On Being a Good Citizen

Romans 13:1-3 MSG Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it’s God’s order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you’re irresponsible to the state, then you’re irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you’re trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear.

3-5 Do you want to be on good terms with the government? Be a responsible citizen and you’ll get on just fine, the government working to your advantage. But if you’re breaking the rules right and left, watch out. The police aren’t there just to be admired in their uniforms. God also has an interest in keeping order, and he uses them to do it. That’s why you must live responsibly—not just to avoid punishment but also because it’s the right way to live.

6-7 That’s also why you pay taxes—so that an orderly way of life can be maintained. Fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders.

1 Timothy 2:1-3 MSG The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.

Observation

“Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it’s God’s order.  So, live responsibly as a citizen.“  This was written to Christians in Rome, a pagan culture ruled by leaders who viewed Christians as rebels and a threat to the state.  Christians experienced persecution, imprisonment and even martyrdom.  Paul is directing this church to be in the world but not of it, peacefully, patiently, consistently increasing the contrast between other religions and faith in Jesus Christ.  Be first citizens of Heaven who demonstrate obedience, submission to authority and living a peaceful life so to model a better way of living in faith, even to the point of death. 

“Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation.”   Timothy was also leading a congregation living under Roman rule, an economy based in strongly entrenched idol worship, and discrimination in business and social acceptance.  However, again Paul is asking us to look past the outward obstacles to emphasize the basis of the evangelism Jesus modeled for us – be willing to be a sacrifice in whatever way is required of you, look past the outward to contend for the salvation of the soul, love your enemy, be a living example of what a life in Christ provides (Romans 12).     

Impact On Me

“Fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders.” I have lived a long time in this United States of America.  I have had times when I agreed with the federal/state/local elected or appointed officials and times when I have not.  Apparently, that is not the basis for how I am to respond to current rulers. I am to respect and pray for them whether I agree with them or not.  

I know that there will be no perfect government until all government is on the shoulders of Jesus. Paul did not say pray for those with whom you agree and rebel against those with whom you do not.  He reminds me that:   (1) God is sovereign; (2) I am first a citizen of Heaven; (3) I have been given to the USA as an ambassador of Heaven; (4) As an ambassador, I am to represent my country, its interests, and its ruler in a way that brings truth, peace, salvation, redemption, restoration and unity.   

“That’s why you must live responsibly—not just to avoid punishment but also because it’s the right way to live.”   So, it is my responsibility as a follower of Christ to pray for those who rule over me, to be a good and dutiful citizen without compromising my faith, to rely on my King to provide for and guide me in the right way to live regardless of how that is received in the secular culture around me, to never abandon mercy for judgment, to be willing to be misunderstood or persecuted so that Holy Spirit can accomplish His will and purpose, to pray for wise and Godly leadership at all levels while I strive to be in the world but not of it. 

Devotion

Father God, You are the One True God, Creator of the Universe, the Most High God, the Alpha and Omega, the All-Knowing One.  You have always been sovereign, always in control, always the One Who sets up kings and takes them down, always the One Who sees the whole picture of eternity, always the One Who is faithful to Your plan to redeem Your creation.  In these verses, Paul is telling me to put all my trust in You, all my responses rooted in Your Word, regardless of the circumstances, regardless of what I may face, regardless of the chaos that is happening around me.  Like David, I can lament away, crying out against injustice, as long as I get to the “but God…”, recognizing the You alone see all, know all, and are the One Who has all things working together for good for those who love and serve You.  May I be fully submitted and obedient, especially when I don’t understand and things don’t make sense.  Make it so in Jesus’ name.

On Earth As It Is In Heaven


Matthew 6:9-15 Phillips  Pray then like this—‘Our Heavenly Father, may Your name be honoured; May Your kingdom come, and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day the bread we need, Forgive us what we owe to You, as we have also forgiven those who owe anything to us. Keep us clear of temptation, and save us from evil’.”  14-15 “For if you forgive other people their failures, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you will not forgive other people, neither will your Heavenly Father forgive you your failures.”

