Authority

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Exodus 38:2 Giving God The Power And Authority

They made a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar were of one piece, and they overlaid the altar with bronze. Exodus 38:2

Having authority and power and never admitting one is wrong is something that many people desire. The more one can have and control, the more successful one feels he may be.

Giving up things and authority is often seen as a weakness or a failure. Admitting that one is wrong or did something wrong goes against the feelings and ways of most people.

The altar of burnt offering was made with horns of bronze on each of the four corners.

Horns in the bible often refer to power and authority. As sacrifices were offered, one was giving God power and authority.

Offering something for sacrifice upon the altar of burnt offering was to be done as an atonement for sins. It was an admission of being wrong before God and giving Him the power and authority over one’s life. The offering was to be completely burnt up with nothing left over.

Physical sacrifices of animals on an altar are no longer required of God. Jesus took the place of the animals, providing one sacrifice for all people, for all time.

Instead of physical sacrifices, believers now place their sins, actions, and self upon the altar of burnt offerings. It is laying down everything that is sin before God, allowing Jesus to remove the guilt and corruption. Everything about sin and self is allowed to be burnt up and done away with.

The believer becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus upon that altar. God is placed upon the throne of the new heart and given all authority and power.

Without these sacrifices of self, God has not been given power or authority over one’s own life.

As a believer you will make sinful choices at times. Go before God and offer those sins and sinful habits upon the altar of burnt offerings to God. Give Jesus the power and authority to remove those things from your life, making you clean, pure and holy before God and man.

Doing this may be a little painful as God burns them out of your life, but in the end, you will have a greater life that extends into eternity.

Once this is done, allow God to have complete power and authority over your life.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will offer your life upon the altar of sacrifice before God; that you will give God complete authority and power over your life; and that you will allow Jesus to burn out any sinful habits in your life.

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Exodus 5:2 Acknowledging God’s Authority

Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go.” Exodus 5:2

All around the world in every location, from small businesses to nations, there are people of various levels of authority. Most often the majority of people in a given area know who those in position of authority are and are willing to obey them.

Occasionally there are some people who do not know who is in position of authority. They question the person and will refuse to obey.

Moses had gone to Pharaoh with God’s demand to let the Israelites go. Pharaoh rejected him saying that he did not know who God is.

People are quick to question the authority of a person. They want to know who the person is and if he really has the authority to order them to do something. Some will even challenge the one in authority just to see what he will do if they do not obey, even though they know he is in position of authority.

The world does not know who God is and so they will not acknowledge nor obey Him. Believers do know who He is but will often not obey Him. They challenge His authority and position, often thinking that they know better.

This can occur because God is out of sight and out of mind. Yet, God is there and does see all things.

Instead of questioning God and His authority, the true believer will immediately obey no matter what the command is, easy or difficult. He will realize that God is the One who can kill the body and the soul for all eternity, rather than just some cosmic unknown entity out there somewhere.

As a believer God should be the highest and most important authority in your life. Just as you are willing to obey your boss at work or some policeman, be even more willing to obey God.

Unlike those in authority in this world, God knows what is best for you and has complete control of all things. Do not be like Pharaoh and ignore God’s commands to you but be obedient in all ways acknowledging His authority and position.

When you choose to obey God, you will not have to be struck and punished for rejection as Pharaoh was but will know the blessings of God in your life.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will acknowledge who God is and His authority; that you will obey God’s commands to you; and that you will trust God’s leading in your life.

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Exodus 4:1 Being Reluctant

Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” Exodus 4:1

In order for many people to believe a person they want to see his credentials. People want to know what gives a person the authority to say or do what he is saying or doing. They desire to see some great big title behind the name.

As people doubt so much, many people are unwilling to step up and speak or do something when they don’t have the title to match it.

Moses had been told by God to go back to Egypt and tell the people that He was releasing them. Moses questioned it and asked what to do if they don’t believe him or listen to him.

Fearing that someone will be unwilling to listen is common among believers. It is common that many feel as if they do not have any authority to speak up or tell others about Jesus without having some bible degree or leadership title. They are reluctant to step out in faith and do what God has called them to do.

