Will...and special needs...

Will....and special needs...

A death sentence was given along with the promise of resurrection....Jesus talked about both in Matthew 26...showing the disciples how to remember Him...until he came again.

Matthew 26:39, 42 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” 

Luke 22:39-44 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 

On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 

He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.

 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 

https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/a-panera-bread-employees-simple-remark-turned-our-118716572646.html

But, it reminded  me of families I know who have been given "special gifts", by way of special needs children...they have had to lay it out over and over again, "how do we live with this opportunity day after day...?"

I realize that the death and resurrection of Christ  are totally on a different plane than special needs children..but the parents pray the same prayer day after day as they care for and love their child..

Or is for the child or spouse of a loved one with ALS, cancer, Alzheimer's or any one  of the diseases that destroys the body and mind?  "Not my will but thine"

And many, like Jesus, have ministering Angels...strengthening them to move forward ...through anguishing times...

Thank YOU that you have a perfect will for each of us...there are times when it seems impossible to accept it, but You make a way..You sustain..You give light and life...and prayer to help us through it all...even angels to minister...

Beggars .....

Beggars.....

Everyday, no matter what part of town I am in, I see beggars sitting at intersections with their signs, "even a smile is welcome", "anything will be welcome", etc, etc.. This year they have here in the winter as well, with our mild weather...all ages, both genders, singles, families....

There are at least two shelters, several place for teens, and homeless camps around the area..some groups regularly visit these places with medical care, food, miscellaneous supplies...

A small group that I attend made up ziplock bags for women's personal supplies to be given out by a low income medical office as they go out to help women. The supplies were collected at a women's luncheon and 

Bible study. 

Another group collects diapers for low income families..

There are thrift stores which will outfit people for job interviews and work and get job training if needed....coats and sleeping bags to those living outside,....blankets, shoes, school supplies for foster and low income children, 

AAA collects suitcases for displaced children...

Another donates prom dresses for low income girls to attend their school proms...

There are shelters from domestic violence, people trafficking, parents and families of sick children, help for the mentally ill,.....the list goes on..and on..even garden plots for those who like to raise a garden...food stamps, low income housing, phones for low income people, cars for low income....

In other words, we have no excuse for not seeing the poor among and around us...our country as a whole is among the first to respond to disasters around the world...with supplies, manpower, equipment...thank you, America, for being so giving...

but, thank YOU GOD, for giving us so much, with giving hearts help us to follow You in compassion for others ... Seeking You first of all and then loving and helping others as You love them...

Matthew 25:31-46 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 

All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ 

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 

“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” 

Are we there yet?

Are we there yet?

We travelled a lot when the children were younger...now I am watching my children and grandchildren doing the same .....we had no DVD players for the car, no computer games....just a box of books and as each child grew, they brought their own books to read either to themselves or share..

We sang songs, listened to audio tapes, read books aloud,,watched scenery....as the miles clicked away....

I still look for interesting things to see along the way...and find myself starting to say, "oh, look at....." When there is no one in the car to share with... A rather  lonely feeling...

One question that transcends all questions when traveling is, "are we there yet?"....It may be in a tired, whiny tone or an excited,  anticipatory tone...  "When will we be there?  How much longer?" .....questions following the first...in anticipation of the journey's end....

These are basically the questions the disciples are asking Jesus in Matthew 24...every generation must ask the same "end of the age" inquiries..."is this the generation that will see end". Or "surely world's events must mean we are getting close to the end..."

We don't know, but to watch and pray and "stand firm"...those are our admonitions....watch...spread the good news to all the world ...no one left out ...and....be ready....for the end as a good servant is ready for the master to return ...

Thank YOU for the mystery of your Word...the times yet unknown to us...help me to be ready for Your  return...to stand firm...to help in my small way to spread your Word to all of the nations...

Matthew 24:1-25 Jesus left the temple and was walking away when his disciples came up to him to call his attention to its buildings. 

“Do you see all these things?” he asked. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” 

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 

Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 

All these are the beginning of birth pains. 

"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 

At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. 

“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.

 Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 

Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. 

“If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 

For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you ahead of time.

Hypocrites and woes....

Hypocrites and woes....

Matthew 23 is an indictment on the leaders of the time and for all times...

We were a part of a legalistic church at one phase of our lives, until we could finally break out and feel of the freedom of God's grace refresh our souls and the souls of our children...but coming out of that was hard and the habits created died hard...the hurts were deep...

But, as I look on those years, we learned so much....God intervened in our lives to,show us the right paths to follow ....

