CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 768

“Bullheaded”

Acts 26:13 (ESV)  I saw … a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me.  And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me … ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.

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Cattle, oxen and other beasts of burden will not willingly serve man.  They must be goaded to pull a plow or wagon in the direction we want them to go.  A goad is a pointed stick, sometimes tipped with iron that was used to prod cattle along.

Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. – Psalm 32:9

People can be as stubborn and headstrong as beasts of burden at times.  A bullheaded person is one who refuses to change an opinion, direction, or plan even though it is the right thing to do.  There are sixteen million unemployed people in America today.  Most businesses are undergoing significant changes in order to weather the economic storm and are all too often being met with stubborn, bullheaded resistance by some of their employees. It is inconceivable that at a time when people should be pulling together and thankful that they have a job, they are instead complaining and resisting necessary changes in direction.  The Christian in the workplace should not be counted among them.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. – Colossians 3:23

If you willingly serve Jesus, you will willingly submit to the authority He has established over you in this world.  If you willingly serve Jesus, you will willingly come under the authority of your parents, pastor, employer, and government officials.  If you willingly serve Jesus, you will not need to be painfully goaded along but will be able to heed the direction of God’s Holy Spirit spoken to your heart or through others in the Body of Christ.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth …- John 16:13

The words of the wise are like goads… – Ecclesiastes 12:11

Are you being bullheaded about something that you know you need to change?  Is it pridefulness or fear that keeps you stubborn and headstrong on this point?  Let God deal with the root issue of your heart that manifests itself as bullheadedness.  Yield to Him and willingly serve Him and serve others in His Name in all the relationship areas of your life.

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. – Mark 10:45

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God.