A Prayer for Submission – Your Daily Prayer – May 31

A Prayer for Submission
By Dr. Neil T. Anderson

“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution.” 1 Peter 2:13

The world system in which we were raised says that you are nothing, so compete, scheme, achieve and strive to get ahead. The Bible teaches that you are something, so be submissive. Here’s how Peter said it:

“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:9,10).

Only after that affirmation of us being the people of God does Peter say, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution” (verse 13), and “Servants, be submissive to your masters” (verse 18). He even relates it to the home: “In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands” (1 Peter 3:1).

Submission is not a dirty word; it is a liberating word. We are all under God’s protective authority, and we can only be free if we seek it and submit to it. Coming under authority is your protection. Living free is your opportunity to be all that God created you to be.

There are two types of people who will never live up to their potential in Christ: those who can’t do what they are told to do and those who won’t do anything unless they are told. Don’t wait to be told what you are already free to do. Step out in faith and live up to your potential in Christ.

You can bring light into a dark world if you will allow Christ to shine through you. You don’t need a greater position; bloom where you are planted. Stop waiting for the big opportunity and seize the one you have. Someone in your world of influence desperately needs what Christ can do through you.

Prayer:

Lord, forgive me for my rebellious spirit. Teach me to be submissive and respectful to those in authority over me. Help me be a light in our dark world; let Christ shine through me. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear those around me who need Your gospel truth. Thank You for Your great love and tender mercy toward me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Editor’s Note: Content taken from the Daily in Christ devotional, Be Submissive, written by Dr. Neil T. Anderson. You can read that piece in full here. All rights reserved.

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MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST

The Staggering Question He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”  Ezekiel 37:3 Can a sinner be turned into a saint? Can a twisted life be made right? There is only one appropriate answer— “O Lord God, You know” (Ezekiel 37:3). Never forge ahead with your religious common sense and say, “Oh, yes, with just a little more Bible reading, devotional time, and prayer, I see how it can be done.” It is much easier to do something than to trust in God; we see the activity and mistake panic for inspiration. That is why we see so few fellow workers with God, yet so many people working for God. We would much rather work for God than believe in Him. Do I really believe that God will do in me what I cannot do? The degree of hopelessness I have for others comes from never realizing that God has done anything for me. Is my own personal experience such a wonderful realization of God’s power and might that I can never have a sense of hopelessness for anyone else I see? Has any spiritual work been accomplished in me at all? The degree of panic activity in my life is equal to the degree of my lack of personal spiritual experience. “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves…” (Ezekiel 37:12). When God wants to show you what human nature is like separated from Himself, He shows it to you in yourself. If the Spirit of God has ever given you a vision of what you are apart from the grace of God (and He will only do this when His Spirit is at work in you), then you know that in reality there is no criminal half as bad as you yourself could be without His grace. My “grave” has been opened by God and “I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells” (Romans 7:18). God’s Spirit continually reveals to His children what human nature is like apart from His grace. From My Utmost for His Highest Updated Edition Bible in One Year: 2 Chronicles 15-16; John 12:27-50

Worry Is a Thief – Forward with Back to the Bible – May 29

Just a Thought

Have you ever traveled with a planner? If so, that’s a blessing and a curse. I’m a planner when it comes to trips. I love to research where to go, what to see, and especially what to eat. I’ll spend hours looking at the right restaurants with the right reviews. The problem is, if not careful, this planning will rob me of what’s happening before my eyes.

Worry, fear, and anxiety do the same thing. Listen to Jesus’ words regarding fear and anxiety:  “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34).

Jesus isn’t saying, don’t plan. God is a planner. Thankfully, he had a plan to rescue us from our sin!

What Jesus is saying is that fear-based planning that causes you anxiety is destructive. You’ve got life going on around you, so be here. Be focused. Be trusting of your heavenly Father.

Just like my dining planning, if I do it obsessively, I miss the beautiful moments with my family. I miss the work God is doing right here and now.

Don’t worry about tomorrow. Don’t fret. Don’t be anxious. Don’t fear what’s coming next. Be prepared, of course. But know that God is in charge. He cares greatly for you.

Remember, God is always bigger than your problems. God’s provision is better than your planning. So take your eyes off the problem and put them on the provider.

Text in Context: Read Matthew 6:25-34

Reflect: What impact does your focus impact your life? What’s the relationship between trust in God and our planning? How does God’s control affect your view of problems?

Respond: How do you know when you are worrying? How do you know when you are trusting God? What will you do to trust God and not fear?

Prayer: Father, thank you for reminding me of your care for all your creation, but especially me. Help me to find the balance between action and trust. I don’t want to fear, so help me trust today.

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No-Fault?

“Anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.” Matthew 19:9 One reason divorce has become so common today is the advent of “no‐fault” divorce laws, first introduced in California in 1969. Over the following fifteen years, every state in America adopted some form of no‐fault legislation. And to what result? According to the Statistical Abstract of the United States, since these laws began taking effect the number of divorces in this country has increased 279 percent. In essence, no‐fault divorce has nullified the sacredness of marriage in the eyes of the law, making it an unenforceable contract. A man and woman can abandon their family more easily than they can abrogate almost any other agreement that bears their signature. In terms of the law, it matters not that they’ve made a solemn promise before God, friends, relatives, a member of the clergy, or a licensed representative of the state. However, no matter how easy the laws make it to get a divorce, it will always remain infinitely difficult to repair the damage. Just between us… What would you say to the couple who insist, “Our divorce is nobody’s fault. We just didn’t get along, so we’re going our separate ways”? Do we know anyone who has sought a divorce, only to regret the move? Are we committed to staying together, even through tough times? Lord, the courts have made it so easy to tear apart that which You have bound together. Forgive us, forgive our land, and bring us to repentance. Help us keep Your commands as the ultimate law of our marriage and family. Amen. From Night Light For Couples, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.