Faith, Authority, and Speaking from Heaven August 6

I've been memorizing the Book of James, and I find myself in James 5 right now. One key lesson I'm uncovering is the distinction between two types of faith. Imagine a cross, with its vertical and horizontal posts. The vertical post represents the faith that connects us with God, believing in Him. The horizontal post signifies the faith we practice in our interactions with fellow humans, where our actions reflect our beliefs.

A valuable insight from James 5:17-18 is found in the story of Elijah. In his human nature, he prayed, and as a result, no rain fell for three and a half years (1 Kings 17, 18). This story highlights the authority that can be wielded through faith. When we stand in the authority God has given us, like Elijah did, we can impact the world around us.

It's intriguing to observe how speaking has power in our relationship with the world. Just as Jesus spoke to various situations, we can communicate our desires to the world because, from a heavenly perspective, we are seated in heavenly places with Christ (Ephesians 2:6). Speaking truth aligns with God's will and invokes a response from the world.

1 John 3:8 emphasizes that one of God's purposes is to undo the devil's works. This purpose is a driving force when we're positioned in authority and alignment with God's plan. Elijah exemplified this as he prayed for drought and rain from his position of authority.

Understanding how authority functions is crucial. When we know how to operate within it, we can effectively impact the world. The Earth, designed to respond to God's command, mirrors this principle. Just as God spoke creation into being, we too can speak from a position of heavenly authority.

When we speak from this heavenly perspective, we tap into a realm where heaven precedes Earth. For example, Jesus multiplied bread by first raising it towards heaven, then heaven released its abundance. Aligning with this principle, we can expect to see healing and abundance in our lives as we seek God's kingdom first, and speak our heavenly desires into this world.

With faith and confidence in God's word, we can step out and work the works of God, just as Jesus did. As our faith grows, we witness miracles, signs, and wonders unfold. While we wait, we can engage in practical actions that might seem simple, like taking aspirin or seeing doctors, knowing these actions can play a part in releasing healing.

As we become more attuned to God, we open a portal for His glory to flow through us. It's a process where our faith aligns us with divine authority, and our spoken words create ripples in the world. With patience, belief, and understanding, we can make a substantial impact, and the realm of the miraculous can manifest into our lives here and now.

Scripture References: James 5:17-18, 1 John 3:8, Matthew 6:33