Greek
word for love is agape which refers to unselfish, unconditional, love that doesn’t
look for any reward and in fact, tries to do everything it can for the object of
that love.
Agape
is the result of a decision. In other words, in the verse above, the apostle Paul
was writing that we cannot expect our faith to work if we are not developing
our love walk. A good way to check up on your love level is to read 1 Corinthians
13:4-8 and see if there are any areas where you might be missing it.
Here
is our quick summary: Love is never jealous but is patient and kind. Love doesn’t
show off and is never rude, disrespectful or selfish. Love shuns evil but
revels in the truth. Love doesn’t have a short fuse but believes the best of
people, stands fast in trying situations, hoping and believing for God’s best
for people and in all situations.
Spending
time studying the subject of love in God's word will also bring us more
revelation on the subject and facilitate our faith. But remember that after the study we must use
our faith to demonstrate our love. Love must be put it into practice. If you
are like us, I am sure you have lots of opportunities to do that every day.
“Why
art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me?” (Ps
43:5; KJV) We all have times of despondency and depression when the weights of
life bear down on us. Isaiah (Is 61:3) told us Jesus would bring us the: “the
garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness”.
Depressive
thoughts are fearful thoughts and they don’t come from God; God has given us a
sound mind free from troubling worries (2 Tim 1:7). God does not bring
confusion but peace (1 Cor 14:33). We need to cast our cares on Jesus and he
will strengthen and guard us (Ps 55:22). Paul told us not to be anxious but to
bring our concerns in prayer to God, to have a thankful heart, and then we would
experience God’s peace (Phil 4:6-7).
Paul
also said we should train our minds to dwell upon the things of God; think,
speak and meditate them. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be
any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil 4:8). This
is the true antidote for worry and depression.
If
this helped you then please share this posting with someone else. All rights
reserved.
Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our
book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to
others.
Does
God heal today? Jesus healed by the power of the Holy Spirit when he was upon
this earth; he healed: “all that were oppressed of the devil” (Acts 10:38; KJV).
The Bible tells us that Jesus never changes (Heb 13:8). Jesus came that we
might have abundant life, not sickness and premature death (John 10:10). God
said: “I am the Lord that healeth thee” (Ex 15:26).
In
both the Old (Isa 53:5) and New Testaments, it is made clear that Christ took
stripes on his body, his body was broken, that we could be whole and be healed.
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being
dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed (1
Peter 2:24).
We
can receive God’s promise of healing by praying in faith (Mark 11:24). We
develop the faith God gave us by spending time in his word: “So then faith
cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10:17).
Let’s
do it. Let’s be like the Psalmist and meditate God’s word day and night (Ps
1:2), until, like Abraham, we are fully convinced that God is able to do what
he promised (Rom 4:21).
If
this helped you click it along to a friend. All rights reserved.
Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our
book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to
others.
God
told Abram that he would bless him and make of him a great nation; he also
promised that through him everyone on the earth would be blessed (Gen 12:2-3).
To be blessed in Old Testament writing meant to be blessed greatly or
abundantly in all areas of life. Abraham had a close relationship with God and
certainly grew to be great and immensely wealthy (Gen 24:35).
In
the New Testament in Galatians chapter 3 and verses 13-14, Paul wrote that:
“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law (see Deut 28 for the curse),
being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth
on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus
Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (KJV;
Gal 3: 13-14).
The
Gentiles are any the non-Jewish people. If you are a Christian and have given
your life to Christ, then you are blessed with believing Abraham (Gal 3:9).
Through Abraham's seed or lineage, came Jesus and in Jesus we have all the
blessings of Abraham and so much more. Through Jesus we have forgiveness (Col
1:14), abundant life (John 10:10), healing (1 Peter 2:24), power and authority over
all the works of satan (Matt 28:18). We were taken from darkness to God’s
kingdom of light (Col 1:13); we walk in Christ’s victory (1 Cor 15:57).
Are
you praising and thanking God yet?
Please
pass this on. All rights reserved.
Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our
book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and
also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to
others.