LIGHT FROM THE WORD

“Do all things without murmurings and disputing: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ,  I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain” – Philippians 2:14-16

LIGHT FOR NOW: Christ is light and he in the believer makes the believer light.

In the gospel of John, Jesus is called “the true light, which gives light to everyone” (John 1:9). Throughout the New Testament, the followers of Jesus are called to be lights in the darkness. It thus shows us that as he is, so are we. He is light, and we are light. He is the father of light and we are the children of light. Having seen that Jesus is the light and that he has made us lights, then our light shining before men for them to see our good works will not be fundamentally a conduct text as many suppose it to be. “Arise and shine” in Isaiah 60:1 will not be about good conducts shining since conduct is not the light but the person of Jesus who is light and has made us lights. In Matthew 5:16, God tells us “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven”. If he says let your light so shine before men, it will thus connote that men don’t have the light.

And these men here can’t be the believers because believers are of the light and are lights, so interpreting it as good conduct before other believers is out of place here. If light relates to Christ and salvation by implication, then it takes salvation to have the light. The men that he says our light should shine before will be the men without light; men destitute of the light and thus, in need of light. And he calls the shining of the light good works and that’s not conduct vested. Faith in Christ makes us lights, conducts doesn’t make us light. However, as we walk in the light, in our nature or in the spirit, good conducts gain ascendancy over bad conducts; bad conducts decelerate while good conducts accelerate. God conducts does not make you a light, Jesus makes your light; but as you walk in the light (your nature), conducts changes gradually in alignment to your nature. Glory!    

INSTRUCTION: You are light, walk in the light!

CONFESSION: I am begotten of my father who is light, light is my very DNA. Therefore, I walk in light.

QUOTE: Christ in you is light in you.

DAILY READING: MORNING: HEBREWS CHAPTER 2; EVENING: 2CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 2

“Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” – Luke 10:19

LIGHT FOR NOW: The believer in Christ has authority over demonic and Satanic forces; hence, he treads over serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemies.

Jesus upon the resurrection, he gave the great commission to his disciples even as it relates to us, and he says this to us in Mark 16:15-18, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover”. We do all these in his name which is now ours. The Passion Translation of Mark 16:15-18 echoes, “And he said to them, As you go into all the world, preach openly the wonderful news of the gospel to the entire human race! Whoever believes the good news and is baptized will be saved, and whoever does not believe the good news will be condemned. And these miracle signs will accompany those who believe: They will drive out demons in the power of my name. They will speak in tongues. They will be supernaturally protected from snakes and from drinking anything poisonous. And they will lay hands on the sick and heal them”. Look at what follows us in his name:

• We cast out devils in his name; demons are driven out by us by the power of his name.
• We speak with new tongues in his name.
• We can’t be hurt by serpents or snakes because we are in his name.
• We can’t be hurt by poison or anything poisonous.
• We lay hands on the sick and the sick are healed in his name.

By careful observation, you will see that Mark had said that “In my name, you will take up serpents and it will not hurt you”, which is the same truth echoed by Jesus in Luke 10:19 when he says, “Behold I give unto you power to tread upon serpents and scorpions…” The word “power” in Luke 10:19 is “exousia” in Greek, and it refers to authority. “In my name you shall cast out devils…” can also be reads as “In my authority you shall cast out devils” or “In my power/influence/office, you shall cast out devils…” “Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions…” can also be read as “Behold I give unto you my name to tread on serpents and scorpions…” The word “serpents and scorpions” is in reference to Satanic or demonic forces. We have authority over Satan and his cohorts; demonic forces are subjected to us. Glory!

INSTRUCTION: Be full of your realities.

CONFESSION: I declare that I am a beneficiary of the name of Jesus, Amen.

QUOTE: The name of Jesus is the authority of Jesus.

DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: LUKE CHAPTER 10; EVENING: MARK CHAPTER 16

“Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” – Luke 10:19

LIGHT FOR NOW: As believers in Christ, we have been given the name of Jesus as our possession to reign in Christ.

