January 30
Matthew 20:1-28
What are the priorities of your home? One of my friends, who is a missionary in Taiwan, consistently tells his kids their family does things differently than other families. They have priorities and values that may not be shared by their neighbors, but their family does what they do because it expresses their values―particularly, a love for God. God’s family is also called to live in a set apart way that expresses certain values. Matthew 20 tells us God’s family and citizens of his kingdom are to embody grace and service. Jesus tells a parable to remind us that God’s grace should always cause us to have grateful hearts rather than grumbling spirits. When we realize all good things have come from God, who are we to complain? There is nothing in our lives that we deserve; instead all good things come from God’s loving hands. Experiencing this grace should then lead us to shower this grace upon others.
Further, tasting God’s beautiful grace should lead us to service. If Jesus, the eternal Son of God, came not to be served but to serve, who are we to make life solely about having our needs met? Everything God bestows upon us is meant to be used to bless others and bring glory to God. The values of grace and service should shape our hearts, our thoughts, and our actions. Being citizens in God’s kingdom means living differently than the world around us.
Father God, give me a grateful heart for all your grace and service to me. Help me to follow in the footsteps of Jesus in the way I respond to others. Amen.
How can you express God’s grace and service to others today?
What are the priorities of your home? One of my friends, who is a missionary in Taiwan, consistently tells his kids their family does things differently than other families. They have priorities and values that may not be shared by their neighbors, but their family does what they do because it expresses their values―particularly, a love for God. God’s family is also called to live in a set apart way that expresses certain values. Matthew 20 tells us God’s family and citizens of his kingdom are to embody grace and service. Jesus tells a parable to remind us that God’s grace should always cause us to have grateful hearts rather than grumbling spirits. When we realize all good things have come from God, who are we to complain? There is nothing in our lives that we deserve; instead all good things come from God’s loving hands. Experiencing this grace should then lead us to shower this grace upon others.
Further, tasting God’s beautiful grace should lead us to service. If Jesus, the eternal Son of God, came not to be served but to serve, who are we to make life solely about having our needs met? Everything God bestows upon us is meant to be used to bless others and bring glory to God. The values of grace and service should shape our hearts, our thoughts, and our actions. Being citizens in God’s kingdom means living differently than the world around us.
Father God, give me a grateful heart for all your grace and service to me. Help me to follow in the footsteps of Jesus in the way I respond to others. Amen.
How can you express God’s grace and service to others today?
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