Good morning everyone

Romans 13:1-Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

In the reality of a government shutdown times like these are so sad to see in our country. Regardless whether you are republican or democrat, when people in one country are divided to the detriment of the whole country can anyone blame the other? Jesus said "a house divided against itself shall not stand", and when you hear both sides of politicians ranting back and forth in the wake of a government shutdown, you must conclude your personal welfare cannot be secured in governmental policies because our government’s pride refuses to live by such a truth.

The apostle Paul reminds us that we are to pray for our government because God ultimately instituted every system and person for His divine purpose. I know that if you are in anyway effected by this government shutdown you might be asking "how does this become good for me, and further God’s glory?" But the answer is in the question, that our focus and hope ultimately would not be in "government comforts" but in "the God of all comfort"! (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

This government shutdown personally effects my family, how much we don’t know yet. But as my wife and I watched the news we watched in peace knowing that God gave us the job, and God ultimately takes away jobs. We agreed that our life is to testify that God is in control and is always good.&n

Proverbs 4:13-Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.

If you remember elementary school at all you probably recall your teacher using the phrase "please follow instructions" all the time. The reason being is that they had our best interest in mind. Most of my teachers loved to see us get good grades, get full recesses and win prizes just for following instructions. But now that we are adults how well do you follow instructions? Do you submit to any instructions for your life outside of your own thoughts?

Recently I have been reading the book of Proverbs to my son, and last night we read this verse. As this father is instructing his son in wisdom, I told my son the reason I instruct you in God’s Word is because first I believe in it. (You don’t instruct people in things you don’t believe in for yourself.) Second, I told him just like I expect you to follow instructions, God expects me to follow Him and His Word of instruction. I told him the reason I teach you instruction, your teachers, coaches, etc is because we want life to go well for you.

I concluded by telling my son that God’s Word is the instructions for daddy. That just because I am grown doesn’t mean I don’t look to be instructed everyday in the Word. I warn Him that God has proven to daddy that not obeying instructions in life, especially His Word, have tough consequences that I have experienced. But obeying instructions, especially His Word, have great blessings that I have also experienced. I pray that you teach yourself to submit to instructions too, the world and the Church is falling apart for a lack of discipline.

In His Love, Ld