The year 2005 is long gone now; it has ended with all its successes and failures. As we embark on this New Year, it is important that we get to know what God is saying to us. One of the things that the Holy Spirit has impressed upon my heart is that we, as Christians and the Church, need to have the fear of God in our hearts. We need to realize that fearing God is a matter of honoring Him, revering Him as being supreme, the Almighty God in our hearts "for this is the whole duty of man"
The challenge we have as individuals and as a Church at the start of this year is, will we allow God, who holds our lives, to have a place in our lives in 2006? The Holy Spirit also impressed in my heart that the year 2006 is the year of divine authority. This is the year that God wants to usher us into His rest as recorded in Mathew 11:28, "Come unto me, all you who are weary and burdened; and I will give you rest" This is the year that God desires to bring us to a place where we will see the manifestation of His divine authority in our lives.
The scripture references for the prophetic word are Isaiah 9:6(b) and Luke 11: 2 – 4. In Isaiah 9:6(b), we read, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders." From this scripture, we get to know that our God is a God of authority. This scripture is a prophecy about Jesus Christ. It translates that the government, meaning authority, will be on Christ’s shoulders. Christ Himself testified this in Mathew 28:18 when He said, ‘
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
When God created man, he gave him authority and dominion (Genesis 1:26). For so long, we have operated as people without authority. Friend, in this year of Divine Authority, God will lead us into higher levels in all aspects of your life be it in business, career or studies.
Now, how do you walk in divine authority? First, you need to understand how authority works/operates. Authority is demonstrated in words. In Genesis 1:26 God says, "Let us make man….." He further commands man to…., "rule over the fish of the sea…" Friend, since authority is demonstrated by the words we speak, we ought to be careful of what we speak. In 2006, we need to know that our word is our bond! You are going to speak to your circumstances and they will change, you’ll speak to sicknesses and you will see healing, you’ll speak to demons and you’ll see them flee before your very eyes. In exercising authority, you need to know that the God’s hand and favor are upon you. Therefore, you need not to fear people, seasons, time or even death.
My appeal to you is, think before you speak and fill your heart with the Word of God. Understand also, that the mouth speaks from the abundance of the heart. You therefore need to saturate your heart with the Word of God. Secondly, in order to walk in Divine Authority, we need to be prayerful. In Luke 11: 2 – 4, Jesus taught the disciples how to pray. You need to understand that prayer is having communion with God, it is having fellowship; worshipping and loving the Father. Prayer translates to more than just words. There are some key points that we can highlight from the Lord’s Prayer. First, we need to identify with the Father, "Our Father who art in Heaven…" You need to know who you are, the son of the Most High God. When you don’t know who you are, you go begging. When you know who you are, you’ll enjoy loving, worshipping and having fellowship with the Father for who He is. In enjoying Him, we share in what He has because what He has is ours too. When He looks at you, He sees you as His son. Realize that you are identified with God and what God has is yours!
Secondly, realize that our God is a God of government, "your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is done in heaven…" This verse translates to, ‘your rulership come and let your divine authority be manifested. This year, purpose to engage yourself in prayer and allow God to help you walk in divine authority over your circumstances. You are God’s channel for transfer of His kingdom from heaven to where you are. "Your Kingdom come….." The word come indicates movement of some sort. In this context, it’s the movement of God’s kingdom which is rulership, it is divine authority from heaven wherever you are. That means wherever you go this year, there must be change because you are a carrier of God’s kingdom.
I encourage you, friend, take up the challenge and receive this prophetic word for the year 2006. Purpose to walk and exercise God’s divine authority in your life!