Then reading this portion of scripture, I needed to ask myself, "what of these multitude of woe and criticisms do I carry with me, these thought  patterns, these habits, attitudes"... 

Do I practice what I preach?

Do I judge and expect more of others?

Do I want honor in the public places? Take important seats because I think I am important?

Am I Humble?

Do I value the wrong things?

Do I put false expectations on others?

Do I neglect justice, mercy and faithfulness for the temporal?

Do I worship the creator or the created?

Do I give honor where honor is due?

Thank YOU for your words of truth...hammer them into my heart, speak them into my soul.   Help me live by them, humbly admitting my sins of legalism...

Matthew 23:1-13, 15-26 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 

So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. 

But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 

“Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others. “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 

Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. 

For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. 

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. 

You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.

 “Woe to you, blind guides! 

You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’ You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’ 

You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who sits on it. 

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. 

You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. 

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. 

How tiresome....

How tiresome....

I remember when our children were at the "why" stage...continuing questions, all day long it seemed...learning of the world, expanding their horizons,...we would finish one line of information only to open up another...it called for the utmost patience all the time and knowledge of when to say , "I don't know the answer to that question".  We humans are so finite in our information...

But, then the children learned to read...then they could research their answers, (no computers, no search engines to find kazillions of answers, opinions)...

My children weren't trying to "trap" me with questions, but rather, learn....

Reading today in Matthew 22, the various leaders at that time wanted to discredit Jesus so much. They must have spent all their time trying to come up with questions to trap him... To dishonor him, to tear him down...they in turn missed Him...their Messiah, whom they had waited for...how sad...when they could have rested at His feet, taking in God into their souls...peacefulness instead of antagonism....rest instead of unrest....

They expected Jesus to answer all of their questions, but couldn't answer His...

How He must have been frustrated on one hand in their unbelief and hostility, when he came to save them...

What do I do that is frustrating? What are my attitudes that try another's patience? What am I missing because of my blindness to the truth? Help me to rest in your Word...

Thank YOU for your unending patience to my finite mind...You desire so much to draw us nearer...hold us close...when all we do is question....wondering the whys of life...

Matthew 22:15-16, 18, 23, 29, 33-36, 41-42

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 that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.

 You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?

 That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 

When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.

 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 

While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?”

In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry. May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm. May He send you help from His sanctuary and strengthen you from Jerusalem. May He remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings. May He grant your heart's desires and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the Lord answer all your prayers.  (Psalm 20:1-6, NLT)

loosing trees...

Loosing trees..

After three years of growing well, three trees in my yard died this spring...and my yard didn't boast of too any trees...two put forth a few leaves and then dried up...the third, my favorite, leafed out beautifully, blossomed well. Then, this last week, the leaves on one limb wilted, then the next until all but one limb were wilted, crunchy, dried up leaves...no freezing, or wind, or dry...???? What is happening to my beautiful tree???

Then, this morning I read this portion of scripture...what did the owner of this fig tree think about his tree suddenly withered if it was part of someone's property or people who had seen this tree healthy before?

Matthew 21:18-22 Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 

Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. 

Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. 

“How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. 

Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” 

But, the point is really about faith and prayer...the withered tree is the object lesson...what am I to learn from my withered tree?  Let it go...let them all go...less leaves to care for, less water to consume. This in the face the deer eating my deer proof plants on the other side of the the house...oh well, less is better they say...let it go...be more concerned about faith and prayer...time used in service...purpose...

Prayer when yet another friend is facing terminal cancer with a few months to live...safety of family traveling...national unrest...international unrest...praise for so much...graduations....salvation for others....and on the list goes...not sure if it will move mountains but the prayers will reach the heart of God...there to be taken care of as only He does...

thank YOU for the withered trees...the answered prayers...so much more fruit from prayers than trees...

" it is what you do with what is left"

"It is what you do with what is left..."

Last night was the annual National Memorial Day Concert in Washington, D.C. . It is always a moving performance...with music of all kinds, speeches, stories of soldiers who have survived and died, big screen pictures of war, gore and tribute...they highlighted soldiers who have triumphed from injuries sustained in battle and how they have overcome insurmountable odds to go on with life...a new normal..."It is what you do with what is left..."  Thank You...

As a Christian, we have sooooo very much left...to look forward to...we forget sometimes...we get caught in the everyday mundane, the earthly losses, the politics of life here on earth...but we need to meet those insurmountable challenges..we have it so easy here in the U.S....we have soooo much to be thankful for...even when times look dim...we are blessed with abundance, freedom...and I take it so lightly...

