Who Holds
Sovereignty in Your Heart?
In walking through my life this week the issue of sovereignty continued to surface in my spirit. It seems that everyone and everything vies for a position of authority over you these days. This is apparent in government, medicine, communities, churches and homes. Authority in and of itself is not a bad thing. Used for good it can ensure order and safety. When entities or people exercise authority to diminish individual rights and freedom of choice, authority can become tyrannical and dictatorial.
There is much in Scripture concerning authority and God’s order within the home, community, leadership in church and country. Today let us look at authority on a very personal level. Let us look at the sovereign covenant between the Lord and your heart.
What Did You Commit To?
When you make the decision to accept Jesus Christ you allow Him to become the Lord of your life. This is not a decision that should be taken lightly. To submit to His sovereignty in your life means that you choose to live in accordance with His teachings and follow His ways rather than the ways of the world. Your initial choice to follow Jesus does not end simply with your decision as many believe or seem to live.
The choice to follow Jesus is a daily one. At times it is intensely minute to minute. To walk closely with the Lord requires you to make choices each and every day in your life. As you do live in the world there is a constant pull toward the things and ways of the world. In speaking with people I hear many being drawn into worldly thinking and speaking.
It is as if there is a funnel shaped vortex that swiftly pulls you down into repeating whatever you have heard that may fit the situation. In allowing yourself to fall into this swirling drain you step out of the God’s best for you. Remember, the Kingdom of God is upside down. What Jesus expects of His followers is often contrary to the ways of the world.
Each decision you make affects your walk with the Lord. How you treat people, a word you speak over or about someone or something, even what you purpose in your heart has eternal implications for you. Re-read that last sentence a few times. Eternal implications begin in your heart. It is always a heart issue! Your initial decision to follow Jesus has eternal implications. All you do after that also has eternal implications. If you reflect Jesus in your life, He will use you to lead others to Him and their eternal salvation.
Check Your Heart!
What does any of this have to do with sovereignty? If you have accepted Jesus as Lord of your life, He is sovereign in your life. If you choose daily to follow Him and His ways, He is sovereign. He is the ultimate authority in your life and in your heart. The King of kings and Lord of lords reigns in your life and in your heart.
However, if you choose to follow the world, you step outside the realm of His sovereignty. You choose to be the authority in your life. You can ultimately believe that you know better how your life should be lived. Your pride grows as you believe you know all about any given situation. You no longer seek Him or His direction for your life. You thereby line yourself up with the world and step out of the Kingdom of God. Do not get caught up in this swirl of deceit.
Take a moment to re-read that last paragraph. We live in treacherous times to be sure. As blood-bought followers of Jesus Christ now is the time to commit or re-commit to stepping away from the duplicity of the world. Is it easy? No. I am challenged daily to stay focused on Him and not on the situations around me. You can only walk the narrow path with the help of the Holy Spirit and a firm commitment to step off the wide road that leads to perdition. It can be done. The choice is yours.
Whatever your situation, choose daily to walk the narrow path. Let Him lead you. Step away from the world and follow Him. God bless you and keep you this week and always. May He reign sovereign in your heart ‘for such a time as this!’
Quotes to Ponder This Week
“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” ~Jesus, Matthew 5:16
“You have heard that it was said,’You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven…” ~Jesus, Matthew 5:43-45
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” ~Jesus, Matthew 7:13-14
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded to you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” ~Jesus, Matthew 28:18
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” ~1 Corinthians 3:16-17
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” ~1 Peter 2:9-10
A Prayer Request
Thank you for your continued faithfulness to pray. Please keep all who serve our country, our diplomatic corps, our servicemen and women and their families in prayer for salvation and safety. They are our front-line on the battlefield, let us be their front-line in the spirit. Also, let us cover all who have come home wounded that they and their families will receive the kindness, help and support they need to go forward in their lives. May the Lord bless them and keep them safe.
Pray for all throughout the world for hedges of protection against radical Muslim extremists and all forms of terrorism. We have long prayed for spiritual victory over radical Islam in Esther’s Warriors Ministry. We now see the reality of this threat come to the forefront in this time in world history.
Please pray for all in authority over us, for the full truth to come forth concerning Benghazi. We as Americans and the families of those murdered in Benghazi deserve to be told the truth. Pray that God will open doors to let the truth on all that has been hidden flow for all of us in this United States of America! The truth shall keep us free.
Pray for peace in Israel. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Pray for Christians throughout the world who face violence and death for their faith.
May God richly bless the United States of America, bring to light every single crooked place and keep her safe. May we arise united once again as One Nation Under God in this auspicious season in our country’s history. We continue to pray for truth to prevail as we saturate this country in prayer and stand for all that is right in America and for all of us who call ourselves American. These are treacherous times and now more than ever we must maintain our walk. Fail not in this hour. #Pray for America.
Please Join Me in Prayer
Father God, We thank You that You lead, direct and guide us through Your Word and covenant relationship. Grace us to hear Your still, small voice and follow Your direction. Guide us daily on the narrow path that leads to life. Use us to bring others to You for salvation and to be set free. Fulfill the call on each life You have placed here ‘for such a time as this.’ We thank You that You keep Your hand on America. Forgive our sin and heal our land that we will remain One Nation Under God. We pray this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen and Amen.
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