An established truth upon paying attention to Paul’s words is that the name of Jesus is our ownership and possession in Christ. In essence, we own and possess the name of Jesus. That name is the name of the resurrected Christ, it is not the label J-E-S-U-S. That name is his influence, office and authority. The influence, office and authority of Christ functions or is operative through the believer. Paul says in Ephesians 1:19-21, “I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement of the immense power as it works through you! This is the mighty power that was released when God raised Christ from the dead and exalted him to the place of highest honour and supreme authority in the heavenly realm! And now he is exalted as first above every ruler, authority, government, and realm of power in existence! He is gloriously enthroned over every name that is every name that is ever praised, not only in this age; but in the age that is coming!” (The Passion Translation).

In Paul’s words in Philippians 2:9-11, we have a further clarification, it reads, “Because of that obedience, God exalted him and multiplied his greatness! He has now been given the greatest of all names! The authority of the name of Jesus causes every knee to bow in reverence! Everything and everyone will one day submit to this name – in the heavenly realm, in the earthly realm, and in the demonic realm. And every tongue will proclaim in every language: Jesus Christ is Lord Yahweh, bringing glory and honour to God, his Father”. What an authority! What an influence and office! Little wonder Jesus has this to say in Mark 16:15-18, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover”.

So,

• We preach in the name.
• We cast out devils in the name.
• We heal in the name.

Our reign over demons and devils is in the name; that is, in that influence, office and authority in Christ. Glory!

INSTRUCTION: Give voice to God’s word.

CONFESSION: The eyes of my understanding are enlightened, in Jesus Name, Amen.

QUOTE: The believer is in the name of Jesus.

DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: MARK CHAPTER 16; EVENING: MATTHEW CHAPTER 28

“Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” – Luke 10:19

LIGHT FOR NOW: The authority, influence and office of Christ manifest through the believer today.

A vital truth to be appreciated upon Jesus’ resurrection and exaltation or glorification is that he was given a name above every other name, and this name belongs to us today. So:

• We own the name of Jesus.
• We possess the name of Jesus.
• We use the name of Jesus.

In other words, the office, influence and authority of Jesus is our possession today. Demons and devils bow at that authority, and not the mentioning of his name. The Passion Translation of Philippians 2:9-11 puts more clarity on this, it reads “Because of that obedience, God exalted him and multiplied his greatness! He has now been given the greatest of all names! The authority of the name of Jesus causes every knee to bow in reverence! Everything and everyone will one day submit to this name – in the heavenly realm, in the earthly realm, and in the demonic realm. And every tongue will proclaim in every language: Jesus Christ is Lord Yahweh, bringing glory and honour to God, his Father” What an authority! Notice, he said “the authority in the name of Jesus causes every knee to bow…” and not “The mention of the name of Jesus causes every knee to bow…” Mentioning the name of Jesus doesn’t scare Satan, it is your understanding of the influence, office and authority of that name that scares him, even without you mentioning the name. The name of Jesus puts demons to their knees not because of the label but because of the authority of that name. You are in that authority today, meaning, you are in the name of Jesus. You are in that office today, meaning, you are in the office of Jesus. You are in that influence today, meaning, you are in the influence of Jesus. Your entrance should be the exit of demons and devils. Demons and devils should be on the run when you are afar because your influence and the office you carry cannot be contested with. Glory! 

INSTRUCTION: Use your authority.

CONFESSION: I affirm that I am in authority, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

QUOTE: The name of Jesus is his accomplished work for us.

DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: PHILIPPIANS CHAPTER 2; EVENING: MATTHEW CHAPTER 28

“Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” – Luke 10:19

LIGHT FOR NOW: The exalted Christ was given a name above every other name, and this name belongs to us today. We use the name of Jesus because it’s our possession in Christ.