Colossians 3:12-14 Phillips  As, therefore, God’s picked representatives of the new humanity, purified and beloved of God himself, be merciful in action, kindly in heart, humble in mind. Accept life, and be most patient and tolerant with one another, always ready to forgive if you have a difference with anyone. Forgive as freely as the Lord has forgiven you. And, above everything else, be truly loving, for love is the golden chain of all the virtues.

Observation

I note that the importance, even necessity, of walking in forgiveness keeps coming up in the Gospels.  We pray the Lord’s prayer but neglect to include the next 2 verses.  In the Lord’s prayer, we ask to be forgiven as we have forgiven others.  Verses 14-15 give us the consequences for being unforgiving.  We will get what we give.  Our Father has been amazingly merciful, generous and charitable in forgiving us.  He asks only that we imitate Him with others who may or may not deserve the same grace and mercy.  This is the journey He has called us to undertake.

However, this is not always the easiest road to travel.  Unforgiveness is more than a rock in the road; it can be the unstable and crumbling cliffs alongside the road that will bury your soul in bitterness, anger, hatred, revenge.  Jesus told us that this world would have trouble.  He also told us that He has overcome the world – if we will abide in Him and walk with Him, obeying His word.  He did not guarantee that serving Heaven would be easy or that people would understand or accept what we do in His name for love.  He promised to go with us wherever the journey takes us and be with us whatever comes.

Impact on Me

“May Your kingdom come, and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  There is no unforgiveness in Heaven, no grudges, no sickness, no sorrow, no pain.  In submitting to Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I became a citizen of Heaven assigned to the location in which I live and have influence.  I am called to represent Heaven and all it has to offer, to invite others to transfer their allegiance from the things of this world, and to commit to live by, support and defend Heaven’s values. 

“Forgive as freely as the Lord has forgiven you.”  This is about anyone (and everyone).  On the Cross, Jesus asked the Father to forgive “them” for they did not understand what they were doing.  For me, “them” encompasses the religious leaders who plotted His murder, the crowds that yelled “crucify”, and the Romans who mocked, whipped and nailed Him to the Cross.  Yet, Jesus came to die for them and all who would follow.  So, “them” for me must include those who mock, insult, disrespect and otherwise crucify me.  I am not there yet, but I truly want to get there, where love overflows and freely forgives the hurt, the pride, the “what about my rights!”, the need to even the score.  Satan can only hurt me where I give him a foothold.  Free and abundant forgiveness removes that one.

Devotion

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, God of Mercy and Grace, Redeemer, Light to my path, I stand in awe of You.  What depth, width, height of love You expressed by the Cross which opened the gates of Heaven for us all.  I want to walk out my life in that kind of love, freely forgiving as I have been forgiven.  Stop me when my soulish pride wants to be unforgiving.  I want to be an instrument in Your Hand to bring redemption, not carving out a foothold in myself or another for the devil to take advantage.  May my life bring glory to You in all I do.  I ask it all in the name of Jesus.  Make it so.

On God’s Plan May Not Make Sense


Joshua 5:13-15 MSG And then this, while Joshua was there near Jericho: He looked up and saw right in front of him a man standing, holding his drawn sword. Joshua stepped up to him and said, “Whose side are you on—ours or our enemies’?” 14 He said, “Neither. I’m commander of God’s army. I’ve just arrived.” Joshua fell, face to the ground, and worshiped. He asked, “What orders does my Master have for his servant?” 15 God’s army commander ordered Joshua, “Take your sandals off your feet. The place you are standing is holy.”  Joshua did it.

Proverbs 3:5-6 MSG  Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.  Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track.

Observation

I believe this commander was Jesus.  He allowed Joshua to fall down and worship Him, something an angel would not do, and Jesus is identified as the commander of God’s army in Revelation (Revelation 19:9-16 NIV).  Regardless, any meeting with any angel must have been a jarring, overwhelming experience since the glory of God accompanied them (Luke 2:8-10).  This man must have exuded the appearance, confidence and awesome presence of a truly mighty warrior for Joshua to accept his self-identification as the commander of God’s army. 

