Good day dear friends.
Today at Jurisdictional Conference is when we elect three new bishops. Your prayers for God's guidance and direction would beappreciated. This is the most important and chief business of ourconferencing together. Our conference, the Southwest Texas and theRio Grande annual conference, are set to receive one of the three elected.
Here is our study guide for today: In Matthew 17:24-27 there is an incredible story about Jesus and His giving. Please read this and ask God to help you better understand this story.
Here is that text: Matthew 17: 24 When they reached Capernaum, thecollectors of the temple tax came to Peter and said, "Does yourteacher not pay the temple tax?" 25 He said, "Yes, he does." And whenhe came home, Jesus spoke of it first, asking, "What do you think,Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? Fromtheir children or from others?" 26 When Peter said, "From others,"Jesus said to him, "Then the children are free. 27 However, so thatwe do not give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook; takethe first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you willfind a coin; take that and give it to them for you and me."
What an interesting scene and scheme! During Jesus' day, not onlywas one required to pay the temple tax, there were collectors of same tax. Could you begin to imagine having that job of being a templetax collector? It would not be the easiest job in the world for most, but here in this story "collectors," plural, come to ask Peterif Jesus was up-to-date in His payment of said tax. Peter knew that Jesus faithfully complied with what was expected and replied so.When Peter returns to the place where they were staying, Jesusalready was aware of what Peter wanted to discuss. The question wasa simple one, do the children of the king support the king or doesthe king's support come from others? Others was the easy answer.Jesus replies that the children of the king are free from paying suchtribute to their father, implying that they were children of God, butHe directs Peter to do something incredible, to go fishing andbecause of fishing, the first fish he catches, inside will be the exact temple tax.
This is a great fishing story. I serve with a staff that at the drop of a hat will go fishing. And living so close to the ocean, I don't blame them and will one day join them. They don't always catchanything, and I've yet to hear they've caught a fish with money in its mouth. Nor would I presume to send them to go fishing in hopes of finding their tithe in the mouth of a fish. The point of the story is that God provides. Sometimes in hard to explain, difficult to understand ways, nonetheless, God provides. A faithful, trusting relationship with God will yield exactly that which we need, especially in returning to God that which is His.
PRAYER: Awesome God, open my mind, ears, and eyes to ways in whichYou may direct me today. Let me be one who gives You all honor andglory. Let me be one who trusts You enough to return to You thatwhich is Yours, my time, my talent, my money, and my devotion. Ipray this in Jesus' Name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.
Today at Jurisdictional Conference is when we elect three new bishops. Your prayers for God's guidance and direction would beappreciated. This is the most important and chief business of ourconferencing together. Our conference, the Southwest Texas and theRio Grande annual conference, are set to receive one of the three elected.
Here is our study guide for today: In Matthew 17:24-27 there is an incredible story about Jesus and His giving. Please read this and ask God to help you better understand this story.
Here is that text: Matthew 17: 24 When they reached Capernaum, thecollectors of the temple tax came to Peter and said, "Does yourteacher not pay the temple tax?" 25 He said, "Yes, he does." And whenhe came home, Jesus spoke of it first, asking, "What do you think,Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? Fromtheir children or from others?" 26 When Peter said, "From others,"Jesus said to him, "Then the children are free. 27 However, so thatwe do not give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook; takethe first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you willfind a coin; take that and give it to them for you and me."
What an interesting scene and scheme! During Jesus' day, not onlywas one required to pay the temple tax, there were collectors of same tax. Could you begin to imagine having that job of being a templetax collector? It would not be the easiest job in the world for most, but here in this story "collectors," plural, come to ask Peterif Jesus was up-to-date in His payment of said tax. Peter knew that Jesus faithfully complied with what was expected and replied so.When Peter returns to the place where they were staying, Jesusalready was aware of what Peter wanted to discuss. The question wasa simple one, do the children of the king support the king or doesthe king's support come from others? Others was the easy answer.Jesus replies that the children of the king are free from paying suchtribute to their father, implying that they were children of God, butHe directs Peter to do something incredible, to go fishing andbecause of fishing, the first fish he catches, inside will be the exact temple tax.
This is a great fishing story. I serve with a staff that at the drop of a hat will go fishing. And living so close to the ocean, I don't blame them and will one day join them. They don't always catchanything, and I've yet to hear they've caught a fish with money in its mouth. Nor would I presume to send them to go fishing in hopes of finding their tithe in the mouth of a fish. The point of the story is that God provides. Sometimes in hard to explain, difficult to understand ways, nonetheless, God provides. A faithful, trusting relationship with God will yield exactly that which we need, especially in returning to God that which is His.
PRAYER: Awesome God, open my mind, ears, and eyes to ways in whichYou may direct me today. Let me be one who gives You all honor andglory. Let me be one who trusts You enough to return to You thatwhich is Yours, my time, my talent, my money, and my devotion. Ipray this in Jesus' Name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
e.v.
