"When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases" Luke 9:1
The first thing is always to come to Christ Himself. We can do nothing — until we have been to Him. We should take every commission from His lips, and go out always with the blessing of His touch upon our heads.
It is related of one of Wellington's officers that when commanded, during a battle, to do some perilous duty, he seemed to hesitate. He did not for a moment shrink from the hazardous service — but he said to the duke, "Let me, before I go, have one grip of your all-conquering hand, and then I can do it." There is no duty too perilous, no toil too heavy, no task too responsible — if, as we start, we have the inspiration of Christ's hand-grasp and his cheering words.
Christ alone can give power for the work He bids us do. His followers are to have authority over demons. Any one who tries to cast out demons in his own strength, whether the demon be in himself, or in some other person — will meet only miserable failure. A man may rule nations and conquer kingdoms — and yet be unable to eject one demon from his own heart. Alexander conquered the world — but he was overthrown by the demons of appetite and passion. Men are forever foolishly trying to battle unaided — with the evil of their own natures; but they fail in the struggle.
The same is true of power over demons in others. Once the disciples, in Christ's absence, tried to cast out an evil spirit, and could not do it. Yet they ought to have been able in Christ's name, to cast out the demon. Jesus said afterward that the reason they could not do it was that they had no faith. He wants every follower of his to have power over all forms of evil in this world; not miraculous power, such as he gave the apostles — but real power. And if only we have faith in Him, He will always give us power.
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J.R. Miller (1840 - 1912)
Prolific author and pastor of Presbyterian churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois, Rev. James Russell Miller served the USCC as a field agent in the Army of the Potomac and Army of the Cumberland.J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia. J.R. Miller D.D.'s lasting fame is through his over 50 books. Many are still in publication.
James Russell Miller (March 20, 1840 - July 2, 1912) was a popular Christian author, Editorial Superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication, and pastor of several churches in Pennsylvania and Illinois.
In 1857, James entered Beaver Academy and in 1862 he progressed to Westminster College, Pennsylvania, which he graduated in June, 1862. Then in the autumn of that year he entered the theological seminary of the United Presbyterian Church at Allegheny, Pennsylvania. Mr. Miller resumed his interrupted studies at the Allegheny Theological Seminary in the fall of 1865 and completed them in the spring of 1867. That summer he accepted a call from the First United Presbyterian Church of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He was ordained and installed on September 11, 1867.
J.R. Miller began contributing articles to religious papers while at Allegheny Seminary. This continued while he was at the First United, Bethany, and New Broadway churches. In 1875, Miller took over from Henry C. McCook, D.D. when the latter discontinued his weekly articles in The Presbyterian, which was published in Philadelphia.
Five years later, in 1880, Dr. Miller became assistant to the Editorial Secretary at the The Presbyterian Board of Publication, also in Philadelphia.