Praying for Authorities...........

Praying for Authorities.................

"Actions and decisions made by people in authority create a significant impact on those within their sphere of influence - both good and bad." (Kendrick, 2015) 

Yesterday afternoon our women's GROW group at Wallace finished up a study "The Battle Plan for Prayer, from Basic Training to Targeted Strategies."  One of the last chapters was Praying for Authorities.  

I've been pondering this chapter all week. At this time of year, as a teacher, and at this time in our nations history it has so many applications that I felt it needed several readings - and as usual the deep rich conversation from Christian women just solidified my thinking and my need for repentance and guidance..................

Here are my take-aways................

1.) Our authorities either help us in doing the will of God, or they make it harder for us to pursue. 
--Think Moses and Aaron - here we have Moses following God's lead - no matter what - and then we have Aaron...the people get rowdy, he gets nervous, takes his eyes off God and sins.  Moses is like "What are you doing?? TRUST GOD!"  - even in his disgust Moses went again before the Lord on the peoples behalf (Exodus 32) -- Now that's a leader - sees his peoples imperfections, helps them right them and pleads before the Lord for them - WOW!! 

The example we see is great authorities be it parents, coaches, principals, law enforcement, teachers or the president....either help us do the will of God, or they make it harder! 

2) We are to pray for those in leadership roles....pray they would.........
--Pray they would be blessed, protected and prosperous (3 John 2)
--Submit to the authority and ways of God and His Word daily (1 Peter 2:13-20)
--Come to the knowledge of Christ and surrender to His lordship (1 Tim 2:4)
***Lead with honor, respect, wisdom, compassion and godliness (1 Tim 2:2)
--Use good judgment, pursue justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God (Mic 6:8)
--Walk in integrity, keep their promises, and fulfill their commitments (Ps 15; 112:1-9)
--Not get distracted or cower into passitivity, but embrace responsibility (Neh 6:1-14)
--Watch over, protect, lead and serve those in their care (Heb 13:17
--Respect all people without regard to their gender, race, religion, or social status (1 Peter 2:17)
--Hate evil, pride, injustice, and turn away from Satan's lies and schemes. (1 Peter 5:8)
--Establish rules and laws that honor God's law and strengthen families and cities (Deut 10:13)
--Reward those who do right and punish those who do wrong (Rom 13:1-5; 1 Peter 2:14)
--Refuse to take a bribe or allow favoritism in judgment (Ps 15)
--Become hard workers who faithfully fulfill their duties (Prov 6:6-11; Luke 12: 42-44)
--Makes choices based upon the fear of God, not the fear of man (Ps 34; Prov 9:10; 29:25)
--Be a godly example in their roles and responsibilities (Josh 24:15)

**prayers both them and for ourselves, that we who "keep watch over their souls" will take our responsibility seriously and perform it with great care and honor, knowing we will give and account for how we handle the job

3.) God's call is for us to realize that unless they are asking us to sin, our obeying authority, in all situations, is actually obeying HIM! And by praying for those in auqthority, we are working in the best interest of everyone.  
---Government: pray for our countries leaders and elected officials, even those whose views differ from yours, knowing their leadership touches many people. God still uses imperfect authorities to carry out His perfect purpose. And the LORD can can turn any heart
--Bosses and Management: like all other authorities they are charged with four over-arching responsibilities 1) providing direction, instruction and an example to follow; 2) protecting with boundaries and rules; 3) praising those who do right; 4) punishing those who do wrong.; AND 5) pointing other to CHRIST! 
--Any leader dedication his/her position to GOD, can be used as a force of spiritual change! 

God Father, 
I chose to pray for those in authority over me as a demonstration of my submission to You. Please draw them to salvation and give them a fear of the Lord in all their decisions. Use them to guide, protect, praise and discipline me in order that I might do Your will, even as I do the same for those under my authority.  Use me to be a blessing. Grant me favor so I can daily help people live out their full potential under Your total authority and lordship. 

(Kendrick, 2015) 

Oh the Mustard Seed...........................

WOW - what a week the devil has thrown on me! (GROWL) - As I read the first words of today's devotion "I'm no quitter!" -- I literally laughed out loud!  This week I have allowed the devil to convince me I'm a failure - that numbers on a piece of paper dictate my very existence as an educator and are what create value in my kingdom calling - what an idiot I've been. 

