It seems like everyone has their “David Letterman – like” Top Ten List. Over the past half decade I must have received at least a few dozen such lists. Most were political in nature, and I found myself often nodding in agreement. Some were humorous and I couldn’t withhold a chuckle or two. Some were crude and I blushed at the hidden meanings. Others were downright mean, and I deleted the entire list well before I completed reading it. But in not one case could I say: “That list of ideas has real merit and could help me and others deal with some of the difficult issues that we face in this life.” I have such a list – and I decided to share it with my readers this week.
My Top Ten List:
Requisite Attitudes and Actions to live Victoriously
10. Acknowledge that ALL authority is from God. Even evil rulers are put in place for a purpose – known only to God. We’re not called to “rejoice” when a ruler that we disagree with is in power – but we are called to “be subject to” them and to “do good.”
Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. … Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. Romans 13:1-3
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan. Proverbs 29:2
… have your conduct honorable among the pagans, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:12
Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king (Darius), I have done no wrong before you.” Daniel 6:21-22
9. Stop complaining about our leaders – pray for them. Pray for them to do what is pleasing to God – and if not – that He will remove them, however He sees fit.
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. 1 Timothy 2:1-3
8. Let God be our provider.
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes. Psalm 118:8-9
Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord my provider! Genesis 22:14
My God will supply my every need according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
You did not spare your own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would you not also with him freely give us all things? Romans 8:32
7. Work hard, but don’t be surprised when God blesses us from unexpected sources.
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. Proverbs 13:22
6. Don’t worry – be happy – and trust in God in all things.
“So I tell you, don’t worry about the things you need to live — what you will eat, drink, or wear. Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than what you put on it. Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Don’t you know you are worth much more than they are? You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it. And why do you worry about clothes? Look at the wildflowers in the field. See how they grow. They don’t work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that even Solomon, the great and rich king, was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers. If God makes what grows in the field so beautiful, what do you think he will do for you? It’s just grass—one day it’s alive, and the next day someone throws it into a fire. But God cares enough to make it beautiful. Surely he will do much more for you. Your faith is so small! Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ That’s what those people who don’t know God are always thinking about. Don’t worry, because your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Tomorrow will have its own worries. Matthew 6:25-33 (easy to read version)
5.. Let God be our Health-Care provider.
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. Psalm 118:17
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” … God will save you from hidden dangers and from deadly diseases…. You will have nothing to fear at night and no need to be afraid of an enemy. … You will have no fear of diseases that come in the dark or terrible suffering that comes at noon. A thousand people may fall dead at your side or ten thousand right beside you, but nothing bad will happen to you! … Since you trust in the Lord for protection, since you have made God Most High your place of safety, nothing bad will happen to you. No diseases will come near your home….. The Lord says, “If someone trusts me, I will save them. I will protect my followers who call to me for help. When my followers call to me, I will answer them. I will be with them when they are in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will give my followers a long life and show them my power to save.” Psalm 91 (easy to read version)
4. Be at peace and be joyful every day, in every situation – it will improve our disposition and our mental and physical health immensely.
Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10
3. Recognize that we were born for such a time as this – the best of times. We each have an important purpose or God wouldn’t have put us here NOW.
This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
If you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise … from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
2. We have nothing to fear. A Christian has spiritual authority over all sources of evil.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
1. Peace in our hearts today and Eternity with God are both guaranteed to those who make Jesus their boss.
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:13