Don't you just love the Psalm today? I suppose I could say that about all Scripture verses, since they're all from the Lord. This one spoke to me particularly about something that's been on my mind a great deal lately.
"Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help." Psalm 146: 3 I can say "Amen" to this, because, well. . .how many times have I done this myself, only to be disappointed? We're going to get disappointed if we look to a person to be our savior,deliverer, provider. . .etc.
In my personal life, I still struggle sometimes to put my full trust in God. I have to trust God when my husband faces difficulties. I've had to trust God many times when things seemed impossible, and God, not man, has come through. God has not changed, only circumstances. Still, we get stretched, and our faith and hope get stronger. God still uses my husband to provide for me, but without God's help, he wouldn't be able to do it. He'd be the first to say so.
In the wider scope of things, I am challenged daily to again put my full trust in God. I see disasters around the world-- many man-made-- and the problems appear to be so insurmountable that I thank the Lord I am not a world leader. Mankind seems to be making things worse the more we try to fix things. When will we decide we can't do it ourselves and turn to God? I pray for the governments to have the wisdom to solve these things. But more and more, I pray for the return of Christ to rule and make things right. We are instructed to do this, and we all need to be in agreement: "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven."
While we still have a voice in this nation-- a democracy that gives us the right to think, choose and vote-- we must seek God's will and choose our government accordingly. God has given a great privilege! We have the government we choose. This means that we have the possibility of choosing the Kingdom of God even now! Why would we turn this down?
It is not man we are to look to for leadership, even though God often works through human instruments. Christ Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and He is willing to have the government laid upon His shoulders. He will raise up a government that is able to lead in wisdom and righteousness, if only we will turn back to Christ and look to Him as our true Prince. When we don't look to Christ to lead us into the truth, what we end up with, instead, is lies and destruction. There is no philosophy or political agenda, no man or government that can accomplish God's will without submitting to God. No matter how good it looks, a counterfeit will always disappoint. Let's not choose the wrong prince!
5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,
Whose hope is in the LORD his God,
6 Who made heaven and earth,
The sea, and all that is in them;
Who keeps truth forever,
7 Who executes justice for the oppressed,
Who gives food to the hungry.
The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners.
8 The LORD opens the eyes of the blind;
The LORD raises those who are bowed down;
The LORD loves the righteous.
9 The LORD watches over the strangers;
He relieves the fatherless and widow;
But the way of the wicked He turns upside down.
10 The LORD shall reign forever—
Your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the LORD!
[NKJV]
Showing posts with label decisions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label decisions. Show all posts
Monday, June 28, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
March 18, 2010
True authority is given by God. It comes by His word. We saw three examples today: Joshua, John the Baptist, and Jesus. God told Moses to give Joshua some of his authority to lead the people. John the Baptist was sent out by the word of God that came to him. Luke 3:2 Jesus was released into His ministry by the Spirit of God and the voice of the Father. 3:22 Each of these were also empowered by the Spirit of God.
Who operated in God's authority: John, who rebuked Herod the tetrarch for his wickedness, or Herod, who imprisoned John (and eventually had him beheaded)? What happens to people who usurp authority not given to them by God, or abuse the power of their position of authority? Are you able to discern when a leader is not submitted to God's authority? How do you respond to that situation?
All of us, including you, are given authority over some areas in life. What has God given you authority over? How do you know? What do you do with the authority that God has given you? Have you ever tried to take authority over something/someone that was not given to you? How did that turn out?
One way we can recognize our authority is by the fact that we have to make decisions. In what areas of life do you have to make decisions? We get into trouble when we start trying to make decisions in areas that are not under our authority.
