Every Believer Has Authority In Jesus' Name

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, Philippians 2:10 (NIV) 

Whether you are lying in bed stricken by illness or disease, or running marathons, or are sitting in a wheelchair, it makes no difference—if you are a Christian you are powerful person. 

Jesus gave us His Name to use against the darkness. No matter what form the darkness takes to attack you or those you care about. His authority rules over everything that comes against Him or His followers. 

You have both privileges and authority as a follower of Jesus. The world around you may be caught up and controlled by darkness. Yet you have the Spirit of God within you, and the power and authority that comes from being a follower of Jesus. 

It does not matter how weak or strong you are physically, as long as you are spiritually in tune to the Creator of the Universe you are mighty on this earth because of Jesus and your salvation in His Name. 

At times we are discouraged, disappointed, and perhaps depressed by the struggles we have on this earth with it tests and trials and troubles. Yet, if we only understood the full power and authority that rests upon us because we are the born again children of God, we would never think of ourselves as weak, worn out, or worthless. 

Each day has its troubles and challenges. There are days when we can hardly arise from our beds. Yet through Jesus, we have authority to cast out devils, pull down strongholds, and stand in faith against whatever comes against us. You are not weak. You are strong. Once you realize that truth, your life will be transformed and your relationship with this world will be revolutionized. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, too often we think of ourselves as weak. Help us to see ourselves through Your eyes, and to realize we have Your Awesome Name to live by, and stand strong with. Amen. 

Karlton Douglas 

Copyright 2018 

Looking For God's Fingerprints

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, Psalm 8:3 (NIV) 

I can see a pattern of God's direct intervention throughout my life. Sometimes His intervention has been amazing, and at other times almost comical considering how obvious He has been. He stepped in and helped me so many times and I have seen Him so clearly in my life that it astounds me when people say they do not believe in God. How could one not believe in God when His fingerprints are all over their life? 

God's handiwork is evident even for the most ignorant and foolish of people.  You cannot step outside of your door, or even look out of your window without seeing His workmanship all around you. From the flowers and trees, the blue sky above, the stars at night, to the smallest snowflake on your windowsill—God's fingerprints are everywhere. 

For those with any spiritual sensitivity you can look back over your life and see where God stepped in to turn circumstances, situations, and great hardships around. I could begin many sentences regarding my life with: "But for God..." If God had not intervened in some situations I would have died. I would not be here to write this. Without God's intervention at other times a family member may have died. Without His help in our finances we would have been devastated. He provided a job, He brought us to the right physician, to the right place at the right time. He changed circumstances so that we enjoyed a blessing instead of a great loss. I could go on and on for God has been there time and time again. 

Perhaps you can also look over your life and see situations where God directly intervened. Not every God-Intervention is gigantic and life-changing. Sometimes it is the Holy Spirit directing you to a passage of scripture you need in that moment. Perhaps God speaks through a friend or loved one imparting knowledge and wisdom you needed at the time. There are many ways, large and small, that you find God's fingerprints across your life and throughout this world. 

Look for God all around you. Listen for God to speak within you. Do not be blind to the Creator of the universe, He wants to be involved in your life. Ask Him into your life and look for His fingerprints. Open your eyes and you will find God's fingerprints everywhere. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your fingerprints all over my life and all over this world. Amen. 

Karlton Douglas 

Copyright 2018 

The Value Of A Smile

When I smiled at them, they scarcely believed it; the light of my face was precious to them. Job 29:24 (NIV) 

There was a time when I was afraid to smile. I had a small cavity at the top of of my front tooth. I could sort of half smile, but a full beaming smile revealed the defect on my tooth. I got it fixed, but before doing so I was afraid to smile. When photos were taken I would self-consciously half smile for the pictures. Once my tooth was fixed I could fully smile again and it felt good. 

A smile is one of God's most precious gifts. When a baby looks up at us and smiles we are filled with joy. When a friend or loved one smiles we catch their joy and join in. Smiling shows that we are happy, and seeing others smile makes us happy. 

It would have been awesome to have been on earth when Jesus was here and to have seen Him smile. I think if we had ever seen Jesus smile at us it would have been one of the most memorable events in our life. A smile imparts so much feeling and makes every face lovely. 

We were told in grade school that our first United States president George Washington never smiled because he had false teeth that did not look very nice. Imagine going through so much of your life fighting the urge to smile. I got a small taste of that with my front tooth cavity, and it was not a comfortable feeling to restrain full-fledged smiles. 

Do not take your smile for granted, and do not be stingy with it. Share your smile, give it away. Show your smile to those you love, to your friends and family, and share it with strangers you meet. Nothing can so quickly impart friendship and kindness than a genuine smile. 

No matter your ability or disability, with few exceptions, anyone can share a smile. Think about those you know or have met who have imparted a wonderful smile for your benefit. How did it make you feel? Why not make someone else feel that way by giving them your smile? 

Prayer: Dear Lord, one day we will see You smile. How wonderful it will be to see your beaming face as we rejoice with You in Your kingdom. Praise be to Your Holy Name! Amen. 

Karlton Douglas 

Copyright 2018

Are You A Cheerleader For Someone?

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12 (NIV) 

While I was in the Army during basic training our Sergeant rounded up the platoon and marched us down to a baseball game where his friend was playing baseball. Our Sergeant told us to cheer like crazy for the team his friend was playing on, a team that happened to be losing the game. Like magic, the more we cheered the better our Sergeant's friend's team did. Soon they were ahead and won the game. I suspect that was not the first time our Sergeant had done that. He knew a strategy that he was teaching us all—cheerleaders help a team win the game! 

It is easy to get frustrated when we look around and find ourselves benched due to illness and infirmity when others are on the field playing the game. They are active, involved, and working out a game-plan. We on the other hand can only sit by and watch the game being played. 

In truth we can do more than merely sit by uselessly. We can cheer-lead! We can let our cheers encourage those who are not playing well, those who have fallen down, those in need of an uplifting word of kindness. Our cheers may help those around us to win their game, accomplish their goals and dreams. 

I know that a kind, uplifting word, and a bit of encouragement has gone a long way to lift my spirits and help me through life. Never underestimate just how important your cheer-leading can be in the life of your loved ones, encouraging your friends, throwing a smile or friendly word to a stranger you just met. Don't become so wrapped up in your inability to do things that you fail to accomplish what you are able to do for those around you.  

Perhaps God has placed you "on the bench", removed you from the field. He didn't do so to punish you, but so that you can be a cheerleader. Do for others what so many have done for you. Lift them up with cheers of encouragement! 

Prayer: Dear Lord, You encourage us every day in so many ways. Help us to always be cheerleaders, always be encouragers, and never belittle the role of cheering from the sidelines so that others can win. Amen. 

Karlton Douglas 

Copyright 2018