God loves to use the simple to astound the complex. He works in ways that will amaze people, but it has to be done in faith. It starts with being willing to step out and speak up with what one knows and can do. As soon as that step is taken, God steps in and does the supernatural by bring signs and wonders to confirm the words and actions.

Very few will ever have to lead a nation out of another nation, but every believer is called to lead someone out of the grips of sin and death. All it takes is being willing to go up to someone and tell them about Jesus.

There are people that you will come across that God has placed there for you to be a witness to. You may or may not have a bible degree, but you do have a testimony of what God has done in your life and how He has saved you.

Do not hold back your testimony out of fear that they will not listen or believe you. Some will not listen or believe you, but most will listen. Allow God to work miracles through you and change their hearts.

Are you being reluctant to do and say what God wants you to do and say?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know what God wants you to say and do; that you will be willing to obey God’s call on your life; that you will give your testimony to all God puts in your path; and that God will confirm His authority in you through you.

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Genesis 32:30 God Spares Life

So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” Genesis 32:30

Standing before someone of extreme high authority and power can often make a person nervous. Those who are called into stand before a boss are often scared, not knowing what may happen. The boss has authority to remove them from a position.

In ancient times, anyone who was called before a king had a legitimate reason to be scared. The king had the power and authority to kill a person if not pleased with the person.

Jacob had a meeting with God, face to face in a field. Afterwards he realized he had met God directly and was not killed. God spared his life.

When meeting people in high positions of power, there are some people who do not realize the power and authority of the person. They go in as though meeting an old buddy, not someone of authority.

In the same way, many will go before God, not realizing His power and authority and holiness. Every person has sinned against God and deserves death by the most extreme punishment.

God has no reason to spare anyone’s life, yet, He does. God allows His great love and mercy to rise up and spare the life of every person. He gives them a chance to believe in Jesus and have their sins removed, making them holy and pure.

Although Jesus has provided for removal of sins, there are some who continue in sin, believing God will still spare their lives. Without repentance, one should fear going before God. There is no mercy for those who refuse to repent.

However, with repentance, God is a loving and merciful God and will forgive. One can meet with Him face to face and have his life spared from destruction.

God loves you and wants to meet with you face to face. Believe in Jesus, repenting of your sins and allow Him to make you holy so that you may stand before God clean and holy. Be willing to flee all sin, turning to God and live the life He has for you.

God is waiting for you to come to Him. He is calling you to have a meeting with Him. You do not have to fear destruction, if you are trusting in Jesus and following Him.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will repent of your sins before God; that you will be willing to meet with God face to face; and that you will know the love and mercy God has for you.

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1 Timothy 2:1-2 How To Live Life

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people–for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 1 Timothy 2:1-2

While the world is always talking about wanting peace, it is a peace that allows everyone to do whatever he wants to do. The world does not have a rock solid standard of how to live life, it is up to each individual and each situation.

When everyone is living by his own standards, there can be no real peace.

Paul encourages that all types of prayer be made for everyone, especially kings and those in authority. The purpose of the prayer is so that they may live peacefully in all godliness and holiness.

Most people in the church desire peace across the world and will pray for it on a regular basis. Some will pray for the leaders of their nations and lower level governmental officials.

However, just like the world, they pray for it so that they can live as they want, not necessarily as God wants them to live.

Many churches have peace with the world, because they are living as the world does–in sin. The standards of godliness and holiness are often put to the side, causing the church to look and act like the world does.

Jesus did not come to remove sins so that one could sin more, but so that he could live a godly and holy life as a witness to this dark and dying world. Every believer is to live a life that is separate from the world.

Prayer and thanksgiving must be made for every leader, so that the believer may be able to live a godly and holy life in peace.

Each and every day take time to pray and give thanks for those who are leaders over you from the workplace all the way up to national leaders. Pray that God will work in their lives in such a way that they allow you to live a godly and holy life.

Then, instead of living like the world in sin, live as Jesus did–in godliness and holiness in everything you think, say and do. Turn away from all sin to God. This is what will please God and why Jesus died and rose again for you.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will pray and give thanks to God for all leaders in authority above you; that you will live a holy and godly life like Jesus; and that you will be give peace to live for God.