The Daily Dose

Many are called

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”  Matthew 22:14

Twenty years ago God put writing in my heart.  I tried it some at that time, but it was the opposite of good.  Now, I write a daily blog of encouragement.  I enjoy it very much, but I have no training or no childhood dreams of writing.  I have no aspiration to be on a best sellers’ list and I don’t expect to become a well-known author.  I do, however, have dreams of helping and encouraging others.  My heart is to see people avoid the traps that I once fell into.  My mission is to lead as many people that I can influence to discover their life of significance and purpose.  I’m starting late in life and I pray some will be stirred up to answer their call much earlier through my example of what not to do in life.

Here’s the point:  God calls me to write at this point in my life, so I do.  There are many who are more qualified and some more available.  Some use their gift of writing to become well known and famous, never considering using their God given ability for the Kingdom of God.  Others consider it, but put it off until a later time because of much more pressing issues in their day to day living.  There are only a few who will take the time to answer the invitation God is calling them to right now.  Here’s the thing:  God doesn’t always call the qualified, but He does always qualify the called!  It is more about being willing to answer that call.

Today’s reading is a parable that represents the invitation God puts out to all people.  In the parable, the initial invitation is rejected by the people that are called, the upper class and those of status.  Then the king puts out the invitation to the highways and byways, the outsiders. The kingdom then becomes filled with the lower class because they are willing to answer the call and accept the invitation.

So here’s the question for you:  what is in your heart to do?  What have you been putting off?  What ideas do you dismiss because they are too daunting to pursue?  Each one of us have something, something we can do right now that will lead to the next open door.  It doesn’t matter if you are educated in that area or not, God will get you there.  The solution is to submit that idea and desire to the LORD and let Him lead you through the process.

Today I want to encourage you to set time aside to do the things that God has put in your heart that He is prompting you toward.  Maybe it is writing, maybe it’s speaking and teaching.  It could be some form of art or coaching.  Or maybe it is reaching out to the next generation.  Whatever it is, surrender it to God today.  He will guide and equip you to complete the things He has put in your heart and He will take you through the doors required to be effective at your calling.  “Remember that very few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers to be foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful.”  1 Corinthians 1:26-27

Today’s scripture reading:  Matthew 22:1-14

1 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: 

2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, 

3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. 

4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.” ’ 

5 But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. 

6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. 

7 But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 

8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 

9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.’ 

10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 

12 So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. 

13 Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

What will you do with Jesus?

Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.  This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?  Matthew 21:42

In today’s reading, Jesus is telling the people a story/parable about a vineyard.  It is symbolic of God sending the prophets to the people and how they were rejected down through the generations.  Then when God sent His Son into the world to save the people, He (the Son) is rejected above all others and killed.  He sums it all up by saying that the One who has been rejected is now the chief cornerstone/building block upon which the age of grace is being built.  He concludes with a statement that the cornerstone cannot be destroy.  The priests and Pharisees knew what Jesus’ implication was and they were indignant.  They wanted to kill Him right then and there.  It was a “cross road” so to speak for them.  They had a choice in that moment to receive Jesus as their Messiah or do to Him as the vinedressers did in the parable Jesus told.

As we now know, they rejected Him and by the end of that week, crucified Him.  They didn’t take the opportunity they were given to receive and walk in their chosen heritage.  Today, we have been given the same opportunity to receive the gift of God’s Son.  However, now it is a greater gift because Jesus’ work here in the world has been completed.  We no longer have the ability to take hold of Him and kill Him.  We do have the power, though, to accept Him and all that He died to get back for us.

We have the power to become the sons of God. (see John 1:12)  We have the opportunity to accept the right relationship with God in heaven through salvation in Jesus and we have the authority to invite the LORD of all into our heart and life to rescue us from an eternity separated from the Father who loves and created us.

So, the question today is:  What will you do with Jesus?  Will you receive His love and the sacrifice He made to save us from this lost and dying world or will you reject the message of the good news and refuse to believe that it is true.  Maybe you think you can put it off until a better day, but I assure you, there is no better day than today to change your life forever.

