Something Different for May - Day 25 - Respect for Authority

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.

Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

Romans 13:1-7 NLT

Prayer - Day 25

Holy God, 

                 Politics are such a pain—help me remember no authority is put over me except what You’ve established. Please give me the grace to submit appropriately to those who govern me, and to give to everyone what I owe, especially love, respect and honor. Amen. 

Praying Through Romans - www.crosswalk.com

A Truthful Government

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever.
Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV

I remember in 2011 when the airwaves were buzzing – the headlines were screaming – the whole cacophonous melee was centered around the possible shutdown of the U.S. government. Friends and family were in borderline panic mode and some were even angry because I wouldn't come unglued with them. 

A decade later and it's a pandemic and political unrest and another impeachment attempt. People are in panic mode yet again and still angry that I won't come unglued with them.

No, I do NOT need to get my head out of the clouds or any place else. Philippians 4:6-8 tells me –
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I've got a news flash for you! My faith is not in the U.S. government’s ability to protect and care for me. There is a VAST difference between living in faith believing God and living in la-la land. I choose to base my life on the Truth of God’s Word, not the facts of this life. The Truth is – (Isaiah 26:3-4 NKJV)
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.

I choose to stick with what has worked since BEFORE the foundation of the earth! His budget always has security. No other government, no secret service, no elite fighting force can get anything over on Him. God has never been – nor will He ever be – in danger of shutting down.

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end…Based on that Truth, where will you bet your life and the lives of those you love?

Prayer:

Father,
            Show us the right path, O Lord; point out the road for us to follow. Lead us by Your truth and teach us, for You are the God who saves us. All day long we put our hope in You. Search us, O God, and know our hearts: try us, and know our thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in us, and lead us in the way everlasting. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

Current Events

When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.
Matthew 24:37-39

I’m not sure my friend and I will have any more discussions on the world situation or world peace. I explained that I, too, am a student of Government, but unlike my friend, I have total faith in the Head of my Government. I even went so far as to clarify exactly what else was going to happen, and I cited a few excerpts for him from the Book I’ve read and mentioned what the Head of my Government had to say about the current events. 

Isaiah 9:6-7b, For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.

I suggested that perhaps my friend is so upset because he has no idea where all this will end. He didn't understand how I could have peace. I was able to explain that I already know what’s going to happen because the Head of my Government told me.

Isaiah 54:10 For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” Says the LORD, who has mercy on you.

Matthew 24: 6-13 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

So meanwhile, as the world continues hurtling headlong to the point in time when it is truly the end, we can be in a covenant relationship with the Head of Government – the only Government that could ever supply all we need. And He promised peace - on His terms. John 14:27, I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

Will we accept those terms from the One of whose government and peace there will be no end?

Prayer:

Father,
            Thank You for Your covenant of peace. We praise You for providing our safe shelter ahead of the bad times. Help us to continue sowing seeds of peace, and offering Your Good News to whosoever will… Prepare ours to be ready to gently and respectfully explain to anyone who asks why our hope is in You.  Prepare their hearts and minds to listen and receive. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

No End to Government

When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.
Matthew 24:37-39

My friend and I... I’m not sure we’ll be having any more discussions on the world situation or world peace. I explained that I, too, am a student of Government. I even went so far as to clarify exactly what was going to happen, and I cited a few excerpts for him from the different books I’ve read and related what the Head of my Government has to say. You see, I have total faith in the Head of my Government.

Isaiah 9:6-7b For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.

I suggested that perhaps my friend is so upset because he has no idea where it all will end. I already know what’s going to happen because the Head of my Government told me.

Isaiah 54:10 For the mountains shall depart And the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” Says the LORD, who has mercy on you.

Matthew 24: 6-13 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

So meanwhile, as the world continues hurling headlong to the point in time when it is truly the end, I am in a covenant relationship with the Head of my Government – the only Government that could ever supply all I need. And He promised peace - on His terms. John 14:27, I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

I'll take those terms from the One of whose government and peace there will be no end.

Prayer:

Father,
            Thank You for Your covenant of peace. We praise You for providing our safe shelter ahead of the bad times. Help us to continue sowing seeds of peace, and offering Your Good News to whosoever will… Prepare their hearts and minds to listen and receive. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen

News Flash! +

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

To order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever.

Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV

I remember in 2011 when the airwaves were buzzing – the headlines were screaming – the whole cacophonous melee was centered around the possible shutdown of the U.S. government. Friends and family were in borderline panic mode and some were even angry because I wouldn't come unglued with them. 

I do not need to get my head out of the clouds or any place else. Philippians 4:6-8 tells me –

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

News flash! My faith is not in the U.S. government’s ability to protect and care for me. There is a VAST difference between living in faith believing God and living in la-la land. I choose to base my life on the Truth of God’s Word, not the facts of this life. The Truth is – (Isaiah 26:3-4 NKJV)

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
         Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.

I choose to stick with what has worked since before the foundation of the earth! His budget always has security. No government, no secret service, no elite fighting force can get anything over on Him. He has never been – nor will He ever be – in danger of shutting down.

News flash! Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end…Where will you bet your life and the lives of those you love?

Prayer:

Father,

             Show us the right path, O Lord; point out the road for us to follow. Lead us by Your truth and teach us, for You are the God who saves us. All day long we put our hope in You. Search us, O God, and know our hearts: try us, and know our thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in us, and lead us in the way everlasting. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen