SATURDAY, APRIL 20
Scripture: Matthew 8:5-13

In this passage we discover the character test of exousia. If we are going to walk in God’s divine authority then each level has a character test that must be passed. Matthew 8:5-13 says, “Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, ‘Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘I will come and heal him.’ The centurion answered and said, ‘Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority (exousia), having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, “Go,” and he goes; and to another, “Come,” and he comes; and to my servant, “Do this,” and he does it.’ When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!’ And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Why? This tells us why. “Then Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.’ And his servant was healed that same hour.” It is vital to bring ourselves under the authority of the Holy Spirit. If we are going to exercise the authority of God, the exousia of God, we have to be under the exousia of God. Authority cannot flow through us if we don’t welcome it to us. We are to welcome God’s authority to us and yield to it and bring our life under subjection to it, then it can flow through us. If we honor our Father and our family calling, we will be surrendered and submitted to God’s authority. In that place we can be agents and representatives of our Father’s authority. Refusing devious behaviors means trusting God rather than manipulating man! Sons and daughters trust their Dad!