Pensamento:
Dívidas! Dia do Leão. (Dia final para declaração de imposto de renda nos EUA) Não é meu dia favorito, e o seu? Mas, onde estaríamos sem governo, ordem e leis. Ao mesmo tempo que talvez não gostemos do jeito que o sistema funciona hoje, o que seria de nós se não tivéssemos sistema nenhum. Vamos viver como redimidos e sermos obedientes na nossa cidadania e pedir a Deus que abençoe nosso país e que traga-o à renovação.
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Ouch! Tax day. Not my favorite day, how about you? But where would we be without government, order, and laws? Anarchy! Rebellion! Lawlessness! Dog-eat-dog days where all people are "in it" only for themselves!
While we may not always like how the system functions, we need to know from God how he wants us to live with flawed people in community. Paul is not naive. He knows he is likely going to be imprisoned and martyred by the Roman government. So, we can follow Paul's example as we seek to be redemptive in our living, obedient in our citizenship, and ask God to bless our countries and bring revival to them. Jesus left us this principle:
"So give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." (Matthew 22:21)
The apostle Paul explained and expanded Jesus' principle in our verse today:
Give everyone what you owe him. If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Now it is up to us, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to live up to that principle even in challenging times!
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Oração:
Santo Deus, agradeço que sou livro no Senhor e que pertenço a ninguém e nenhum poder. Mas, quero que Seu nome seja respeitado, e por isso obedecerei as leis desse país de acordo com a Sua vontade. Ao mesmo tempo, Senhor, peço com fervor que o Senhor cure nosso país e que leve os nossos corações de volta ao Senhor. Em nome de Jesus eu oro. Amém. || http://www.iluminalma.com/img/il_romanos13_6.html
My Prayer...
Holy God, I thank you that I am free in you and belong to no one and no power other than you. To you, O God, I offer my full and undivided allegiance. Because I want your name and your people to be respected, I will obey the laws of my land as long as they align with your will. I know it is good for the spread of the gospel of Jesus and for the blessing of all people that we be at peace in our world,* so, dear Lord, I pray for peace. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
* Romans 12:18; Hebrews 12:14.
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