What are you magnifying?

Weakness ravaged my body; I was under attack by the flu! My heart was pounding but beating slowly. I nearly collapsed at the bedside. All my attention was on this physical attack that was sucking life from me. The paramedic confirmed a heart irregularity; multiple abnormal beats were interfering with the normal heart rhythm. I had a choice to make. What would I magnify, the flesh, the symptoms, or the Word of God that had been embedded in my heart to inform my thinking and my attitude? The Word had the power to provide me with the whole armor of God on this evil day. It had the power to cause me to stand, and “having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). Armor would suggest that I was in a battle. Battles are never easy. I choose to fight and stand on the foundation of the Word! God created me to thrive no matter the circumstances! Although I decided to magnify the Lord and not the attack against my body, I was challenged beyond human capacity.

The pressure during battles is significant. As humans, we are acutely aware of our bodies. And quickly adding to the impact of the flesh, our emotions try to take over and our imaginations begin to soar. As troubling as this scenario is, the Word planted in our hearts is much more powerful. The Word is constant, everlasting, and has power that is immeasurable and unlimited, replacing ever-changing natural circumstances. So, how did the Word work for me?

I allowed the Word to paint a true picture of the situation. I allowed the Word to give me an attitude of authority over the sickness that had invaded my body. Colossians 2:9 confirms that in Jesus dwells the Godhead. Verse 2:10 states that I am in Christ and therefore, I also am filled with the Godhead; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! And this truth confirms the state of every believer. Let’s continue to allow the Word to paint a picture. All divine perfection, powers, and attributes dwell in Jesus by the desire of the Father (Amplified Colossians 1:19). Remember, Christ lives in you so you possess His same attributes. This power is immeasurable and unlimited; it is the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, seated Him at the Father’s right hand, and placed Him above all rule, power, dominion, and authority (Amplified Ephesians 1:19-21). Are you beginning to see the picture? You are God’s workmanship, recreated in Christ Jesus into this amazing child of God fully equipped with His power (Amplified Ephesians 2:10). You child of God are a powerhouse in the Lord!

With this power Jesus is “upholding, maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power” (Hebrews 1:3). By this power, Jesus’ name is above every name (Philippians 2:9); Jesus’ name is above every evil thing including all sickness and disease! His power is so great that the enemy must submit to Him (Psalm 66:3; Psalm 91:1). “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power” and He “went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38). The Word confirms that it is the devil that “comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy” but it is Jesus Christ Who came that we “may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)” (Amplified John 10:10). It is out of Jesus’ fullness that we, as believers, receive “one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift (heaped) upon gift” (John 1:16).

The Word painted a picture and provided me with fearless confidence. Steadfast patience and endurance created by the Word equipped me to participate in the blessings of everything I needed for life and godliness. This was and is available to me and is available to you, through the work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is indeed our Shepherd Who cares for us, leading, guiding and providing; in Him we lack nothing! (Hebrews 10:35,36; 2 Peter 1:3; Psalm 23:1). And as we allow the Word to paint a picture of our unity with Jesus Christ, as we know that He dwells in us, we know that we dwell in Love Himself. This knowledge causes us to experience His presence; you become “a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself” (Amplified Ephesians 3:19)! Then, according to (in consequence of) the (action of His) power that is at work within us, He is able to (carry out His purpose and) do superabundantly, far over and above all that we (dare) ask or think (infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams)” (Amplified Ephesians 3:20) To God be the glory!!