13 All of you must obey those who rule over you. There are no authorities except the ones God has chosen. Those who now rule have been chosen by God. 2 So whoever opposes the authorities opposes leaders whom God has appointed. Those who do that will be judged. 3 If you do what is right, you won’t need to be afraid of your rulers. But watch out if you do what is wrong! You don’t want to be afraid of those in authority, do you? Then do what is right, and you will be praised. 4 The one in authority serves God for your good. But if you do wrong, watch out! Rulers don’t carry a sword for no reason at all. They serve God. And God is carrying out his anger through them. The ruler punishes anyone who does wrong. 5 You must obey the authorities. Then you will not be punished. You must also obey them because you know it is right. 6 That’s also why you pay taxes. The authorities serve God. Ruling takes up all their time. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them. Do you owe taxes? Then pay them. Do you owe anything else to the government? Then pay it. Do you owe respect? Then give it. Do you owe honor? Then show it.

It is interesting to read this in light of today’s political climate, local and global.

Firstly, everyone MUST submit to governing authorities. So often we hear people say “I didn’t vote for them” like its not their fault that a particular politician is in office. But the authorities that exist have been established by God (v1)

Secondly, v7 give everyone what you owe them: pay taxes and fees, give respect and honour to those in authority.

Most of our political leaders are getting something other than honour and respect. Some would say they deserve what they get. But Paul’s instruction is without qualification.

Paul also says in 1 Tim 2 to pray for our leaders.

Paul wrote this in the time of Caesar’s like Nero who blamed Christians for the burning of Rome. Our leaders haven’t reached this depth, hopefully they don’t. But even if they do….

Today, regardless of the headline or tweet, whether we agree with their decisions or not, take time to pray for all our political leaders, regardless of their allegiance or policies. Pray for wisdom, compassion and boldness to make right godly decisions.

Written by Andrew Martin

3 God’s grace has been given to me. So here is what I say to every one of you. Don’t think of yourself more highly than you should. Be reasonable when you think about yourself. Keep in mind the faith God has given to each of you. 4 Each of us has one body with many parts. And the parts do not all have the same purpose. 5 So also we are many persons. But in Christ we are one body. And each part of the body belongs to all the other parts. 6 We all have gifts. They differ according to the grace God has given to each of us. Do you have the gift of prophecy? Then use it according to the faith you have. 7 If your gift is serving, then serve. If it is teaching, then teach. 8 Is it encouraging others? Then encourage them. Is it giving to others? Then give freely. Is it being a leader? Then work hard at it. Is it showing mercy? Then do it cheerfully.

It’s interesting that the stern warning in verse 3 “don’t think you are better than you are” comes straight after the admonition to be transformed by changing the way you think. V2. It’s also interesting that Paul should then go on to list a bunch of actions like prophesying, serving, giving, teaching, encouraging and leading. There’s a link between thinking rightly and serving effectively.

Sometimes I’m doing a job but my mind is elsewhere. I’m doing a mundane task but in my head and heart I’m doing something else, something better or more exciting or will get more accolades. The task at hand always suffers.

Church can be like that sometimes. Eg. I think I should be preaching to the masses but instead cleaning the toilets. But there’s no room for envy in God’s house. As a wise man once said “the only thing on offer in the church is service”.

I think that’s what Paul’s getting at here in this passage – “don’t think too highly of yourself, work out what gift you’ve got to serve God with, then get on with it.”

Thank you Lord for your Church, the sacred and precious body of Jesus, and the blessing that a wretch like me gets to be involved. Whatever you want Lord, any job at all, I’ll do it gladly and keep my mind on the job.   Amen

Written by Boudy VanNoppen

25 Brothers and sisters, here is a mystery I want you to understand. It will keep you from being proud. Part of Israel has refused to obey God. That will continue until the full number of Gentiles has entered God’s kingdom. 26 In this way all Israel will be saved. It is written, “The God who saves will come from Mount Zion. He will remove sin from Jacob’s family. 27 Here is my covenant with them. I will take away their sins.” (Isaiah 59:20,21; 27:9; Jeremiah 31:33,34) 28 As far as the good news is concerned, the people of Israel are enemies. This is for your good. But as far as God’s choice is concerned, the people of Israel are loved. This is because of God’s promises to the founders of our nation. 29 God does not take back his gifts. He does not change his mind about those he has chosen. 30 At one time you did not obey God. But now you have received mercy because Israel did not obey. 31 In the same way, Israel has not been obeying God. But now they receive mercy because of God’s mercy to you. 32 God has found everyone guilty of not obeying him. So now he can have mercy on everyone. Praise to God 33 How very rich are God’s wisdom and knowledge! How he judges is more than we can understand! The way he deals with people is more than we can know! 34 “Who can ever know what the Lord is thinking? Or who can ever give him advice?” (Isaiah 40:13) 35 “Has anyone ever given anything to God, so that God has to pay them back?” (Job 41:11) 36 All things come from him. All things are directed by him. All things are for his praise. May God be given the glory forever! Amen.

