When we think of authority we can often think of negative consequences before we think of positive ones. That is because we have most likely experienced authority that abuse and works to hurt rather than blesses and seeks to build up others. But God views authority as that which is good and He highlights godly authority as a key to our experiencing life as He intended it to be experienced. That is why God has placed authority relationships in every area of our lives—marriage, parenting, church, government, work, etc.
To show us just how important our proper response to these authority relationships are, God tells us that if we will properly respond to those in authority over us He will bless us. Please note that there is no exception to this principle for ‘I will submit if those in authority please me.’ The emphasis is on our response, in time God will deal with the actions of those who are in charge over us.
How are you doing in the various authority relationships in your life? Here are a few steps you can take to help you ‘get under in order get over’:
1. Pray for your attitude towards the concept of authority in general. Authority is a dirty word to many people in our society but to God it is an important aspect of life. He sees authority as good and a blessing to life.
2. Pray for your attitude towards those in authority over you. Don’t be fooled, our outlook is primarily determined by our attitude. Or as someone put it, ‘your attitude determines your altitude.’
3. Pray for those in authority over you. There is always a greater responsibility and accountability for those who lead. Paul even went as far as describing Elders, those who have primary authority in the church, as ‘those who will give an account’ because ‘they keep watch over your souls’ (Hebrews 13:7).
4. Thank the Lord for those in authority over you. A thankful heart sees God in everything, everywhere, at every moment. No wonder we are commanded ‘In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you’ (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”
Galatians 6:8
Posted by Sandra on 04/17 at 12:17 PM in
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It is always important to focus on the truth God is trying to have us grasp when He is pictured in Scripture in human terms or form. So when God is pictured as resting after being intimately involved in creating everything around us and getting His hands dirty in making us we need to determine what the truth is that is being highlighted for us. As we noted on Sunday, that truth is summarized in a principle—
The Principle is that none of us can continue to run at our paces emotionally, physically, cognitively, or spiritually if we do not take time to stop and replenish ourselves. We must ‘stop for go.’ If we do not stop, we will not continue to go.
In light of this principle, how are you planning on making your Sabbath this week a true Sabbath? I would love to hear your plans so that I might share them with the rest of Grace (without giving your name).
Please note our new memory verse as we enter the month of April:
“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”
Galatians 6:8
Posted by Sandra on 04/01 at 08:22 AM in
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Come on admit it, to our human outlook on life walking by faith is an ‘upside down, back to front’ way of thinking and living. For example, die in order to live, give a portion of your earnings to God and you will have enough, walk by faith and not by sight, and, the one we examined yesterday, do less in order to do more (or activity does not equal productivity). Where does God come up with these approaches to life?
But please remember that the very nature of living by faith is to move us out of the driver’s seat and to allow God that position. The reason why it is so hard for us to live by faith is that it neutralizes our ability to be in control. So, please take a moment today and do what does not come naturally or comfortably in order to allow God to work in your life. Go on, pray before you start your day even though you have a lot to do. Tell that certain person about Jesus even though he or she may talk about you. Sit with that person at lunch even though you can’t forget how they treated you wrong not that long ago. I am sure the Holy Spirit can show you a few other ‘upside down, back to front’ actions you can take in order to let Him work through your life today.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.”
Galatians 6:7
Posted by Sandra on 04/01 at 08:06 AM in
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Are you using a telescope or a microscope to look at life today? On Sunday we noted that a person who has a telescope, or God focused approach to life, is one who has a broad view of the events they encounter seeking to realize how God is working and moving in their lives. The person who has a microscope is narrowly focused on the situations they encounter and judges God’s actions on how they evaluate every situation as either ‘good’ or ‘bad’ to them.
How can you tell what your outlook on life is? Consider whether you are giving God thanks in every situation and whether your ‘thank yous’ to God are increasing as you walk through your day.
Posted by Pastor Norm on 11/27 at 01:31 PM in
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