Prayer or Complaint
There are many people who are unhappy with their environment. Constantly house hopping, and always looking to make a change, is really a futile exercise in self inflicted stress.
Where you are living and dwelling, is exactly where the Lord wants you to be. Settle in and make a difference. If you feel that you must relocate; then listen and pray for the Lord’s guidance, before moving or purchasing a new home. Prayer or Complaint?
And
He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face
of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the
boundaries of their dwellings, (Acts 17:26)
This means you are in the Nation living in a community and interacting with the exact people destined to fulfill God’s purposes. All orchestrated by God, fulfilling a preappointed season in your life.
Some may say, “Yes that is correct, but what about the unsaved and secular world. Those unaware or intent on doing evil.” Prayer or Complaint?
Take comfort in knowing that God is still in control of the entire orchestra. He takes the time to fine tune all His human instruments. Even for the Ballad of ‘The End of Days.’
Perilous Times and Perilous Men
Satan’s perversion is in his Sinful Solos. The enemy is ever vigilant to take charge of your life and redirect your walk. Leading you down the wrong path. Satan sings a sweet enticing lie of dissension. To put the spot light on a your flesh or worldly needs and issues. This can pull you in two different directions, leading to confusion in your life.
I
know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all
things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound
and to suffer need. (Philippians 4:12)
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
But
know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will
be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers,
disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving,
slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors,
headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
having a form of godliness but denying its power.
And
from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into
households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins,
led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the
knowledge of the truth.
Now
as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the
truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they
will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as
theirs also was.
But
you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose,
faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions,
which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions
I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.
Yes,
and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer
persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse,
deceiving and being deceived.
But
you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured
of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood
you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for
salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Puppet Master
For some the thought of God using Satan or evil for Good seems to be counter-intuitive. Yes! God is still the puppet master over Satan. God is pulling the strings. We must remember that God is still in control!
Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? (Romans 9:21)
But
as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in
order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.(Genesis 50:20)
I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things.’ (Isaiah 45:7)
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.(Romans 8:28)
With that being said; I always add that, “I can not teach anyone to care, I can only demand respect.” It is the same with God!
Submit to God and Government
Whether or not you agreed with everything that the bible says or the Lord does, as a Believer you must respect God’s statutes and laws!
God is in control and instructs us to yield to His authority. When we whine, complain, and rebel against all that God has set up whether it be within our family, church, community, or government we are walking outside of God’s will.
We are to set ourselves under the leadership structures that God has ordained and anointed. Like it or not, it is your job to pray for those in leadership positions. Prayer or Complaint?
Let
every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no
authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed
by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of
God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
For
rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be
unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise
from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do
evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s
minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
Therefore
you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’
sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s
ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to
all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs,
fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. (Romans 13:1-7)
Therefore
submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake,
whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are
sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those
who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put
to silence the ignorance of foolish men — as free, yet not using
liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all
people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.(1 Peter 2:13-17)
Civil disobedience
The only exception is if these governing people or bodies instruct you to disobey the Lord your God! In this situation you must follow God before anyone or anything else. Civil disobedience is permitted when the government’s laws or commands are in direct violation of God’s laws and commands.
But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)
The perversion from Satan is to stir up strife, contention, rebellion, and chaos. By doing this Satan can ensure that families, communities, and nations never receive healing or blessings. Satan knows the promises of God to Nations and their leadership. Satan also knows the promises of God to families and their leadership. Satan also knows the power of your prayers and does not want your prayer to be set up in alignment with God’s will and word.
Your prayers are your direct Hot Line to God. He is desperately waiting for us to release His power and authority through our prayers. This is how we join the spiritual warfare besieging our homes and our lands. ‘NOT’ by dissension through discourse with Satan. Prayer or Complaint?
As usual in America today, people either love and support our government, or hate and rebel against the government. Some even believe that a militia is the only answer.
Let
every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no
authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed
by God. (Romans 13:1)
For example: Shadrach, Mechach and Abdenego, refused the King of Babylon’s order to worship a golden image he had set up. They refused on the grounds that it violated God’s law.
Nebuchadnezzar ordered them burned alive in a furnace. Instead, they were joined by a fourth Person whom Nebuchadnezzar himself identified as being like the Son of God. (Daniel 3:16-25)
Another quick example comes from the Prophet Daniel, who chose to disobey the king’s order just like his friends Shadrach, Mechach and Abdenego and was thrown to the lions. (Daniel 6:16-22)
God sent and angel to shut up the mouths of the lions, agreeing with Daniels decision to disobey the king.
God took care of these men because they ‘first,’ obeyed God.
When
He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who
had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they
held. (Revelation 6:9)
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)
Pray for All Men
We as Believers: “Christians” are commanded to pray for their leaders and for God to intervene in His time to change this ungodly path that the world is pursuing. This is the only hope for change or a change that we can count on. Prayer or Complaint?
Therefore
I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in
authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness
and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our
Savior. (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
Just in case you missed it; This “bears repeating:“
He
was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the
image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not
worship the image of the beast to be killed. (Revelation 13:15)
Make your voice known: For God and Country through Prayer without Complaint.
Do all things without complaining and disputing, (Philippians 2:14)
Since God has no Complaint Box! Why not get good at Prayer?
