Walking in Authority

The idea of authority must have been quite significant during the times of the New Testament as it was mentioned just over 70 times (New International Version). Jesus' authority was always being questioned.

They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” Mark 11:27-28

Whether He forgave sins, healed the sick or cast out demons, those who were concerned about Jesus usurping their authority wanted to know by what authority He did those things. Some of the Jews wanted Him to prove His authority. And, the devil tried to bribe Jesus with authority.

The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours.” Luke 4:5-7

But, Jesus didn’t need to usurp anyone, He had nothing to prove, and didn’t need to get authority in any underhanded manner because He knew from whom His authority came.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." Matthew 28:18

 

"The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” John 10:17-18

Yes, Jesus has the authority and He also gave authority.

Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. Mark 6:7

I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. Luke 10:19

I am finally starting to understand how much authority I have as a follower of Christ.  This authority is not just for New Testament times.  Jesus wants to give us authority, but we must believe He has the authority, accept the authority He gives us and walk in His authority. 

We are all different and God is not an in the box type of god.  This Creator has designed a special sphere of authority for each of us.  We all have different gifts, so while others may walk in their authority as teachers, others may walk in their authority as an evangelist, or prophets or whoever.  Furthermore, no matter what our gift is, wherever God places us, that is where we are supposed to exercise our authority. 

We can’t back down, we have to fight the good fight.  Jesus has given us the authority to overcome the enemy, but too many of us are not walking in this authority.  We often say the devil is strong.  But really, He isn’t that strong, it’s just that we are not exercising our authority over Him. We need to put on our spiritual gear (see Ephesians 6: 10-18) and get ready for battle.

Unfortunately, instead of fighting the enemy we fight each other.  We sometimes abuse the authority God has given us and we pull people down rather than building them up.  Standing tall and holding our shoulders back, we brag about the authority God has given us and then walk out trampling or brother and sister to get to the “ministry” that God has ordained for us.  In doing so, we miss God’s path.  Paul understood what his authority was for.

For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it. 2 Corinthians 10:8

We, like Paul, should use our authority to encourage each other.  Walking in authority given by the Lord, we will reclaim what the devil has stolen; revive what the devil has killed; and restore what the devil has destroyed.  All this we do not by might nor by power, but by the Lord’s Spirit and the authority He has entrusted to us.

The Story of the Purple Shoes

A few months ago I had a dream in which a classmate from high school asked me if I had written the story about the purple shoes. I hadn’t. I woke up not quite sure what this meant. In this dream, also, a little girl was dancing in an auditorium full of people. She wore purple ballet slippers.

There had to be some importance of purple footwear. Yesterday, I read an article that had a section titled “Boots that will help you walk a new path.”

My shoes’ dreams suddenly flooded my memory. So far this year, I have had at least four dreams in which I was buying shoes, looking at my shoes to figure out the best to wear, or trying to find shoes to leave the location I was at. In another dream, someone wanted to buy purple high heels for a friend of mine.

My dreams included either buying shoes or looking for shoes. I guess God has been showing me to get ready to walk a new path.

But, how many of us are ready to walk the path that God has for us? If I look closely at my dreams, I don’t think I was quite prepared. At one point, I was in such a rush to leave and get something on my feet that I put on the first thing I found, which were sandals that only held my big toe and my heel. Although not feeling quite comfortable in them, I hurriedly left on my journey.

I yielded to my circumstance, making it be the impetus to put on the first footgear I found that seemingly fit, even though I was not geared for my travels.

So many women wear shoes that look good in order to be appealing to others, yet inside those shoes, they are really hurting. Unfortunately, some women don’t wear their size, forcing themselves into smaller shoes for that dainty look, which later damages their feet.

When we don’t wear what fits, we will be unfit to figure out the function of our lives.

There was once a woman who really had to have a deep appreciation for sandals, as her life depended on them. This foreigner walked away from her idols, her home – all she knew, and took a step of faith into the unknown. Her fore-parents committed an incestuous act.  Lot's daughter had sexual relations with him when he was drunk and a son was conceived.  His name was Moab, the father of the Moabites.  This Moabite woman's kindness has been told for generations and her life is a testimony that faithfulness can make a positive impact throughout history.

She may have been a tired traveler, yet her stalwart stride set her at the site that was significant for her survival. It was there that bold Boaz bought the land that came with a bride and settled the deal with a sandal. His bride has a whole book that tells the story of how she came to be redeemed by a sandal. The book is Ruth. 

(Now in earlier times in Israel, for the redemption and transfer of property to become final, one party took off his sandal and gave it to the other. This was the method of legalizing transactions in Israel.) So the guardian-redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it yourself.” And he removed his sandal. Ruth 4:7-8

Naomi was suffering much hardship after her husband and two sons died. She decided to go back to her hometown of Bethlehem. Her two daughter-in-laws wanted to follow her, but she told them to go back home, one returned, but one followed. Ruth, whose name means “friend”, was the one who continued the journey. Living up to her name, Ruth’s sandals walked the dusty rough road with the mother-in-law she dearly loved, to a land she did not know. Her path was neither easy nor clear, but she trod the trying trail not knowing whether her trek would lead to triumph or tragedy.