The name of Jesus is ours today. We now own the name of Jesus, not as a literal label but the fact that his influence, office and authority is functional through us today. Ephesians 1:19-21, the Passion Translation echoes “I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement of the immense power as it works through you! This is the mighty power that was released when God raised Christ from the dead and exalted him to the place of highest honour and supreme authority in the heavenly realm! And now he is exalted as first above every ruler, authority, government, and realm of power in existence! He is gloriously enthroned over every name that is every name that is ever praised, not only in this age; but in the age that is coming!” Jesus is enthroned above every name. That’s why we sing “His name is higher above other names”. Philippians 2:9-11 says “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father”.

That name given to Jesus upon resurrection and exaltation can’t be the label J-E-S-U-S. This is because he already bore/had that label before he died and rose. So, the name referred to here is not J-E-S-U-S, but the authority, office and influence of Jesus. That is why Paul did not say “At the mention of the name of Jesus every knee shall bow”, he said “At the name of Jesus”, that is, at that office, influence and authority of Jesus, every knee bows. Knees, demons and devils don’t bow at the mention of the name, but in your understanding of the office, influence and authority of the risen Christ. That understanding of that authority alone puts the devil in its rightful place if he wanted to make noise. It is that understanding of that authority that subjects demons and devils. Glory! 

INSTRUCTION: You have the name of Jesus, make use of it.

CONFESSION: I affirm that the name of Jesus is mine now, and with that name, I rule and reign over principalities and powers, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

QUOTE: The name of Jesus in the resurrection is his glorification, exaltation and authority.

DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: LUKE CHAPTER 10; EVENING: MATTHEW CHAPTER 28

“Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” – Luke 10:19

LIGHT FOR NOW: The man in Christ is not below; he is above all principalities and powers, and might and dominion and every name that is named. 

Ephesians 1:19-21 “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come”. It is worthy of note that the words of Paul in verse 20 of Ephesians 1 where we have “sit” and “right hand” points us back to David’s prophecy in Psalm 110:1 which reads, “The LORD said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool”.

The word “sit” is a figure of speech for taking charge in this context. That is, “sit” here means to take charge or to occupy. The statement “sit at my right hand” speaks of occupying authority; taking charge. Therefore, bringing this back to Ephesians 1:20 where Jesus is seated at the right hand of the father and us in him, it thus implies that Paul meant that Christ is in charge; Jesus occupies the authority of God. And by implication, this means we are in charge; we occupy the authority of God in Christ. God’s authority therefore, will be demonstrated today by the believer because the believer has the authority of God. That is why it is supreme authority because it is God’s authority. Hence, the believer sits in a sphere that is far above all principalities and powers. Demons and devils are subject to you. You reign over them. Glory!  

INSTRUCTION: You are in charge; think and act like one.

CONFESSION: The eyes of my understanding are being enlightened more and more, in Jesus name, Amen.

QUOTE: The believer is in the highest sphere of authority.

DAILY BIBLEREADING: MORNING: PSALM CHAPTER 110; EVENING: EPHESIANS CHAPTER 1

“Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” – Luke 10:19

LIGHT FOR NOW: The right hand of God is the authority of God in Christ; that is where the believer in Christ is seated.

Ephesians 1:19-21 “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come”. The phrase “right hand” of God does not mean a literal right hand side of God. This is a figure of speech for authority, dominion and reign. Paul has this to say in Romans 5:17, “For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ”.

The word “reign” here was translated from the Greek word which implies to rule, to exercise authority. Romans 5:17 takes us back to a prophecy of David. And it is within this same prophecy of David that Ephesians 1:20 can be traced back to. It is the prophecy of David in Psalm 110:1 which reads “The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool”. This prophecy is concerning Christ even as it relates to us in him. when David says “sit thou at my right hand”, he does not mean sit down and stand up whenever you feel. In the original Hebrew text, the word “sit” in Psalm 110:1 is a present continous sitting. It is rendered in the original Hebrew test as “sit and continue to sit…” The phrase “right hand” is figurative of authority. Thus, Jesus sitting at God’s right hand and us in him means we occupy God’s authority or God’s authority is demonstrated through us. Glory!  

INSTRUCTION: You are in authority; acknowledge this.

