Luke 9:1-2

Now Jesus called together the twelve (disciples) and gave them (the right to exercise) power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases. Then He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to perform healing.

When Jesus died and rose again, He gave the born-again believer the right to exercise power and authority over all demons and to heal diseases. That means we don’t have to beg God to heal us because He already gave us the authority to rebuke sickness and demons. God is waiting for us to call in our healing and believe that we have the authority to do it. 

Luke 10:19

Listen carefully: I have given you authority (that you now possess) to tread on serpents and scorpions, and (the ability to exercise authority) over all the power of the enemy (Satan); and nothing will (in any way) harm you.

If we want to grow our faith and see more miracles in our lives, we must use our authority and speak our faith. We cannot sit silent in the face of an attack, but we must counter every negative, nonbelieving thought sent our way with the Word. God spoke the world into existence with faith. We must speak to our circumstances with faith-filled words. 

Philippians 4:9

The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things (in daily life), and the God (who is the source) of peace and well-being will be with you. 

We are to be intentional with our faith and practice, believing and acting on the Word of God. Start with practicing your authority and faith for a headache or a parking space. The faith will build as we see God work with us for what we are believing for responds and the headache leaves. Our authority as believers is real, and just as Jesus spoke to the fig tree, we are to speak.

Philippians 4:8

Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s Word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things.

If we are to stand in the day of hardship, our thinking must be correct. We can’t be double-minded, harboring ungodly thoughts, and then expect ourselves to have world-overcoming faith in the Word. Where we focus our eyes, ears, and minds either builds us up or tears us down. If we want to succeed, we should keep our thoughts on the truth of the Word of God.

Hosea 13:4-5

Yet I have been the Lord your God since (the time you became a nation in) the land of Egypt; and you were not to know any god except Me, for there is no savior besides Me. I knew and regarded you and cared for you in the wilderness.  

God knows His people and watches over us. There is no other god than God. He is strong enough to lead the Jews out of captivity, raise Jesus from the dead, and create the world in seven days, and He is more than able to lead us out of our trouble. We don’t have to stay sick, poor, sad, or whatever the problem may be.

Nahum 1:7

The Lord is good, a strength and stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows (He recognizes, cares for, and understands fully) those who take refuge and trust in Him.

The Word is our reminder of God’s strength and love for us. The Word also builds us up and helps our minds focus on God and His abilities, not on the problem. With the help of God and the Word, we take a stand and stay standing until we have exercised the authority of the Word and the mountain is removed.

Hebrews 10:23-24

Let us seize and hold tightly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful (to His word); and let us consider (thoughtfully) how we may encourage one another to love and do good deeds.

We are to confess our hope in Jesus and use our authority to encourage ourselves and others with the Word. When we lift ourselves up and remember God’s faithfulness, we will be rewarded. Our faith in hope will come to pass, and we will have hope based on the fact that God will keep His promises. 

Psalm 27:13-14

I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord.

The world will bombard our everyday lives with continual negativity. We were never designed to handle all the world’s problems. That is what God is for! When we believe we will see the goodness of the Lord and expect it, that is what will happen. It requires our focus to remain on God, not the madness of the world. 

Psalm 18

When the righteous cry (for help), the Lord hears and rescues them from all their distress and troubles. The Lord is near the heartbroken and He saves those who are crushed in spirit (contrite in heart, truly sorry for their sin). 

Sometimes we want to start over, make a change, or change direction. We feel locked into a circumstance and need help moving off the path before us. God is waiting for us to call out to Him for help and change our focus back to Him and off the trouble. God can lead us in a new direction, not stuck in our problems or circumstances.

Psalm 32:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you (who are willing to learn) with My eye upon you.

God is willing to give us counsel and direction for our lives. He always wants to be involved in everything we do and is happy when we seek His guidance. When we seek Him, it shows our love and trust for Him, and God rewards those who diligently seek Him.