Motivations from the Heart of Paula Williams-Gaillard
"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." Hebrews 13:17
This morning afar off...I could see that someone was pulled over by the police....as I quickly approached them....I said to myself...."why am I slowing down....what can he (the Po-Po) do to me"....myself answered back and said....."well Ms. Thing......if you keep on speeding like you are....you are going to be the next one pulled over and you'll get a big fat ticket"....y'all know this Sister mashed on the brake quick fast and in a hurray!
Police Officers serve and protect citizens.... they are what we consider....AUTHORITY figures! They have the authority to arrest people and throw them in jail....the have the authority to ticket people and they even have the authorityto tow cars and put someone out of their home...if deemed necessary! We give a lot of respect to the authority of Police Officers but why....OH-OH here it comes.....but why as Children of God...don't we give the same kind of respect to our Spiritual Leaders whom God has placed over us? OUCH!
God is a God of order! He has placed Spiritual Leaders/Pastors aka "Under Shepherds" (Jesus is the TRUE SHEPHERD) over us who "watch over our souls". They are given AUTHORITY to lead God's Sheep and to lead with knowledge and understanding! God says in Jeremiah 3:15: "Then I will give you Shepherds after My own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding."
Romans 13:1-3 (NLT) says: "Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you."
Karen Wolf gives 4 steps in her article entitled: The Ultimate Definition of Respect: Submitting to and Respecting Authority" Practical Steps for Respecting Authority:
1. Start by reading and learning what God says about respecting authority. Find out just what he thinks and how much importance he places on your willingness and your attitude about it. When you discover that God will only give you authority over others when you show that you can come under authority yourself, perhaps things will look a little different to you.
2. Pray for those in authority over you. Ask God to guide them as they fulfill their tasks. Pray that their hearts would seek God as they make decisions. Ask God to show you how you can be a blessing to those in authority over you.
3. Set the example for the people around you. Show them what submitting to authority for the right reasons is supposed to look like. Don't participate in back-biting, gossiping, or criticizing your bosses or others in authority. There is nothing wrong with having constructive conversations, but there is a fine line between offering your opinion and becoming disrespectful.
4. Understand and know ahead of time that you are not going to like every decision. If you look at the responsibility and accountability that exists within the role of your leaders, it should become clear that the scope of their authority affects more than just you and your circumstances. There are times when decisions will negatively impact you. But just remember that how you react to these times will determine how quickly God puts you in a position of authority over others.
Do we agree with everything our Leaders say....NO....do we even like what our Leaders say...DOUBLE NO....do all Leaders lead by good examples...TRIPLE NO.......however the case may be....we are mandated to RESPECT and SUBMIT to those who have rule over us and apart from that....well...that's between them and God!
You are already Blessed so be Encouraged....
Love ya,
Paula
©Copyright 7/8/2010
All Rights Reserved
"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." Hebrews 13:17
Sing wit me now..."Bad boys...bad boys...what ya gon' do...what ya gon do when they come for you.....bad boys...bad boys"!
This morning afar off...I could see that someone was pulled over by the police....as I quickly approached them....I said to myself...."why am I slowing down....what can he (the Po-Po) do to me"....myself answered back and said....."well Ms. Thing......if you keep on speeding like you are....you are going to be the next one pulled over and you'll get a big fat ticket"....y'all know this Sister mashed on the brake quick fast and in a hurray!
Police Officers serve and protect citizens.... they are what we consider....AUTHORITY figures! They have the authority to arrest people and throw them in jail....the have the authority to ticket people and they even have the authorityto tow cars and put someone out of their home...if deemed necessary! We give a lot of respect to the authority of Police Officers but why....OH-OH here it comes.....but why as Children of God...don't we give the same kind of respect to our Spiritual Leaders whom God has placed over us? OUCH!
God is a God of order! He has placed Spiritual Leaders/Pastors aka "Under Shepherds" (Jesus is the TRUE SHEPHERD) over us who "watch over our souls". They are given AUTHORITY to lead God's Sheep and to lead with knowledge and understanding! God says in Jeremiah 3:15: "Then I will give you Shepherds after My own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding."
Romans 13:1-3 (NLT) says: "Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you."
Karen Wolf gives 4 steps in her article entitled: The Ultimate Definition of Respect: Submitting to and Respecting Authority" Practical Steps for Respecting Authority:
1. Start by reading and learning what God says about respecting authority. Find out just what he thinks and how much importance he places on your willingness and your attitude about it. When you discover that God will only give you authority over others when you show that you can come under authority yourself, perhaps things will look a little different to you.
2. Pray for those in authority over you. Ask God to guide them as they fulfill their tasks. Pray that their hearts would seek God as they make decisions. Ask God to show you how you can be a blessing to those in authority over you.
3. Set the example for the people around you. Show them what submitting to authority for the right reasons is supposed to look like. Don't participate in back-biting, gossiping, or criticizing your bosses or others in authority. There is nothing wrong with having constructive conversations, but there is a fine line between offering your opinion and becoming disrespectful.
4. Understand and know ahead of time that you are not going to like every decision. If you look at the responsibility and accountability that exists within the role of your leaders, it should become clear that the scope of their authority affects more than just you and your circumstances. There are times when decisions will negatively impact you. But just remember that how you react to these times will determine how quickly God puts you in a position of authority over others.
Do we agree with everything our Leaders say....NO....do we even like what our Leaders say...DOUBLE NO....do all Leaders lead by good examples...TRIPLE NO.......however the case may be....we are mandated to RESPECT and SUBMIT to those who have rule over us and apart from that....well...that's between them and God!
You are already Blessed so be Encouraged....
Love ya,
Paula
©Copyright 7/8/2010
All Rights Reserved
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