We Have Authority!

We have Authority!

Current mood: ninja

Over the last 4 years, I've come a long way, gone through many changes, and had some good and painful revelation about myself. The Lord has been good to me. He has helped me to see the truth about myself. He has helped me to move forward.

In September, I was approached by my pastor and asked to start taking some classes with other church members to become small group leaders. I decided to give it a go after prayer and discussing it with my husband. It has been interesting to say the least, but, it has stretched me and opened up my mind to looking at people and situations in a new light.

As part of our homework, we study and meditate on scripture. The Lord speaks to me in many different ways...sometimes, He's loud and clear....sometimes it's just a whisper...sometimes, it is a vision or a vision in a dream...sometimes, only an impression. Recently, we were studying Luke 8:22-25, and the Lord revealed some things with me that I would like to share with you. Here is the scripture from the Amplified Version:

22One of those days He and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, Let us go across to the other side of the lake. So they put out to sea.
23But as they were sailing, He fell off to sleep. And a [a] whirlwind revolving from below upwards swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in great danger.
24And the disciples came and woke Him, saying, Master, Master, we are perishing! And He, being thoroughly awakened, [b]censured and [c]blamed and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; and they ceased, and there came a calm.
25And He said to them, [Why are you so fearful?] Where is your faith (your trust, your confidence in Me--in My veracity and My integrity)? And they were seized with alarm and profound and reverent dread, and they marveled, saying to one another, Who then is this, that He commands even wind and sea, and they obey Him?

Now, I've read this scripture many times and never gave it much thought. However, this time much more was revealed to me. The Bible says that we will have trials and tribulation...the tribulation is much like a storm. Sometimes, it comes without notice and is devastating. Sometimes, you can see it coming and it lasts forever. Other times, it will just blow through without much notice. The Lord showed that this storm is very much like the storms we face in life.

Now the waves, those are our emotions. I'm sure that there are some of you who have suffered from anxiety and depression or have been paralyzed with fear. Just like those waves, the anxiety or fear can rise up and overflow on top of you until you feel you can't breathe anymore. Picture in your mind the waves rising up, becoming larger and more intense, like waves of fear and anxiety. It is a very real and scary feeling. The waves in the scripture mimic the feelings of the disciples and as the storm approaches, the waves start getting bigger, and as their fear and anxiety increases the wind picks up and the waves begin to overflow into the boat. In fear, they run to the Lord for His help.

The Lord rises up from sleep (He has peace that surpasses all understanding) and rebukes the storm (with authority) and commands it to leave. The storm obeyed Him!

Satan uses fear and anxiety to keep us in the storm. But, Jesus gave us authority over any weapon that Satan will use against us. We have authority over the storms that invade our lives. If you don't believe me, then believe the Word of God:

Genesis 1:26

God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth.

Matthew 10:1

AND JESUS summoned to Him His twelve disciples and gave them power and authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to cure all kinds of disease and all kinds of weakness and infirmity

Luke 10:19

Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.

Luke 4:6

And he said to Him, To You I will give all this power and authority and their glory (all their magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, and grace), for it has been turned over to me, and I give it to whomever I will.

Revelation 2:26

And he who overcomes (is victorious) and who obeys My commands to the [very] end [doing the works that please Me], I will give him authority and power over the nations;

While in prayer, the Lord revealed to me that as we grow in faith, we will be able to see the storm before it even hits and be able to rebuke it with the authority we have in Christ Jesus. Perhaps more importantly, He also showed me that we have authority over our emotions and how we react to situations. Sometimes, it is necessary that we go through the storm, for spiritual growth, or reasons that we can't understand while in the middle of the storm. Although the storm may be fierce and unrelenting, we have authority over the way we react and we have authority over our emotions and what we choose to do with our emotions. That authority is found in the Word of God. If you are afraid...speak the Word..."I can do all things in Christ Jesus who strengthens me" (Philipians 4:13). If you are filled with doubt...know who you are in Christ..find it in the Word. If you are feeling anxious...read Phillipians 4:6-8. Rebuke the devil and the storm in the name of Jesus!

There is power and authority in the Word that you will not find anywhere else. And that peace that surpasses all understanding, in every situation, through every storm...that peace shall be yours!

Tell me what you think about having authority over Satan in Jesus name? Leave a comment!