Issue 753 – Action Call – May 23, 2022
The geese have their young. At the moment, the young are cute little fluff balls, but soon they will be at that awkward teenage stage where they are neither pretty nor majestic.
The parents will generally try and herd the young off to safety, but they will warn you off if you get too close. At that point, you will understand why some people call them hissing cobras. They hiss and fuss, and if pushed, they will bite you. Even without teeth, they can leave a nasty bruise.
There are some places around Fishtrap Creek Park where people regularly feed the ducks and geese. Every time I walk around the lake, there is fresh birdseed in the same areas. With the geese trying to keep their young safe, they are holding back from coming in for handouts as quickly as they usually do.
The other birds are not nearly as shy as the geese. The ducks, crows and songbirds are not the least bit shy. The geese often put the run to the other birds, but since the geese were being timid, the others were having a field day.
When they choose to exercise their authority, the geese are the undisputed bird rulers of the lake. As long as the geese aren’t taking authority over the area, the other birds will take full advantage of the opportunity.
It’s the same in the spirit realm. Jesus gave His followers great authority and power.
And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. Matthew 10:1
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the labourer deserves his food. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. Matthew 10:5-13
Often though, we’re too timid to exercise the God-given authority we have. Often Christians sit on our pews, worship in wimpy ways on Sunday, and walk through the rest of the week powerless. We wonder where the victory is that Jesus promised us.
The demons laugh. The unclean spirits have a field day. The powers and principalities rejoice. They know better than we do that we have been given authority, but they have done a masterful job in keeping us from recognizing that fact.
Christianity isn’t just another powerless religion. It is a power-filled relationship with the Living God. The power is His, although He’s given us the authority to use it. The glory is His, although His glory doesn’t shine as brightly because we don’t walk in the power He granted us.
Walking in authority does not mean it will be easy or that we will always get the results we want to see. That delegated authority implies God Himself goes with us on the mission He has given us. We are His ambassadors in a dark, hurting world. We do not have to fear.
Christianity is about radically changing the entire world, one soul at a time. It’s about introducing people to Jesus and using every tool He has given us to do just that. It is about growing ever deeper in our knowledge of Jesus, love for Him and obedience to Him.
Are you living in a world of insipid, powerless, wimpy Christianity? Look to the true power of Jesus, the one the Bible boldly proclaims. He was never weak and powerless. Nor were His followers after His resurrection.
Church, it’s time to mobilize and be all God has called us to be.
Until next time, may you exercise the authority He has given you. Let us go forth boldly in the name of our Risen Lord.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed.
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV). Spelling modified to Canadian English as required.
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