keynote speaker
"I will entrust to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven." —Matthew 16:19
We as members of the Church hold the keys to the kingdom of heaven. We can attack the gates of hell, which cannot prevail against us (Mt 16:18). We have the power to stop or start, to bind or loose movements and events (Mt 16:19). We can use our authority to loose the Peters of today from prison, death, and sin (Acts 12:5, 7ff).
We can bind today's Herods and prevent them from destroying God's people. We can be used to turn simple Simons into Spirit-filled Peters, and vicious Sauls into servant Pauls. We have the authority to loose healing and bind sickness, because the sick upon whom we lay our hands will recover (Mk 16:18). We can loose conversion and holiness and bind rebellion and worldliness.
We can do more than we have ever asked or imagined (Eph 3:20). Jesus is the Gate (Jn 10:7). Turn the keys.
Prayer: Father, I repent of not fully using my authority over nations and world leaders.
Promise: "The Lord will continue to rescue me from all attempts to do me harm and will bring me safe to His heavenly kingdom." —2 Tm 4:18
Praise: Sts. Peter and Paul both accepted the keys of God's kingdom and spent lives of empowerment building up the Church.
Reference: (To help you turn the keys, read the Bible every day. We have several tape series to help you. Overview of the Bible is six audio tapes starting with AV 10A-1 or three video tapes starting with V-10A. An Introduction to each book of the Bible is 32 audio tapes starting with AV 21-1 or 17 video tapes starting with V-21.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 12, 2005
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