Do you Believe This? By Rocky Fleming

Do You Believe This?

 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”  Matthew 28:18 (ESV)

  I’ve read and quoted the above passage numerous times.  Even so, spoken to my heart when I read it again, “Do you believe this?”  I knew at this moment there was more to consider, as the Spirit is about to reveal something deeper to me.  “Of course, I do,” was my self-assured response to the question within my soul.

 “Not so fast.  If this is so, why are you anxious or fearful?  Why do you feel that life is sometimes out of My control?  If you believe this statement from Me, wouldn’t that produce courage rather fear, peace rather than anxiety?”  I pondered this thought and agreed that it should do these things, if my belief was more than a theory to be held at arm’s length.  I have discovered that if I want to grow stronger and more fruitful in my walk with Jesus, theory doesn’t cut it.  Jesus just doesn’t leave it there.  He is always challenging His disciple to take the next step in faith, and He sometimes puts circumstances in our life that requires it.  We must take that step based on His promises and truth, and not our sight or something tangible.  We must personally experience that which He says is true, to really convince us at the soul level.  Yes, He wants us to believe His truths ahead of our perceived need.  It’s called faith.  But I believe that He wants our faith to be rewarded and to grow, and the prime reason He answers our prayers is to show us that He is listening, and that He cares.

I was visiting with one of our most prolific Journey Group leaders today, Regina Sewell.  Regina is the wife of Mark Sewell, who is also one of our most prolific Journey Group leaders and presides over our Global Board.  These two are a powerful couple who influence many people toward Jesus.  Regina shared some challenges they’ve had in business, health and family.  But as soon as what she shared left her mouth, she said, “But, God’s got it.”  There is no fear or anxiety, or any doubt that her King is sovereign over their life and circumstances.  This is an example that when we truly believe at the level of our soul that Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth and over our life … it gives a peace and courage to face uncertainties in life.  I have discovered this myself, as I look back on numerous challenges that I had to face with my faith that He who is willing and able is there for me.  He never disappointed me, nor will He.

In this day and time, I find that the call to prayer and faith is diminished by action-oriented people who feel their work needs to come before what I call, “inquiring prayer.”  Busy people don’t seem to have time or interest to slow things down for prayer.  They want to get to it … get it done. They don’t want to wait, even thinking it is a waste of time or at least an unnecessary delay.  God bless them for their initiative and urgency, for we need this, and I used to be one of them.  But I’ve learned through many mistakes that our prayer and faith need to initiate our vision, plans and action, rather than follow behind as a token blessing on our work.   We come to Him who has authority over all that we do or hope to do, and we operate under His authority pursuing that which He has led us to do.   If we do not, then we have a reason to be anxious and fearful that our plans will crumble.  However, if we will accept an open or closed door with our plans as coming from Him, then we can launch out with courage and have the peace to carry us through the challenges we will face.  We are operating under His authority, which is the best place to be.

We serve Almighty God who is sovereign over all things.  Could there be a better arrangement to carry out that which He has entrusted to us to be stewards of?  If we believe what Jesus says is true about His complete authority in heaven and earth, then let’s live it out.