What am I doing with what is left...? Meeting the challenges of widowhood? Meeting the challenges of Christianity? Moving forward with purpose? Asking God for direction? Following His path? Finding out what is important and not just fluff or stuff?

We commemorate Christ's life with communion..Matthew 26:26-30 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 

1 Corinthians 11:23-28 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 

In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 

So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 

A remembrance as well..of our savior and Lord...His life, his sacrifice for us for our freedom, our salvation...thank YOU... 

http://www.coolestone.com/media/12382/The-Saluting-Boy-On-Omaha-Beach/#.VWMUnYhHaK2

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/05/22/day-president-bushs-tears-spilled-onto-marine-s-face-at-walter-reed.html?intcmp=ob_article_footer_text&intcmp=obnetwork

Memorial Day
The gravestones at Arlington National Cemeteryare decorated by U.S. flags on Memorial Day weekend.
Official name	Memorial Day
Observed by	United States
Type	National
Observances	Remembrance of American war dead
Date	Last Monday in May
2014 date	May 26
2015 date	May 25
2016 date	May 30
2017 date	May 29
Frequency	Annual

"Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces.  The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, originated as Decoration Day after the American Civil War in 1868, when the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans — established it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. By the 20th century, competing Union and Confederate holiday traditions, celebrated on different days, had merged, and Memorial Day eventually extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.

Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.

Annual Decoration Days for particular cemeteries are held on a Sunday in late spring or early summer in some rural areas of the American South, notably in the mountain areas. In cases involving a family graveyard where remote ancestors as well as those who were deceased more recently are buried, this may take on the character of an extended family reunion to which some people travel hundreds of miles. People gather on the designated day and put flowers on graves and renew contacts with relatives and others. There often is a religious service and a picnic-like "dinner on the ground," the traditional term for a potluck meal in which people used to spread the dishes out on sheets or tablecloths on the grass. It is believed that this practice began before the American Civil War and thus may reflect the real origin of the "memorial day" idea.

Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day; Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans." Wikipedia 

Flags...

Flags....

Yesterday, i wondered around a local gravesite with a group of uniformed BoyScouts as they placed flags on grave sites of former military men and women ...those who had served in World Wars 1 and 2, Korea, Vietnam and wars since then... At each spot, the scouts cleaned off the stone, placed a flag and then saluted that site.  This group of scouts did 60 plus sites.  There were other groups, as well, each covering  different sections of the graveyard..so when finished, the graveyard was a sea of flowing flags, fluttering in the breeze, mixed with colorful flowers on many grave sites. So fitting on a sunny day...servants remembered...

There were also military personnel dressed in their uniforms wondering around talking to the scout groups, encouraging them in their endeavors, showing their medals, various parts of their uniforms, ...servants of our land who served with honors.....giving of their time and talents to give us our freedoms as these men and women that were honored had done whom were honored with flags..

I like to read the stones...some have simple sayings, others elaborate carvings, and still others just names and dates...

One set, a husband and wife, said simply, "loved Jesus" while the other said, "served Jesus" with their names and dates...that said it all...servants of the Most High...no ranking, no elaboration...here...but much waiting in heaven for them..

This mother in Matthew 20 wanted honors for her sons. She missed the ultimate picture for their lives...Jesus wanted servants and they wanted to serve Him, not for man's approval but God's...they would pay the ultimate price for their service in the Lord's army on the earthly battleground for men's souls...our remembrance of them-reading their names in the Bible, worldwide ...and hearing of places they touched and went with the gospel so long ago...

Thank YOU for committed men and women who have served our country...but thank You so much for those servants who willing served You through the centuries carrying Your banner of Love to the nations of the world...

Matthew 20:20-28 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. 

“What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.” 

“You don’t know what you are asking,” 

Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”

"We can,” they answered. 

Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” 

When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

Psalm 20:5a May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God......

Questions. Questions, questions....

Questions, questions, questions....

Matthew 19 is full of questions..and Jesus answered every one....I wonder if he ever got tired of people's questions ....I doubt it, as he wanted people to understand, to not perish,...that is why he came, after all...

Yesterday, as I read the news, and various peoples commentaries of the news, I had questions as well...I read of people's hypocrisy, their name calling, their disparaging remarks about Christians, their calling good bad, and bad good...and it seemed like the questions "why", "how can this be", "what is permitted", etc...were right back in Jesus's time...who can come, who is Good?  Who will be saved?...were fitting the times , even though we are two thousand years later....we still have the same questions, the same emotions...

Tests, tests, tests,....why did this one get cancer?  Why are these being persecuted? Why did this one die so young? Why are these called a cult of purity? How come evil exists? Why are innocents dying? Who can be trusted?  Questions Everyday...