CONFESSION: I declare that the eyes of my understanding are enlightened, in Jesus name, Amen.

QUOTE: You occupy the authority of God in Christ.

DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: EPHESIANS CHAPTER 2; EVENING: COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 2

“Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” – Luke 10:19

LIGHT FOR NOW: The man that is born of God is seated at the right hand of God where Jesus is seated.

The words of Paul again in Ephesians 1:19-21 in the Passion Translation reads “I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement of the immense power as it works through you! This is the mighty power that was released when God raised Christ from the dead and exalted him to the place of highest honour and supreme authority in the heavenly realm! And now he is exalted as first above every ruler, authority, government, and realm of power in existence! He is gloriously enthroned over every name that is every name that is ever praised, not only in this age; but in the age that is coming!”

It is important to quickly point out that the use of the word “places” by the King James Version was added by translators, that is, it wasn’t in the original manuscript. The addition of that word “places” could be misleading because it could give the mindset that there is a throne in different heavenly realm where Jesus is sitting. Hence, it should be better read with the word places ignored. The resurrection of Jesus is our resurrection. His exaltation is our exaltation. His sitting at the father’s right hand far above all principalities and powers is our sitting at the father’s right hand in the heavenly. In other words, where he is seated is where we are seated. Paul affirms this fact to us in Ephesians 2:4-6, “But God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus”. Therefore, we are seated where Christ is seated. Glory! 

INSTRUCTION: Be full of your realities in Christ.                     

CONFESSION: I declare that I am seated together with Christ in the heavenly far above all principalities and power, in Jesus Name.  Amen.

QUOTE: The believer in Christ occupies the right hand of the father.

DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: PSALM CHAPTER 110; EVENING: HEBREWS CHAPTER 10

“Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” – Luke 10:19

LIGHT FOR NOW: The power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power that gave birth to you. You are a product of that resurrection power.

Let us pay close attention to Ephesians 1:19-21 in the Passion Translation, it reads, “I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement of the immense power as it works through you! This is the mighty power that was released when God raised Christ from the dead and exalted him to the place of highest honour and supreme authority in the heavenly realm! And now he is exalted as first above every ruler, authority, government, and realm of power in existence! He is gloriously enthroned over every name that is every name that is ever praised, not only in this age; but in the age that is coming.” Words spoken concerning Jesus relates to us (believers) in him. Hence, we said that by identification;

• What Jesus has accomplished is accredited to your account.
• What belongs to Jesus belongs to you.
• Who Jesus is shows who you are.
• What Jesus has is what you have.
• What Jesus can do is what you can do.
• Where Jesus is shows where you are.

We saw that God’s power that raised Jesus from the dead got us born again. Born again is a resurrection; from death to life. Hence, Ephesians 2:1 in the Passion Translation says “And his fullness fills you, even though you were once like corpses, dead in your sins and tresspasses”. Jesus’ words in John 5:24 affirms that the new birth is a resurrection, it reads “Verily, Verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life”. Notice, “passed from death unto life”, that is a resurrection. So, the new birth is a resurrection life; that resurrection life is the reigning life, the life of authority, dominion and power. The resurrection life is at work in you. The reigning life is your life now. You are a product of resurrection; meaning, you are a product of power, authority and dominion. Glory!  

INSTRUCTION: Live the reigning life.

CONFESSION: I declare that I rule and reign in life because I am in Christ Jesus, Amen.

QUOTE: The believer lives the resurrection life.

DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: EPHESIANS CHAPTER 2; EVENING: COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 2

“Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” – Luke 10:19

LIGHT FOR NOW: The man that is born of God was born out of the womb of resurrection; God’s resurrection power is at work in him.

