“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth” (Matthew 6:24).

Too many think they can multitask.  You may do two things at one time, but neither one will be done at one hundred percent.  Who is your master?  Do you notice that Jesus does not give the option of no master?  We were created to serve.  We do serve.  The rich serve their wealth.  We are slaves to someone or something.  But it cannot be two things. It is either/or. Who is your master?  Choose wisely.

Lord, You know I struggle and in fact, serve many masters.  Guide me in the way of life so that I serve You first as my Lord and God.  Help me to see it clearly as my first priority.  Where my loyalty is mixed, help me to make it clear and right.  Lord, this world is temporary and filled with lies.  I too often believe them to be permanent and the truth.  Help me shed this nonsense to serve You first.

Lord Jesus, You are my Lord and Master.  I know this, but then I am distracted and worship other masters.  Help me to learn to serve and obey You above all.  Clear my mind so that I can practice good priorities.  Help me now and always to walk with You in all godliness.  You know what I need, and You provide all that is needed; help me to humbly submit each day to You, my Lord, Savior, and God.  Amen.

“The eye is the lamp of the body; so then, if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” (Matthew 6:22)

You are not condemned for the first look, it is what you do with that second look that matters.  Jesus is telling us to be careful with what we let into our souls.  We live in a culture that feeds us garbage all day long.  Do you take care about these things, or do you just let the garbage come in?  Take care, for your mind can wallow in the place of temptation.  Spend time with the Word and clear your mind.  Be full of light.

Lord, You know that the light always clears out the darkness.  Where I am lax, help me to spend time in Your word.  Where there is darkness in my soul, let the light of Your truth bring wisdom.  Help me to take seriously my part in taking care with what comes into my soul.  I need what You alone can give.  You have come as the author and finisher of my faith to lead me in all righteousness.

Lord Jesus, I cannot do this without the Holy Spirit ministering to me each step of the way.  Guide me in Your light to live the life You have given me.  Help me to be intentional about cleaning my own house so that my mind and soul do not harbor the darkness of this world.  In You alone Lord do I have my hope, life, and being.  Guide me now and always to keep a clear vision which is focused upon You.  Amen.

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:20-21).

We do accumulate over a lifetime and the question is, “What will I accumulate?”  The Lord is calling us to work on our character.  What He means is that we should focus on becoming like Christ.  The closer you are to the image of Christ, the richer you have truly become.  Why settle for things that are worth nothing when life ends here, when you can have all that you need and could ever hope for in the goodness of the Lord.

Lord, You know that I become greedy for stuff.  Help me to live into the call of faith and focus upon my character and not just the stuff this world has to offer.  Guide me now and always to have the right priorities so that even in seeking to be like You I do not seek in a covetous way.  You know what I need and how to get there, so lead me the way You know I need to be led to become like You more and more each day.

Lord Jesus, You have come to save us from ourselves.  This world is temporary; You are forever.  Help me now and always to know that in You alone do I breathe and have my being.  Let me grow to be like You by not just thinking about it, but walking with You today doing what You give me to do.  Guide me now and always, Lord, in the way You would have me go.  Lead me by Your power, Holy Spirit.  Amen.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19).

He’s a multi billionaire!  How much did he leave when he died?  All of it.  How silly that we have our time here, scramble to gain, and then leave it all behind.  There’s nothing wrong with having stuff; even lots of it.  But, if that is what we live for, there is everything wrong with living for stuff.  Live for the Lord and seek Him first.  The stuff is fine so long as it is just stuff to you.

Lord, I am guilty of loving some of my stuff.  I think these things are precious, and do not act as though it is just stuff.  In that in-between place is the balance where I am a good steward, but not owned by the stuff I say I own.  Lead me, Lord, away from coveting and into the place in my soul where I appreciate good things but can just as easily live without them.  You know the direction I need to go, Lord.

Lord Jesus, You left behind strips of linen.  Nothing else.  Well, You left us all salvation, hope, and promises.  Guide me, Lord, so that I leave that kind of example to those who come after me.  Guide me and help my spirit to follow Your lead.  I do struggle with these things, Lord, as You know, so help me in the way You know I need to be led.  Bring balance to my life!  Amen.

Scripture: John 15:1-8

Script

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, everyone! Guess what Pastor!

Pastor: Yes, Sammy?

Sammy: Today is music Sunday! I would like to teach everyone a song. Ready?

Pastor: Okay! Is everyone ready?

Sammy: Repeat after me:

I just want to be a sheep

Baa-Baa-Baa-Baa

I just want to be a sheep

Baa-Baa-Baa-Baa

And I pray the Lord my soul to keep

I just want to be a sheep

Baa-Baa-Baa-Baa

Let’s put it all together! [repeat song]

Pastor: Great singing everyone! There are verses to that song, too Sammy.

Sammy: Yes we have verses to teach at another time.

Pastor: We are going to talk about vines today. Can anyone tell me what type of fruit grows on a vine?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: That’s great! Grapes grow on vines.

Sammy: I love grapes!

Pastor: I didn’t know that sheep eat grapes, Sammy.

Sammy: This one does!

Pastor: Sammy, do you help with chores on the farm?

Sammy: Of course! I help my maamaa with watching my younger cousins. And when Shepherd John askes us to help with weeding the pasture, we take care of that for him.

Pastor: So you go out into the pasture and eat weeds and vines and grass?

Sammy: Yes! And after my family is done eating, we have to go on to a new pasture—that’s how much we eat!

