March 18, 2025 | Be God's Family
The Parable of the Two Sons
Scripture: Matthew 21:28-32(NIV)
28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’
29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.
31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?”
“The first,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
Devotional
I wonder how many times my parents asked me to do something when I was growing up, and I said I would and then didn’t do it. I wonder how many times I’ve volunteered to do a project for business or for church and “never got around to it?”
I believe it is more important to complete a task than to give it lip service. There is an adage “put your money where your mouth is,” meaning follow through or don’t say you will and then you don’t.
One of my children was in college and kept changing majors. She’d acquired lots of class hours but wasn’t close to receiving a major in the field she thought she wanted. Her counselor called her in and told her “If you will take this one class you will have a major in a subject.” She didn’t want to pursue a career in that subject, BUT taking that class got her a degree, and then she then pursued the career she wanted. College goal completed!
There are times we feel called to befriend someone, or help someone, or to witness our faith and we think “I’ll do it” but it never comes to fruition. My thought is, when we recognize our shortfall let’s call that “practice” and when the next opportunity comes along let’s make it happen.
We can commit our time, talent and treasure to God and then get distracted. Let’s call it “practice” and then change our direction to accomplish the task that God has chosen for us.
Poem
Creation's Response
Psalm 127
Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
Psalm 127:1
Unless the LORD attends my soul
‘Tis darkness, sad and lone
Unless the LORD awakens me
I am but dry dead bones
Unless the LORD stirs Spirit’s wind
I shall rebellious be
Unless the LORD guards well His lamb
Devoured prey be me
Unless the LORD opens the womb
The quiver, barren, empty
Unless the LORD vows prism bow
Arrows fly piercing me
Unless the LORD transforms my heart
My answer will be “No!”
Unless the LORD illumines path
A-stumbling I will go
Unless the LORD covers my sin
My rags shall reek with shame
Unless the LORD lays claim to me
I’m child without a name
Unless the LORD builds up my house
When storms come, I will crumble
Unless the LORD does die for me
To hell, I’ll quickly tumble
Unless the LORD reveals His truth
My life will be a lie
Unless the LORD redeems my life
All that is me will die
