However, to all who received him, to those believing in his name, he gave authority (power, right) to become God’s (adult, mature, fully developed) children, John 1:12. (* See below).

Just this morning I was reading a message from Dr Mike Murdock about the Lion. The Lion is BY NATURE the king of the jungle. Yet they are not born with the developed skills to operate as the king of the jungle.

They have to LEARN these skills. They have to WORK at it and it takes them at least 2 years to fully develop as the king of the jungle they were born to be.

When you accepted Christ into your life, you were given the right (authority and power) to become an adult son (or daughter) of God with ALL of the rights. (Look at the verse John 1:12 quoted at the beginning of this article).

Now the question is:

• Are you DEVELOPING those rights and the authority you were given?
• Are you BECOMING an adult son (or daughter) of God?

In order to be able to operate in this position (as an adult son (or daughter) of God, you have to LEARN (develop) the skills. It will take WORK. This work could be called “self development”.

Remember in the last article we began to look at the apostle Paul’s exhortation in Romans 12:2 – where he told the church they needed to be transformed.

Notice how we are to be continually transformed. By the renewing of your mind. How do we do that? By turning the tables on the negative influences around you, beginning with what is in your mind.

There is an interesting parable told by Jesus in Luke 8 – the actual message Jesus was communicating in this parable has to do with finances. However, He made an interesting comment as he concluded this story. I believe we can apply to many areas of our lives without taking away from the original intention of this parable.

“for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light”

The other day I was chatting (by phone) with my young pastor friend in Acapulco. I shared with him some of the things that are developing in my life at the moment, and among these is the vision and passion to teach a Christ Centered Personal Development. I really see a need for this!

He responded - “Wow – many of the young people go to Motivational Seminars in town here and come back more motivated than the youngsters that are in church”. Then I remembered that verse found in Luke 16:8 (which I mentioned above).

I think it is time that the children of light (those who have chosen to follow Christ) learn to rise up and become WISER than the “children of this world”. Don’t you?

I was talking to this same pastor just a few days ago. He has a challenge to face today actually, and in the course of conversation he declared “God has control”. I stopped him and said “No – that control is in YOUR hands, man of God”.

Now

• I am NOT saying that God is not sovereign – I believe 100% in the Sovereignty of God.
• I AM saying that God has placed certain things (power, authority) in our hands He expects us to use.

Moses was backed up against between the army of the Egyptians and the red sea. He cried out for God to help. God’s reply was almost a rebuke – in fact it really was a rebuke.

God said: “Why are you crying out to Me? What do you have in your hand”? (See Exodus 14:15) He had a rod in his hand. What does the rod symbolize? Authority!

So what was I saying to this pastor? God has given YOU the authority and power to dominate this situation (starting in your mind) – and He expects you to use it! YOU have the authority to control this situation (as God’s representative).

Yes it is time for the God’s people (the children of light – Jesus’s disciples) to rise up and train as the warriors we are called to be on this earth. We are to be the HEAD, not the tail.

And this training and developing, starts with a consistent disciplined daily training (renewing) your mind.

Start today – download these mp3s and start listening to them right NOW.

* (Extra words in brackets, I added to show fuller meaning of the word, as found in the original language).

** Note: These recordings are by John Di Lemme – a motivational teacher, who I also KNOW to be a man of God – I have met him in person. These mp3s and mp4s are FREE – and yes, if you do decide to buy anything from John’s business, I do receive a commission. (see comment below **)

Photo Credits

You will also enjoy reading:

• Personal Development And The “Prosperity Gospel”
• Can Christians Have A Negative Mindset?
• You Have The Power, Right and Authority To Be A Champion