Accepted Authority

Luke 10: ¹⁷ Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.”

¹⁸ And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.¹⁹ Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. ²⁰ Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

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“Do you have an escort?” I said with a stern voice. I was an office clerk at the dorm and I was not supposed to allow anyone who did not belong into a particular part of the building. If they ignored me, then I could have them removed.

• Certain jobs gave me authority to do things.
• Certain positions allowed me to have authority to say yes or no.
• Certain titles gave me the authority over certain groups of people.

JESUS tells those who HE sent that HE has given them authority over “All the power of the enemy.” HE did this after they returned rejoicing over the amazing miracles they performed. HE then said the real reason to rejoice is because their names were written in heaven.

• GOD has given me the authority to speak about HIS kingdom with power.
• GOD has given me the authority to speak about JESUS as my savior.
• GOD has given me the authority to ask for “anything” in JESUS’s name.

At one time my faith did not believe in demons, miraculous healing or supernatural protection. I mean isn’t that sort of stuff only for the movies? BUT GOD says different. HIS power and authority are supreme. HE reigns over the physical world as much as the spiritual.

Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that JESUS is the CHRIST and the LORD of all. GOD wants me to have faith in HIS power and authority through JESUS. The “anything” that I ask for should align to what HE desires. I accept the authority HE gives me.

• Do you believe GOD has power over your situation?
• Do you know with your heart that HE is in supreme control?
• Will you ask for what GOD wants you to have and do it in JESUS name?
• Will you rejoice that your name is written in heaven versus the special power HE has imparted on you?

Permitted Protection

Luke 8: ³⁰ Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?”

And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. ³¹ And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.

³² Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. ³³ Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.

³⁴ When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. ³⁵ Then they went out to see what had happened, and came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. ³⁶ They also who had seen it told them by what means he who had been demon-possessed was healed. ³⁷ Then the whole multitude of the surrounding region of the Gadarenes asked Him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear. And He got into the boat and returned.

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“He’s alright” nodded the person as I tried to get into a restricted place. I had not been amongst the lavish before so I never noticed the plain clothed guards at discreet entrances. Once inside, I could see why the rich and powerful craved these kind of places because I felt secure.

• There were times when I needed permission to pass through “security.”
• There were times when I was allowed into a secure place.
• There were times when I was the one who was guarded and protected.

JESUS permitted the demons to leave the possessed man and enter a herd of swine. HE could have said “No”, but instead allowed them to wreak havoc on the herd. HE protected the healed man from any more harm and danger. JESUS also allowed the townspeople to ask HIM to go away. HE heeded their request.

• GOD wants me to ask permission for any request.
• GOD wants me to realize HE has the power over any force.
• GOD wants me to know HE has the power to protect me and make me feel secure.

Humans can only temporarily protect me with their limited power. BUT GOD can protect me from every force that tries to come up against me. With HIS permission, I am allowed into HIS family. HE wraps HIS loving arms around me and places me in HIS hand for which no one can pluck me out.

• Are you facing something very large that seems impossible to get out of?
• Are you afraid of an outcome that is out of your control?
• Can you ask GOD for HIS permission to protect you and cleanse you today?