Playing Offense

 

 

19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Sometimes I feel like I am lost at sea.  If circumstances go well that day, it is a good one.   If circumstances do not go well, it is a bad day. And  then I remember verses like this one.  I am reminded that I have authority.  I HAVE  AUTHORITY!!! I am not at the mercy of the world and what it throws at me, I am empowered by God to be on the offensive in my life, not just on the defensive all the time.  I can speak to situations, and see them change!  I can rebuke the enemy of my soul and require him to unhand me and my situation.  So can you!  Do you feel your inner man (or woman)  rising up with courage and boldness?  That is  what happens when we recognize who we are in Christ.

Jesus gave the early disciples, and later all believers, the power to go out in His Name and heal the sick, preach the gospel, and tangle with- and  defeat- dark forces.  The disciples, like us, were just human.  When they realized that it actually "worked", they were like kids with a new toy.  Woo hoo! Look what we can do in the Name of Jesus! Although that attitude is understandable, and not necessarily wrong, we can never forget that it is not about us.  It is about Him and His kingdom.  Rather than focusing on the power and authority that we have, we should, instead, focus on the fact that we are gloriously saved.  That help us remember our utter dependence on Him.  That truth causes us to recognize that there is nothing good in us that He has not provided.  He is so good to us!

Sometimes when we are given  a little authority, we have the tendency to let it go to our heads.  If we  are not careful we begin to feel like invincible big-shots.  Beware!  That kind of thinking can result in an our downfall, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."b  (James 4:6, NIV)

 

What are you facing in your life that you need to activate authority over?  Is the enemy attacking your finances?  Your marriage?  Your kids?  If you are a born-again child of God, you have the power and the right to command the devil to release your finances, your marriage, your kids and anything else that concerns you.  Do not live beneath your privilege.  Activate your faith today to be an  overcomer rather than a victim.

 

Thank you, Lord, for granting authority and power to us in Your Name.  Help me to have revelation of that authority and to use it in balance and in keeping with Your purpose for my life.  In Jesus' Name.   Amen.

 

 

Demolition of Walls

 

 

"An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city..."  Proverbs 18:19

 

(Bear with me today, as we take a little side road from the book of I John...)

 

Have you ever noticed in your own life how quickly hurt can turn to anger?  I am not sure what the reason is. Perhaps the emotions associated with being offended make us feel weak and vulnerable, so we choose to be angry instead, a more "empowered" feeling.  (Psychologists refer to this as reaction formation ; ) )  Or maybe the level of hurt just tends to evoke a more passionate response.  Either way, offense builds walls.

In my own life I have gone through situations that can cause old anger and hurt to be reignited.  Sometimes after the offender is long gone from this world.  What an awful feeling to be mad with someone who is no longer here to work it out.  Especially if it is over situations you have long ago chosen to forgive and forget.

God gives us emotions to help and protect us, but if we do not keep them in check, they can take on a life of their own.  One of "The Santa Clause" movies had plot where a fake Santa was designed to fill in while the real one was gone  back to real life to handle some business. Before long, Fake Santa turned into a tyrant and destroyed everything at the North Pole.  That is the way offense can be for us.  We build a wall, we put up a defense, we embrace anger.  All of this is done to help us handle things.  But before long the fake us takes over and destroys all of our good.  The hurt evolves into a life of its own.

I have heard it said that "forgiveness  is a gift you give yourself."  It's true.  Letting going of offenses frees us to be happy and re-enter our lives.  What are you struggling with today?  Do you have hurts and wounds that are festering in your life?  Make a decision to start tearing down your fortified walls.  Your abundant life is awaiting you on the other side.

Dear Lord, help me to not be a person who is offended, unyielding or surrounded by walls.  Help me to be authentic and trust you to protect me.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Sherri