Post by Woody Williams on Oct 2, 2005 4:46:16 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Matthew 21:33-39, 43-44
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'Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watch-tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way.
Finally he sent his son to them, saying, "They will respect my son." But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, "This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance." So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.'
Devotional
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The kingdom of God takes place in responsive hearts doing the works of God in the world. The kingdom is not something you can control and claim for your own. It is a gift from God by invitation and the privilege of serving God's will. We need to see the kingdom as the privilege of servanthood and not the privilege of ownership.
Prayer
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Lead me in paths of humble service, Lord. Amen
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'Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watch-tower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country. When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way.
Finally he sent his son to them, saying, "They will respect my son." But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, "This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance." So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls.'
Devotional
----------
The kingdom of God takes place in responsive hearts doing the works of God in the world. The kingdom is not something you can control and claim for your own. It is a gift from God by invitation and the privilege of serving God's will. We need to see the kingdom as the privilege of servanthood and not the privilege of ownership.
Prayer
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Lead me in paths of humble service, Lord. Amen