The Passion Translation rendering of Ephesians 1:19-21 is important in our explanation; it reads “I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith. Then your lives will be an advertisement of this immense power as it works through you! This is the mighty power that was released when God raised Christ from the dead and exalted him to the place of highest honour and supreme authority in the heavenly realm! And now he is exalted as first above every ruler, authority, government, and realm of power in existence! He is gloriously enthroned over every name that is ever praised, not only in this age, but in the age that is coming!” It is vital to always keep in mind that words spoken concerning Jesus relates to the believer by virtue of identification. By identification:

• What Jesus has accomplished is accredited to your account.
• What belongs to Jesus belongs to you.
• Who Jesus is represents or shows who you are.
• What Jesus has is what you have.
• What Jesus can do is what you can do.
• Where Jesus is shows where you are.

Relating the above six points with understanding to Ephesians 1:19-21, we can deduce that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that passed us from dead to life at new birth. At new birth, the resurrection power of Jesus was our resurrection power. Hence, born again is a resurrection; a resurrection from death to life. That is, a resurrection from spiritual death to spiritual life in Christ Jesus, and this life is what is referred to us eternal life. Little wonder Paul in Ephesians 2:1 says “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins”. We were dead before new birth; at new birth God quickened us, that is, he gave us life or raised us from death to life. So, born again is a resurrection. We live a resurrection life which is our reigning life.  The Passion Translation of Ephesians 2:1 says we were like corpses before new birth. In other words, a man that is not born again is a walking corpse (spiritual speaking). So God’s power at new birth raises us from death to life. You are a product of resurrection; you were born out of resurrection, hence you rule and reign in life. Glory!

INSTRUCTION: Be conscious of your realities.

CONFESSION: God’s resurrection power is at work in me now and always, in Jesus Name, Amen.

QUOTE: Born again is a resurrection.

DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: EPHESIANS CHAPTER 1; EVENING: COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 1

“Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” – Luke 10:19

LIGHT FOR NOW: Where authority is concerned, no other authority is compared to the believer’s authority because the believer’s authority is the highest sphere of authority.

It is clear that the man in Christ in whom Christ resides in is he who carries him that sits in the highest sphere of authority, far above principalities and powers, and might, and dominion and every name that is named. The man in Christ reigns in Christ. And reigning in Christ implies exercising your authority, right and privileges in Christ. Thus, to reign over devils implies exercising your authority. The fact that we reign over devils is that we have authority over them. That authority that we have is what defines our reigning life. We will not reign over demons and devils if we never had authority over them. It is that authority we have over them that explains why we reign over them. In unfolding to you that you reign over devils, there is need to unveil to you your authority in Christ; your position in Christ and where you are seated in Christ. This is because it is the understanding of this fact above that will empower you to live your reigning life.

In Paul’s words in Ephesians 1:16-23, this fact on our authority where we are seated which is where Christ is seated is clear, observe verse 19-21 which reads “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come”. The Amplified Translation of Ephesians 1:19-21 reads, “And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of his mighty strength, Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places], Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and in the world which are to come”. Glory! 

INSTRUCTION: You are in authority; acknowledge this.

CONFESSION: I affirm God’s word over my life that has made it clear to me that I am in the highest sphere of authority. Therefore, I fear no devil, in Jesus Name, Amen.

QUOTE: The believer is situated and seated in the highest sphere of authority.

DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: JAMES CHAPTER 1; EVENING: JAMES CHAPTER 5

“Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” – Luke 10:19

LIGHT FOR NOW: We have authority that surpasses all authority because we sit in the sphere of authority far above all principalities and powers.

In 2Corinthians 5:17, Paul says “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”. The man here is “in Christ”, that is, the believer. In Colossians 1:26-27, Paul says “Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory”. The believer is in Christ and Christ is in the believer. So what took place at new birth was a fusion; a fusion of you into Christ and Christ into you. In Ephesians 1:16-23, Paul lets us see that Jesus sits in a sphere of authority far above all principalities and powers.

