05/08/2018
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I assure you and most solemnly say to you, anyone who believes in Me [as Savior] will also do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these [in extent and outreach], because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name [as My representative], this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified and celebrated in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name [as My representative], I will do it. John 14:12-14
As a Pastor I just wanted to say that I am very proud of Suzanne Marie DeWitt Hall for praying for our leaders. God has called all of us as His followers to pray for others even when we do not feel like praying for them. I find myself at times wishing I did not have to pray for the evil man running this country right now, but I have to repent and ask God to forgive me for having thoughts I should not have towards our leaders.
As Christians, we are to live in a fine balance; standing for that
which is true while seeking unity amongst ourselves whenever possible, standing
firm in the faith while showing grace to those who do not, holding our
leaders accountable while praying for their wisdom and well-being.
We are to learn from the words of Ezekiel 22:30, "I
searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap
before Me for [the sake of] the land, that I would not destroy it, but I found
no one [not even one]."
We are to be those who stand in the gap, who lift up our nation with all it
favors and faults before the throne of God, and pray that He continues to work
in our midst.
A few Scriptures that admonish the people of God to pray for their
leaders, their land and to ask forgiveness for their wickedness so God will
hear them and heal the land including leading the leaders to do His will.
I Timothy 2:1-6 - First of all, then, I urge that petitions (specific requests), prayers, intercessions (prayers for others) and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in [positions of] high authority, so that we may live a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This [kind of praying] is good and acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wishes all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge and recognition of the [divine] truth. For there is [only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and mankind, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom [a substitutionary sacrifice to atone] for all, the testimony given at the right and proper time.
In 1 Peter the Apostle Peter is admonishing the people once again to honor those in authority whether you like them or not.
I Peter 2:17 - Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
Here in Romans 13 we see the Apostle Paul once again encouraging the followers of Jesus to be subject to the governing authorities. Do not let verse 8 confuse you into thinking you should have an emotional love for everyone. The type of love here is not about emotion, it is about doing things for the benefit of another person, it is having an unselfish concern for another with a willingness to seek the best for other “BELIEVERS”.
Romans 13:1 - Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Jeremiah 29:7 - Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.
In 2 Chronicles 7:11-22 we find Ezra writing about God’s Promise and Warning given to Solomon after he finished building the house of God and the palace of the king. The most significant thing we can learn from 2 Chronicles 7:14 is that we must turn from our wickedness, pray and seek the face of God for Him to heal our land.
II Chronicles 7:14 - if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
King David with the help of his elders encouraged the kings and rulers to serve God in Psalm 2. We should pray for our leaders to turn from their wicked ways and turn to God so our land will be prosperous.
Psalms 2:10-12 - Now therefore, O kings act wisely; be instructed and take warning, O leaders (judges, rulers) of the earth. Worship the Lord and serve Him with reverence [with awe-inspired fear and submissive wonder]; Rejoice [yet do so] with trembling. Kiss (pay respect to) the Son, so that He does not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled and set aflame. How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] are all those who take refuge in Him!
Job speaks the POWER of GOD over those who are in authority which gives followers of Jesus an example of how important it is for us to speak in the POWER OF GOD to see the hand of God.
Job 12:13-25 - “But [only] with Him are [perfect] wisdom and might; He [alone] has [true] counsel and understanding. “Behold, He tears down, and it cannot be rebuilt; He imprisons a man, and there can be no release. “Behold, He restrains the waters, and they dry up. Again, He sends the waters out, and they overwhelm and devastate the earth. “With Him are might and sound wisdom, the misled and the misleader are His [and in His power]. “He makes [great and scheming] counselors walk barefoot and makes fools of judges. “He loosens the bond of kings
and binds their loins with a loincloth. “He makes priests walk barefoot; And He overturns men firmly seated and secure. “He deprives the trusted ones of speech and takes away the discernment and discretion of the aged.“He pours contempt on princes and nobles; and loosens the belt of the strong [disabling them]. “He uncovers mysteries [that are difficult to grasp and understand] out of the darkness and brings black gloom and the shadow of death into light.
“He makes nations great, and He destroys them; He enlarges nations, and leads them away [captive]. “He removes intelligence and understanding from the leaders of the people of the earth and makes them wander and move blindly in a pathless waste. “They grope in darkness without light; And He makes them stagger like a drunken man.”
In the Proverbs written by Solomon, Solomon gives insight to what happens when people and nations chose not to follow God making it even more urgent that followers of God should be praying for those in authority.
Proverbs 11:14 - Where there is no [wise, intelligent] guidance, the people fall [and go off course like a ship without a helm], But in the abundance of [wise and godly] counselors there is victory.
Proverbs 21:1 - The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
He turns it whichever way He wishes.
Proverbs 2:1-8 - My son, if you will receive my words And treasure my commandments within you, So that your ear is attentive to [skillful and godly] wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding [seeking it conscientiously and striving for it eagerly]; Yes, if you cry out for insight, And lift up your voice for understanding; If you seek skillful and godly wisdom as you would silver And search for her as you would hidden treasures; Then you will understand the [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] And discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives [skillful and godly] wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores away sound wisdom for the righteous [those who are in right standing with Him]; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity [those of honorable character and moral courage], He guards the paths of justice; and He preserves the way of His saints (believers).
May we be faithful, informed and thoughtful when praying and talking to others about our politics, and as we ask for God's wisdom and righteousness to be evident in our nation's policies and leaders.
It is my prayer that more FOLLOWERS of GOD will STAND UP against the EVIL in WASHINGTON D.C. and PRAY for our leaders as we have learned from those saints before us will cause God to hear from HEAVEN and answer our prayers.
Blessings and Peace,
Rainbow Pastor David
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