SWEET TEA OF Biblical Authori-TEA

...For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. (Romans 13:1, NIV)

Some things make me glad to be "Southern." Friendly folks, wraparound porches, familiar drawls, fried crappie and sweet tea. 

Lots of "sweet teas" in my life, (joyous things, even seemingly "tuff" ones)---and a recent USA Today snapshot reminded me of another one. In terms of "Bible-mindness," a recent poll showed that the highest percentage of folks who had read the Bible and believed strongly in its accuracy, reside comfortably close to me, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. 

Count me among them.

"Selectivi-TEA"

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3, NIV)

Many a couple struggles with selective hearing "chosen" by their spouse, though most often men get the blame. Mention the opera or a conversation with a friend and he is tuned out but mention football stats or golf scores and "he" is all ears! It goes both ways---but for either, it's an action when one chooses to focus his/her attention on a specific source of a sound (think...spouse vs TV) or the spoken words themselves.
Selective hearing is a euphemism for listening to only what one wants to hear.

Some of us sip from this cuppa of selectivi-TEA when we read our Bibles. Even being aware that ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable.....(2 Timothy, 3:16, emphasis mine), one can still pick and choose the truths he/she wants to heed. Some even hop from church to church or tele-evangelist to tele-evangelist til they find the prosperi-TEA gospel they want to hear. In our culture, there's always a "teacher/preacher" ready to tickle your ears so that you "feel good"----because they say what you want to hear.

The selective hearer only ever hears within their own frame of reference.

Ask yourself, "Am I hearing what God is saying and wants me to hear....or is self my frame of reference?"

Selectivi-TEA of truth is a choice each must make on his own.

"authori-TEA"

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. (Romans 13:1, NIV)

Leaving church Tuesday, loud claps of thunder, the wall-shaking, window-rattling kind, had everyone's attention. It reminded me of the Lord speaking with Moses on Mt. Sinai. the lightning, thunder and powerfully loud trumpet blast certainly got the attention of the Israelites. They trembled. (Exodus 19) God's word had power for their lives and gave authority to Moses to lead them.

Sometimes God's word seems to speak LOUDLY to me. When it continues to thunder in my head, I know that I am suppose to pay attention. "For the word of God is living and powerful,..."(Hebrews 4:12, NJV) It is the authority Christians choose to follow.

Power, literally translated, is “authority.” You have been delivered from the power, or authority, of darkness and placed into God’s kingdom. (Colossian's 1:13)

Authority, the right to rule and the right to be obeyed, belongs to the Lord, the Creator of all things. All authority belongs to Him.

A worthy cuppa for all---God's authori-TEA!

"TEA-ology"

The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and helps us do what is right. (2 Timothy 3:16,CEV)

My play on "tea" words is just a technique to give this old lady something to hang her "memory hat" on, as recall seems to be getting harder each year. But, in no way is it to diminish the truth and authority of God's word. My tea-ology is all about the One who is the authority in my life.

Authori-TEA is the first cuppa one needs to be served when seeking truth. The Bible is the authoritative word of God. Solid understanding of spiritual authority is vital to building one's faith.

These days we live in a culture of "nothority." No one wants to be told how to live. There is no right and wrong in our culture----only shades of gray. Why would one listen to a "do what's right" lecture when, in his view, he's not doing anything wrong.

"A time of half-truths and hidden agendas. (Michele Phoenix.com, 12/30/13) Not my cup of tea.

As I savor His word during my "Tea With Thee" time, may I strengthen my brew by continually adding more of His truth to my cuppa tea-ology.