School of Thought and There is a belief that at one time or other has affected most humans on earth. It comes in the form of a thought, “I am only one person and what I do does not matter.” That could translate into “My vote does not matter. Everyone else will vote.” It could also be, “Why should I speak up when I see an injustice. No one will listen.” Degenerating further, this belief lends itself to the suggestion, “No one will know. This is not a big deal.”
This belief also affects the Christian community and believers. We have been given the name above every name, the name of Jesus. We have been given the authority to use that name. “But,” you say, “I am only one person. How can I have any effect?”
I ask, “How can you possibly not have an effect on the world?”
The world is made up of individuals who possess beliefs, thoughts, and actions according to their beliefs. The whole is made up of the parts, even the smallest parts. If we want to see change, we must participate by exercising our beliefs by actions of faith.
Recently, the Holy Spirit had directed me to pray about something that I considered a monumental global problem. I prayed as directed and 10 days later, there was a news story about a major development that was directly related to that area of prayer. I hesitate to add that I was amazed; I shouldn’t have been. Authority belongs to us, and if we just act upon what we have been given, we will see results.
Many years ago, I was ministering in Salt Lake City, Utah and staying in a hotel located in the downtown area. As I stood in front of the windows overlooking the city lights, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, “Prophesy to this city!” I had never heard of anything quite like that, but I did remember the story in Ezekiel Ch. 37 when God spoke to the
prophet to “prophesy to these bones.”
“Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.” Ezekiel 37:4
Prophesying to a city did not seem as strange as prophesying to dead, dry bones, so I proceeded to call out, “Salt Lake City, hear the Word of the Lord to you and your inhabitants! The Lord Jesus Christ reigns supreme over you! Receive Him and hear His Word. The Holy Spirit now breathes life and understanding to you and your people. The power of the enemy is broken over you in the name of Jesus!”
Since that time, I have done this many times as the Holy Spirit has directed me. You also have authority to prophesy by the Spirit. No person has to hear you. When Ezekiel prophesied to those dead, dry bones, no living individual was required to hear in order for the Word of the Lord to work!
If we heed the words of Jesus, we will begin to ACT upon the authority he has given us. I want to highlight three areas for your attention:
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We have been given the authority over spirits that rule and reign over rulers, kings and kingdoms. Empower the angels by speaking God’s Word of deliverance over the countries and continents of the earth.
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By faith, not force, we have authority over spirits that motivate men and women to act in ways that are not in alignment with God’s purpose.
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Through Jesus’ name, we can speak “Peace, be still.” to the elements of the earth. I have heard many testimonies of believer’s who spoke to tornadoes and their house was saved.
I use these 3 points to stretch your faith and get your attention. Rather than trying to work up faith to do it, just act as if it is true; because it is your authority with heaven standing behind you.
Just as important, is acting on your authority in your own life and all that affects you at home, at work, and in your community. It is imperative that we take our eyes off the temporal world and look into the spiritual realm where all things natural come from.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12
The problems you see in the natural have a spiritual origin, and God is not the one creating or endorsing destruction. Rather than focusing on the problems, anger and fear, we affect change only by focusing on the goodness, love, and power of God and his angels. You only add to the problems of earth by meditating, thinking, talking, and listening to all that is wrong. When you do so, you invite the energy and negativity of those things into your mental, emotional and physical space.
The apostle Paul gave good advice when he wrote the believers at Philippi:
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9
While others are floating downstream with the tide of, “I am only one person, what could I possibly do?”, let us move forward, swim against the stream and act on the authority that we have been given. Act as if it is true! Now that is an action of faith!
Annette Capps
