**Daily Devotional** **June 8** *17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. - Heb 13:17 (KJV)* This was speaking of the leaders of the church ruling over the members, as a shepherd leads his sheep. It is the leaders of the church that watch over your souls, helping you to stay right with God, and it is their responsibility to give an account of their sheep to God. The modern church does not rule over the members of their congregations, but the same principal applies, as if the sheep will follow the shepherd, and obey his commands (John 14:15), then both the shepherd and the sheep will have joy and peace. To assure our eternal salvation we must obey Jesus (Hebrews 5:9). This is really letting us know that if we will follow the commands of Jesus, our shepherd, and be submitted to Him (Romans 12:1), by making ourselves a living sacrifice, then we will experience the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and have the peace and joy that it brings. This is very true, and there are really no words to explain the peace and joy that comes from giving yourself fully to Jesus, and living daily for Him. It is beyond words, and is something that all humans look for, and try to find in other things, such as dope, alcohol, sex, etc. If people would just realize that the only way to fill that craving is God, and not all these other things, then they would come to the Lord in a hurry. Praise God that He gives us such peace and joy – Thank you Lord. Devotional by Pastor Joe W. Green, www.infinite-faith.com