As One Having Authority by Margaret Manning

Read 'A Slice of Infinity' each day and email Chad with your comments/experience/prayers etc. This ~5 minute recap, called 'COUGARS Daily' contains snippets from the previous day's A Slice of Infinity as well as comments from you.

- And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. (Matthew 7:28-29)

- And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?" (Matthew 8:27)


A Slice of Infinity snippets:
Indeed, the miracles that Jesus performed demonstrated the rule of God itself, and further, that the rule of God was going out to all who relied on Jesus. Jesus was not simply acting for God, but acting with God in such a way as to demonstrate that the Kingdom had come and had come with power and authority. Jesus’s words and his deeds bore out this kingdom reality--“and the multitudes were amazed.”

And we, too, are amazed. As we place our trust in God by following Jesus, we experience the rule of God in our lives and we experience something of that authority. The original language indicates that this authority gives us the capability or liberty to enter into God’s rule more fully and more deeply than we ever thought possible. Entering into God’s rule is about entering into Kingdom living, as first demonstrated by Jesus. As we enter through those doors, we are free to live out our lives in the mode or authority of the Kingdom. Accordingly, we too can bring healing, call powers and principalities to justice, bring order to chaos, and new life to what was dead.

This is what it means to have authority. It is not to live as an overlord or a dictator, but as one whose identity is so taken up into the life of God that one bears the imprimatur of the King. Thus, marked with Kingdom authority, we are freed to live in ways that reveal God’s reign.

Chad's Comments: I found it no coincidence that this reading is speaking of the Authority of Jesus to heal. Yesterday evening, Wolfgang (Wolf is the father of Zak, the young man we prayed for at our home who has severe scoliosis - such that he is only able to use about 25% lung capacity) and I talked about the healing services going on in Lakeland, Florida. Wolfgang had heard of this event from several people and has much confirmation that God is on the move in Lakeland. Even such that some from other countries whom have been to the services have went home and are seeing healings taking place there as well. Wolfgang is trying to decipher God's will in whether God would have him take Zak to the meetings to be healed of God. I told 'Chamo' (Wolfgang) that I would pray about it last night and this morning. Now, despite my desire, I really don't spend as much time in prayer as some may think. Actually, only a few minutes last night and again some thoughts about it this morning. Then, I read 'A Slice of Infinity' and thought that it was no coincidence.

Let us truly enter into the Kingdom that is at Hand.

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