The subject of Christian authority is one that is often misunderstood because of the lack of solid Biblical teaching on it. As a result, people tend to gravitate to one extreme view or the other on this important topic. On the one side, there are those who shy away from their Biblical authority altogether. On the other, there are those who claim power and authority beyond that which has been legitimately delegated to us.

The Believer’s Authority is a balanced view of this subject based on the examination of relevant passages of Scripture. The detailed explanations of Biblical principles are enhanced by several anecdotal examples that make the concepts easy to grasp. This book will clear up many of the misconceptions that exist regarding the subject of spiritual authority.

1. The Prayers of Paul — Praying the prayers of Paul from the book of Ephesians will bring results. This example of Scriptural prayer introduces the concept of the appropriate use of authority by the Christian believer.
2. What Is Authority? — God is the power behind our authority. When we understand the legitimate use of the authority that has been delegated to us, we can face the enemy without fear.
3. Seated with Christ — The source of our authority in Christ comes from the act of God that raised Jesus from the dead and exalted Him on high. We are not to remain stuck at the cross, continually subject to the power of sin. The Bible says that we have been seated with Christ in heavenly places which is our position of authority.
4. Breaking the Power of the Devil — We have been given a sphere of authority for which we are responsible. Those who are unaware of this often plead with God to do something about their circumstances. We must learn what our responsibilities are and learn to confidently rise up against the devil and demand the rights and privileges that fall within our sphere of authority.
5. Exercising Authority — Four Scriptural references that show what the believer’s responsibility is with regard to dealing with the devil. We have the authority to exercise Christ’s victory over the devil in our own household. We can often also help others in varying degrees, but our authority in their lives has many more limitations.
6. Risen with Christ — A look at the passages in Colossians that shed additional light on the topic, as well as some words on the limitations of our authority. We have authority according to the written Word of God, and it is important that our exercise of it be within the bounds set by that written Word. In that way, we can cooperate with the Lord in faith.
7. The Weapons of Our Warfare — Spiritual warfare is defined here as doing the works of Jesus and taking authority over the devil as we go about our daily lives, not going into head-to-head combat with the devil. The devil will try to discourage us from using our authority in Christ, but God has given us spiritual armor to protect us.
8. Authority over Demon Spirits, Not Human Wills — More examples of limitations on the exercise of our authority and how we can help others while they are in our presence. It is important to build a foundation of faith in the Word of God in order to experience ongoing victory in the exercise of authority over the attacks of the devil.

Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin was certainly a man who practiced what he preached. He had a reputation among those who knew him as a man who consistently endeavored to walk in love. The principles he shared came from his years of experience practicing the love-walk.

This book covers several aspects of walking in love, from health benefits and long life to the necessity of forgiveness. Though much of the book comes from the perspective of doing acts of love, there are also sections which cover what love is and how the love of God affects us.

Both the Scriptural exhortation and the stories from life experience in this book give valuable insight that will help anyone seeking to walk in love to grow in their ability to manifest this godly attribute in their lives.

1. Characteristics of the God-Kind of Love — Love defined; Love takes no account of a suffered wrong; Divine love is a peacemaker; Learn to let God’s love dominate; Love is a fruit of the spirit; Walking in the spirit is walking in love; Love works no ill to his neighbour; Love works no ill in marriage
2. Divine Love: The Evidence of the New Birth — How we know we are saved; The love of God constrains us; Learn to put God’s love to work for you; You can mature in love
3. Love: The Law of the New covenant — The law of love supersedes the ten commandments; Why believers can be led by their heart; Love — faith’s power; The God-kind of love fulfills the law; Sons of God are sons of love; Owe nothing but love
4. The God-Kind of Love Forgives — Sanctification; The God-kind of love forgives and forgets; God looks on the heart; Forgiveness under the New Covenant; Forgiveness doesn’t hold on to grudges; Unforgiveness: A hindrance to faith and prayer; Be quick to repent and quick to believe; Forgive yourself too! Paul had to forgive himself; Take God at His Word
5. The Benefits of Walking in Love — Walking in love is profitable; Harboring ill will damages you! Keep your tongue so you can keep your life! Divine love vs. human love; Divine love can be stern
6. Failing To Walk in Love Can Affect Your Health — A right heart receives from God; Harmful effects of animosity; Do you love your brother? The woman who said, I hate my mother-in-law; I’ll take sickness from the midst of you; The number of your days I will fulfill; How to prolong your life; Parents: Walk in love toward your children
7. Judge Yourself — And You Won’t Be Judged — Discern the Lord’s Body; Failure to judge yourself results in the Lord’s judgment; Make the necessary adjustments; The destruction of the flesh; Are you shortening your days or lengthening them? When faith won’t work
8. Love Your Enemies — Show God’s love to your enemies; Do good to your enemies; Pray for your enemies; The love of God in action; Return good for evil and inherit a blessing! Practice staying in an attitude of love; God’s love — The great healing agent; Being a doer of the Word; Do unto others…

