God Speaks About Authority

How did you spend Inauguration day? Yesterday we witnessed the inauguration of our 46th President. Some were ecstatic about the event and others were not. We go through this every four years. With every inauguration, there are those that are happy and those that aren't. One thing that should not change no matter the person running the country is that they should be in our prayers. 

The idea of a person to "rule the country", I believe, is founded in the Israelites in the book of Samuel. Samuel was a prophet that spoke God's word directly to the people and the people decided what to do with the words that were spoken to them. As Samuel got older, the people noticed that his sons, who were to take his place as prophet, did not seem capable of delivering God's word to them, so they asked Samuel to set them up with a king to rule over them instead. Instead of directly hearing God's word and "governing" themselves, they decided it would be best for a king to make the decisions for the entire nation. 

You have grown old, Samuel, and your sons do not administer justice the way that you did. Before things worsen, appoint a king to rule us, as other nations have.  1 Samuel 8:5

From that point, the Israelites had many different kings to rule over them, some were obedient to God and others were not. The country, as a whole, followed the kings. If the kings allowed idol worship, the people worshiped idols. If the kings worshiped God, the people worshiped God. 

One idea that has also been around since the early days is to respect and honor those in authority over us. This includes praying for them as well. It is our responsibility to pray for those in authority over us, whether we agree with them or not.  I prayed for President Obama and the government at that time; I prayed for President Trump and the government for the last four years; I will pray for President Biden and the government for the next four years.  God's word is very clear:

It is important that all of us submit to the authorities who have charge over us because God establishes all authority in heaven and on the earth. Romans 13:1

Listen to your leaders and submit to their authority over the community, for they are on constant watch to protect your souls and someday they must give account. Give them reason to be joyful and not to regret their duty, for that will be of no good to you. Hebrews 13:17

Respect everyone. Love the community of believers. Reverence God. Honor your ruler. 1 Peter 2:17

So, first and foremost, I urge God’s people to pray. They should make their requests, petitions, and thanksgivings on behalf of all humanity. Teach them to pray for kings (or anyone in high places for that matter) so that we can lead quiet, peaceful lives—reverent, godly, and holy— 1 Timothy 2:1-2

It is our responsibility to "submit" and pray for those in authority over us. God does not say pray for them if you like them, or pray for them if you don't like them.  He wants us to pray for them no matter what. As Hebrews 13:17 tells us, someday they must give an account for how they "ruled". Our prayers should be that they are ruling according to God's will and desires. Right now, America is the strongest and most prosperous country in the world because we were based on Godly values and principles. We need to always pray for our government that they will lead us in the ways we were founded....on God's values. 

God desires and expects that we honor and obey our government....UNLESS....unless the government asks the people to do something contrary to God's word. We saw this example in the book of Daniel in the stories about Daniel and about Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego. These guys were all held in captivity by Babylon and laws were passed that required them to go against God's will. They refused and God upheld them and saved them. Acts 5:29 tells us:

If we have to choose between obedience to God and obedience to any human authority, then we must obey God.

I I encourage everyone to pray...pray for the country leaders; pray for the state leaders; pray for the county and town leaders.  Pray for the bosses and others in authority over you. Pray for the pastors as they are in authority over their churches.  Pray that God will use these leaders as a means of bringing about His will!

                  

God Speaks Into the New Year

Are you ready for a New Year?  It seems 2020 has done a dirty deal to many of us and most are ready for a change. I think as humans, we are always looking for newness. Last year's New Year's post was the most read post that I've published. A good majority of us are often looking for that change from the old into the new and New Year's day is just the time to start over. Almost everyone makes resolutions and plans to "change" and "be new" are discussed. Too often these resolutions and plans are not reached or followed through. The good news is that God's "newness" does not get forgotten and does not fail to reach it's goal. The Bible talks about being "new" in many places.

Lamentations 3:22-23--"The Lord’s acts of mercy indeed do not end, For His compassions do not fail. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness."

Each day, God's mercies and compassions for us are new. Every day, when we awake, we can look forward to the mercy of God.

2They are new every morn

The majority of the verses talk about being "new" with God and the newness we experience when we become followers of Christ. When we become followers of Christ, He gives us a new way of looking at things. He changes our hearts. 

Ezekiel 11:19--" I will give them a new will—an undivided heart—and plant a new spirit within them; I will remove their cold, stony heart and replace it with a warm heart of flesh."

Ezekiel 36:26--" I will plant a new heart and new spirit inside of you. I will take out your stubborn, stony heart and give you a willing, tender heart of flesh."

2 Corinthians 5:17--"Therefore, if anyone is united with the Anointed One, that person is a new creation. The old life is gone—and see—a new life has begun!"

Ephesians 4:22-24--"then you know to take off your former way of life, your crumpled old self—that dark blot of a soul corrupted by deceitful desire and lust— to take a fresh breath and to let God renew your attitude and spirit. Then you are ready to put on your new self, modeled after the very likeness of God: truthful, righteous, and holy."

Once God has created this new life and new spirit within us, we wait until His new kingdom comes when He returns to set up the new earth. If you will let God, He will create in you a new heart and spirit. He will clear the muddiness from your mind and create a newness for you. Don't get stuck in 2021, doing the "old" things; let God make it all new for you!

Revelation 21:5--"Behold, I make all things new...."

Isaiah 43:19--"Watch closely: I am preparing something new; it’s happening now, even as I speak, and you’re about to see it. I am preparing a way through the desert; Waters will flow where there had been none."