Joshua asks, “Whose side are you on—ours or our enemies’?”  When the man says, “Neither,” he is making Joshua aware that there is a third side to choose.  “What orders does my Master have for his servant?”  Joshua abandoned his battle plans, took the third side – God’s side – and did not hesitate to submit his authority to God’s commander.  He had seen enough of the ways of God in Egypt, in the wilderness and crossing over Jordan to adopt God’s plan without hesitation.  I am sure he did not understand how marching around the city would bring the walls down.  Nevertheless, the battle plan for Jericho was going to be fought with the weapons of obedience, faith, and submission to the same God who brought them out of Egypt and through the wilderness.

Impact on Me

How often do I only see or consider two sides – my side and the opposing one?  How often do I assume that God is on my side rather than ensuring that I am on His?  How often do I launch into battle without presenting my plans to God to see if they sync with His?  Jesus consistently shocked His disciples by challenging the religious and cultural status quo.  Do I need a big scary angel to stand in my way to stop me from going it on my own?  Am I willing to submit to a plan that doesn’t make sense to me?  Which of us would come up with a salvation battle plan that starred a meek and humble man untrained in war, a troublemaker rejected by the accepted religious authorities, a crucified Savior? 

 “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.”  In my experience, choosing God’s side is not always easy, comfortable, safe or logical.  I had to learn the hard way that I was not always going to understand or be my version of successful or even be liked in my faithfulness.  At the very least, my pride will have to die in submitting to Jesus as Lord.  I want to be like Joshua at this moment and like Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane when the time comes to choose sides.

Devotion

Almighty, All-Wise, Merciful God, Your battle plan for redeeming humankind may not make sense to me but I choose Your side, Your plan, Your weapons.  Train me to recognize how to use love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, humility, kindness and all Your other virtues as weapons to fight Your battles for the souls You desire to save.  Change my definition of success to align with Yours.  May I clearly hear and quickly obey Your commands on each and every battlefield where You send me.  I ask it all in the name of Jesus.  Make it so.

On Faith

I am sharing with you today a blog from my former pastor. His encouragement, leadership, words and questions challenged and changed my walk with God for the better. https://merelyhuman.substack.com/

Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen… 13All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen and welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. 15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country which they left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them. (Heb 11.1, 13-16)

Faith is the expression, experience, and expectation of a people on a shared journey—a journey not self-initiated, but catalyzed by the call and command of God. We did not wake up one day and decide to walk toward Him; we were summoned. Drawn. Interrupted by grace.

And like any true journey, this one is both deeply personal and unmistakably communal.

There are stretches of clarity, where the road seems straight and the horizon wide. There are moments of discovery, where something previously unseen becomes suddenly luminous. There are also long miles of fatigue—quiet, unremarkable obedience that rarely feels heroic. There are challenges that test not only what we believe, but whether we will continue to believe. And yes, there are moments of arrival—glimpses of fulfillment that remind us why we began in the first place.

Which means we need a faith that actually fits the journey God has placed before us.

Too often, we speak of faith as if it were fixed—static, immovable, almost rigid. We say things like, “I’m standing firm in my faith,” and there is truth in that. But if we are not careful, we can mistake firmness for inflexibility, as though faith were something we hold in place rather than something that carries us forward.

Scripture, however, presents something far more alive.

Faith, as it is revealed to us, is expansive. Elastic. Capable of stretching without breaking. It breathes. It moves. It responds. It is not less than firm—but it is certainly more.

It discovers—faith is the pioneer, venturing into territories our reason can only observe from a distance.

It grows—it learns, it wonders, it stretches as our lives expand to embrace both possibility and calling. And at times, it feels as though it shrinks—pressed by loss, shaped by disappointment, and thinned by sorrow.

It yearns—it reaches for answers beyond our grasp, answers that refuse to submit to our timelines. And yet, in other moments, it rises and boldly declares what it knows to be true.

Faith can be deeply concrete, anchored in conviction, while also daring to dream beyond what can currently be seen. It can hold both certainty and mystery without feeling the need to force a resolution between the two.

In this way, faith lives along the horizon line.
It stands between the eternal and the mortal.
Between the physical and the spiritual.
Between promise and fulfillment.
Between His pardon and our persistent awareness of sin.
Between our hope and His glory.
It is always, in some sense, in between.

And that “in-between” space is not a failure of faith—it is its proper environment.