100 Chapters to Read Every Year

Many people’s Bible reading habits are all over the place.  I have located 100 chapters of the Bible that as a pastor I recommend that everyone read at least once a year.  The are mostly from the New Testament.  When you are finished with these let me know and I will guide you from there.  Happy reading!

• John 1-21
• Acts 1-28
• Ephesians 1-6
• Philippians 1-4
• 1 Timothy 1-6
• 2 Timothy 1-6
• Titus 1-3
• James 1-5
• 1 Peter 1-5
• 2 Peter 1-3
• 1 John 1-5
• Genesis 1-3
• Psalm 1
• Psalm 119
• Proverbs 3
• Revelation 20-21

A book I recommend all Christians should read is Kenneth E. Hagin’s “How You Can Be Led by the Spirit of God.”

A great many Christian books have been written on the importance of being Spirit-led. Unfortunately, there are very few that actually explain how to do it. The lack of knowledge in this area is so great that many abuses have been excused by attributing the odd behavior to “being led by the Spirit.”

This book describes the true leadings of the Spirit better than any other. It also gives warnings concerning some methods of seeking guidance which lead to trouble. The Scriptures on guidance are examined and carefully explained. After reading this book, you will better understand what being led by the Spirit of God is really like.

Here are some of the topics that are covered in this insightful book:

1. The Lamp of the Lord — God guides us through our spirit, not our physical senses or our mentality.
2. Man: An Eternal Spirit — There is a difference between our inward man and our outward man. The inward man is a spirit. God does something with the inward man, but not the outward man. We must do something with the outward man.
3. Spirit-Conscious — The first step in being led by the Spirit of God is to become more aware of our own spirit.
4. What Is the Difference Between Spirit and Soul? — The soul contacts the intellectual realm. The spirit contacts the spiritual realm.
5. The Saving of the Soul — Saving the soul is a process. The spirit is reborn, but the soul must be renewed or restored with the Word of God.
6. Presenting the Body — The inward man must become the dominant one. We must place our body in submission to our spirit.
7. Number One: The Inward Witness — This chapter describes the primary way that God leads, the inward witness. It is not a physical feeling; it is either a velvety-like go ahead feeling in your spirit, or a check in your spirit that stops you. Sometimes it takes time to wait upon God before the inward witness becomes discernable enough to act on.
8. Know-So Salvation — The first experience we have with the inward witness is that confident knowledge of being a child of God that comes with salvation.
9. Fleeced! — Some warnings against the practice of putting out fleeces. Fleeces are an Old Covenant method of guidance used by spiritually dead people. We have a better guide — the living Spirit of God in direct communion with our spirit.
10. Following the Witness — This chapter provides some good examples of ways to discern and follow the inward witness. Get confirmation. Don’t be in a hurry. The leading will come in your spirit, which is the real you, so it will seem like it is “just you.” If your flesh fights it, it must be brought into submission to your spirit. Most of the time, God’s guidance is not spectacular… but it is always supernatural.
11. Number Two: The Inward Voice — The conscience is the voice of our spirit. It is a still small voice that will speak to us if we are willing to listen to it.
12. Effects of the Spirit’s Indwelling — For those who have been born again, the conscience is a safe guide.
13. Two Experiences — There is a difference between being born of the Spirit and being filled with the Spirit. The new birth is a well of water that blesses you. The infilling of the Holy Spirit is rivers of water which flow out of you to bless others.
14. God Inside — The Holy Spirit dwells in your spirit. He communicates with you through your spirit.
15. Depend on Your Spirit — Since the Holy Spirit is in your spirit, your spirit knows things that your head does not know.
16. Tenderhearted — When you do wrong as a Christian, it is your own spirit, not the Holy Spirit that tells you. Your conscience, the voice of your spirit, must be kept tender or spiritual things will become indistinct.
17. Feelings: The Voice of the Body — Our faith must be based on the Word of God, not on our feelings. Feelings can change with the circumstances, but the Word of God is always constant.
18. Help from Within — The Holy Spirit dwells on the inside of us and passes God’s messages on to us through our spirit.
19. Number Three: The Voice of the Holy Spirit — When our spirit speaks to us, it is a still, small voice. When the Holy Spirit speaks, it is more authoritative. It may almost sound audible, but it comes from within us.
20. Judging by the Word — The Spirit of God and the Word of God always agree. This chapter offers some warnings about listening to voices. Some voices contradict the Bible directly, while others quote the Bible out of context. The Holy Spirit will communicate with our spirit on the inside of us and always in agreement with the whole redemptive message of the Bible.
21. My Spirit? The Flesh? or the Holy Spirit? — The question “Is it just me?’ misses an important distinction. If “me” refers to my inner man, my spirit which is born again, then it can be “just me” and still be valid guidance since my spirit is in communion with the Holy Spirit. It is when we allow the flesh to dominate us that we miss God.
22. I Perceive — Many people believe that God causes or allows bad things to happen to us to teach us something. On the contrary, God warns us in our spirit about these things and if we learn to cooperate with Him, we can avoid many of the things that would harm us.
23. Spectacular Guidance — Many people seek only spectacular guidance like visions or angels and they miss much of God’s guidance.
24. The Spirit Bade Me Go — Some Scriptural examples of the Holy Spirit speaking.
25. Guidance Through Prophecy — When guidance comes through a prophetic utterance, it must be judged by the Word of God and what we have in our own spirit.
26. Guidance Through Visions — This chapter describes the three kinds of visions and gives Scriptural examples of each.
27. Listen to Your Heart — Some examples of the mistakes that have been made when people chose to ignore the guidance of their spirit.
28. How to Train the Human Spirit — Details on the four steps to training our spirit: Meditating the Word, practicing the Word, giving the Word first place, and instantly obeying the voice of our spirit.
29. Praying in the Spirit — Praying in tongues every day keeps our spirit in direct contact with the Spirit of God and is one of the greatest spiritual exercises there is.

