Scripture for the Day: Romans 13:1-7
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. Therefore whoever resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For the smae reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
I had a chance, to ummmm..... "minister" to one of Des Moines' finest today. Looking in my rearview mirror I had a sinking feeling. Last week I realized that my plates had expired some time ago (like in February, I know, I know... pretty sad). Sometimes I get so wrapped in stuff that I forget little details like that. I knew that I had to get them renewed, but when I saw the police officer come in behind me.... I knew I was busted.
If I had applied this verse last week, I wouldn't have had the sick feeling when I had a police officer behind me. I would have had nothing to fear. Now I have a $90 ticket. She said that I could contest it in court, I replied, "no need, I'm guilty, I should have taken care of this. I am sorry for wasting your time when I am sure you have better things to do."
Obey your governing authorities. Guess I need to put that into practice.
2 comments:
Your example isn't as bad, you actually do get a grace period of a month. But having it expire in February and finally getting it renewed when it is almost June. That's pretty sad.
Several years ago my drivers license expired and it was kind of funny. When my wife's birthday came up in March I had diligently and frequently reminded her to get her license renewed, and she finally did on the last day. When my renewal date came in September, I totally forgot about it. One night in December I dreamed that my wife and I were getting ready to go somewhere in the car. In my dream I handed her the keys and said "You drive, my drivers license is expired." I immediately woke up, sat up in bed and exclaimed, "My drivers license is expired!" We were 200 miles from home - my wife drove us home, and I had to study and re-take my drivers license exam.
Lloyd Sandbulte
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