Today I want to encourage you to receive God’s gift of salvation and accept Jesus into your heart and life.  He will change your life, He will change your circumstances and He will change your world.  It is the greatest decision you will ever make.  Pray this simple prayer today, Jesus will come in and turn the things your enemy meant for evil into good.

God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me new.  I know Your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him from the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father through this salvation in Jesus. I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to do the things that You have planned for my life in Jesus’ name, Amen

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 21:33-46

33 “Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. 

34 Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. 

35 And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. 

36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. 

37 Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 

38 But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ 

39 So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him.

40 “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?”

41 They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.”

42 Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?

43 “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. 

44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.”

45 Now when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them. 

46 But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they took Him for a prophet.

The Best Laid Plans

Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Matthew 21:31

Have you ever heard the saying “The best laid plans are paved with good intentions”?  It’s something people say when you intend to do something, but then it never happens.  Sadly, it is a common theme in the world today.  A lot of people set out in life intending to do many great things, but then get distracted or just caught up in everyday living and never get around to the good things they had once hoped to do.

Today’s passage is a question that Jesus asked those who were with Him one day.  He told a story about two sons that their “father” asked them to do something.  One son said “no”, but after reconsideration went ahead and did it.  The second son said “yes, I will go”, but then never gets around to it.  Jesus asked the crowd “Who did the will of the father?”  The answer was the first one who said no, but then did the work in the end.

This gives a who new perspective to the idea that delayed obedience is disobedience.  Even though the first son did not want to obey at first, he was considered to have done the will of his father when he went later on.  He obeyed after regretting his first answer.

This is encouraging to us today.  Even if there are things in life that we have put off or delayed doing for whatever reason, it is not to late to do the will of God.  If you still have breath in your longs, you can reassess the things He has asked and head in that direction today.  As you surrender your life to God and begin asking Him to remind you of things He has asked of you that are unfinished, He will begin to direct and open doors for you to enter.  You can complete down to the last detail, all the things He created you to accomplish.

Today I want to encourage you to lay your life down before your Father in heaven.  Surrender your plans and pick up His.  Begin doing those good works that He planned for you to do before your days are through in this world.  Don’t let your path lead to a road of good intentions never executed.  Let God’s best laid plan for your life be pave with your resounding “yes!” and not with things left unfinished.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 21:28-32

28 “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ 

29 He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. 

30 Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. 

31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. 

32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.

Who’s authority

Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?”  Matthew 21:23

Authority is a big part of our society.  We have organizations such as government and public servants that have authority to enforce laws and regulations.  Although these authorities are far from perfect, it is still a good thing that we have them in place.  Without authority, there would be chaos and confusion continually.  Crime would be rampant, and structure would be non-existent. 

God is the ultimate authority, and He is the true source of power in this world and this universe.  In today’s reading, Jesus was questioned about where He received the authority to do good works and miracles.  At first, it may look like Jesus is rebelling against authority, but it just isn’t the case.  Jesus submitted Himself to authority, just not the so called “religious” leaders of His day.  He was submitted to God first of all and God’s law to the point that He fulfilled it perfectly.  He submitted to government as indicated when He paid taxes.  He was submitted to His parents.  In fact, He didn’t even start doing miracles publicly until His mother asked Him to.  He submitted to John the Baptist who was the forerunner to His ministry, and He served His followers and many broken and hurting people.  He was the greatest leader, but He wasn’t leading to gain followers, He was leading to be the example of God’s love for all people and to train up more to love others like Him.

We are also to submit to authority today.  Of course, our first allegiance is to God, but He has given us many scriptures in the New Testament that teach us to submit to the governing authorities and to pray for our governing leaders. (see Romans 13 & 1 Timothy 2) Ephesians 5:21 tells us to submit to one another in love and serve one another.  We do this to honor God and to display our submission to the authority of His Word.  Hopefully, we are submitted to a ministry (Church) where we can serve and work together in the body of Christ and come together regularly to worship God and serve one another.  The reality is, we were created to take care of each other and when we fulfill this purpose, that is where true joy and fulfillment happen.