Because faith is not the speculation of what might be. It is the response to what has been spoken.

God has spoken. That is where faith begins.

And because of that, faith can endure absence—not because absence is easy, but because presence has already been revealed. Faith is able to remain when outcomes delay, when answers linger, when clarity fades, because it is anchored not in what is seen, but in who has made Himself known.

This is why faith can coexist with longing. Why it can pray and still wait. Why it can ache without collapsing.

Not because it is strong in itself—but because it is held by One who is.

At its core, faith is not confidence in circumstances, nor even confidence in our own believing. It is confidence in the presence of God.

The God who has come near.

The God who has spoken.

The God who has promised.

The God who is, even now, Emmanuel.

And so we walk.

Sometimes steadily.

Sometimes slowly.

Sometimes with questions still echoing in our minds.

But we walk—together—carried by a faith that is not fragile, but made alive by the Holy Spirit, anchored in Christ, and birthed by the Father’s love for us.

On Conditioning the Soil of My Soul

Matthew 13:18-23 MSG  “Study this story of the farmer planting seed. When anyone hears news of the kingdom and doesn’t take it in, it just remains on the surface, and so the Evil One comes along and plucks it right out of that person’s heart. This is the seed the farmer scatters on the road.

20-21 “The seed cast in the gravel—this is the person who hears and instantly responds with enthusiasm. But there is no soil of character, and so when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it.

22 “The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it.

23 “The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.”

Observation

Just before Jesus explains this parable/story, His disciples ask Him why He tells stories.  He replies: “That is why I tell stories: to create readiness, to nudge the people toward a welcome awakening. In their present state they can stare till doomsday and not see it, listen till they’re blue in the face and not get it.”  Every story Jesus told left His hearers with the challenge to respond to what they heard.  “What kind of soil are you?  What kind of soil do you want to be?”   There were those that did ponder these questions and those who did not.

Jesus wanted His hearers to question the status quo – all that they had been taught was true religion and how to please God – and compare these to the voice, actions and commands of the One True God as revealed in the Scriptures.   The exercise of religion as defined by the religious leaders of the time (Pharisees and Sadducees, primarily) was condemning, exclusionary, impossibly rigid and a very heavy burden.   Jesus wanted His hearers to know His Father for Who He is rather than following empty man-made rules and rituals.  His stories were told to till the soil of the soul and make it “good earth” in order “to create readiness, to nudge the people toward a welcome awakening” – that any and all who receive and embrace the seed He sows will thrive in God’s Kingdom.

Impact On Me

This story is a beautiful picture of our God and His desire to care for us.  No self-respecting farmer purposely throws seed on the road.  The farmer of this story does because He is generous and hopeful with His invitation to receive and grow in Christ.  He casts the seed (His Word, His influence, His love – all of Himself) on hard and rocky places, taking the chance that the soil will awaken to the change offered, to create that readiness, to nudge toward seeing the Kingdom available, and receive the seed.  I can see Jesus walking in the field and bending down to break up the soil, to pull out the weeds, to scrape away the gravel so the seed has a chance to take root and grow.  This is why He walked the earth and died on the Cross.

I remember when I first heard Jesus asking me to challenge the status quo – what I had been taught to believe – and begin to read the Word of God, sit in His presence, and awaken to Who He really is – patiently and passionately redemptive, loving, merciful, just, faithful, for me and not against me, and so much more – converting obedience to joy.  Over the years, He continues to till the soil of my soul, increasing the breadth of the good earth in me as I allow Him to remove the weeds and rocks that life has buried there.  There is still much field to be cleared and planted.  With the help of the Holy Spirit, I will allow the Tiller to do all His Kingdom work.

Devotion

Lord God Almighty, King of all kings, Lord of all lords, Persistent Farmer of the fields of our souls, You are faithful, You are diligent, You are untiring and passionate in Your efforts to see us thrive in Christ and in Your Kingdom.  Clear the field of my soul of all the rocks and weeds of life so that the field of my soul expands to be all good earth.  Help me to let go of the weeds that are deep-rooted and the rocks which are large and heavy – not ashamed for them to be revealed but glad for them to be exposed to and carted away by You.  I submit myself to You without reservation.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.