Today's Devotional

Living Under God's Authority

June 9, 2026 ●

By Pastor Jerry A. Burns

#AuthorityofGod #ChristianLiving #Submission

Proverbs 14:12

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

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Recently, I read about a man who refused to give his name to police because he claimed to be a sovereign citizen. He believed that certain laws did not apply to him and that he could operate under his own authority. No matter how strongly he believed it, the courts ruled otherwise. Reality did not bend to his opinion. His personal beliefs could not change the truth.

As I thought about that story, I could not help but think about how many people approach God the same way. They decide for themselves what is right and wrong. They create a version of Christianity that fits their preferences. They reject portions of God’s Word they do not like and embrace only what is comfortable. Yet God’s truth remains unchanged. We do not get to vote on His commands, rewrite His standards, or redefine His authority.

The Christian life begins when we surrender. Salvation itself is an act of yielding to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Every day afterward is a choice to live under His authority rather than our own. The flesh says, “My will be done.” Faith says, “Thy will be done.” One path leads to confusion and heartache; the other leads to peace and blessing.

I have discovered in my own life that the greatest struggles often come when I try to be the captain of my own ship. But when I submit to God’s Word, trust His wisdom, and follow His direction, there is rest for my soul. God’s authority is not a burden — it is a blessing. The One who created us knows what is best for us.

Today, ask yourself: Am I living according to what seems right to me, or according to what God has said? The safest place in the world is under the authority of the Lord.

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Application

Take a few moments today to identify an area of your life where you may be resisting God's direction. Surrender it to Him in prayer and commit to following His Word, even when it is difficult.

Victory Verse

"The fear of man bringeth a snare: But whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe." — Proverbs 29:25

Additional Verses

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"

"And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."

Daily Scripture Reading

Join us as we read through the Bible in one year, growing together in God’s Word day by day. Click on any underlined verse to access Pastor Burns’ helpful study notes and deeper insights.

Standard Plan

Mixed Plan

Chronological Plan

1 Kings 1-2

John 18:19-40

19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

20 Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.

21 Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.

22 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

23 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

24 Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.

26 One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?

27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.

29 Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?

30 They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.

31 Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:

32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

33 Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

39 But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?

40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

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This Week's Radio Program

Week Eighteen • May 3, 2026

Trust in Him

Trusting God With Tomorrow (Pt. 3)

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In this final part of the message, “Trusting God with Tomorrow,” we are brought face to face with a powerful truth from Scripture—while we often plan our days and assume the future, the Bible teaches us that life is fragile, uncertain, and completely in God’s hands. As James reminds us, our life is “even a vapour” that appears for a little time and then vanishes away . The issue is not planning, but planning without God—living as though we are in control of what only God knows.

This message walks through the heart of biblical trust: having a proper perspective of tomorrow, a humble posture before God today, and a surrendered plan that says, “If the Lord will.” Whether facing uncertainty, fear, or the illusion of control, we are called to draw near to God, rest in His care, and trust that His will is good, even when tomorrow is unknown. Because Christ has risen, our future is secure—not in our plans, but in His perfect hands.

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Trust in Him Trusting God With Tomorrow (Pt. 2) Week Sixteen • Apr 19, 2026