Want A Quiet and Peaceable Life?

 

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:1-4

When I read these verses, I realized that God was giving us instructions as well as urging us. Exhort means urging, strongly encouraging. What is God urging us to do?

He said, “First of all,” I want to stop here a minute. God’s words “first of all” should say to us that what He is about to ask us to do is important. We are to do it first. So, what do we do first? We are to make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks for all men.

Supplication means we are making a request and bringing a petition to God earnestly and humbly for all men–for kings, those in authority (yes, even those we do not like and those in different political camps).

Prayer means entreat, implore, request. To me it is talking to God and asking God to have mercy upon all men, kings, and those in authority. Request God to help them make wise decisions for their land and its people.

Intercession means intervening on behalf of another. We can intercede for others by praying for their needs will be met, both physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial.

Giving thanks means thanking God. Once we have prayed for all men, kings, and those in authority, we need to thank God for answering our prayers for them. They need God too. By thanking God, we let Him know we expect Him to answer our prayers, and we are grateful that He does.

Why does He tell us to do this? It is for our own good. God truly wants all of us to live a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Therefore, instead of bashing the political leaders, kings, and all men, we do not care for, we need to obey God (be obedient) and pray for them. Remember God is the one who can change things and people…through prayer. Our doing this will be pleasing to God. Remember, He wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth.

Question: Would we rather spend our time doing what God said, so we will have peaceable lives, or would we rather spend our time spewing anger, hate, and criticizing others? Which do you think offers us peace?

I happened to listen to a late-night talk show about three years ago, (I don’t normally watch these things) and did not find their bashing people to be funny, nor find humor at the expense of another human being. Immediately, 1 Timorthy 2:1-4 came to my mind. 

Prayer: 

Lord, help each of us come to you in prayer and thanksgiving each day and intercede for all men, kings, and men in authority everywhere regardless of whether we like and agree with them or not. We pray for them to come to know you, to come into the knowledge of truth, and to have wisdom to lead so that we can have a quiet an peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. Help us to realize our responsibility as a child of God to pray and interced for others, not just the ones we love and like, but also for those we do not like. Amen

(excerpt of this post taken from my book Between Me and You.)

Listen For God's Voice

 Andrew Murray said, "Nothing so effectually hinders hearing God’s voice as opening the heart too much to other voices. A heart too deeply interested in the news, the literature, and the society of this world cannot hear the divine voice. It needs stillness, retirement, and concentration to give God the heed He claims."

Oh Lord God, I ask for you to help me and my family to be still and hear your voice telling us where you want us to go and we trust you to get us there at the right time. In Jesus name. Amen

Getting and Giving!

 

This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. I think this reflects the broader theme of obedience and devotion plus the rewards of faithfully serving our God. This is what Hezekiah instilled in the people. And it works.
Hezekiah was blessed by God and prospered.


It worked then, it works now. It is important that we wholeheartedly dedicate ourselves to God and obey His commandments.


I read somewhere that sacrificial giving is of God's people. But it goes deeper than giving our money, time and talents. It goes down to the core of our sacrificing the necessary things in our own lives so we can draw close to God. Once the people drew close to God they could serve others better. This means we could too. It isn't all about us getting, it is truly about us giving.


Blessings!

A Brief Rest

 God said, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

God is so gracious to us. He knows when we need rest. Several weeks ago, I had

retina surgery and rested my eye. It is healing and I am doing well. During this time

I followed the Lord's words and rested.

Looking forward to being back within a few days.




God blessings to all!

Change In Life

Philip Doddridge wrote "Blest are the humble souls that wait with sweet submission to His will; harmonious all their passions move, and in the midst of storms are still."

Sometimes we get very discouraged with ourselves. We try working on the faults we see and it gets us frustrated when we don't see change. Be patient with yourself as you would with others. Just ask God to help you each day change the things that you can change and trust Him to change the things He can change.

Change in life is inevitable, but making sure those changes are from God takes prayer and seeking His will for your life. 

When change comes that is not of God, it is wise to again, go to prayer and seek His will in the situation and His guidance.

Maya Angelou said, "I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it."

Blessings!

Will Not Taste Death

Jesus told his disciples that some of those standing there would not taste death before they saw the kingdom of God come in its power.

There are many differing explanations. But it is mostly attributed to the coming of the Holy Spirit being breathed on those in the Upper Room. Some say it was referring to the Transfiguration. 

I have heard and read other descriptions but I think the two above have more credenence. 

But if you remember, in Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36, it talks about the Transfiguration. Three disciples, Peter, James, and John, saw Jesus in a special glory. 2 Peter 1:16-18 also refers to it on the mountaintop. Jesus shone with a great bright light and Moses and Elijah appear and Jesus speaks with them.

So Peter, James and John saw Jesus standing in His Glory.

The description about the Holy Spirit being breathed shows great power coming from God to be on and in those who would be about the work of Jesus, spreading the gospel.

The important thing I think for me, is to know that Christ was and is the Son of God, and He is going to return and His Kingdom will be established forever.

Blessings!

Can You Be A Special Messenger?

 

Paul, was a special messenger. An Apostle. Jesus Christ chose Paul personally to represent Him for the faith of God’s chosen ones. Jesus wanted Paul to lead and encourage them to recognize and pursue the knowledge of the truth which leads to godliness. Who better to represent Him than a man who persecuted Him and His followers in the beginning and who had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ himself on the road to Damascas. He could speak with conviction and truth.

The Lord wanted them to have hope and a divine guarantee of eternal life, the life which God, who is ever truthful and without deceit, promised before the ages of time began.

This is what God has given us. Truth. A divine guarantee of eternal life with Him. The Lord has loved us so much that He wants us to have hope, yes, but also to have that guarantee of eternal life with Him.

We can be like Paul, and share this news with those who do not know it. 

Don't forget Jesus gave us instructions, he said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 (AMP)

Blessings