2022-03-08
Jeremiah 44:16 NKJV
Do those in authority sometimes abuse it and prove themselves unworthy of it? Yes, but that doesn’t let you off the hook. The Bible says that in his youth, Jesus submitted to the authority of His parents (See Luke 2:51). And even though His ministry was marked by demonstrations of supernatural power, He still taught submission to the governing authorities in Rome. “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Luke 20:25 NKJV).
Submission to authority is not optional for a follower of Jesus. Whether you are passed over for a promotion, assigned an incompetent boss, or feel you have been treated unfairly, respecting and submitting to authority is still God’s will for you. And when you obey His will, He works on your behalf.
As you consider your tendency to be defiant, try to understand the root cause, which may include these: (1) A distressful history of suffering or mistreatment. (2) Disrespect for an inept superior. (3) Pride because your skills have not been recognized and rewarded. (4) Unfair behavior from those in authority. (5) A tactic on your part to test the honesty, care, or concern of authority figures in your life.
Bottom line: “Anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished” (Romans 13:2 NLT). So pray: “Father, I repent of having a rebellious attitude. Remind me that all authority is from you, and when I resist it, I am resisting you. Empower me to submit. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”
Soul food: Exo 28-29; Luke 14:15-24; Ps 106:1-23; Pro 7:1-2
2022-03-07
Hebrews 13:17 NKJV
Until you learn to submit to authority, you will never be qualified to exercise it. Why? (1) Because you will have no credibility. (2) Because you won’t really understand what it means to be a follower. Today the entertainment industry glamorizes rebels and turns them into heroes. But that’s not how it works in everyday life. An insubordinate attitude will buy you a one-way ticket to a life of trouble and failure.
The Bible says this: (1) Children must be taught to submit to the authority of their parents. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise: ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth'” (Ephesians 6:1-3 NKJV).
(2) Wives are called to submit to the leadership of their husbands. (And husbands must prove worthy of that role and take responsibility for it). “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22 NKJV).
(3) Church members are called to submit to the leadership of their pastor. “Obey those who have the rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.”
(4) Citizens are called to submit to their government. “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). “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 Savior” (1 Timothy 2:1-3 NIV).
Soul food: Exo 25-27; Luke 14:1-14; Ps 136:13-26; Pro 6:32-35
2022-03-06
Judges 16:28 NLT
In prison Samson prayed: “Lord… please strengthen me just one more time…. Then Samson put his hands on the two center pillars that held up the temple. Pushing against them with both hands… the temple crashed down… So he killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime” (vv. 28-30 NLT). How did Samson end up in this prison? Delilah! The Bible says, “She pressed him daily” (v. 16).
Satan is persistent, and he waits to catch you in an unguarded moment. That’s why there are certain doors in life you should never open. If you feed the wrong appetite for a day, you can end up struggling with it for a lifetime. Perhaps you have seen the poster that says: “Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn’t matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle; when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.”
The good news is, Samson remembered God! And it’s a wonderful day when you remember God and reach again for Him. Note the words “he killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime” (v. 30 NLT). Samson’s greatest victory was recorded in the final chapter of his life. In fact, he is named among the heroes of faith in Hebrews chapter eleven. Regardless of where you are today or what shape you’re in, turn to God. He will help you make a comeback. It’s not too late for you.
Soul food: 1 Sam 21:1-6; Hosea 6:4-6; Matt 12:1-14
2022-03-05
Genesis 32:30 NIV
“Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, ‘It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.’ The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip” (vv. 30-31 NIV). The truth is, without God’s protective hand on your life, you wouldn’t be here today! The reason you didn’t die in the accident, or that tumor didn’t claim you, is because God is not finished with you yet. Do you remember when some of your friends (and your enemies) didn’t think you would make it? But God rescued you and placed you where you are today. After God finished wrestling with him, Jacob said, “My life was spared.” And so was yours, right? That’s because there is more to come.
The Bible says, “God… creates new things out of nothing” (Romans 4:17 NLT). He wants to set in place in your life things that weren’t there before. Good things! But notice something very important: “Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak” (Genesis 32:24 NIV). When God deals with you on important issues, He does it one-on-one, not as part of the crowd. In fact, being in a crowd can keep you from hearing His voice. Being alone with God can feel threatening because your facade and ego get stripped away. Your first impulse may be to stay with the crowd, but you soon discover they can’t calm the restlessness in your spirit. That restlessness is God calling you to a meeting! So, like Jacob, don’t be afraid to wrestle with Him until a new day breaks for you.
Soul food: Exo 22-24; Luke 13:18-35; Ps 136:1-12; Pro 6:30-31
2022-03-04
Proverbs 14:30 NLT
Is it hard for you to compliment others on their achievements? When someone’s name comes up in conversation, do you feel good because something bad has happened to them? When you hear something complimentary about another person, do you feel the need to say, “Yes, but…” and proceed to point out their negative traits or failures? Do you keep comparing yourself to other people? Are you preoccupied with what they’re doing, buying, wearing, and who they mix and mingle with? Do you trust the people you love, or are you always checking up on them?
The Bible says, “A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones” (v. 30 NLT). Note the word “healthy.” If you want to be mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically healthy, don’t give place to jealousy or it will consume you. The most miserable people in life are filled with jealousy. It eats away at them and steals their joy. They think of little else but the things somebody else has that they want, which in turn leads to resentment and strife.
How do you conquer jealousy? (1) Acknowledge you have a problem. (2) Repent and ask for God’s help. (3) Pray for the person who is the target of your jealousy. At first it will feel awkward, but as you keep doing it, God will change your heart and replace jealousy with love. Start celebrating other people’s successes with them and make a point of complimenting them.
Remember, nobody else is as good at being you as you. So, you have no competition. When you’re secure in who you are before God, you don’t have to be jealous of anybody.
Soul food: Exo 19-21; Luke 13:1-17; Ps 77; Pro 6:29
2022-03-03
Psalm 3:3 NKJV
When Elijah was at his lowest point, God told him these three important things: (1) Spend more time with God. “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord” (1 Kings 19:11 NKJV). That was where God spoke to him in “a still small voice” (v. 12 NKJV). The word “still” teaches us that instead of always working for God, we need to spend time with Him. If you don’t, you will run on empty, and get nowhere. When David was feeling down, he wrote: “Many are saying… ‘God won’t rescue him.’ But, Lord, you are my shield, my wonderful God who gives me courage. I will pray to the Lord and he will answer me” (Psalm 3:2-4 NCV).
(2) Stop trying to do it all yourself. That’s the fast route to depression. Leadership isn’t just about getting the job done; it’s about developing others and getting it done through them. Elijah wasn’t alone. God told him, “I have reserved seven thousand in Israel… whose knees have not bowed to Baal” (1 Kings 19:18 NKJV). Don’t just operate – learn to cooperate!
(3) Realize your assignment isn’t over. God showed Elijah there were still kings to anoint, battles to win, and a successor to be prepared (See v. 16). Need a reason to get out of bed in the morning? God will give you one! When you’re “down,” He doesn’t get mad at you. On the contrary, His Word says, “He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the dimly burning flame. He will encourage the fainthearted, those tempted to despair” (Isaiah 42:3 TLB). That’s the loving-kindness of God!
Soul food: Exo 16-18; Luke 12:49-59; Ps 70; Pro 6:26-28
