I know what you’re probably wondering, "If we can operate in the same freedom, authority, and power that Jesus did, why are so many Christians living under their
circumstances instead of ruling over them?
Stressful, overextended, not enough time in the day, family member is
not acting right, sickness, can’t sleep, not enough money to meet the financial
obligations, state of the world, the state of our country, on and on… "
The answer is simple: Most believers don’t inquire of the LORD before
they speak and act. Instead, they get in a hurry and come up with their own
plan. That’s something Jesus never did. He always waited on God’s instructions.
Take, for example, how He handled what He found in the temple in Mark
11. On the first day that He went in there and saw the ungodly activities that
were going on, all He did was stand around and watch. “He entered Jerusalem,
then entered the Temple. He looked around, taking it all in…” (verse 11). Isn’t
that amazing? Jesus was there watching the ugly behavior of the money-changers
as they did what they had always done, and He did nothing but just watch! Can you imagine him just walking around the temple, both inside and out, taking it
all in and not saying a word, just looking and listening? Can you imagine the look on his face, intensity
in his eyes, his mannerisms of his walk and body stance? Why didn't the Father say something to Jesus then. Why wait? Say something now. Look at how people are behaving int the house of God. What do you think his Father told him later on?
On the next day, he had a job God had given Him, and he put the
devil on the run. You and I can do the same thing by faith! If we’ll listen to
the voice of God, we can find out where He wants us to go, what He wants us to
say, and what He wants us to do.
We can fulfill His will in every area of our lives, and if the
devil tries to stop us, we can cast him out! “But how can I be sure I’ll hear God’s voice?” you might ask. You’ve made Jesus
The LORD of your life, haven’t you? That means He’s your Shepherd and you’re
His sheep, and according to the Bible, “The sheep hear his voice, and he
calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out... he goeth before them, and
the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow.”
(John 10:3-5)MSG
Actually, that’s a good place for you and me to start hearing and
speaking God’s WORD. Instead of saying things like, “God doesn’t speak to
me,” start saying, “I know Jesus. He’s my Shepherd, and I hear and know His voice,”
then spend some time with Him in the WORD and tune in by faith, expecting to
hear from Him. Words from heaven are available to you each and every 24/7/365, if
we know Jesus as our LORD and Savior. He has guaranteed it in the Scriptures.
He promised the Holy Spirit would teach us all things and guide us
into all truth (John 14:26, 16:13). He said if we’ll ask for wisdom in faith
without wavering, He’ll give it to us liberally (James 1:5-6).
Believe it and inquire of Him. He’ll give us the words, then when
you and I speak those words and act on them in faith, He’ll back them with His
own power. It’s not our job to figure out how everything is going to happen. Our
job is just to pray, obey, and say what God says. Because He’s already upholding
all things by the WORD of His power, as long as we stay on His WORD, it’s
impossible for the devil or anyone else to defeat us. No matter how hard they
try to bring us down, we’re going to be upheld!
The devil doesn’t have authority over any area
of our life - not our health, our
family, our finances, or anything else. Jesus has defeated him completely, and as
His joint heir, you and I have the power to put the devil on the run.
Here are a few points to help us do it!
Get on God’s WORD and stay there. “…Recently he spoke to us directly through
his Son…This one perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature. He
holds everything together by what he says – powerful words! ” (Hebrews 1:1-3)
MSG
Operate like Jesus did. “…that I’m not making this up, but speaking
only what the Father taught me.” (John 8:28) MSG
Don’t make something up. “Before long the
crooks will be bankrupt; God-investors will soon own the store.” (Psalm 37:9) MSG
Expect to hear from Him. “The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and
the sheep walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and
the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them
out…he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice.” (John
10:2-4) MSG. Jesus’
words authorize and empower you. “Every word I’ve spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is
life-making.” (John 6:63) MSG
Don’t doubt! Call things that are not as though they were! Watch
it manifest!
