We’ll get back to God’s Original Intent soon, but there was something in the news recently that I wanted to discuss.
Tempe Pastor on President Obama
Where do we begin…
1 Timothy 2:1-3
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (Bolded Emphasis mine)
This is not about President Obama’s policies…his beliefs, etc.
As believers…citizens of God’s Kingdom…we are told that we should make prayers, requests AND intercession for kings and all those is authority. There is nothing in that verse that says “only if you agree with their policies”.
According to 2 Corinthians 5:20, we are Christ’s ambassadors. We are in a position and have the responsibility as if God were making his appeal through us. So when a pastor states that he is PRAYING for President Obama to die and go to hell, once has to wonder if he really has the heart of God as he leads.
Here is what we must understand…
God IS in control! The Earth…not just America…not just Tulsa or wherever you live…not just my house or your house…THE EARTH is the Lord’s and the fullness of it. So He rules and He reigns. He has never left the throne. He hasn’t taken a break. So with that in mind…no leader rises to power except He allows it. God is the one that raises one up and brings another to their knees.
That is the sovereignty of God the Most High King. None of us are worthy of heaven. We all deserve hell. But He has made provision for us to spend eternity with Him.
So to pray that someone dies and goes to hell is praying AGAINST the very will and heart of God. It goes against the very thing that Christ came to do. Some might even say that it is the spirit of anti-Christ.
The truth is this…every man is flawed. Every single one of us. We’ve all made mistakes. We have all sinned. And in the eyes of God, the wages of sin is death. PERIOD. There is no “okay” sin with God.
This is why we are commanded to pray for each other and our leaders. So that they may have the wisdom of God, not so they can die and spend eternity separated from Him in eternal torment.
So today and everyday…make it a point to pray for our leaders on all levels. Whether or not we agree with the politics or policies…Pray.
Tags: Leadership, Prayer, President Obama
Let’s again look at the scripture
Gen. 1:26-28
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
After God created us in his image and in his likeness, he was not done. He created us with a purpose and a function. We weren’t created to shadow him and just sit on the sidelines and watch the world pass us by. See, as a shadow of God…made in his image, it is impossible for us to be what were created to be and do nothing.
God is a living, breathing, active God. So when he created us, he gave us the ability to operate in a similar fashion to Him. According to our text, he intended for us to have dominion over the earth and the creatures on and under it.
The word that is used for “dominion” is the Hebrew word “radah” which means to rule, dominate, subdue. In other words, God’s original intent for mankind was that we would be made in His image…to be his shadow. Where he goes, we go. How he talks, we talk. How he rules…yep…we rule in the same way.
But our “rulership” is subject to Him. He is the ultimate authority and he alone can give authority. So, when He created mankind…it was with the intent that man would rule/have dominion over earth…on God’s behalf.
As you move through your day, ask yourself…”Are you operating how God intended? Do you exercise dominion over your situations or do they have power over you?”
Life in the Kingdom of God was never about ease or comfort aka smooth sailing. Instead, we need to recognize that we serve an all-powerful, all-knowing, ever present God. You were made in His image and likeness.
Be Blessed
Tags: God, God's Kingdom, God's Plan, Kingdom
First off, welcome to what is the first of many discussions and teachings from the Word of God concerning His kingdom. Feel free to comment, ask questions and at some point I will be looking for guest bloggers.
Let’s jump into our first discussion…
Too often we look for the deep mind blowing truths of God, when sometimes we just need to revisit the basics. For those of us that grew up in church, we often recited what is commonly known as the Lord’s Prayer. Come on, you know it… say it with me…Our Father, who art in heaven…hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come…etc.
Here’s the thing…we recite that but often gloss over what Jesus was really saying. If Jesus was sent to fulfill the promise of God. If He was here to restore us back to God as God originally intended for us to be with him…then we need to look at His original intent regarding mankind.
Gen. 1:26-28
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
When God created mankind he used himself as a pattern. We were created in the image and likeness of God. The Hebrew word used means of resemblance or to shade. Here’s the example or thought…When you are in a lit room, you produce a shadow. The shadow moves as you do and has your essential shape and form. The shadow is not you, but points to your presence. Likewise, when God created us, we were intended as a shadow to his form. We would move and operate as He does. We would not be God, but we would point to His presence.
You and I were created as shadows of God. Where He moves, we should move. When He stops, we stop. Our very existence should point to and reflect the presence of God.
As you read this today, ask yourself…How good of a shadow are you being today? Is your life pointing to the evidence of God? Does your form/likeness accurately reflect Him?