Today I want to encourage you to examine your heart.  Ask yourself these questions: Are you submitted to authority as God has set it up?  First of all, God and His Word?  Do you accept the Word of God as the ultimate authority on every subject and are you fully surrendered to the plan and purpose He has called you to in this world?  Have you found your place within the body of believers where you can come together and serve others week?  Lastly, consider the time you spend praying for those in authority over you.  Whether the government, your pastor and even your spouse. Are you praying God’s grace and protection on them daily?  Do you take time to lift them up to receive the wisdom of God each day?  I guarantee you it will make a difference.  Start today to submit to the authorities that God has placed you under and watch how the world begins to change around you as you faithfully pray for them each day.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 21:23-26

23 Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?”

24 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: 

25 The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?” And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 

26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all count John as a prophet.” 

27 So they answered Jesus and said, “We do not know.” And He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

Ask and receive

“Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matthew 21:22

Do you talk to God each day?  Do you ask for things like having a good day, divine protection and peace of mind?  What about praying for others?  Do you ask your heavenly Father to watch over those you love and to bless the ones you care for?

Today’s scripture is about asking and receiving.  Jesus said that if we believe when we ask Him for something, we will receive it.  So, what are we supposed to believe?  Are we to believe that He hears us? Are we to believe that He will answer our request or are we to believe that He wants to answer us?  The answer to these questions is “Yes!” There are many scriptures in God’s Word that support this idea of asking and receiving. This is not an isolated instance here in Matthew 21. Psalm 91 says when we call on Him, He will answer us. Matthew 7:7 says: Ask and it will be given to you. Mark 11:24 says whatever you ask when you pray, you will have.  In John 16:24, Jesus said “Ask and you will receive so you will be full of Joy.”  James 1:8 lets us know that if we ask and don’t receive, it is because we are double minded (wishy/washy) and unstable in our ways.  It means we are not sure about what we are asking and therefore have no faith to receive.

So why don’t we see and hear of more people praying and asking God for help in this world?  If you take a look around, it is clearer than ever that we need His help.  So why aren’t more people talking to God instead of complaining about or in fear of the latest world crisis?  I would say it is because people as a whole do not believe that God will answer or that He has any interest in what is happening on earth.  This is where we as Christians/believers come in.  Now is the time for us to step away from the world’s way of fear talking and complaining and start building faith in those around us by telling of God’s goodness and His desire to come into our personal lives to guide and protect from the evils of the world.  It doesn’t mean the evil will go away all together, but He will keep it from getting on you and those who call on Him. 

Today I want to encourage you to take the first step in receiving and that is asking but ask with purpose and believe that God wants to answer and take care of you and those you love.  Turn your focus away from the problems of the world and instead think about the solutions in Him.  In Him is peace, in Him is comfort and in Him is grace to get you through whatever you are facing.  Start including God in your life’s circumstances today by asking Him in to your struggles and watch how He turns everything around for good instead of evil.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 21:12-22

12 Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 

13 And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”

14 Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. 

15 But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant 

16 and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?”

17 Then He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and He lodged there.

18 Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. 

19 And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.

20 And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?”

21 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. 

22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

The God of miracles

_{So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?”  Matthew 20:32}

The God of miracles!  That’s who we love and serve!  He is our Father and provider, our protector and our friend.  Right now, you may be in a time that you need a miracle.  You want to see your life to return to peacefulness.  You want to see healing in your situation and in your world.  You want to see the enemy destroyed and deliverance for those you love!

Today’s scripture reading is about two blind men that sat on the side of the road begging each day just to have enough to make it to the next day.  Their outlook was bleak to say the least.  They had no hope for a change in their future and all they could look forward to was the same thing tomorrow.  One day they heard a crowd coming and when they asked what was going on, they were told that Jesus was passing by.  The men began to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on us!”  When Jesus heard the men, He stopped and called them to Him to talk with them.  Here’s the amazing thing.  Jesus doesn’t look at the men and see that they are blind and begging and say, here you go, have some provision and healing.  Jesus asks them, “What do you want me to do for you?”  The men ask Jesus for their sight.  They don’t even consider that this is an impossible request.  They boldly asks to be able to see. So, Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes and immediately they were made well.  The blind men are healed, follow Jesus, and glorify God.  All the people there also gave praise to God.