Then I read about the mustard seed and thought "Hey, that's me!" -- 

Matthew 13:31-32 “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”

- See I had forgotten the kingdom of heaven is in me - GOD is in me - HE alone has a perfect plan for my life.  It's my job to feed and water that mustard seed of faith and stand back and watch HIM grow it......in me! Then hopefully, others (the birds) will come and seek out what it is in my life that causes this glorious growth and beauty that is JESUS...........

It reminded me of the song I sang as a child "He's still working on me, to make me what I ought to be.............." 

So when satan, working in the world around you, determines to make you feel defeated and a failure, remember - you are a work in progress - be stubborn (persistent) for the KINGDOM calling GOD has placed on you and you will "move mountains" for GOD! 

Dear Father, 

I confess to You that my faith has been weak this week. Forgive me for giving in to doubts and fears. I know Your plan for me is certainty and hope!! Please help me face today with Your faith in my heart. Enable me to walk straight ahead through my fear, knowing You are with me. Remind me of the lives I have touched for Your kingdom through my years as an educator.  If Your will is for me to move on or stay put, let me have total confidence through faith that it is Your plan.  Today, I choose faith.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

http://girlfriendsingod.com/mustard-seed-faith/ 

So..........for the past few days I've been struggling with an issue. I've spent much time in prayer - I've spent much time weeping because I didn't know what to pray - feeling defeated - feeling unworthy - and unsure. As I woke this morning I looked to GOD once more for direction.........HE reminded me, through HIS word - HE was never the one who made me feel defeated, unworthy or unsure.......HE is the one who holds me under HIS sheltering wing - in HIS divine protection and always - always has a plan.......in HIM alone I will place my trust.....and when I fall short of my goals - HE alone will lift me up, set my feet on solid ground and give me direction for the kingdom work HE has for me! Today I'm renewed - I'm looking ahead and knowing in my heart that HE has a great work in store for me - for the sole purpose of HIS KINGDOM!

I pray if you are struggling with something today - this word will touch your heart and give you the same peace and direction it has given me!

http://girlfriendsingod.com/let-go-trust-god/

Comparison Kills Confidence..............

See Link Below:
So once again this "comparison" topic has raised its head in my daily devotion.....think GOD's trying to tell me something?? LOL - It's so easy to let others "attempt" to define, belittle and discourage us - but in those moments I remind myself I BELONG TO JESUS!! :)

I may not be the best wife, mom, teacher (coach), dance mom....etc... but I know I am not defined by what other wives and mothers accomplish or their talents nor as a teacher by some state "ranking" or other nonsense. My worth is clearly defined in GODs Word and HE alone will direct my path! So for those out there struggling - remember these key points:


Goliath fell at Davids feet - because David followed GOD

Daniel overcame the lions den - because Daniel followed GOD

Elijah called down fire from heaven- because Elijah followed GOD

The Egyptians were swallowed up by the sea - because Moses followed GOD

- those people who seek to STOP the work of GOD by making men and women of GOD feel defeated, discouraged and insecure (through comparison) WILL NOT HAVE VICTORY!! AMEN!! So quit looking to others to find your worth! Stop attempting to have control of your life and the lives of others! In everything you do put GOD first - do not make ONE decision personally or professionally without input from GOD first - then you will have no need to compare yourself to others because you will know with all certainty that GOD was in control in the first place!!

http://girlfriendsingod.com/comparison-kills-confidence/

Comparison Kills Confidence..............

See Link Below:
So once again this "comparison" topic has raised its head in my daily devotion.....think GOD's trying to tell me something?? LOL - It's so easy to let others "attempt" to define, belittle and discourage us - but in those moments I remind myself I BELONG TO JESUS!! :)

I may not be the best wife, mom, teacher (coach), dance mom....etc... but I know I am not defined by what other wives and mothers accomplish or their talents nor as a teacher by some state "ranking" or other nonsense. My worth is clearly defined in GODs Word and HE alone will direct my path! So for those out there struggling - remember these key points:


Goliath fell at Davids feet - because David followed GOD

Daniel overcame the lions den - because Daniel followed GOD

Elijah called down fire from heaven- because Elijah followed GOD

The Egyptians were swallowed up by the sea - because Moses followed GOD

- those people who seek to STOP the work of GOD by making men and women of GOD feel defeated, discouraged and insecure (through comparison) WILL NOT HAVE VICTORY!! AMEN!! So quit looking to others to find your worth! Stop attempting to have control of your life and the lives of others! In everything you do put GOD first - do not make ONE decision personally or professionally without input from GOD first - then you will have no need to compare yourself to others because you will know with all certainty that GOD was in control in the first place!!

http://girlfriendsingod.com/comparison-kills-confidence/