What kind of power and authority does God want you to exercise in your personal life and in your service of others? God's Word has power to change and transform our lives. Jesus gave his apostles both power and authority to speak and to act in his name – to cast out evil spirits, to heal, and to speak the word of God.
"And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, "Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them." And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. ~ Luke 9:1-6
When Jesus spoke of power and authority he did something unheard of. He wielded power and authority with love and humility. The world and the sinful flesh seek power for selfish gain. Jesus teaches us to use it for the good of our neighbor.
Why does Jesus tell the apostles to travel light with little or no provision? Poverty of spirit frees us from greed and preoccupation with possessions and makes ample room for God's provision. The Lord wants His disciples to be dependent on Him and not on themselves. He wills to work in and through each of us for his glory. Are you ready to handle the power and authority which God wishes you to exercise on his behalf? The Lord entrusts us with his gifts and talents. Are you eager to place yourself at his service, to do whatever he bids you, and to witness his truth and saving power to whomever he sends you?
Pray and ask the Lord Jesus to make you a channel of His grace, healing and love so that others may find life and freedom in Him. Ask Him to free you from all other attachments that you may joyfully pursue the things of heaven. Ask your Father to allow you to be a witness to others the joy of the gospel both in word and deed by his authority, dominion and power. Plug in!
Enter into Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I plead the Blood of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ over me and I thank You for the most wonderful gift of salvation. Lord Jesus You promised me another gift, the gift of the Holy Spirit. So I ask You Lord Jesus, to baptize and fill me in and with Your Holy Spirit, just as You filled Your disciples on the day of Pentecost. Christ Jesus, I want to be a disciple of Yours, filled with the Holy Spirit just as Your disciples were. I will do what You tell me to do, I forgive all those who have ever caused me (pain, trauma, shock, harm, rejection, or shame, and I ask You to forgive them. I also ask You to forgive me for holding a judgment against them.
Christ Jesus, I thank You that You may grant me out of the rich treasury of Your glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power of my inner man by the Holy Spirit. That You, Jesus Christ, through my faith may dwell in my heart that I may be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love. That I may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints what is breadth and length and height and depth of Your love. (Ephesians 3:16-18) I pray in Christ Jesus’ Holy Name; with thanksgiving. Amen!