Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Daily Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

28 March 2025

Reading From Luke 4:31-44

“Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.

In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

“Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.

All the people were amazed and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!” And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.”

—Luke 4:31-37

     The same power that healed the multitudes, drove out impure spirits, and raised Jesus from the dead is living within each son and daughter of the Most High God.  As His children, we are able to act within His will and authority just as Jesus did.  In fact, Jesus told us in John 14:12-14, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

     The degree to which God is able to use us to do His work upon the Earth depends upon our measure of faith and level of surrender to His will.  Romans 12:6-8 reveals, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”  Christians love the Lord and want to please Him and so it is only right that we ask Him to help us in our unbelief and increase and strengthen our faith so that we can serve Him all the more. 

     Many people get defensive when they receive the truth that we function in His authority in proportion to our measure of grace, faith and surrender.  There is no need to be defensive, but rather to acknowledge that while in our weakness He is strong, it isn’t wrong to ask Him for more.  As the worship chorus says, “more love, more power, more of You in my life.”[1]  We ask the Lord for more in order that we might bring glory to His Name.  If we ask amiss with wrong intention, He knows that and will not entrust more to us.  James 4:3 tells us, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” 

“Lord Jesus, my primary desire is to bring honor and glory to You by sharing Your love and message with others.  There are so many who need healing and deliverance.  Please increase and strengthen my faith so that I can minister to them effectively in Your grace, power and authority.  I know that often You make my faith stronger by walking with me through trials and temptations.  Please protect me and my family as You bring us into a season of greater fruitfulness in Your Kingdom.  Help me to know Your Word the Bible that I might speak Your truth and principles with authority.  Fill me to overflowing with the anointing of Your Holy Spirit.  In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things.  Amen.”

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Which of you fathers, if your son asks fora fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

—Luke 11:9-13

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

—Acts 1:8

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[1] “More Love, More Power,” Jude Del Hierro, Mercy/Vineyard Publishing, 1987.