Christ lives in us; this implies that the one that sits in the highest sphere of authority lives in us; we house him. This by implication means that if the one that sits in the highest sphere of authority where principalities and powers, demons and devils are subject to him now lives in us; it means we are the ones that carry he that sits in the highest sphere of authority. We are seated equally in the highest sphere of authority; and thus, all principalities and powers, demons and devils, Satan and his cohorts are subject to us. There is no point in our lives as believers where the devil and his cohorts gets higher than us in power or authority and we become lesser than them; except you are in Christ, the sphere of authority you operate from. Satan has been given so much power in our minds; and by this, we find it difficult to see and appreciate the fact that we occupy a place of authority that is far above all principalities and powers. Why give the devil the kind of power he doesn’t deserve in your mind, and seeing yourself as one less of power where the devil is concerned? You shouldn’t be the one to be intimidated by demons and devils; demons and devils should be intimidated by you. Why should you be in fear of demons? Demons should be afraid of you! You are in charge; you are in authority. Glory!   

INSTRUCTION: Acknowledge your realities.

CONFESSION: I confess that I am in authority; therefore, demons and devils are under my foot, in Jesus Name, Amen.

QUOTE: We don’t fear demons or devils, demons and devils fear us.

DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: EPHESIANS CHAPTER 1; EVENING: EPHESIANS CHAPTER 2

“Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” – Luke 10:19

LIGHT FOR NOW: The person of Jesus who is in the highest sphere of authority is in the believer.

It is established that the man that is in Christ, the believer, the born again man, reigns in Christ. And to reign in Christ is to enforce the reality of redemption; it is to enforce Jesus’ accomplishment on your behalf in his redemptive work (his death, burial and resurrection). Reigning in Christ is exercising your authority, power and dominion in Christ. Thus, to reign over devils already implies we have power and authority over devils. Which means Satan and his cohorts are subject to us; they are under our foot. This is because we are in the highest sphere and domain of power. This is what Paul lets us see in his prayers in Ephesians 1:16-23 which reads “Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all”.

Where is Christ seated? Christ is seated at God’s right hand in the heavenly, far above all principality and power, and might and dominion, and every name that is named. Christ who occupies the highest sphere of authority has put all things under the authority of the church (you and me who is body). In other words, where Christ is seated is where you are seated. If you are in Christ at new birth, and Christ is in the highest realm of power and authority, it means you are in him who is in the highest realm of power. Being in him who is in the highest realm of power and authority is a proof that you are in the highest realm of power and authority. Glory!

INSTRUCTION: You are in the domain of power. Acknowledge this!

CONFESSION: I affirm that I am in authority; therefore, I am in charge, in Jesus Name, Amen

QUOTE: The believer is the one that carries the highest sphere of authority.

DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: EPHESIANS CHAPTER 2; EVENING: EPHESIANS CHAPTER 3

“Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” – Luke 10:19

LIGHT FOR NOW: You are in the sphere and domain of authority in Christ that is far above all principalities and powers.

The believer in Christ, the man that is born of God reigns in Christ. The terminology “reign in Christ” simply means to exercise all the rights, privileges, power and authority you have in Christ. It is enforcing the reality of redemption. Part of that reign in Christ or the authority you have to exercise which is a benefit of redemption is your authority of devils and demons, Satan, the enemy and his cohorts. For you to exercise authority over something already shows that you are high in rank and hierarchy over that thing; that thing is subject to you. That thing you have authority over is under your feet. Whatever you have authority over has no power over you; you rather have power over it. If you are in authority over something, it means you are in charge over that thing, that thing cannot be measured up or compared to you. All of the above is a reality you have in redemption above Satan, demons and devils. In other words:

• You are high in rank and hierarchy over Satan, and his cohorts. You operate a sphere of authority that is far above all principalities and powers.
• Satan, demons and devils are subject to you.
• Satan, demons and devils are under your feet.
• Satan, demons and devils have no power over you; you rather have power over them because you are the one in authority.
• Satan, demons and devils can’t be measured up or compared to you where authority and power is concerned. You are in charge and in a realm of power above them all.

If all the above is the reality of the believer, then why have most believers accredit so much power to the devil and less power to themselves? If the above is your reality, where do most people get the mindset that at twelve midnight, Satan is very powerful, and they have to wake up every twelve midnight to engage in battle or in a combat with the devil? Why have they made Satan that powerful in their mind that they have to combat with him every twelve midnight? Ignorance is the problem; they don’t know what they have in Christ and who they are in Christ. You are in the domain of power and authority. Satan is subject to you, except you allow him use your authority to deal with you based on your ignorance of that authority. You are in authority. Glory!

