Spiritual Authority by Bobby Burns

Peter said to the lame man, "Look to me!" The man looked to him expecting alms. Peter continued, "Silver and gold I don't have, but what I have I give to you!" As pastor Craig was paraphrasing this passage a couple weeks ago I caught a glimpse of the scene while Peter listened to Jesus telling the disciples, "I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy," I pictured Peter saying to himself, He is giving me this authority, and now it is mine. Brothers, this is the attitude that we must have, for he is no respecter of persons. On the other hand, we all know that all gifts from God are irrevocable; therefore, when we pray expecting God to do it all we attempt to give the authority that He has given us back to Him. I believe this is insulting, for He not only doesn't want to take it back, He not only won't take it back, but he can't take it back. It is a new day. It is time to claim the authority that has been given to us. God will not do for us what we can do for ourselves. He wants to do the rest. Let us not be a hindrance any longer.