Risky Business

September 26

(Acts 19:13-16 NIV) “Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." {14} Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. {15} One day the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" {16} Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.”

(Jude 1:8-9 NIV) ““In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings. {9} But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!””

Mouthing off to demonic spirits is risky business, as the seven sons of Sceva discovered in dramatic fashion. These “wannabe” miracle workers hadn’t been called by God -- they had called themselves. They presumed upon the power of God. They threw the name of Jesus around like a cheap trinket to impress people, but they did not have God’s blessing, nor were they filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. The spirits do not fear boastful people who loudly claim authority over them. They do not fear those who know about Jesus and who spout his name like it was some kind of magical incantation. Never underestimate the power of our enemy. Even the angels know better than to go around mouthing off to demonic spirits. Who the demons really fear is the humble servant of Jesus Christ -- the disciple who is full of God’s Spirit, not full of themselves. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Holy Spirit Authority

September 25

(Acts 19:12 NIV) “… even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.”

(Luke 4:33-37 NIV) ““In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, {34} "Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" {35} "Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly. "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. {36} All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What is this teaching? With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!" {37} And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.””

Power and authority go together. The name of Jesus has power when spoken with authority by Spirit-filled believers. When Christians allow the Spirit to light up and eliminate the evil in their lives, they can then walk and speak with authority to the evil in this world. The Lord’s desire is Spirit-filled believers who are not just flashy and loud, but who pack a punch when dealing with the demonic forces here on Earth. We are called to grow to the point that the Holy Spirit’s presence in us touches others with God’s healing and delivering power -- sometimes just by our mere presence. Desire the gifts of the Spirit, but desire the greater gifts that build up the church and display God’s grace and power to this world. Pray for the authority to confront the darkness. Pray for God’s love to grow in your heart -- love that serves, and that changes the lives of those you touch. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Power to Restore

September 24

(Acts 19:11-12 NIV) “God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, {12} so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured…” 

(1 Corinthians 2:4-5 NIV) “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, {5} so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.”

(1 Corinthians 14:12 NIV) “Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.”

When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, we gain access to the power of God. This power is not just for showing off, but for ministering to others and bringing glory to God. Spiritual gifts are not given so that we can display them like the feathers of a prideful peacock -- they are given so we can display the love of Christ. They are not given for self-promotion, but for ministry to others. They are given so that we can serve. When spiritual gifts are used correctly, healing comes to others -- physical healing, emotional healing, and spiritual healing. The gifts of the Spirit promote wellness in the church. They help build people up, and put people together. When you pray for the gifts of the Spirit, you are praying for the power of God -- power for change, power for witness, power to heal, power to restore, power to make a real difference in this world. Pray for this kind of Holy Spirit power. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Courage, Discernment, and Stamina

September 23

(Acts 19:8-10 NIV) "Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. {9} But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. {10} This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord."

(Ephesians 5:15-18 NIV) "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, {16} making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. {17} Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. {18} Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."

(Hebrews 12:1-4 NIV) "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. {2} Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. {3} Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. {4} In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood."

Paul possessed three traits that are sorely needed in contemporary Christianity: courage, discernment, and stamina. He displayed courage by arguing for Christ under hostile conditions for extended periods of time. He spoke boldly and persuasively for months to obstinate critics who refused to believe, and who maligned Christ. When he discerned that the soil in the synagogue was too rocky, he moved to a local lecture hall and continued daily discussions about the Lord Jesus. We must know when to move on to more fertile soil. Paul preached there for two years -- that’s stamina. Many believers today lack persistence. Making disciples takes time. The result of Paul’s courage, discernment, and stamina was that “all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.” Regardless of what “province” we live in today, that remains a worthy goal. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day