Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God, our Father, and Jesus Christ. Welcome to my blog! I hope the thoughts you find here will encourage you and inspire you to diligently seek God’s Kingdom. Today, the word of the LORD to you is “VOTE.” Let’s look at the word of God and gain some perspective on what the scriptures say.
Jer. 29:7 And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace. KJV
Jer. 29:7 And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.” NLT
Jeremiah was an interesting prophet, but he was a real prophet. I told our church that he was not what we in the twenty-first century would consider a successful prophet. He spent most of his career in jail. He prophesied negative things that got him in more trouble than not. He consistently set order and told the people of God what they should do.
This pericope is no different. This prophecy was written down. He sent this prophecy in a letter during a time when Israel was being occupied. Nebuchadnezzar had conquered Israel and had taken away many of its people back to Shinar. At this time, Israel was being oppressed, marginalized, and made into servants. They were no longer running their own affairs. It is in this context that Jeremiah sends this prophecy. He does not say that this time next year you will be free. He does not promise women a husband or children. Men are not being promised money, jobs, or even families.
The prophet says in verse five (5), while you are in exile, build houses, plant gardens, get married, and build families, “that you may be increased there, and not diminished.” (Verse 6 KJV). Even in your oppression, there is a plan from the LORD. This is the instruction that is given to the people of God so that even though you are not free, you should not be dependent on your oppressors for anything. This idea that we should constantly be dependent on people who think we are beneath them is a formula for disaster. Why would you depend on them to feed you, house you, and teach your children? As a matter of fact, you will find that they are not permitted to marry outside of Israel, and the reasons were always theological, not ethnic. The main concern expressed in passages such as Deuteronomy 7:3-4, Exodus 34:16, and Ezra 9-10 is that intermarriage with foreigners—specifically Canaanites and other idol-worshiping nations—would lead Israelites away from worshipping the one true God and towards idolatry.
In verse seven, in keeping with the theme of self-reliance, God says that they should “work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile.” NLT God says that we should work for, seek in the King James, the peace and prosperity of the city where you are in exile. Listen, even if you are not running the city, you should be involved. Because God says “its welfare will determine your welfare.”
If the welfare of this city determines your welfare, should you not be involved? We are called to be active and good citizens of the city. Voting should be the least we can do. The welfare of your city determines your welfare. Do not leave the direction of your welfare to someone else. Get involved. Go Vote!
Again, I would like to invite you to subscribe to the blog. I endeavor to post regularly, with an entry every Tuesday. You can subscribe at the bottom of this page.
Remember to invite someone to church with you this Sunday. I would like to extend a special invitation to join us at In His Presence Family Worship Center this Sunday at our new home. That’s right, we have moved into our own building. Join me at IHP. We now meet at 11 Woods Place, (formerly Johnsons Place) in Brooklyn, NY. Join us at 10 a.m. I look forward to seeing you there. Seek God’s Kingdom first. And, visit our website to get more information about In His Presence Family Worship Center.
Yours Because I am His,
Leo Colon, D.Min., M.Div.,
In His Presence Family Worship Center
Pastor Leo Colon's Blog 
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