This situation is similar to problems we have today in several ways:

1.            When we have a problem – finances, family, crisis.

2.            We call out to Jesus.

3.            Jesus takes time to listen to us when we call on Him and answers our requests.

4.            Jesus does a miracle.

5.            We praise and thank Him for all the things He accomplishes right in the middle of our predicament and for bringing us out of this time stronger than when we went in.

We may not know how it is going to end, but we do know that we have called out to Jesus and He is asking us what we want Him to do and He is doing it!

Today I want to encourage you if you haven’t already called out to Jesus in your time of distress, do it now.  His response is the same to us, “What do you want me to do for you?”  Let your request and prayers be made known to Him.  Trust that He is the God who does wonders and declare His strength among all people and nations.  Press into God in your time of trial and believe that He is doing a miracle today in your life.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 20:29-34

29 Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. 

30 And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!”

31 Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!”

32 So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

33 They said to Him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” 

34 So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.

Riding on a Donkey

“Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”  Matthew 21:5

It is fitting that we are starting this passage at the same time we are approaching Passover and Resurrection Day.  The next few chapters will be all about the final days for Jesus before His sacrifice on the cross.

Today’s reading is about Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem the week before Passover.   Everyone was gathered there because of the celebration and observance of the event. Jesus rode into the city on a donkey’s colt and the significance was clear to anyone who knew the scriptures.  The prophecy was that the Messiah would come into the city riding on a colt, which was a sign of royalty, the Messiah.  This is why they cried out “Hosanna” which means Lord, save us! What the people didn’t realize was that He was actually the spotless Passover Lamb coming to be offered up by the high priest for the sin of the world.  To the people there that day He was coming to deliver them up from the oppression of the Romans.  However, the true reason He came was because He was God’s spotless Payment, not for His sin, but for theirs and ours today. He came to deliver us from the oppression of sin.

He was royalty yes, because He is the King of kings and He was there to save the people, but not how they thought He would.  He was brought into the city to be presented to the priests for inspection like all the other lambs that were being brought that week.  The difference was that He would be the last and final sacrifice that would ever need to be made for sin.  Finally, Someone had come to cleanse the people from the sin they had allowed in way back in the garden of Eden.

Today I want to encourage you to consider the spotless Lamb of God.  He came to be the sacrifice for all sin and His sacrifice still cleanses us today.  Jesus’ supernatural work on the cross covers all people for all eternity.  Take some time today to thank Him for the provision He made at Calvary and worship Him because He is worthy of our adoration.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 21:1-11

1 Now when they drew near Jerusalem, and came to Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 

2 saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me. 

3 And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and immediately he will send them.”

4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying:

5 “Tell the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your King is coming to you, lowly, and sitting on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ”

6 So the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. 

7 They brought the donkey and the colt, laid their clothes on them, and set Him on them. 

8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; others cut down branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 

9 Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!”

10 And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, “Who is this?”

11 So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee.”

He came to serve

Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 23:28

It is pretty amazing that Jesus, the King of all kings, didn’t come to the world to be served by His people or any other people for that matter.  He came to serve us.  It makes sense though, the reason God sent Him was to rescue us all from the grip of sin.  It is pretty evident in today’s text when James and John are trying to get into first place.  Jesus had just told all the disciples in verse 16 of chapters 20 that the last will be first and the first last.  Were they not listening or were they just sure that someone was going to get that position and wanted to have first option?  In all fairness, it was their mother that went to Jesus to try to get them into position, but they were right there ready to answer the questions and be granted the request.

This reminds me of how our society is today.  Always looking out for number one and trying to climb the ladder of success no matter who you have to step on as you climb up.  Jesus said this is what the rulers of the gentiles do.  They hold their position of authority over everyone to try to keep them under control and get them to do exactly what they desire.

Thank goodness it’s not that way with our loving heavenly Father.  He does not want us to be competing with one another trying to be the greatest at anything.  He wants us to be submitted to one another and serving each other.  In this way we complement each other’s strengths and work together to get God’s plans and agenda accomplished in these last days.  Instead of vying for position and trying to be the GOAT, we work as a team/body.  Each one of us doing our own part, the things we are gifted in.  Never considering that we could do someone else’s part better than they do.  We stay in our lane and let God’s grace make up the difference where we are lacking.

