I want to be on the stronger side when the spoils are distributed, who is with me?

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Gift:  Wisdom– With the gift of wisdom, we see God at work in our lives and in the world. For the wise person, the wonders of nature, historical events, and the ups and downs of our lives take on deeper meaning. The matters of judgment about the truth, and being able to see the image of God.

Reading:  Say to them: This is the nation which does not listen to the voice of the LORD, its God, or take correction. Faithfulness has disappeared; the word itself is banished from their speech.  (Jeremiah 7:28)

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But when one stronger ⁷ than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils.  (Luke 11:22)

Observation:  I am hearing this morning in the first reading from the book of Jeremiah that this nation that we live in is in trouble, just like the nation of Israel was in trouble when it would not listen to the prophets.  The 28th verse of the 7th chapter of Jeremiah is spelling out to us today what is wrong with our government and why we are in trouble.  I hope the fact that we have not completely abandoned the Judeo-Christian principles on which we are founded is worth something in the eyes of the Lord.  As for the words of Jesus from the gospel today, I hope he is speaking of us being on the side of the stronger and not the other that gets its spoils distributed.

Personification:  Peace  It is my hope that I can display the fruit of peace in my life today, and not just in my life but the peace that I am able to display will spill over into the lives of my children as well.  It is only by the grace of God that this peace will be able to be displayed by our country in this crazy world we live in, but that will be my prayer today.

Prayer:  Lord, help the government of the United States realize the folly of its ways and not get involved in more armed conflicts in the world with people that seem to only resolve their issues with violence.  Please help our leaders see that violence for violence only breeds more violence, and I pray that peace will come to our nation and all nations throughout the world.  I ask this, as always, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit.  Amen.

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• “How Can We Say?” ( Jeremiah 8: 8, NIV ) by Carley Evans (lambskinny.wordpress.com)
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• Possess Your Land. (greatriversofhope.wordpress.com)