OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL -SUNDAY - 20/04/2014 - CHRIST BEHIND YOU BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE

CHRIST BEHIND YOU

MEMORISE

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

James 2:17

READ

Mark 16:15-20

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 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.

19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

MESSAGE

The confidence a man exudes depends on the power backing him up. As a child of God, all that Christ won back from the devil was for you and not for Himself. Our imagination cannot fathom the scope of His power. The good news is that he has granted you the authority to exercise this power. Ephesians 1:19-22 perfectly reveals this truth:

“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,”

The power described in the above scripture is what backs up your authority in this life. This is what “Christ behind you” means. It means the power that holds the universe is backing you up. It is not to you that situations and people will submit, but to the power behind you.

The power of Jesus, grants you the authority to do the following:

“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.”

Mark 16:17

The awesome events enumerated above, are to happen through the believer by the backing of Jesus. Some years ago, there was this man who was loaded with demons. He was brought for prayers to be delivered. While praying for him, he would get up. When I commanded him to sit down, he then responded, “In whose name”, I said “In Jesus’ Name”. He said “that is different”, and sat down quietly. That was a manifestation of “Christ behind me”. How many articles of this promise are reality in your life and ministry? For Christ to be behind you, you have to walk before him. In Genesis 17:1, God told Abraham to walk before Him and be perfect; therefore, if you will enjoy the backing of Jesus, you are to stay in front of Him and be careful to walk on in perfection as He takes interest in watching you. His grace is sufficient for you.

ACTION POINT

Evaluate the level of fulfilment of Mark 16:17-18 in your life and pray to God concerning what part of it is not yet manifesting.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR

Micah 1-4; 

Psalm 86