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.
iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
iOpenHeavens is the electronic version of the Hard Copy. The Open Heavens devotional application is available across all mobile platforms and operating systems: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Nokia, Windows Mobile and PC.
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