“When Jesus said, “I am the way,” He meant that to have a true relationship with God, you must practice His way.” – Thich Nhat Hanh, Living Buddha, Living Christ

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Listen to my song “I Want to Follow You” on YouTube by clicking HERE.

Support my ministry by purchasing my songs and books at the links following the scripture reflection below. Thank you!

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Mark 12:17

Jesus said to them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

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The Pharisees (religious leaders) were trying to snare Jesus in a trap by asking him whether it was lawful to pay the census tax to the Roman ruler.

If he said no, then he’d be in trouble with the government.

If he said yes, he’d be in trouble with his fellow Jews as they viewed the tax as Roman oppression.

Jesus masterfully turned the question back at the Pharisees.

This is a good question for us to consider in all that we do.

In whatever we do, how does God fit in?

What would God, who is Love (1 John 4:8), wish us to do in any given situation?

Jesus gives us the answers by the example of his life.

He said that if we knew him, then we would know God (John 14:7).

Jesus commanded us to love God and our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40).

He commanded us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44).

Jesus said whatever we did to the least of these, we did to him (Matthew 25:40).

If we claim to be Christian, then we must apply these teachings to all our speech and actions.

Each of us must ask ourselves: How am I repaying to God what belongs to God?

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Listen to the song of the day “I Want to Follow You” on the Listen to Your Heart album by clicking HERE.

Stream and/or purchase my songs on Amazon Music by clicking HERE.

Purchase my new book “Listen to Your Heart: A Daily Devotional of Calling, Purpose and New Life” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Purchase my book “Mercy Reigns: A Daily Devotional of Compassion, Comfort and Healing” on Amazon by clicking HERE.

Remember: God loves you!