Respect My Authority!

My daughter asked me the other week, “Mom, what’s that animated show you don’t let us watch with that kid who has that funny voice?" Eric Cartman, what a memorable voice. I know South Park isn't always the most uplifting or appropriate show on the airwaves but this time God used it to talk to me. I wasn't even watching it, nor do we watch it. I was simply sharing my morning devotional with my husband as we made our morning drive to drop our youngest at school and him off at work. I had just finished the last sentence of the devotional when into my head it popped. The picture of Eric Cartman, in his police uniform, sunglasses, and riding his police Big Wheel. A car raced past him, he flipped his siren on and pulled him over. He yells, "I am a cop and you will respect my authority!" The guy, already out of his car, responds with, "yeah right, you better get back to school little boy." Cartman's response is to kick him more than once, get his baton out and beat him until he has clearly inflicted pain and asserted his authority. As silly as that is, I know we can often feel like a little kid in our walk. We feel spiritually immature, not fully understanding the authority we have and can walk in immediately as a citizen of heaven. 

The enemy tries to come in and tell us we're not qualified, we don’t belong, we're not smart enough, we’re afraid, and we most certainly do not have the power to walk in total authority here on earth. Time to CROSSCHECK IT!!!

Check out Luke 10:17-20 (NLT). The seventy-two missionaries, who Jesus sent out to go to the towns before he went, returned and couldn't wait to tell him what happened.  Take a look, this is amazing!

17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”

18 “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! 19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20 But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”

We have the authority, he's given us the authority, we are registered citizens of heaven!!! When those missionaries asserted their authority, Satan literally fell from heaven. He had nothing to stand on in the courts of heaven! That is powerful and a truth we must grasp to walk forward in all he has called us to here. The beginning is that our names are registered in heaven. Now, we must walk as citizens of heaven, we must bring heaven to earth. We must be the Cartman's of the earth and let the forces we actually fight against be overcome. Because we fight not against flesh and blood... right?  Get off your butt and use the powerful voice He’s given you and tell them, "you must respect my authority!" The authority we have through the mighty name of Jesus. Our voice, like Cartman’s, is different from others. Our voice is memorable, our voice is a voice that speaks on behalf of heaven, on behalf of The Most High, God Himself. 

We must know the promises He gave us and bring them to Him to make good on them. Don't you think He wants to follow through on His Word? Spurgeon said it best, "God's gold is not miser's money, but is minted to be traded with. Nothing pleases our Lord more than to see his promises put in circulation." Nothing pleases him more? Are you kidding me? That makes me want to run to the Word, search it out and sprint to the throne room with promises in hand. And what makes it all the more sweeter, is He's waiting for us to do it!!!! Literally waiting on us, looking for us. Scripture says in 2 Chron 16:9, "The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 

Jesus goes on to say in John 14 , 

"12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

Spurgeon writes, "He's more ready to hear than you are to ask." Do you need to read that again? I sure did. "He's more ready to hear than you are to ask.” I read that about 10 times the first time I saw it. It is the truth!   Rivers don't become weary of flowing, nor does our God tire of making good on His promises. Draw your sword mighty warrior and slay with the promises of a mighty, mighty God. 

Child, get off your Big Wheels and start kicking the enemy, beat him with your baton and use that memorable voice He gave you to declare, "you must respect my authority!"

Take a moment to worship. Really take some time to marvel at who God is and who He created you to be.
Listen to this and sing it out!!!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z0IsPy_7vs