Good morning! Today we will continue in Matthew chapter 22. Enjoy today’s devotion and for readers in the U.S., enjoy your Labor Day weekend.

BIBLE  VERSE  – Matthew 22:18-22 NLT
“¹⁸ But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? ¹⁹ Here, show me the coin used for the tax.”When they handed him a Roman coin,[denarius] ²⁰ he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?”  ²¹ “Caesar’s,” they replied.

“Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”  ²² His reply amazed them, and they went away.”

REFLECTION
Jesus saw the trap, but yet with another visual illustration He responded to those who were questioning and He was also teaching those who would listen. Jesus didn’t waste an opportunity for the truth to be told. He knew the government was in authority, but He also knew who had/has the greatest authority.

Brothers and sisters, while we are here on earth there will be authorities/laws over us. God has given us the ability to live within the laws, discernment to challenge and change laws. He gives us a heart to change injustice and to have compassion for those who have been unjustly abused, murdered, and wronged. As we seek to follow and belong to Christ, let us serve Him in whatever capacity he has called us to serve in this world (in the world, but not of the world).

In John 17:9-11, Jesus says “⁹ “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. ¹⁰ All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory.”  Jesus states further in John 17:13-21, “Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. ¹⁴ I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. ¹⁵ I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. ¹⁶ They do not belong to this world any more than I do. ¹⁷ Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. ¹⁸ Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. ¹⁹ And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.  ²⁰ “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.  ²¹ I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”

What/Who belongs to God? ____________

PRAYER
Father God, thank you for today. Lord, thank you for being who you are. Lord, nothing can truly take the place of who you are. Lord, remove bitterness and emptiness from our hearts so that we can trust you even when we can’t physically touch you. Lord, you are so gracious and good to us. Help us not to be only looking, but help us to see with spiritual eyes, to see you at work in our lives and in this world. Lord, remove the things that keep us blind to what you are doing. Lord, expand our knowledge of who you are and whose we are. Lord, we seek our identity in you. Lord, since we choose to follow you and we belong to you – change us. We want to be better representatives of you and your truth. Lord, may our willingness to follow and desire to serve you spread through our homes, families, jobs, schools, places of worship and throughout this world. Lord, let us be living testimonies of what you have done for us and what you continue to do.

Lord, we pray for the man in the hospital and we ask for healing in his body. Lord, we pray for the woman whose mortgage and home are at stake. Lord, give her favor with the lender. Provide for her needs and the needs of her family. Lord, be with those who are traveling and keep them safe. Lord, protect our nation as we celebrate Labor Day this weekend. Lord, keep everyone safe and the roads free of drunk drivers. Lord, open of the doors of employment to those who are seeking opportunities to work or need knew job options. Lord, heal the broken hearted, and draw us and our families closer to you. In Jesus name, amen.

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