11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

Peter 2:11-17

Questions for Reflection:

What do you think about being called a foreigner? What does that tell you about how that forms our identity as Christians?

Do you think that submission to authority is something that you do easily or with difficulty? Why do you think Peter tells us to submit to authority? What is the context of our submission?

When can freedom be a cover up for evil? Have you ever used freedom as a cover up for evil? What does it mean to you to be a slave to God?

Prayer of the Week:

Almighty God and Father, as we celebrate this week of the 4th of July we recognize that You have given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember Your generosity and constantly do Your will.

Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life.

Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action.

Grant that we, who came from many nations with many different languages, may become a united people.

Support us in defending our liberties, and give those to whom we have entrusted the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, may our hearts be thankful, and in troubled times do not let our trust in You fail.

Lord, keep this nation under Your care.

Bless the leaders of our land that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to the other nations of the earth.

Grant that we may choose trustworthy leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare, and serve You faithfully in our generation.

As we move into the second half of the summer lead us as individuals, families and a church to hear and respond to Your gracious call on our souls, “Come to Me ... and I will give you rest”. Help us respond to that gracious call with this simple request from our hearts, “Restore my soul, Jesus, Restore my soul.”

Amen