2022-03-01
Jeremiah 44:16 NKJV
Sadly, some of the people in authority might use their power wrongly and prove themselves unworthy of the position they’ve been given. But that doesn’t give us an excuse to be defiant towards every authority figure we face. Even though Jesus’ ministry was marked by demonstrations of supernatural power, He still taught people that submitting to the governing authorities in Rome was the right thing to do. ‘Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and give to God the things that are God’s’ (Luke 20:25 NCV).
Whether we’re overlooked and ignored, working for an incompetent boss, or feel we’ve been treated unfairly, respecting authority is still God’s will for us. And when we obey His will, He works on our behalf. If we tend to be defiant towards authority, it’s a good idea to try and work out the root cause.
Here are some possible sources: 1) Mistreatment or being hurt in the past. 2) Disrespect for someone in authority who wasn’t equipped for the task. 3) Pride because our skills haven’t been recognised and rewarded as we think they should. 4) Unfair behaviour from those in authority. 5) A tactic to test the honesty, care, or concern of the people in authority over us.
The Bible says: ‘Anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted’ (Romans 13:2 NLT). If you’re holding on to an attitude of defiance, today pray: ‘Father, I’m sorry for having a lack of respect towards the people You’ve placed in authority. Remind me that their authority is from You, and when I resist it, I’m resisting You. Help me to accept those in authority and to pray for them. Amen.’
Exo 10-12; Luke 12:22-34; Ps 66:1-12; Pro 6:20-22
Filippense 2:13 NLV
Die enjin in jou kar het ‘n kragbron wat geaktiveer word wanneer jy die kar in rat sit. Eers dan het jy die momentum om te gaan waarheen jy nodig het om te gaan. Een van die gevare in jou soeke om deur die Heilige Gees vervul te word, is dat jy dit tot ‘n ‘ervaring’ kan reduseer, eerder as om dit ‘in rat te sit’ om groot dinge vir God te bereik.
In die Nuwe Testament, wanneer iemand met die Heilige Gees vervul is – het dinge gebeur. Mense het na Christus toe gedraai. Genesing het plaasgeving. Op een geleentheid, het hulle boeke op die stadsplein verbrand (sien Handelinge 19:19). Hulle het dit nie net in die kerk gevier nie – hulle het dit strate toe geneem!
In die eerste beeld wat ons van God in die Skrif kry, is Hy in sy kreatiewe rol. Hy skep ons na sy beeld, blaas lewe in ons in en sê vir ons: ‘Gaan uit en wees produktief’ (sien Genesis 1:28). As jy bid vir iemand met al die antwoorde om op te daag en jou omstandighede te verander, sal dit nie gebeur nie. Jy is nie ‘n hulpelose toeskouer nie. Wat God binne-in jou geplaas het, sal dit wat buite jou is verander – mits jy dit aan die werk sit!
Wat binne-in jou is, is groter as die moeilikheid waardeur jy gaan, die situasie waarin jy jouself bevind, of die struikelblokke wat oor jou pad lê. Wanneer alles rondom jou nee sê en iets binne-in jou sê ja, is dit ‘God wat jou gewillig maak om te doen waarvan Hy hou.’ Die ‘gewillig’ is jou deel – jy moet dit doen. As jy dit regkry, sal jou lewe verander.
Sielskos: Eks 10-12; Luk 12:22-34; Ps 66:1-12; Spr 6:20-22
Philippians 2:13 CEV
The engine in your car is its power source, and it’s activated when you put the car in gear. Only then do you have the momentum you need to get where you need to go. One of the dangers in seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit is that you can reduce it to an “experience,” rather than “putting it in gear” to accomplish great things for God.
In the New Testament when someone was filled with the Holy Spirit – things happened. People turned to Christ. Healings took place. On one occasion, they had a book burning in the town square (See Acts 19:19). They didn’t just celebrate in church – they took it to the streets!
In Scripture, the first picture we have of God is of Him in His creative role. He creates us in His image, breathes life into us, then tells us, “Go out and become productive” (See Genesis 1:28).
If you’re praying for someone with all the answers to come along and change your circumstances, it won’t happen. You’re not a helpless bystander. What God has placed inside you will change what’s outside you – provided you put it to work! What’s within you is greater than the trouble you have been through, the situation you’re in, or the obstacles that lie in your path.
When everything around you is saying no and something within you is saying yes, that’s “God… working in you to make you willing and able to obey him.” The “willing” is your part; the “able” is His part. When you get those two things working in sync, your life will change.
Soul food: Exo 10-12; Luke 12:22-34; Ps 66:1-12; Pro 6:20-22
2022-02-28
Hebrews 13:17 NCV
If we want to be in a position of authority and leadership one day, we have to first learn to respect authority. If we don’t, we won’t really understand what it means to be a follower, and we’ll have no credibility with the people we’re leading because we wouldn’t do what we’re expecting of them. Films, books and TV has a tendency to glamorise rebels and turn them into heroes.
Occasionally in real life, it can take a rebellious attitude to be the catalyst for a much-needed change to happen. But it’s not a strategy we should use regularly for everything in life. Constantly fighting against those in authority (especially if the reason for our defiance is just because the person has authority) can lead to all kinds of problems. The Bible has a lot to say about respecting those in authority. Here are some examples:
1) ‘Children, obey your parents as the Lord wants, because this is the right thing to do. “Honour your father and mother.” This is the first command that has a promise with it – “Then everything will be well with you, and you will have a long life on the earth”‘ (Ephesians 6:1-3 NCV).
2) ‘Obey your leaders and act under their authority. They are watching over you, because they are responsible for your souls.’
3) ‘The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted’ (Romans 13:1-2 NIV).
4) ‘I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority…This is good, and pleases our Saviour’ (1 Timothy 2:1-3 NIVUK).
Exo 7-9; Luke 12:13-21; Ps 61; Pro 6:16-19
2 Corinthians 12:15 NLT
Helping people brings great fulfillment. When you spend your day serving others, you can lay your head down at night and sleep soundly. And even if you have spent much of your life chasing selfish gain, it’s not too late to have a change of heart. Even Charles Dickens’ Scrooge discovered you can turn your life around and make a difference for others.
That’s what Alfred Nobel did. He was shocked when he saw his obituary in a newspaper. (His brother had died, and the editor mistakenly named Alfred instead in an uncomplimentary statement, because the explosives his company produced and profited from had killed many people.) So, Nobel vowed to spend the rest of his life promoting peace and acknowledging contributions to humanity. That’s how the Nobel Prizes came into being!
When you get outside of yourself and make a contribution to others, you really begin to live. Unselfishness is its own reward; it’s not dependent on the response of others. This is the principle by which the apostle Paul lived: “I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me” (v. 15 NLT).
When you see a four-year-old, you expect selfishness. But when you see it in a forty-year-old, it’s not very attractive, is it? Of all the qualities you can pursue, unselfishness seems to make the biggest difference toward cultivating other virtues. Yes, it goes against the grain of human nature. But if you can learn to think unselfishly and become a giver, it becomes easier to develop other virtues, such as gratitude, love, respect, patience, and discipline.
Soul food: Exo 7-9; Luke 12:13-21; Ps 61; Pro 6:16-19
