Given Power and Authority

SCRIPTURE
Luke 9:1-2 When Jesus had called the twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.


OBSERVATION
Jesus Himself gave his twelve disciples their power and authority to do the things referenced in Luke 9:1-2. After His death and resurrection, He sent the Holy Spirit to provide the authority and power to believers which we all have once we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

Only recently have I begun to call upon that power and authority. Sometimes we feel we have to reach a certain high level of spirituality or to have some 'divine spiritual intervention' to access the power and authority of the kingdom of God. Luke 10:19 tells us that God has given us authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome the power of the enemy.

I know now that all it takes is to ask for the power and to begin taking the steps of faith in using that power and authority. This scripture makes it pretty clear - we are to drive out demons, cure diseases, heal the sick and preach the kingdom of God.


APPLICATION
Am I doing all that I am supposed to do? I want to make sure that I am using my full potential in Holy Spirit-given power and authority. I also know that my spiritual growth in the use of these gifts is based on God's timing. I know that I can preach the kingdom of God in more ways than I currently am. So I need to be keenly aware of what opportunities God is presenting to me so that I can act on each of them.

PRAYER
Father, I ask that you continue to grow me up spiritually so that I can become powerful and use the authority given by You to do Your work. I know that You have specific tasks for me alone and I want to be obedient in fulfilling them. Please sensitize me to the opportunities around me to talk to people about You and the abundant life You offer to each of us, now and eternally. Amen.