Jesus prepared 70 disciples and sent them out two by two to every city He would visit to evangelize the people, heal the sick, and free the oppressed. The 70 obeyed His orders and were surprised when they used the Name of the Lord to heal the sick, for they witnessed demons manifest themselves and come out of people. Such amazement occurred because they had not been told that they would have power to cast out evil spirits. Faced with this, they told the Master what had happened.

The Lord confirmed that He saw the events in the spiritual world when the disciples commanded in His Name. Then He informed them that from that moment on, they would receive power to tread on serpents, scorpions, and all the power of the enemy, and nothing would harm them. However, what would have been the outcome of this story if they had not appeared before Jesus to report their deeds? They probably would not have received power from on High. Be vigilant!

It is good to show gratitude to God by returning to the church where the blessing took place to testify to the wonder wrought by the Name of Jesus. Christ was so pleased when the disciples expressed this recognition that He granted them complete power over evil works. When we express our gratitude to the Savior, He fills our lives with victories. However, there are people who, one day, were broke, asking relatives and friends for help, and, going to church, began to prosper, but did not return to give thanks.

Once, during a faith meeting, the Maracanãzinho gymnasium was packed. The place was so full that the participants could barely fit in the aisles. At the moment of prayer, about 500 people shook their hands with their hearing aids, for they had been healed. If we gathered all the deaf people that Christ healed during the services in Rio de Janeiro, we would have a large church of former deaf people, but where are they now? Many only received that blessing, and not the others that Jesus would give them.

How many individuals present at that event became successful businesspeople, but are no longer among us? Why were they ungrateful and stopped financing the work of evangelism carried out around the world? The Lord will reward those who are grateful not only with words, but also with actions. Whoever is serving in the house of God, when sought by Him, will be used in the divine work!

Christ has given us power to tread on, crush, and destroy any work of the devil, and nothing will afflict us. We who are saved are responsible for bringing the lost to salvation, so we must fulfill our mission, including teaching them to seek the gift of gratitude: Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6.38)!

We must act boldly; after all, God has given us authority over the enemy. That is the least we can do to please the Lord. Use that power every time you bless someone or pray for yourself; in this way, the Father will be glorified in the Son. Your happiness depends on what you declare and what you believe. God will be with you now and forever. Believe, pray, and live!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares