Daily Bread 8-25-17

1 Timothy 2:1-4

1 I exhort therefore that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour:

4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

ref. - Jer 29:7 - And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof ye shall have peace.

Ro 13:1 - Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Ro 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Lk 14:23 - And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

2P 3:9 - The word is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Jn 17:3 - And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.

Are you praying hard? Or are you hardly praying? That is a good question that we need to ask ourselves. Do we pray for the ones who have been put in authority over us or do we seek to destroy them? You see, in order for this great message of salvation to get out to all mankind we need strong leaders. When we get too puffed up and try to derail or destroy them we may just be destroying ourselves in the same action. Paul was telling Timothy to teach the people to always pray earnestly for their leaders. The authority that they have been given comes with great responsibility. Just as God does not want one of you to go lost he did not plan for leaders to go lost either. In our faith we must believe that God put these men in position to lead for a reason. Rather than taking on the position of a worldly thinker with no Spiritual understanding we must take on the position of one with Spiritual understanding that will overpower worldly thinking. The ways of God are definitely not the ways of man and once we not only realize it but become obedient to it we will be much better off with the Lord. This is how a house is built high on a hill that will not fall. Many times the ones who are crying "do not judge" are the ones who are judging more than any. They lack even the minimum amount of faith that tells us that the ones who have been given the rule over us were sent by God. If they are in authority over us, God has a reason for it. So, today, let us pray for our leadership, the ones who have been put in authority over us in the world and most of all in the Church. Have a great day!!