SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY 2

"I know this because I AM A MAN UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF OTHER MEN. AND I HAVE SOLDIERS UNDER MY AUTHORITY. I tell one soldier, ‘Go,’ and he goes. And I tell another soldier, ‘Come,’ and he comes. And I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and my servant obeys me.”
Luke 7:8 (Easy-to-Read Version)

1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me.
2 AND I went up by revelation, and COMMUNICATED to them that GOSPEL which I PREACH among the GENTILES, BUT privately to THOSE who were of REPUTATION, LEST BY ANY MEANS I MIGHT RUN, or HAD RUN, IN VAIN."
Galatians 2:1,2 (NKJV)

• Purposes are defeated without counsel:
"WHERE THERE IS NO COUNSEL, THE PEOPLE FALL; BUT IN THE MULTITUDE OF COUNSELORS THERE IS SAFETY" (Proverbs 11:14).
READ: Proverbs 15:22; 24:6

• In knowing the person whom God would want you to relate with, or submit your life and Ministry to, for counseling and mentoring and Impartation; you would need to be sensitive to the leading of God.
• Whoever would mentor you, or you receive counsel from, should be someone who has the understanding of what God wanted you to do—understanding in the line of your calling.
• If the call of God on your life is pastoral, that is, you are called to pastor a church, It would not be a wise thing to do If you chose to submit to an itinerant Minister to mentor you, regardless of the Anointing on him which you cherish or admire. The practical knowledge or experience to counsel and mentor you as your leader would not be there.
• You would rather need someone who is in the line of your calling, who is seasoned, with enough knowledge and experience, to counsel and help you in your assignment.
• The road you are about to tread is an unfamiliar terrain to you, which you would need the experience of someone who has plied the road; in order to stand with you as you travel the road or route.
  a. You learn from the experience of the mentor, through his or her Teachings.
  b. You receive counsel from such when needed, especially when you are at the crossroads in your journey, in which you might be a bit confused and would not know what to do.
  c. If such called for a meeting; seminar, school of ministry, and whatever, you avail yourself of the privilege to receive knowledge and gain from the experience of such a person: "THAT YOU DO NOT BECOME SLUGGISH, BUT IMITATE THOSE WHO THROUGH FAITH AND PATIENCE INHERIT THE PROMISES" (Hebrews 6:12 NKJV).

• Exploits always have human points of reference and every outstanding figure Today, the world over, lays claim to some inspirations from one person or the other; who is ahead of them. God has ordained Man, or humans, to bless Man, or Humans: "AND AS EVERYONE KNOWS, A PERSON WHO HAS THE POWER TO BLESS IS ALWAYS GREATER THAN THE PERSON HE BLESSES" (Hebrews 7:7 the Living Bible).

• The secret of every person is found in their stories. Kenneth E. Hagin, in his books, usually mentioned one Reverend P. C. Nelson, and also some of the things he read in the Smith Wigglesworth Book. These are some of the people he learned from. He said, he Read one Wigglesworth's book so much that he knew something on the man, the man's Anointing, rub off on him.
• Some other Ministers had shared similar examples, how they contracted or received the Grace or the Anointing through other servants of God who is ahead of them in the work of Ministry; either through their books, and other materials, or how they had the privilege of meeting them one on one.
• No matter your giftedness or whatever you are called to do, someone has been there before you and explored it to the highest profit. This is very Important.
• Some do not like to make reference to the people ahead of them, and they would close their minds to any inspiration they could receive from such people. When they listened to their teachings, It is either to find fault that they could use to justify their inabilities to follow or learn from anyone.

• How the people who are up and coming need to locate and follow the footprints of those ahead of them Today:
"REMEMBER those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, WHOSE FAITH FOLLOW, considering the outcome of their conduct" (Hebrews 13:7 NKJV).

"REMEMBER your leaders, who taught God's message to you. Think about the way in which they have lived and the good things that they have done. They have trusted God, SO YOU SHOULD HAVE FAITH LIKE THEY HAVE." Hebrews 13:7 (EasyEnglish Bible).

• Even in the field of the intellectual, a reference library is a great asset. All works of life are built on the previous works of successful men in such Fields.
• No research work succeeds without a list of references to the past works in the same Field. Whoever is making a satisfactory progress in life, is someone who takes a delight in following after those ahead of him or her in their areas of specializations.
• This is simply a common sense, and because it is found in the Scripture, it makes a Bible sense to adopt it. Thus, relate with whoever God has inspired or stirred your heart to follow.
• Although, you may not have the privilege of meeting some of them, one on one, but you can lay hand on the materials of such and learn from their well of experience.

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

• If you are being hurt in your body, place your hand there and receive your healing now in Jesus' name.
• You are healed and made whole in Jesus' name. And the affliction will not rise again in Jesus' name.
  Peace!

STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. Ask that He will write your name in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).

• If you took the steps As highlighted above, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!