INSTRUCTION: Know your realities in Christ.

CONFESSION: I declare that I am in authority; therefore I render Satan and his activities redundant and ineffective, in Jesus Name, Amen.

QUOTE: You are in a sphere of authority higher than any other sphere and hemisphere.

DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: EPHESIANS CHAPTER 1 EVENING: EPHESIANS CHAPTER 2

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shall thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation.” – Psalm 91:1-9

LIGHT FOR NOW: The believer in Christ does not go into the secret place, he was taken in there once at salvation and he is eternally there.

From a couple of analysis done so far on Psalm 91:1, the rephrased reading was thus rendered as “The inhabitants of the secret of the Most High (one with the height of all authority and power) benefits from the defence and protection of the Almighty, the one that is sufficient to protect and defend”. The secret or secret place is a person. Colossians 2:3 gave us a lead and it reads “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”. The context here is Jesus, so all of God’s wisdom and knowledge is hid in Christ.

The word “hid” in Colossians 2:3 is the exact translation of the word secret in Psalm 91:1, and here in Colossians 2:3, that word sether is “apokruphos” in Greek. This Greek word has another Greek word in it spelt “krupto”. This word is used in Colossians 3:3 which read “For ye are dead, and your life is hid in Christ in God”. So, where does God hide things? God hides things in Christ. God hides wisdom in Christ (Colossians 2:3). God hides persons in Christ (Colossians 3:3). The man born of God is hidden in Christ. So;

• The secret of the Most High is not a place in the tabernacle. Neither is it a church building.
• God’s secret throughout the ages was Christ.
• God’s secret throughout the ages was hid in Christ.

The secret of the Most High is a person. You are hidden in Christ. I am in the secret of the Most High because I am in Christ. I don’t go to the secret place, I have been taken there once in salvation and I am there eternally in Christ. Glory!!!

INSTRUCTION: Acknowledge your realities.

CONFESSION: I affirm that I am in Christ, so I am in the secret place eternally, in Jesus Name. Amen.

QUOTE: It is in Christ we know all of God’s wisdom, intentions and plans.

DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: 1CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 2 EVENING: COLOSSIANS CHAPTER 1

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shall thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation.” – Psalm 91:1-9

LIGHT FOR NOW: You are in your safety zone in Christ; no harm can come near your dwelling.

From the close investigation of Psalm 91:1, the text can be thus rephrased as “The inhabitants of the secret of Most High (one with the height of all authority and power) benefits from the defence and protection of the Almighty, the one that is sufficient to protect and defend”. It thus suffices us to say that the “secret” or “secret place” David was referring to was not a place but a person. The person of Christ who is God is that secret or secret place. To make this more clearer and more in the affirmative, since we are looking at David’s prophecy and we had established that it was about Christ even as it relates to the believer in Christ, let’s go into the epistles and see if the word secret (“sether”) was used concerning Christ.

Paul in Colossians 2:3 gives us a hint, it reads “In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”. He is talking about Christ in context, the post text makes this clear, “For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him” (Colossians 2:5-6). The pretext verse 1 and 2 also shows that Jesus is the context of this statement. In other words, “In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”. That word “hid” in Colossians 2:3 is the exact translation of the Hebrew word “sether” in Psalm 91:1 which is used for a person, Jesus. Information knowledge and the wisdom of God are hid in Christ. So God’s secret is a person, and we are in that person; meaning we are in the secret place. Glory!

INSTRUCTION: You are in Jesus, your safety zone; acknowledge this.

CONFESSION: I declare that I am in Christ, and thus safety, preservation and protection is mine, in Jesus Name. Amen.

QUOTE: The person of Jesus is God’s secret place.

DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: 2CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 4 EVENING: ROMANS CHAPTER 5

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shall thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation.” – Psalm 91:1-9

LIGHT FOR NOW: The Almighty is the sufficient one, the double breasted one; He is the one that shields and defends you. 

In our investigation of Psalm 91:1, we’ve looked closely into a couple of words. The last word to be looked at in verse 1 of Psalm 91 is the word “Almighty”. This is a word you will see used in Genesis 17:1 which reads “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect”. That last word we are looking at in Psalm 91:1 which is Almighty was translated from the Hebrew “shadday”; it has a general usage. The word “shadday” implies sufficient. It also means “double breasted”, describing a person who can handle things. Our God is the sufficient God; He is self-sufficient. Our God is the double breasted one. The one with the height of all authority and power (the Most High) and the one that is sufficient and double breasted is the one that shields you; you are too protected, shielded and defended. Bringing the entire analysis on Psalm 91:1 together, the text can thus be rendered revelatory as “The inhabitants of the secret of the Most High (one with the height of all authority and power) benefits from the defence and protection of the Almighty, the one that is sufficient to protect and defend”. Glory!!!   

INSTRUCTION: Never quake nor shake, the double breasted one; the self sufficient one and the one with the height of all authority and power is your shield.

CONFESSION: I declare that I am too protected to be destroyed; too shielded to be harmed, in Jesus name, Amen.

QUOTE: We serve a self-sufficient God who is sufficient all by himself.

DAILY READING: MORNING: EPHESIANS CHAPTER 2; EVENING: EPHESIANS CHAPTER 4

“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places” – Ephesians 1:18-20

LIGHT FOR NOW: All of God’s power is inside you.

The purpose of Paul’s prayer in verses 18 and 19 of Ephesians 1 was that the eyes of the believers’ understanding may be enlightened. Their spiritual eyes needed to be opened and deepened for discernment of realities that are outside and beyond physical sight and perception; their inner man being prophetically and supernaturally opened to revelatory insights and foresight. This spiritual blindness needed to be taken away by the enlightening of the eyes of the believer’s understanding for three main reasons; that they may know:

• The hope (benefits) of their calling.
• The riches of the glory of their inheritance.
• The exceeding greatness of God’s power toward/available to the believers.

In essence, Paul is telling the believers that you’ve got a divine open-cheque marked power, promotion, prosperity, wealth, health, joy unspeakable, peace, and eternal life, victory over Satan, righteousness, and goodness. But you don’t know the cheque you are carrying and you have not yet cash it because you simply are ignorant of its value and worth. It’s time to cash that heavenly cheque which is in your hand. This cheque, the hope of your calling, the riches of God’s glorious inheritance and the exceeding greatness of His power at work in you was given to you when you got born again. It’s the work of grace and Jesus put it into your hands as a credit to your account but debit to His account; That’s all grace is about; God riches at Christ’s expense.

This is the same power Paul discussed later in chapter 3 in the same epistle, “Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20). Paul describes the nature and excessiveness of this great and exceeding power, hope and riches that are at work in you. He does this by drawing a parallel and relationship between the power that is at work in us and power of God that was in Christ. He demonstrates that the extent or nature of God’s mighty power, authority and riches that are available to believers can only be illustrated and understood in the light of God’s supernatural work and possession in Jesus Christ. Hence, the believer does not have a power problem because all of God’s power is inside the believer. So, the power in Christ is the power in the believer (Christ is in the believer). Instead of praying for God to fill you with power, you should be praying for the knowledge of the power you already have or that He has already filled you with. Unleash this power inside you in the place of prayer and you will see it go beyond target; you will see its might and you will see how it will change and rearrange things in your life. Glory!

INSTRUCTION: Stop looking for what you already have; make use of what you have.

CONFESSION: Father, thank you for your power at work in me which I make available in the place of prayer and it goes forth to change and rearrange things in my life, in Jesus Name, Amen.

QUOTE: You can’t walk in the totality of your reality when you are ignorant of your reality in the first place

DAILY READING: MORNING: 1CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 15; EVENING: 2CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 15