The weary wanderer found a field in which she could gather grain. This field belonged to Boaz, whose name means “strength,” was a relative of Naomi. Some may have called it serendipity, but I know it was divine guidance that showed her the way to a field in which she would find favor.

Boaz investigated Ruth and discovered she walked in humility while looking after her mother-in-law. He was pleased with her and offered her extra food and had his workers lay more grain out for her to collect.

Naomi realized in whose field Ruth worked and recognized the provision and protection Boaz offered. Ruth’s feet were right where they needed to be. The shrewd senior saw an opportunity for the young widow to get a new life. Naomi advised her cohort to put on her best clothes and sweetest perfume then go to Boaz’s threshing floor. After, when he went to sleep, she would uncover his feet and lie there.

This didn’t seem like the route a lady should take. It wasn’t a path for modest shoes to trudge. But, Ruth continued her walk of obedience and stepped into new territory, lying at the feet of Boaz on the threshing floor.

This damsel displayed no distress, instead she took the risk and it paid off. Boaz saw her act as kindness and did not want her good character tarnished as his affections grew for his new found “friend”. This valiant man had her leave early in the morning with a bundle of barley and a promise to redeem her if the relative closest in line wouldn’t do it.

“The LORD bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. Although it is true that I am a guardian-redeemer of our family, there is another who is more closely related than I. Stay here for the night, and in the morning if he wants to do his duty as your guardian-redeemer, good; let him redeem you. But if he is not willing, as surely as the LORD lives I will do it. Lie here until morning.” Ruth 3:10-13

Many people have said that Ruth made the first move. But, she didn’t. She took the step of faith and walked into her destiny which came out of obedience and love. Her travels with Naomi opened up a new life for her. Her steps were ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37:23). Naomi was wise and knew by Boaz’s actions that Ruth had found favor with Him. Ruth’s action was one of faith, humility and obedience. Boaz, being a hard working farmer, probably had dirty feet after tramping around the threshing floor, yet she came smelling sweet and looking good, then placed herself at his feet.

Boaz acknowledged that he was older and this attractive woman could have run after younger men. Yet, she decided not to put on track shoes, but rather bed slippers. Wisdom made her lay still, while God worked out His plan.

Many women are on the fast track, wanting to blaze new exciting trails, others decide to be homemakers, keeping their feet close to home. Whatever the choice, the shoes we wear need to be of God’s choosing. Our Master knows best. We should take off our shoes knowing we are standing on holy ground in His presence, the lie at his feet in humility. It is in this stance of intimacy, that our Father will give us the right shoes for the purpose He has for us. No matter what type shoes He gives us, it will be fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:15 

After Ruth married Boaz, she had The Story of the Purple Shoes. You see, the color purple was very rare and extremely valuable in those days, therefore it was worn by royalty. Ruth walked into her role as the great grandmother of King David, from whose line Jesus came to destroy the works of the enemy. She walked the paths of righteousness and her exchange for a sandal gave her the right to step into her purple shoes.

In our lives, God gives us different shoes to walk in during different seasons. Although the road ahead may look difficult, God has a shoe to fit. Whether it is to have the devil under our feet, standing firm, or spreading the gospel, we must make sure our steps hold to God’s paths (Psalm 17:15). Then, in spite of where we go or what we do, we will have The Story of the Purple Shoes.

Finding Lost Intimacy

I look around and so many marriages are going awry. The romance is lost and the love has all but gone. This was not the way it was meant to be. "'Til death do us part", has now become, "I will be with you until you annoy me, then we will part." Marriage has somehow lost its meaning. It is no longer God's way. Instead, each person involved takes an individualistic point of view and believe the other person is there to please him or her. Self sacrifice is almost unheard of.

It is no wonder that the Church's relationship with Christ seems also to be on shaky ground. This relationship is likened to that of a wife and husband. When the marital bonds fall apart so frequently, how then are you supposed to truly understand being the bride of Christ? It is imperative that we figure out a way of Finding Lost Intimacy.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25 

This story has been going around by e-mails for a few years now. Many bloggers have posted it also. Whether true or not, this is quite a profound story. 

Carrying My Wife 

When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I've got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.

Suddenly I didn't know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly.

She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why?

I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man! That night, we didn't talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Jane. I didn't love her anymore. I just pitied her!

With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company.

She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Jane so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.

The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Jane.

When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.

In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month's time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.

This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day.

She requested that every day for the month's duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.

I told Jane about my wife's divorce conditions. . She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.

My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mommy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don't tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outsidethe door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.

On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.

On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me.

On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Jane about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.

