UNDER AUTHORITY? – Tuesday June 27th 2017
Memorise:
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. Romans 13:1
Read: Acts 8:12-17 (KJV)
8:12 But
when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom
of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and
women.
8:13 Then
Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued
with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were
done.
8:14 Now
when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had
received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
8:15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
8:17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Bible in one year: Ruth 2-4, Lamentation 1:1-12, Hymn: Sing hymn 14
MESSAGE:
It
is one thing to serve the Lord, and another thing to submit to
authority. Some people can render service to God but they cannot submit
themselves to the authority of someone the Lord has placed over them. In
today’s Bible reading, after the apostles heard that a deacon was
making waves in Samaria, they decided to go and see what was going on.
Peter was asked to lead the delegation there. Open Heavens 27 June 2017: Tuesday daily devotional by Pastor E. A. Adeboye- Under authority? On
arrival, Philip received them warmly, introduced them to the Samaritan
converts as his leaders and submitted himself to their authority. There
was no conflict whatsoever! If it were some people today, there would
have been a rift. They would have confronted these leaders with rash
words such as “Pastor Peter, where do you think you have come to? When
there was no revival here, you never came to Samaria. Now that God has
used me to bring revival to Samaria, you have come to take over the work
and the glory. I will never allow you to do this. You may be an
apostle, but I am the one God used to save these souls and perform these
signs and wonders, so please return to your Jerusalem.”
Do
you know that there are some pastors that God used in building up a
church, who down the line defy all moves to transfer them elsewhere?
They believe that since they did all the hard work of building from
scratch, they should be left to enjoy the “dividends” of their labour.
This only shows a lack of understanding. In the first place, whatever
work we do in the Kingdom of God is done for God and not for any man.
Also, the means used for the work, whether physical, financial or
material, come from God. Furthermore, no human being can adequately
reward you for work you do for God. Similarly, God does not owe any one
who serves Him: He always rewards them here on earth and later in
eternity, as promised by the Lord in Matthew 19:29:
“And
every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or
father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake,
shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”
There
should be no conflict at all on such matters. When a person is told by
their authority to relocate, it should be clear to him or her that God
is most likely through with using him or her in that current location.
If you find it difficult to submit to your earthly superiors, it means
that you are not ready for the ministry of signs and wonders. Are you
under authority, or do you resist and struggle with your superiors?
Repent and make amends today!
Key Point
Refusing to submit to the powers above you makes you a rebel, and this attracts divine condemnation (Romans 13:2).
Open
Heavens Daily Devotional guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the
General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the
largest evangelical Church in the world and also the President of Christ
the Redeemer's Ministries.
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