Today’s Key Scripture

“Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.”

— Hebrews 4:14-16, msg

John Chrysostom, the archbishop of Constantinople, was an important early orthodox church Father. He proclaimed:

The potency of prayer hath subdued the strength of fire; it has bridled the rage of lions, hushed anarchy to rest, extinguished wars, appeased the elements, expelled the gates of heaven, assuaged diseases, repelled frauds, rescued cities from destruction, stayed the sun in its course, and arrested then progress of the thunderbolt.

Jesus was quite clear on the issue of authority. In fact, He stirred up the religious people of His day: “They were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Mark 1:22).

Not only did He teach with authority, He also empowered His disciples to minister in the same manner, giving them the “authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19).

Our authority as children of God doesn’t give us license to demand but to approach the throne of grace with both boldness and humility, knowing that He desires to intervene in our behalf. He has given us the authority and privilege to approach the throne with boldness.

 

A Prayer for Today

Father God, You are the Author of all things and the Giver of all that is good. Help me to move into the calling You have placed upon my life as Your messenger and caregiver. As I empty myself before You today, I ask You to fill me with Your authority to share Your light, Your power, and Your peace everywhere I go today. I pray this in the name above all names, Lord Jesus, amen.

 

*All Scripture references are NKJV unless otherwise noted.