TWO SONS
Today’s Reading: Matthew 21
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
On the East side of the Mount of Olives is Bethphage, where Jesus mounted the unbroken donkey colt and started His triumphal entry down the Mount of Olives and into Jerusalem. This beautiful ceiling painting is in the church known as the Palm Sunday Church. On display in the church is a large square rock that is believed to be the mounting block Jesus used to mount the donkey.
Key Verse: Matthew 21:29-30
He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go.
Chapter 21 begins with the fulfillment of Prophecy (Zechariah 9:9). The people had all studied the Hebrew Scriptures, and after witnessing this Palm Sunday event (the triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey), they were open to Jesus’ teaching, the Temple cleansing, cursing the fig tree, His authority, and the parable of the two sons. Jesus’ message is very clear. He judges the promise breaker much more seriously than He does the one who was initially rebellious but ultimately obedient. Two sons are in this story. Like the two sons in this story, we may have made and broken promises. We still have a choice. We can repent of the sin of rebellion and dishonesty and do a 180-degree turn towards God’s plan and purpose for our lives.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord, which kind of son (or daughter) am I? Father, if I have failed to keep my word to You in the past, please bring it to mind, that I may confess, repent, and be made right before You. Thank You. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Please join me every day for fresh Bread. The Word of God is living Bread. I am malnourished mentally and spiritually if I fail to read and meditate on God’s Word daily. I need daily nourishment. Then I am strong! It was June 15th, 1977, that we began the daily 100 Huntley Street telecast from that address in Toronto. For months prior to that beginning, I could not escape the message of Psalm 19:2, 3 and 4. It was constantly in my mind. Please read those verses and meditate on them. This appeared to be what God had in mind for television. So after 15 years of a weekly TV show called Crossroads (1962-1977) and several years of the weekly children’s show called Circle Square, we launched into DAILY television. Of course, I considered not doing this. The cost was huge, but God gave me, our Board of Directors, and our team members the grace to obey the “Day unto day utters speech” challenge of Psalm 19:2, and God’s Word went out daily on Canadian television. God responded through the prayers and generous support of His people.
Love and prayers for the grace of obedience,
David
Located at 100 Huntley Street in downtown Toronto, this is the leased building which served as our studio and offices from 1977 to 1992. The lease ran out and sadly it was torn down. The corporate headquarters of Rogers Communications (cable TV, internet services, etc.) is now located here.
June 19 Echoes of Eternity, Helms; wanted to post this yesterday:
“You are held in the Hand that holds the world. You are kept by
the Power that rules the universe. I have said, ‘None can pluck you
from My hand.’ It is not your feelings that keep you. It is not even
your faith—for I know that waxes and wanes quickly under differing
circumstances. No, it is My hand that holds you, My child, and
protects you when you are least aware of it.
“When your eyes are open and you are able to see this reality, give
thanks and offer praise. When you cannot see or feel the reality, still give thanks and offer praise. That is an act of faith with which I am pleased. And by the exercise of your faith, it will grow stronger and steadier.”
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.
Revelation 4:11
Tasha Cobbs – Jesus Saves (Official Live Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3yoyaUj-Sg
Thank you to whom ever wrote this. I really needed to read these words.
Echoes of Eternity, Listening to the Father, was written by
Hal H. Helms
If we do not want to be part of His kingdom then we should not pretend to buy into it and expect to profit and if we do then we will reap our just reward.and those who reject and/or kill His Son or His children will ‘find their reward’ at that ‘great white throne judgment’.
Encouraging words,Beverlee and ‘not the song I was expecting’.(I like that background too.)Thank you again for sharing.God bless
I loved the beginning programs in the 60s & 70s. My cousin was with me one time when the downtown building was the home of 100 Huntley. She asked me what kind of place is this? She was amazed @ the different denominations represented by the ministers (United, Anglican, Pentecostal, & the marvellous priest Father Bob McDougall). I was always impressed.
even as a child I did not understand the different denominations; in school I had friends who believed in Jesus Christ and they prayed and attended a church, it was different than mine but I never understood why because at school we all played together; I pray for Christians every where,
please pray for those who deal with Mental Illness or Hormonal Imbalance, I pray that we can speak to others and be friends with others and no difference in our faith as long as we are respectful to others and care and do for others and pray for others every where Blessings to all
So thankful that paster David and his team of directors moved on what looked like an impossible task. Thankful that i could be a partner all these years.What joy& hope this program has brought to many people. So thankful to all that have given over the years!
Blessings on all bloggers this day and every day
It amazes me to think how Jesus could sum up the history of the world in a short story:
The Parable of the Evil Farmers
“Now listen to another story. A certain landowner planted a vineyard, built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country. At the time of the grape harvest, he sent his servants to collect his share of the crop. But the farmers grabbed his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. So the landowner sent a larger group of his servants to collect for him, but the results were the same.
“Finally, the owner sent his son, thinking, ‘Surely they will respect my son.’
“But when the tenant farmers saw his son coming, they said to one another, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Come on, let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’ So they grabbed him, dragged him out of the vineyard, and murdered him.
“When the owner of the vineyard returns,” Jesus asked, “what do you think he will do to those farmers?” …
Father God, please help us to orient our lives aright. Help us to put first things first, second things second, all the way down the line. Help us do Your will, and be found doing Your will when You return. In Jesus’s name, amen
Turmoil, trouble, that’s my lot
when I focus on things that I should not; Lord, take my life and help me be
a child who lives to honour Thee.
“when I focus on things I should not, turmoil, trouble, that’s my lot”
You hit the nail on the head with that one, Rob! Amen!!
That’s how I get myself into trouble. Side tracked by things other people say and do that irriate and disrupt me and it pulls my eyes and heart off of Jesus. Thanks for posting that!!
Yes, me too, “when I focus on other things…” it takes my mind and eyes off Jesus
Yes lord, help us to be honest and do what we say we will do.