Let me know what you think when you get going on this great book that I guarantee will help you navigate the storms of life we are traveling.

As the title indicates, Maxwell presents 21 laws of leadership, all of which are freestanding but do interlocks to one another.  You can learn a lot simply by reviewing the 21 laws with his explanation of each.

1. The Law of the Lid: Leadership Ability Determines a Person’s Level of Effectiveness

2. The Law of Influence: The True Measure of Leadership Is Influence – Nothing More, Nothing Less

3. The Law of Process: Leadership Develops Daily, Not in a Day

4. The Law of Navigation: Anyone Can Steer the Ship, but It Takes a Leader to Change the Course

5. The Law of Addition: Leaders Add Value by Serving Others

6. The Law of Solid Ground: Trust Is the Foundation of Leadership

7. The Law of Respect: People Naturally Follow Leaders Stronger Than Themselves

8. The Law of Intuition: Leaders Evaluate Everything with a Leadership Bias

9. The Law of Magnetism: Who You Are Is Who You Attract

10. The Law of Connection: Leaders Touch a Heart Before They Ask for a Hand

11. The Law of the Inner Circle: A Leader’s Potential Is Determined by Those Closest to Him

12. The Law of Empowerment: Only Secure Leaders Give Power to Others

13. The Law of the Picture: People Do What People See

14. The Law of Buy-In: People Buy into the Leader, Then the Vision

15. The Law of Victory: Leaders Find a Way for the Team to Win

16. The Law of the Big Mo: Momentum is a Leader’s Best Friend

17. The Law of Priorities: Leaders Understand That Activity Is Not Necessarily Accomplishment

18. The Law of Sacrifice: A Leader Must Give Up to Go Up

19. The Law of Timing: When to Lead Is as Important as What to Do and Where to Go

20. The Law of Explosive Growth: To Add Growth, Lead Followers – To Multiply, Lead Leaders

21. The Law of Legacy: A Leader’s Lasting Value is Measured by Succession

My favorite law, which in my opinion is the best explanation of what leadership is all about, is the Law of Influence.  This law helps us to understand why some people can draw large followings without being people of integrity.  At time they even use their leadership for evil.  How great it is though when people of integrity use influence to go great things for God.

The best way to profit from this book is to read one chapter a week and let each principle sink into your life.  After 21 short weeks you will be on a the right road to becoming a better leader.