Matthew 22:15-22
Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.
“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s. “ This verse took on new meaning when I had teenagers… and ever since.
What is Caesar’s? Well, part of my money, at least, so I will pay my taxes. But my children, and now my grandchildren? They bear the inscription of the Living God. Them I will NOT give to Caesar, nor to the enemy. My children (and grandchildren. and great grands) I give to God. You have been created in the image of God. I have been created in the image of God. Let’s give ourselves, and our children, and our grandchildren, to Him.
Psalm 27:1-6
Of David.
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation– whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life– of whom shall I be afraid?
The Lord is my Light. With Him I can see where I’m walking and not stumble, fall off a cliff, step on a bees nest, etc.
2 When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.
My enemies don’t have the Light of Christ. They will stumble. (If they have the Light of Christ, they are my sisters and brothers. We may have family squabbles, but we’re not enemies.)
4 One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
Troubles seem to be so much smaller in the Presence of the Lord. When I went to the bed and breakfast in Tifton, GA, and attended the house church, His Presence was so comforting. I said to a man there, “If only I could just stay in the Presence of the Lord….” He said to me, “You don’t go in and out of His Presence. He is always with you. You take His Presence with you.” I am learning that more and more. I’m learning to acknowledge His Presence with me throughout my day. I may get so busy that I’m not actively thinking about Him, but He’s with me always… just like He promised.