My time at Advanced Class 2018 was such a blessing. We learn a lot at a class like this because we are there for two weeks. What stood out for me was the truth of how much power we have as born-again believers. For example, in the Foundational Class we were taught that we could pray perfectly—that is pretty powerful! In the Intermediate Class we were taught that we could bring forth a message directly from God to edify the body of believers. That is also powerful! In the Advanced Class we are taught how to operate the other six manifestations. So, we learn about three manifestations in two classes and then six manifestations in one class. These all teach us how much power we really have.
We were not only taught in the Advanced Class how much power we have, but also that we have the authority to use the name of Jesus Christ. In one segment we learned about our power of attorney, which is the authority to act on behalf of another person in legal or financial matters. In the class we learned about the power of attorney that God has given us, which is: Since Jesus Christ is no longer on earth to carry on his business, he has executed a general power of attorney, authorizing us, the born-again believers, as his agents to use his name and carry on his business for him. We take the place of Jesus Christ on earth; we are in his stead. A great verse that shows this is John 14:12. This verse shows the immense power that we have and the authority we have to use the name of Jesus Christ. This was huge for me to understand. I did not even think about it before I took this class. After learning this, I began to think about all the power that I have as an individual.
The class also teaches us about the power of the household. We were shown how the power of the individual believer is maximized as we stand together as a household. In team athletics, the individual greatness is realized in the context of a team effort. We are spiritual athletes, and blessings that result from our individual efforts to live and speak the Word and operate the manifestations are maximized when we stand together. None of us is as strong as all of us.
As I was taking this class and learning about all the power that we have, some questions came to my mind. What do I want to do with all this power? Who do I want to be for God? While I do not have the full answer to these questions yet, this class helped me have parts of them answered. For example, I know that I want to do the Way Disciple program. Not only would this be a blessing because of all the Word I would speak, I would also get to prove God as my sufficiency. I believe the Way Disciple program would also help me find a more complete answer to the question: “Who do I want to be for God?”
Since returning from the Advanced Class, I’ve been determined to apply the Word that I’ve learned. For example, I’m taking action on the Keys to Walking by the Spirit, specifically by studying the Word much. A benefit I’ve experienced from studying the Word daily has been its availability when I’ve needed it during my day. Recently, my workplace was downsizing, and many of my coworkers were let go. I could have easily worried in this situation, but because I had been reading the book Joy and Peace in Believing, verses like John 16:33 were fresh in my mind.
John 16:33:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Studying the Word daily has definitely given me peace when I needed it the most. Thank God for this class!