Today, this is what I want to encourage you:  To get in the place where you can start using your gifts to bring others into the kingdom.  You will start out small, but that is ok.  Be faithful in that area until God opens the next door of opportunity for you.  Keep a serving mindset.  Remember that you are here to serve and bless others, not other here for you.  Prefer others above yourself and offer to help when opportunities present themselves.  Promote others and always be trying to help them step up in their place.  There is no competition in the kingdom of heaven.  Just God’s family working together in agreement to rescue as many that are lost that we can in these last days.  God is not interested in how good you are at something, He is interested in how much you are determined to fulfil your purpose and love on others.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 20:17-28

17 Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, 

18 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, 

19 and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.”

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him.

21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.”

22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.”

23 So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”

24 And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 

25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 

26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 

27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 

28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

The Chosen

_{So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few (have) chosen.” Matthew 20:16}

God is always calling people to salvation, and He is always calling people to walk out life ministering and loving others.  Maybe you were someone who answered that call the first time you heard it, or maybe you heard the message of salvation many times and received it later on in life.  The truth is, God calls everyone.  He is not willing that any should perish. (see 2 Peter 3:8)  However, not everyone chooses to answer “yes” to that call.  Many say “no” several times before they turn to Him.

The good news is, even if you have chosen to follow Him later in life, you still have time to complete the assignment He has for you.  Jesus even said that those who come later will be first and the first ones will move to the last place.

Because our foundation is built on those who have gone before us and those who come after will be built on ours.  Those who chose earlier move to the bottom as new people are added in.  Likewise, those who come after us will be above or at the front because they came into the Kingdom of heaven and learned by a witness that was before.  But, we all have a job to do and a role to play.  To think that my reward will be greater because I have served longer than someone else is neither relevant or accurate.  We do not compare or compete with one another to receive greater or less.  Rather we work together to complete a mission.  Much like a construction project has many different contractors to work on the project, some start at the beginning of the project and other come in when their part is ready to be worked on.

The point is that we are all working toward the same goal and that is to help others know God’s unconditional love for them so they can experience it in their everyday lives.  So, no matter when you stepped on to the project, no matter how late it is in your life, you still have a part to play and a role to fill.  Choose to step into that place today and do your part to close this project out.

Today I want to encourage you to choose.  Choose to receive the call that the Master is calling you to.  Get in the place of your gifting and talent, to do your part in the mission and assignment of God.  Choose to bless and love those around you and do what you were created to do for such a time as this.  You don’t have to do everything, only do the part you were “hired” for.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 20:1-16

1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 

2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius 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 to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. 

5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 

6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ 

7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’

8 “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ 

9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 

10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 

11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, 

12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ 

13 But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 

14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 

15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ 

16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”

Hard, not impossible

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 19:23

Today I want to focus on God’s blessings and how they can fill our lives with great joy.  God is not against us having things and riches, He is, however against things and riches having us.  He knows that being consumed with the things of earth can destroy us.  Instead fill up with God and let Him pour His blessings on you!

In today’s verse, Jesus told His disciples that is it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, but it is not impossible.  God wants our faith and trust to be in Him.  He doesn’t want us to put our security in things and money because they are not able to give us a satisfying life and they are temporary.  However, if we don’t have these things, our ability to expand God’s kingdom, bless and reach others that have needs will be limited. 

The things here are very necessary for this time we spend on earth.  God wants us to enjoy our time here, and He is the one who gave us the things and the ability to acquire them.  Yet, the reason is for eternal purposes not for temporary pleasures.  God’s not after your things, He’s after your heart.

Today I encourage you to be thankful for the blessings that the Lord has given to you.  Thank Him that He adds no sorrow with them.  Reach out to others with the resources that you have been so richly blessed with and show others the love of God through the things He has given.  Don’t worry about replenishing them.  God will always take care and provide for you especially if you are using the blessings He has given you to bless others.  Jesus said, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.”  Matthew 19:29  Be a blessing to all those around you because He’s got you covered.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 19:23-30

23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 

24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”

28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 

29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 

30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.