Context: Our passage for the week -- this time in New Century Version
Text:
13 For the Lord's sake, yield to the people who have authority in this world: the king, who is the highest authority,14 and the leaders who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.15 It is God's desire that by doing good you should stop foolish people from saying stupid things about you.16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Live as servants of God.17 Show respect for all people: Love the brothers and sisters of God's family, respect God, honor the king.
Follow Christ's Example
18 Slaves, yield to the authority of your masters with all respect, not only those who are good and kind, but also those who are dishonest. 19 A person might have to suffer even when it is unfair, but if he thinks of God and can stand the pain, God is pleased. 20 If you are beaten for doing wrong, there is no reason to praise you for being patient in your punishment. But if you suffer for doing good, and you are patient, then God is pleased.21 This is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and gave you an example to follow. So you should do as he did.
22 "He had never sinned,
and he had never lied." — Isaiah 53:9
23 People insulted Christ, but he did not insult them in return. Christ suffered, but he did not threaten. He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of him. 24 Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross so we would stop living for sin and start living for what is right. And you are healed because of his wounds. 25 You were like sheep that wandered away, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls (NCV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Have you been reading your passage every day? Remember the process for devotional-style Bible study:
Pray for insight on how to apply the passage
Meditate on the verses or passage you have decided to study
Write out an application – personal, practical, measurable and achievable
Memorize a key verse from your passage
Today, be sure to actually do these four things...it's amazing how much more likely you are to apply God's word to your life when you actually write down application ideas. Studies show that we only retain about 10% of what we read. If you hear the text (www.biblegateway.com will read it to you...), you will remember about 20% of the information. But if you see, hear, AND take action (such as writing and applying), you will remember 90%!
So -- read the passage outloud and write down the actions you will take. You may not remember the words exactly, but a year from now you are more likely to have the concepts imbedded in your life. And didn't God tell us to hide his word in our hearts?
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