You are POWERFUL!

      I was so inspired at church this morning.  During worship, a woman named Shelly stood up and gave a word from the LORD.  It really touched me!  I probably am not remembering it all to be able to reproduce the power of the word in the moment . . . but I do want to share the things I do remember.
      She talked about the idea that often we believe we are powerless.  Maybe when you were a kid, you had a situation you were in where you were powerless . . . with a parent . . . a teacher . . . or just a life circumstance.  Often we take on these situations and start to filter the rest of our lives through them.  We believe the lie that we are powerless.  We believe we don't have a choice.  In regards to sin, we believe that we just can't help it . . . whether it is an addiction to drugs, sex, anger . . . or whatever . . . we believe we are powerless to say "no" and overcome it.  But that just isn't truth!  We are POWERFUL.  You are POWERFUL!  We are royalty.  We have the blood of Christ.  It is finished.  When God created man, he gave us dominion over the earth.  We are made in His image.  We do have a choice.  We can obey.  Success is not the determining factor in if you have authority.  You have authority because you are a child of God.  Just like in the royal family, a prince is born into authority.  He doesn't have to do anything to earn it.  When you have been born again into God's family . . . you are royalty.  Just because.  Because you've been born into the family.  Not because you spent a certain amount of time reading your Bible.  (Although, reading the Word will help you better realize the authority you have and you will probably be more likely to walk in it.)  Not because you are a better person.  But because you are His.  When you are His . . . He gives you authority in your domain . . . so use it to further the Kingdom!  Use it to walk forth in victory!  Use it to choose life instead of death.  Make the decisions to know and follow and obey Christ!