Render To God and Caesar?

Matthew 22:15-22 KJV; 21st Sunday after Pentecost; Matthew 22:35-40; Should Christians serve in public office? Should they be allowed to speak what is on their mind and in their hearts? Just because there are those in the world who would refuse us, we ought to speak out for what is just; what is right.

Ten Thousand Shall Fall

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

                                                                                  (Psalm 91:1-8 KJV)

This is my daily prayer that a thousand who come against justice; a thousand who persecute and attack others unjustly, shall fall at His hand, ten thousand by His right hand. Simply put: I am very, very tired of people being attacked for their belief system and so I pray... What is wrong with living in peace? Why do people have to assault people and their property because they do not like what they believe? 

Let there be peace. May God grant that we should agree to live in peace without assaulting those whom we disagree with. If we refuse to live with justice for all then may God use His hand to bring about justice in His own way.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Love Does Not Abuse

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. 

                       (1 John 4:18 NRSV)

There are more ways to abuse someone than physical abuse. Emotional, mental, and spiritual abuse can also destroy the person being abused. It is also devastating to the people who truly do love them.  

There are many ways in which abuse other than physical abuse occurs. 

1. Do they tell you often that you are stupid or crazy? 

2. Do they refuse to talk about your hurt when you are feeling down and do you feel down a lot because they keep reminding you that they think you are stupid or crazy? 

3. Do they find excuses for you to not to visit friends or family without them? Are they isolating you from those who truly do love you and who would be your support system?

4. Do they find excuses to go out with their friends and leave you behind making you feel like you are not good enough to be seen with them or to be around their friends?

5. Do you have to have every penny that you would spend approved by them while they are free to spend... spend... spend?

6. Do you spend an awful lot of time crying alone?

Abusers tend to be narcissists and control freaks. They want to control your life as well as everything else around them to please themselves. Whether it is from low self-esteem or egos that are too large; they will do and say everything they can in order to control your life in an attempt to make themselves look good in their own eyes. Abusers do need our prayers as much as the abused do. The manipulation and control they attempt to exert upon others often falls back on themselves causing them not only more inner turmoil; but, sometimes legal consequences, as well.

7. Are you afraid that if you don't do and say everything that the one you loves expects that you will lose them?

If so, maybe it is time to let them go. This is not love. Love casts out all fear. Love does not insist on having its own way. It will not make excuses for not doing what is right when it wants to do what it wants to do.

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Cor 13:4-7)

8.  Have they managed to convince you that faith in Christ is a myth and that you should have faith in them alone so that you no longer trust in God's love for you? 

Live life in the light of Christ's love. His perfect love casts out all fear! His love does what is right and good for the ones whom he loves.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Your Children Will Return To The Lord

Persevere in faith for the Lord is with you and for you

through the rockiest of times.

But this is what the Lord says:

“Yes, captives will be taken from warriors,
    and plunder retrieved from the fierce;
I will contend with those who contend with you,
    and your children I will save. Isaiah 49:25 NIV

Do not doubt; but, believe. Believe that the evil one has no power over you or your children. I often hear the stories of parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles whose hearts are breaking as they wonder what will happen to the children that they love. Many parents heart break as their children go astray led captive by the ways of the world which the devil has made to look so alluring. What can be done to save your child?

You cannot save your child. But, God can. Pray to the One who can rip your child from the clutches from the enemy. Ask the One who is our Lord and Savior to open his ears and eyes and heart that he might see a better way. The child may be obstinate and refuse at first. But, do no lose hope. Persevere in faith, patiently. The Lord will not give up on your child, nor should you. This enemy of God may have attempted to steal your child; but, he will not prevail. The Lord, our God, prevails. He will retrieve your child from the clutches of the fierce warrior who would steal their lives from them.

Do not doubt; but, believe. Trust that God will contend with those who contend with His children; and your children He will save making them His own.

God's Peace - Pr. J