Authority in an Age of Autonomy

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“But of the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.’  Hebrews 1:8

William Ernest Henley’s famous poem Invictus closes with the lines, “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.” Though written in 1875, the couplet could serve as a rallying cry for the contemporary Western world, where freedom is interpreted as “doing whatever you please,” and every individual is given a near-sacred right of self-definition.

The drive to set ourselves up as our own authority is the essence of humanity’s sinful nature as seen in Adam and Eve’s desire to ‘be like God’ (Genesis 3:1-6).

I feel this innate pull myself. I don’t like being told what to do or how to spend my money or time. I want to be free.

But today’s verse, and many others that echo it, proclaim Jesus as the forever King. The world is his, whether we accept it or not. Those who don’t follow Jesus understandably disregard his authority. Christians, however, are called to submission and obedience. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

The ministry I serve with, Cru, invites college students to sign a counter cultural pledge to “go, do, say, and give” whatever God may ask of them. This invitation to yield all career, finances, relationships, and possessions to the kingly authority of Christ is both scary and difficult. It’s a daily, wilful choice. But doing so yields peace, purpose, and protection — the very things the autonomy of self falsely promises.

Father, thank you that you have set your Son on a permanent and universal throne. I confess my constant inclination to take control of my own life, and my actions that attempt to usurp your lordship over me. By the power of your Spirit, help me to yield all to Jesus and experience the peace and joy of living in your good Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Jason Weimer
Used by Permission

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Believe and Love

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“And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us.” 1 John 3:23

Over the course of my life, I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out God’s will. When I was in high school, I needed to know what college to go to. When I was in college, I wondered if my major was right. After college, I looked for the right job, the right place to live, the right church, and the right one to marry.

In our modern society, we have a lot of choices for our lives. Even within our talents and gifts, many opportunities are available to us in regards to where we live, work, worship, shop, and so on. As a result, choosing our path can be more complicated that it needs to be.

1 John 3:23 states God’s desire for us very simply: believe in Jesus Christ and love people. That’s it. That is how God wants us to spend our time here on earth. If you want to fulfill your purpose, do those two things, wherever you are. No matter what job you have, you can love God. No matter where you live, you can love the people along your path. In your everyday existence you will come across people who need God’s love through your warmth, your love, and your kindness.

God gives us gifts and talents to use for His glory. But the biggest influence we might have for the kingdom of God is seeking Him with all of our hearts and serving the people who surround us.

Lord, as I get to know You better, help me love other people better. Amen.

By Debbie West
Used by Permission

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Called Out of Darkness

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“…that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9

It’s pretty amazing that, as Jesus followers, we have been called out of darkness. Yet what does that actually mean when darkness seems to cast it’s shadow all around us? How do we escape it when discouragement tugs at our own coattails?

We are called by Jesus to walk differently. To share joy, show gentleness, have patience, bring peace, to have self-control and to walk faithfully. God gives us His Spirit to help us demonstrate these qualities of His light. Yet every one of us knows the temptation to dwell on the negative, be critical, let discouragement wash over us, or settle into a pity party. Things don’t always go our way and when they don’t it’s natural to feel the pull of darkness drawing us away from God’s light.

God knows us better than we know ourselves. Along with His Spirit, He gives us tools to help us live in the Light.

Tool #1 – Declare His praises. When the darkness of doubt, discouragement or just plain depletion of strength and joy creep in, turn intentionally to offer praise to God. Thank Him that He is your Rock, your Strength, your Shepherd who will guide you and prepare a feast for you even in the middle of that pull of darkness.

Tool # 2 – His word tells us to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness”, but rather to expose them. (Ephesians 5:11).  We often think of “unfruitful works of darkness” as the big bad things. Yet when you feel that pull of darkness toward a pity party or embracing that discouragement, stop and ask yourself if you have opened the door to have fellowship with any unfruitful works of darkness. This could simply be entertainment that pulls you to the dark side; engaging in negative, critical thoughts and conversations; acting selfishly; forgetting to thank God for who He is. Recognize the doors you may have opened that lead you to unfruitfulness and ask for God’s help to close them. Lean again into His strength. Refocus your thoughts on thanksgiving – even if you have to start with the smallest bit of gratitude to Him. Once darkness is exposed to the Light it cannot remain. Find others to walk together with in the Light of Jesus’ presence.

Heavenly Father,  I thank you that You have called me into Your light. I need Your help to live there consistently. When discouragement and temptations come to override me, please nudge me and help me to quickly back away and close the door to the darkness. Remind me to turn my eyes to You and praise You. Help me to refocus on the help and strength of Your Holy Spirit. Thank you that Your Light fills my life with peace and joy and strength. Thank you that I can expose the darkness and walk in the peace You give me. I praise You that darkness cannot remain in the Light of Your wonderful presence. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Thought: Is discouragement or temptation tugging you downward? If not thank Him for His wonderful Presence right now. When you do feel darkness crowding your soul, stop and ask what door you may have opened to the unfruitful works of darkness. Pay attention to your thoughts and the things you allow into your mind. Ask for God’s help in closing those doors so that you may remain in His light and walk peacefully and joyfully in His presence.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

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When You Open the Door

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“Look! I have been standing at the door and I am constantly knocking. If anyone hears Me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him and he with Me” Revelation 3:20

“One morning I wanted to feed the birds,” a saint once said. “It was gray and cold, and the ground was covered with snow. I stepped out on the porch and flung them handfuls of crumbs and called to them. But there they sat, cold and hungry and afraid. They did not trust me.”

