Remember it...use it...believe it!

Yesterday, I was chatting with a friend about dogs and a specific memory came to my mind about an incident that I had with a seemingly unruly dog.

Years ago I was in Oklahoma visiting my husband’s parents when I decided to go for a run.  I got a couple of miles down the country road and decided to head back.  I was still quite a way from their home when suddenly a Rottweiler came running towards me and it was foaming at the mouth.  I have to tell you I’m not a fan of that particular breed of dog because of the stories that I’ve heard…stories that were similar to the situation I found myself to be right in the middle of at that moment.  Instantly I was frightened.  I didn’t think.  I simply acted out of instinct.  In fact, I found myself to be surprised at my own reaction.  I yelled at the dog, “Stop in the name of Jesus!  Go home!”  The dog stopped and looked stunned.  He looked at me for a few moments as if to reason out the situation and then turned around and headed back up his driveway.  I watched him cautiously until I felt safe to continue on and headed back to the house without incident. 

The name of Jesus is so very powerful!  Matthew 28:18-20 speaks about how Jesus was given all authority in Heaven and Earth and when we accept Him as our Savior, we are in Him and He is in us, we have the authority in His name.  In Colossians 1:12-14, (See also 2 Corinthians 5:21) Paul speaks of how Jesus has enabled us to share in His inheritance.  We are co-heirs with Christ.  So not only do we have the authority to go through all the Earth and make disciples for Jesus, we also have the authority against evil and the powers of darkness as well as others that I won’t go into now.   

Now, I’m not trying to say that this dog is evil.  I am, however, sure that this dog wanted to cause me harm.  I used the authority that I have in Jesus’ name to protect myself from harm.  Because I believe it and spoke in Jesus’ name, that dog obeyed.  I’m grateful that I not only knew that, but was also able to apply it to my situation.

Remember as a follower of Christ, the authority you have in His name. Remember it…believe it…use it!  He will never fail you.