Walking in Power The most recommended exercise for people of all ages and physiques is walking. It puts into motion many muscles that are beneficial for the whole body, strengthening the heart and lungs, along with joints and ligaments that require activity to remain functional. With each step taken, resident power is exerted and the way is made for the production of more power and strength. Depending on the difficulty of the path, the energy requirements can greatly vary, as a stroll down a slight decline is much easier than an incline with obstacles. The length of the walk also impacts power requirements. Appropriate nourishment intake and faithfulness to this activity will determine just how much the walk will be endured and benefited from. We have risen together with Christ not to just have power over darkness but to get up and walk in that power. This is not only recommended, but essential to experiencing the life Jesus won for us. Though there is an assurance that the path of the righteous grows brighter and brighter, it doesn’t promise to be easy and needless of power. That same power that raised Christ becomes ours when we receive Him and His life, enabling us to fulfill our mission of sharing Christ while taking authority over and pushing back ungodliness. As this power is first experienced in the confession of Jesus as Lord, it continues to have power through the mouth’s declarations of forgiveness, mercy, and authority over every evil influence. In words aligning with love that defeated death and the grave, power is activated for a walk in His victorious parade of those walking in eternal, overcoming life. Notes Raised to Walk Romans 6:4 (NKJV) 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Raised with POWER to walk Ephesians 1:19-23 (NLT) 19 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. Essential for a walk – power – received in Christ Matthew 28:18-19 (KJV) 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Power to walk is by declaring and acting on God’s Word – not what we see 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV) 7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. Not enough to go to church – must walk in power of godliness 2 Timothy 3:5 (NLT) 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! It’s by the Spirit that power is received for walking out the mission Acts 1:8 (NLT) 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Paul’s message wasn’t just words, but a demonstrated walk 1 Thessalonians 1:5 (NLT) 5 For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. The power for a faith walk is released through the mouth Proverbs 18:21 (NLT) 21 The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences. The first steps of enabled power - forgiveness Mark 11:24-25 (NLT) 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. 25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” The greatest impossibility to first overcome with our power – the tongue James 3:7-12 (NLT) 7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring. We’ve received power to walk wherever needed without fear Luke 10:19-20 (TLB) 19 And I have given you authority over all the power of the Enemy, and to walk among serpents and scorpions and to crush them. Nothing shall injure you! 20 However, the important thing is not that demons obey you, but that your names are registered as citizens of heaven.” Those walking in power (forgiveness) demonstrate it Mark 16:17-18 (NKJV) 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." Belief (demonstrated faith) becomes a walk of victory John 14:12 (NKJV) 12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. Overview: We have risen together with Christ and have been given the power to walk in newness of life. The same power that raised Christ from the grave is working in us as His body. We’ve been commissioned to go to the whole world and demonstrate the life Jesus came to give. As Christ has triumphed over all powers and authorities, so we have power to walk wherever needed to fulfill our mission. The steps taken in our power are steps of faith that require declarations and acts in alignment with God’s Word. After declaring and acting like Christ is Lord in all things, forgiveness given is the essential empowered walking in forgiveness received. Those walking in the power of faith will then demonstrate this power by commanding life in all areas from a heart that is free from condemnation. Prayer: Father, I am continually amazed by Your love for me and the forgiveness that has qualified me to be in Your presence and walk together with You in newness of life. Help my steps to be demonstrations of that same goodness I’ve received as Your resurrection power brings deliverance, freedom, and salvation to others through me. Declarations: The very resurrection power that destroyed the power of sin and death is working in me now as I walk in faith. My words and actions now release this power with overwhelming forgiveness and dominance over every evil threat. I only speak and act in step with the heart of my Father, walking by faith and not by sight. Because I believe in the power I’ve received I now walk in that same power, demonstrating the works of Jesus and even greater. I walk with boldness and confidence in the mission I’ve been given, sharing God’s love in power and demonstration.