“As I sat and watched and waited, it seemed to me I could get God’s view-point more clearly than ever before. He offers, plans, waits, hopes, longs for all things for our good. But He has to watch and wait as I did for my timid friends.”

What a simple thing it is to open a door!

That still, small voice of conscience that pricks you from time to time is probably Christ Himself knocking at the door of your heart. He is waiting for that very simple act by which you open that door – an act of your will acknowledging that Christ is making a claim upon your life. He has that right; He died for you.

If you are not absolutely sure that Christ is in your life, that you would go straight to heaven if you died today, you can be sure right now.

By faith, respond to the invitation of Jesus and open the door of your life to Him. Why not make this your prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I need You. I know You are the Son of God, the Savior of all men. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be. Enable me to live a supernatural life beginning today. Amen.”

If you asked Christ to come into your life, by faith, trusting that He has answered your prayer even as He has promised, then you can know with absolute certainty that He has done so.

Bible Reading: John 14:23-27

Today’s Thought: If I am already absolutely sure of my salvation, I will invite someone else today to pray this prayer. If I am not sure of my own spiritual condition, I will pray it for myself.

by Dr. Bill Bright
Used by Permission

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Gloves

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“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

It was winter and the buses were on strike. I picked up a student who wanted a ride on this cold day. He was from Africa and this was his first experience with a Canadian winter. As we talked, I noticed he didn’t have gloves. In that moment, it seemed that God prompted me, “Give him your gloves and tell him I love him.” I hesitated, not because I had a special attachment to my gloves, but what would the student think? How would he respond? As we approached his destination, I surrendered my fears and gave him my gloves. I told him I was doing this because God loves him. He thanked me, took my gloves and got out of the car.

Shortly after I got home, the phone rang. A friend was phoning with a question. “Do you need a pair of gloves?” Before I could answer, she explained she had purchased a pair of gloves for her son but they didn’t fit. For some reason she thought of me. Amazing.

God knows all things — the number of stars, the hairs on our heads and even when a sparrow falls to the ground (Luke 12:6-8). In his knowledge, he can guide us to special places in order to touch lives if we will listen and act on his direction! We may never know the results. I never saw that student again. But we can know our simple obedience will fit in God’s good plan!

Lord, I confess that so often I trust in my own thoughts and perceptions. I want your spirit to guide me in each area of my life. Amen.

By Mike Woodard
Used by Permission

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Unexpected Detours

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“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” Proverbs 19:21

While we were driving from Florida to Texas on I-10, our planned schedule came to a screeching halt in Louisiana. After waiting for an hour, we crawled en masse to the next exit where law enforcement diverted all westbound traffic off the highway. We saw why. An 18-wheeler lay on its side, blocking all lanes.

In that swampy area, the only parallel road had two lanes. We kept crawling for another hour, sandwiched between other vehicles, until the next exit was accessible. At first it was maddening to get so behind schedule. Then we started noticing trees, flowers, birds, interesting houses, and yard art, things we wouldn’t know existed had we kept driving 70 mph on the highway.

In the same way, our lives take unexpected detours when we experience job loss, a forced move, serious illness, or death of family or friends. We have choices: we can grumble, curse, or scream about the unfairness of changing our plans, or we can trust God, pray for wisdom, and accept the new route open to us.

For all we know, God might have placed that detour in our path, either to prevent a worse tragedy from occurring, or to experience unforeseen blessings along the way.

Lord, help me put my trust in you when my plans fail and grief and disappointment result. Let me accept the unexpected detour graciously, with faith that you will guide me safely through my journey. Amen.

By Katy Huth Jones
Used by Permission

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Pruned for Purpose

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“Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.” Mark 14:29 (NKJV)

Scripture describes a time in the Apostle Peter’s life in which he had done what he thought he would never, ever do. On the night he instituted the Lord’s Supper, Jesus predicted that all the disciples would be made to stumble because of him (Mark 14:27). Peter, in his overzealous confidence, responded, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be” (Mark 14:29 NKJV). Peter was so sure of himself that he proclaimed emphatically that even if he had to die with Christ he would not deny him. Yet, hours later, he did just that (Mark 14:66-72).

God, in his omniscience, had zeroed in on a weakness in Peter’s character. Through humbling circumstances Jesus pruned the pride that would prevent Peter from later becoming the leader of the early church God intended him to be.

Often, we can identify areas we’re overconfident in by noting the lack of time we spend in prayer over them. If the Holy Spirit brings something to mind, ask the Father to prune that tendency from your heart. Give him permission to use whatever means is necessary so that you may fulfill the purpose he has for your life.

Dear Father, you promise in your word to prune branches that don’t bear fruit. I ask you to humbly search me and see if there are barren branches. I give you permission to do whatever is necessary that I may bear lasting fruit for your glory. Amen.

By Veda Lucas
Used by Permission

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