Submission to Authority 5-31-05

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Help me be still so I can listen; help me be quiet so I can hear. ... "Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Ephesians 5.21). We are called to "be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work" (Titus 3.1-2). You strategically position us for Your service according to Your will and Your purposes in every season of our lives. You call us to take our position and give us the opportunity to answer Your call. Yet the priority of our service is not so much the position of our ministry, but the position of our heart. You are concerned in what we are doing, for You have called us to do it; but You are more concerned in who we are becoming. All that we do in our lives and our ministry to You is just a means for You to teach us Your ways and mature us into Your nature. You've positioned me in this season as a spiritual director, ordained under the United Methodist Church. Though You've called me to lead this prayer ministry You named "Messiah Ministries," You've called me to serve under the authority of my bishop, who oversees the ministers and ministries You have entrusted to his care. "Now this saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task," called to "take care of God's church" (1 Timothy 3.1-5). You are the head of the Church and when we submit in godly obedience to the authority of those You have called to shepherd our souls, we are submitting to You. "For a bishop" is "God's steward" (Titus 1.7). We need the blessing of accountability and the covering of Your spiritual authority that comes through obedience to Your spiritual order. Though it cuts against our independence and pride, it brings us to deeper levels of humility, which always leads to greater levels of anointing for ministry. Free us from criticism and complaining, and call us to intercession and prayer for those You have placed in authority in our lives. You have commanded us: "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls and will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with sighing--for that would be harmful to you" (Hebrews 13.17). Lord, help us learn and obey these principles of spiritual authority as we submit to Your authority through them, "out of reverence for Christ." In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. Be encouaraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, my family and I are in Corpus Christi, Texas this week for my Annual Conference with the Methodist Church to recieve our appointments from our Bishop for ministry. (I am under "special appointment" to "extension ministries"). We'd appreciate your prayers and I pray the Lord will strategically position each of you. God bless you! To subscribe/unsubscribe/reply please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- "preparing the way of the Lord" -- MessiahMin@aol.com Our mailing address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502. God bless you!