And Jesus is there to answer ....and listen..

Thank YOU,  for listening....for caring...helping me pray, expectingly....

Matthew 19:1, 3-26 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. Some Pharisees came to him to test him. 

They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 

Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. 

But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.” 

Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.” 

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there. 

Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he inquired.Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’” “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. 

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 

Taxes....

Taxes....

We have just came through a season of taxes...some of us pay taxes every quarter and others only once a year...but it is still a trying time...I wish for a tax form that I can say, "I agree with this tax or not and pay the appropriate amount"...the politicians may get a rude awakening if that were to happen for everyone...they would find who really supports what..and maybe some of the "pork" would be eliminated or budgets may be more balanced...no more soap box....

I have always wondered why the disciples and others aren't more astounded by the fish containing the tax money..but that isn't recorded..they just pay it and go on with life..like you get fish with money everyday...wouldn't you just want to fish all the time the see if more money could be found, like opening an oyster for pearls?

Another miracle for that time only...

The words that are so telling..."but so that we may not cause offense"...in others words, let's do what is right or expected...not causing trouble ...

Mark 9:42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.

1 Corinthians 10:32-33 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

There are many other references to stumbling in the Bible..sinners stumbling because of unbelief, others stumbling in spiritual and literal darkness, stumbling over the Cornerstone who is Christ...

But, this one doesn't want to offend...that they might believe...

Thank YOU for the funds You do supply for taxes..but, more than that..help me not to offend anyone along the way...that others may be saved.. By seeing YOU...

Matthew 17:24-27 After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”

 “Yes, he does,” he replied.When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” 

“From others,” Peter answered.“Then the children are exempt,” 

Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” 

"When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?”  Matt. 17:24 (NASB)

The two-drachma tax was a religious tax imposed by the Jewish religious leaders on the population. The tax was used to support the temple in Jerusalem. Originally, the tax of a half-shekel of silver was imposed to support the tabernacle in the wilderness (Ex. 30:11-16). The tax was unchanged when the temple was built; however, it was temporarily reduced to one-third shekel by Nehemiah while the exiles were returning to Jerusalem because they were poor (Neh. 10:32). 

According to Flavius Josephus the half-shekel was equivalent to two drachmas[1]. It was called the two drachma tax, even though there was no single coin worth two drachmas. So, the question, “Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?” refers to a tax worth two denarii or two days wages.[2] In Jesus’ day the tax was approved by the Romans. That means the Jewish religious leaders were free to collect the money during the month preceding the Passover.[3] However, the Jews were free to pay it or not pay it.[4] Consequently, it was collected before Passover by men who went throughout Palestine.

Therefore when Matthew says “those who collected the two-drachma,” he refers to these tax collectors who caught Peter. One or more of these men approached Peter and asked does your teacher pay the tax? This implies that at least some in the population had connected Peter and Jesus together. We will discover in the next verse that Jesus was not walking with Peter. Peter was either walking alone or with some or all of the disciples in Capernaum when he was asked if his master paid the tax. Matthew 17:25 reports that Peter answered, “Yes!’

He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?” Matt. 17:25 (NASB)

When Peter walked into the house Jesus spoke first and asked, “What do you think, Simon?” about the tax. Peter must have been surprised. Yet, this was not the first time Jesus knew men’s thoughts (Matt. 9:4; 12:25) and would not be the last. We can imagine Peter taking a moment to respond after that surprise. Jesus’ question was terrific. His question can be reworded as, “Who pays taxes (customs or pool-tax), the sons of earthly kings who impose the taxes to raise money for their families and the kingdom or strangers?” Since kings imposed taxes to support themselves, their families, and the kingdom the answer is clear. Why would a king tax his own family? The answer is, strangers pay the tax and not his flesh and blood sons! To tax his sons would be taxing the very ones he is trying to support. Therefore, the answer is simple. The king taxes strangers. 

Peter answers correctly, “Strangers . . .”

When Peter said, “From strangers,”  Matt. 17:26 (NASB)

Then Jesus replied, “Then the sons are exempt.” Now how does this apply to Jesus and Peter? Are one of them or both of them sons? If so, of whom? The obvious conclusion is that Jesus was exempt since He was the son of God. Peter knew that too! Earlier he had stated that Jesus was the son of God when Jesus asked him, “Who do people say that I am?” (Matt. 16:16). Jesus was the Son of God (2 Cor. 1:9; Heb. 4:14; 1 John 5:5). So, Jesus was exempt from paying the tax since the God the Father rules over everything (Eph. 4:6)." Neverthirsty.org