She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily.

Suddenly it hit me... she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.

Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it's time to carry mom out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.

But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life lacked intimacy.

I drove to office.... jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind...I walked upstairs. Jane opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Jane, I do not want the divorce anymore.

She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Jane, I said, I won't divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each other anymore. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart.

Jane seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away.

At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I'll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.

That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed - dead.

My wife had been fighting cancer for months and I was so busy with Jane to even notice. She knew that she would die soon and she wanted to save me from the whatever negative reaction from our son, in case we push thru with the divorce.-- At least, in the eyes of our son--- I'm a loving husband....

Needing to be Broken Bread

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. Mark 6:41-43

This is a very special passage, which is an impetus for my desiring to be "broken bread."  One may look at Jesus breaking bread at the Last Supper when he said that the bread was His body and think that this should be more poignant to me.  Without a doubt it is very profound.  But, it gives more meaning to Jesus breaking bread and feeding thousands.  

Jesus said His body was the bread. The Church is the body of Christ, so each member of the Church needs to be "broken bread."  In John 6, Jesus describes Himself as "The Bread of Life."  By no means am I equating us with Jesus, but we should follow the way of the Master.  Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these..." John 14:12

In order for us to do what Jesus did, we too must be "broken bread."  However, the good news is that Jesus is the one who breaks us.  Before, He does this though, He gives thanks to the Father for us.  He knows the value of what He has in His hands.  Although, we may feel worthless and others may look at us as insignificant, in Jesus' hands we are more than enough.  None of the disciples thought that the five loaves could feed thousands, but Jesus knew the potential He held in His hands.  Nevertheless, it had to be broken for the latent possibility to be activated.  

Then it happened!!! The thousands all ate and were satisfied, and there were a dozen baskets of broken pieces of bread and fish left over.  When Jesus' blesses, He blesses abundantly.  We just need to trust Him and place ourselves in His hands, so that we can be His miracle for those around us.  Our brokeness is not just for us, it is for others to get life.

I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. John 6:51

Are you ready to be Jesus' flesh to be given for the life of the world?  If yes, then you must be Needing to be Broken Bread.

Delightful Desires

One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Psalm 37.  And, one of the verses often quoted from this chapter is:

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

It is no surprise that this is a favorite verse for many people.  I used to love quoting this verse and I still do.  But now, as I mature in my walk with Christ, its meaning is more profound.

Seriously, how many of us would desire to be humiliated, persecuted, wrongly accused or shunned?  Any   takers?  Well, when we desire to follow Christ, then we follow His way, which means we will often encounter much of what He did when He walked on this earth.

Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. John 15:20

I don't hear of many people naming and claiming persecution. On the contrary, we are believing for the luxury car, mansion and a fantastic lifestyle.  After all, they are rightfully ours, since we are royalty - children of the Most High King. Unfortunately, we fail to realize that God's kingdom is opposite of that of the world's.

Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.  2 Thesslonians 1:4-5

There goes all my mountaintop experiences.  You see, I would rather stay on the mountaintop where all is well and I can truly celebrate Christ for all He has done for me. However, it seems that Paul was saying that he was boasting of the perseverance of the saints while they were being persecuted and going through trying periods, and because of all this suffering, God judged them worthy of His kingdom.  

It is in these wilderness and valley experiences that our faithfulness and love for Christ are truly tested.   When we can love Him and praise Him, in spite of everything, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:17

These are the saints who will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:31 If we are not ready to serve and suffer, then we cannot be really called heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.  We want the prize without the pressure.  But, God has something else in mind for us.  He has His desires and it is for us to fulfill His vision.

We are not quite prepared for the bumps and bruises that must come if we are going to be turned into the shape of the vision. We have seen what we are not, and what God wants us to be, but are we willing to be battered into the shape of the vision to be used by God? The beatings will always come in the most common, everyday ways and through common, everyday people. --Oswald Chambers

When we delight in someone, we long to fulfill their will.  We become "soft" when we are in their presence and we are at their beck and call, ready to comply with any wish or command. Desiring to satisfy their desires, we will face unfavorable circumstances to give them joy.  When we make the decision to be God's vision, we should consider it pure joy to face trials of many kinds. (paraphrased, James 1:2) Then, we will become the Lord's delight.

For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:4

God delights in us when we are humble, righteous, patient during trials and trust completely in Him.  He will give us our crown of salvation, which we got in exchange for Christ's crown of thorns.  Lest we forget, Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

The joy set before Jesus was giving us salvation. He delighted in us so much, that He looked beyond the pain of the cross, humbled himself and became the perfect sacrifice to save us from our sinful ways. Jesus' love for us made Him endure the cruelty of His crucifixion, so we could be partakers in His glory. 

Will our love for Jesus, give us joy to endure our cross? Are we truly ready to delight in the Lord, and become His delightful desire?

My Desire - Kirk Franklin & Fred Hammond