God’s plan. Often when I think about God’s plan, I immediately think about God’s plan for my life. What does he have planned for my family, for my career, for my ministry…etc.

Here is God’s plan – to have mercy on all, so that some might respond to his grace and become His people. He has not forgotten the Jews and He has shown he cares just as much about the rest of the world as well (Gentiles).

God’s plan is global, spans all history and will not be thwarted. His wisdom in carrying it out is perfect but unsearchable. Does God have a plan for my life? Yes!

But it only makes sense in the context of this big plan.

Lord, you love me, care for me, search for me. But you have made me part of a plan that is far bigger than me.

Written by Andrew Mellor

11 So here is what I ask. Did God turn his back on his people? Not at all! I myself belong to Israel. I am one of Abraham’s children. I am from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God didn’t turn his back on his people. After all, he chose them. Don’t you know what Scripture says about Elijah? He complained to God about Israel. 3 He said, “Lord, they have killed your prophets. They have torn down your altars. I’m the only one left. And they are trying to kill me.” (1 Kings 19:10,14) 4 How did God answer him? God said, “I have kept 7,000 people for myself. They have not bowed down to Baal.” (1 Kings 19:18) 5 Some are also faithful today. They have been chosen by God’s grace. 6 And if they are chosen by grace, then they can’t work for it. If that were true, grace wouldn’t be grace anymore. 7 What should we say then? The people of Israel did not receive what they wanted so badly. Those Israelites who were chosen did receive it. But the rest of the people were made stubborn. 8 It is written, “God made it hard for them to understand. He gave them eyes that could not see. He gave them ears that could not hear. And they are still like that today.” (Deuteronomy 29:4; Isaiah 29:10) 9 David says, “Let their feast be a trap and a snare. Let them trip and fall. Let them get what’s coming to them. 10 Let their eyes grow dark so they can’t see. Let their backs be bent forever.” (Psalm 69:22,23)

As we look at the news, the world events, all the chaos, brokenness and trauma – we may wonder is God in control, has He taken His hands off the world and let it reap what it has been sowing for years.  BUT GOD, He is still very much in control and this passage reminds us of that.

God has too much invested in His people and the world to let them go….  There is a remnant (fiercely loyal minority) always left, who is not thinking of self-interest but continues with the pursuit of proclaiming life in Jesus, freedom in Jesus and allowing God to use them to share Jesus to the world.

Jesus gave His life for us, and we are to give our lives for our community.  We are the only Bible some people will ever read.

Like this passage below us – As we allow God to ‘make us’ into all He wants us to be – we become those who let God pursue His interest in us.

Romans 11 v 5 – 6 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

The Message: When Israel tried to be right with God on her own, pursing her own self-interest, she didn’t succeed.  The chosen ones of God were those who let God pursue His interest in them…

Lord help me to become all you want me to be.  Help me to be like Jesus to those around me that they could see your love, grace and mercy flowing from me.  Please change me and make me more like you.  Use me Lord to reach your people and those who don’t know you yet.

Written by Ps. Sue Botta

5 Moses writes about how the law could help a person do what God requires. He writes, “The person who does these things will live by them.” (Leviticus 18:5) 6 But the way to do what God requires must begin by having faith in him. Scripture says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will go up into heaven?’ ” (Deuteronomy 30:12) That means to go up into heaven and bring Christ down. 7 “And do not say, ‘Who will go down into the grave?’ ” (Deuteronomy 30:13) That means to bring Christ up from the dead. 8 But what does it say? “The message is near you. It’s in your mouth and in your heart.” (Deuteronomy 30:14) This means the message about faith that we are preaching. 9 Say with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord.” Believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. Then you will be saved. 10 With your heart you believe and are made right with God. With your mouth you say what you believe. And so you are saved. 11 Scripture says, “The one who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Isaiah 28:16) 12 There is no difference between those who are Jews and those who are not. The same Lord is Lord of all. He richly blesses everyone who calls on him. 13 Scripture says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Joel 2:32)

It’s no good if I say all the right things, but God’s word isn’t in my heart. Neither is it any good if I believe in him passionately in my heart but never express that in word and action. Neither superficial nor secret: It has to be both fundamental to my innermost core and outwardly expressed in my life.

Belief in my heart is essential to coming into a right relationship with God. Speaking out that truth is essential to being saved for eternal life.

Similarly James 2:26 says that I’m kidding myself if I think I have faith in my heart but it’s not expressed in how I act. Galatians 5:22-3 says that the Holy Spirit in my heart is inevitably expressed as his character in my life.

I’m challenged by the importance of speaking out the truth about Jesus. I’m also encouraged that God’s promises are for everyone. What I say needs to be sensitive, but it will never be useless.

Written by David Cornell