Sunday, May 25, 2008

Mat 18:18

"Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Mat 18:18.

Everyone seems to be power hungry these days. Corporate executives are climbing all over each other to reach the top in their companies --there's just something about the letters CEO after the name that excites the power hungry. Lesser men and women are not exempt. Men buy powerful cars and trucks, soup them up to more power and speed, all to claim to be the fastest on the street/track. Women brag on their children giving the impression that they are the smartest, cleverest, best child ever born -- Jesus not necessarily excluded -- all with the intent of saying "I'm the best Mom in the world because I raised the best kid in the world!"

So how's this for power? "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven." That's power. If we are in the will of God, then what we do is upheld in heaven. Whether we bind or loose, when it is done by someone who is operating in close relationship with God, the action is confirmed, recorded, and duplicated by God. That's power.

So who has that power? The Pope? Billy Graham? The president of a denomination? The Pastor of a local Church? Sunday School teachers? Yes. . . . . . . and no. The fact is we all have that authority. It is not reserved for anyone in particular but for everyone who is a child of God. So what do you do with it? When called upon by God to do some binding, you can bind demons, powers, authorities, and principalities -- but you must be called to do it. This power is not some toy to play with. Ask the sons of Skevea. They tried to cast out demons in the "name of Jesus whom Paul preaches." The demons responded, "Paul we know. Jesus we know. But who are you?" and tore them to shreds!

What can we loose? We can loose the non-believing, demon possessed person to hear the Word of the Lord preached and spoken to them. We can loose the power of the Holy Spirit upon someone who needs to be saved from themselves and sin. Again, this is no toy. Use this power only under the direction of the Spirit of God -- and when you are in a close relationship with our Savior. (Note: you don't have to be perfect, just in a good relationship with the Father.) Power? You've got it. Use it wisely. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.

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