Do you have trouble making decisions? God told Moses that Joshua would need to go to the priest, who would inquire for him "by the decision of the Urim before the Lord." Numbers 27:21 I have to admit that I haven't done research on the Urim and the Thummim of the Old Testament priesthood, even though it's always intrigued me. I have this picture of some stones lighting up with God's "yes" or His "no"! (I'd be happy to have a comment with any knowledge you might have on this.) Back then, they cast lots to make decisions, such as apportioning the land for the tribes' inheritances, trusting God to make the decisions. We don't have to cast lots now, because we have the Holy Spirit and we can hear the Lord's voice speaking directly to our hearts. Isn't that awesome?
"Peace" and "anxiety" are kind of like the Urim and Thummim to me. I go to the Lord with a decision and seek to hear His word on it. If I'm worrying over something, I wait for the peace of God about it before I do anything. Decisions based on fear don't turn out very well! I try to keep myself free from anxiety (e.g., anxiety stemming from consuming too much caffeine). Maintaining a peaceful spirit and quiet mind makes it easy for the Holy Spirit to use a "feeling" of anxiety as a quick warning system, to stop me from making a wrong decision, or to protect me from danger. I try to respond immediately to that. He can always explain later! I haven't mastered all this, but I've gotten a lot better at it with practice. [I have found that external "peace enhancers" interfere with my ability to be led by the Spirit. This doesn't mean that if you need to take prescribed tranquilizers that you should suddenly quit taking them; but it is a goal to work toward, maybe with the help of a therapist.]
The Good News is that when you're born of God, you're the brother or sister of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Almighty God is your Father! When was the last time you sat quietly with the Lord and heard Him say to your heart, "You are my Beloved son/daughter; with you I am well pleased." Shhhh. . .listen carefully. You'll hear Him, I know you will.
Who operated in God's authority: John, who rebuked Herod the tetrarch for his wickedness, or Herod, who imprisoned John (and eventually had him beheaded)? What happens to people who usurp authority not given to them by God, or abuse the power of their position of authority? Are you able to discern when a leader is not submitted to God's authority? How do you respond to that situation?
All of us, including you, are given authority over some areas in life. What has God given you authority over? How do you know? What do you do with the authority that God has given you? Have you ever tried to take authority over something/someone that was not given to you? How did that turn out?
One way we can recognize our authority is by the fact that we have to make decisions. In what areas of life do you have to make decisions? We get into trouble when we start trying to make decisions in areas that are not under our authority.
Do you have trouble making decisions? God told Moses that Joshua would need to go to the priest, who would inquire for him "by the decision of the Urim before the Lord." Numbers 27:21 I have to admit that I haven't done research on the Urim and the Thummim of the Old Testament priesthood, even though it's always intrigued me. I have this picture of some stones lighting up with God's "yes" or His "no"! (I'd be happy to have a comment with any knowledge you might have on this.) Back then, they cast lots to make decisions, such as apportioning the land for the tribes' inheritances, trusting God to make the decisions. We don't have to cast lots now, because we have the Holy Spirit and we can hear the Lord's voice speaking directly to our hearts. Isn't that awesome?
"Peace" and "anxiety" are kind of like the Urim and Thummim to me. I go to the Lord with a decision and seek to hear His word on it. If I'm worrying over something, I wait for the peace of God about it before I do anything. Decisions based on fear don't turn out very well! I try to keep myself free from anxiety (e.g., anxiety stemming from consuming too much caffeine). Maintaining a peaceful spirit and quiet mind makes it easy for the Holy Spirit to use a "feeling" of anxiety as a quick warning system, to stop me from making a wrong decision, or to protect me from danger. I try to respond immediately to that. He can always explain later! I haven't mastered all this, but I've gotten a lot better at it with practice. [I have found that external "peace enhancers" interfere with my ability to be led by the Spirit. This doesn't mean that if you need to take prescribed tranquilizers that you should suddenly quit taking them; but it is a goal to work toward, maybe with the help of a therapist.]
The Good News is that when you're born of God, you're the brother or sister of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Almighty God is your Father! When was the last time you sat quietly with the Lord and heard Him say to your heart, "You are my Beloved son/daughter; with you I am well pleased." Shhhh. . .listen carefully. You'll hear Him, I know you will.
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