~ Family History ~

[Lani]

Matthew 20:1-13
1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?


"To all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12 (NIV)



I've always been hypersensitive to medications. We first discovered this when, as a young children, my older sister and I both went to the hospital for tonsillectomies. We shared a room; my sister's bed was next to the window. Soon we were given shots to prepare us for surgery. Beverly immediately became drowsy, but my reaction was to sing loudly and declare that I wanted to fly out the window! Bev begged our mom to make me be quiet so she could sleep. We laugh often about that incident and have passed it on as part of our family history

Like my sister and me with medications, people react differently to the message of God's love. One person might listen attentively and immediately decide to follow Christ. Another might weigh the truth many years before believing. Our responsibility is to talk about how God has changed us and how God assures us of eternal life. But we cannot make the decision for others; we all have free will.

Just as my mom couldn't control my reaction to that medicine, we cannot control ohw others respond to the truth of God's love. But we share that love, knowing that our God cherishes our uniqueness yet cares for each of us the same.


Prayer: O God, give us holy boldness to speak about Christ to others so they can come to know and believe in you. Amen.

Prayer Focus of Day: Those hearing the Gospel for the first time

Thought for the Day: Godly Boldness


Story shared by: J. Moore (NC)

Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 7/26/11