Pastor: Wow Sammy! You eat a lot!

Sammy: I don’t know where I put it all.

Pastor: Well, Sammy, you reminded me of our gospel reading for today.

Sammy: I did?

Pastor: Jesus is telling us that in order for new branches of the vine to grow, we have to get rid of the branches that are not producing fruit.

Sammy: That makes sense. If the grapevine doesn’t have grapes on a branch, and we cut that branch off, then a new branch can grow and we can eat grapes.

Pastor: Exactly!

Sammy: But why is Jesus talking about grapes?

Pastor: Sammy, he’s actually not talking about grapes.

Sammy: He’s not?! I’m so confused.

Pastor: Jesus is actually talking about sin. And about how sin needs to be clipped away from our lives to make room for good things.

Sammy: Like what?

Pastor: Boys and girls, what good things can we have in our lives when we have Jesus in our hearts?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: Great answers, everyone! Can we say a prayer for the vines and branches in our lives, Pastor?

Pastor: Of course, Sammy. Would everyone please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, Thank you for taking away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

“But as for you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that your fasting will not be noticed by people but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:17-18).

When you were a child, did you every cry out, “Look at me?”  We are often led to seek the approval of others.  Do not call attention to yourself but go about your day in ordinary fashion.  The Lord will lead.  Come to the Lord and learn how to pray without ceasing.  In every circumstance and at all times the Lord is with you.  God sees and knows all things, even the depths of your heart.

Lord God, You watch the generations pass before You.  You know the end from the beginning.  In You alone do we breathe and have our being.  The pride of this world leads us to think we have raised ourselves up on our own.  You remind us that You are the Creator and we have been created by You.  Help all of us who walk by faith to humbly recognize that we are in Your eternal presence.

Lord Jesus, You have taught me to pray.  Your word tells me to pray without ceasing.  You are constantly with me and will never leave, nor forsake me.  Lead me this day to live in an ordinary way but be in constant communication with You through prayer.  Lead me on the upward journey of becoming more like You each day You give me in this age.  With You there are no secrets, only the hope You give me through the salvation You have provided.  Amen.

“Now whenever you fast, do not make a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they distort their faces so that they will be noticed by people when they are fasting. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full” (Matthew 6:16).

Whom are you trying to impress?  This world encourages pretense. The Lord deals in the real.  Do not try to impress others, but in all things, walk humbly with the Lord.  When you fast, do so to come closer to the Lord.  Others need not know what you are doing.  This is about your relationship with the Lord, not that of others.  Be genuine with the Lord and He will walk with you.

Lord, there are times when I do show off.  I want others’ approval.  Help me to be humble and walk with You honestly, seeking Your approval.  Lead me according to Your goodness and mercy to do away with pretense and live truthfully.  You are the One who is my judge.  Why do I care what my neighbor thinks of me, or how religious I am? Help me to be truthful with everyone.

Lead me, Lord, in the way You know I need to go.  Jesus, You were so ordinary when You walked the earth that Your hometown couldn’t recognize You as the Messiah.  Help me to learn from You and be ordinary too.  Help me to delight in being ordinary on the outside while seeking to grow closer to You every day by those means You lead me to through the Holy Spirit.  Guide me now and always in honesty and reality, Lord.  Amen.

“For if you forgive other people for their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive other people, then your Father will not forgive your offenses” (Matthew 6:14-15).

This is not a conditional phrase in the sense that if you do one thing, our Lord will do another.  But it is conditional in that your heart will reveal whether you are like Christ.  To have a forgiving attitude reflects Christ in you.  Seek first the righteousness Christ gives and then all else which is needed shall be added.  If you are filled with hate, how can there be a relationship of love?

Lord, I do not ponder over these things enough.  I put things on a list and then check them off when I think I’ve accomplished what needs to be done.  Help me to meditate upon what it means to be a forgiving person.  You have forgiven me.  Help me to learn how to truly forgive others.  Only in the power of the Holy Spirit is this truly possible.  To receive forgiveness, you must rid yourself of the bitterness that a lack of forgiveness retains. As you sow, so shall you reap.

Lord, I do want to be free.  Lead me in the freedom You give through forgiveness.  Help me to learn how to let go of resentment so that I can forgive as I have been forgiven.  These things are not conditional, but a part of the healing process as I recover from the sins of this world.  Lead me always, Lord Jesus, so that I may walk the narrow path and become like You according to the Father’s will.  Amen.

“Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:11-13).

Most everyone has all that they need.  Need, not want.  Mind you, we are reminded of those who do not have, but is it need or want?  Besides, if I had no home, no food, no extra clothing, but our Lord was with me, I would have all I need.  Sometimes we are too focused upon things and forget that our Lord delivers us from evil and grants us all that we need.  He redeemed us from the pit by His precious death and glorious resurrection.

Lord, by three powerful ideas in a couple of sentences You sum up how to live this life You have given me.   I owe all to You.  There is nothing I can give You that you do not already have except my heart.  Guide me in the way of living this life so that I am gracious to others, charitable as possible, and forgiving of others as You have forgiven me.  I do need Your help to do this, for this goes against the old Adam in me.

Lord Jesus, You do not make these things conditional; they are the reality of what kind of person I will become if I am to become like You.  Guide me so that I learn how to be thankful for what You have given me, forgive others and avoid temptation.  Keep me on the straight and narrow path so that I may grow in Your likeness and put into practice the heavenly things that You are teaching me.  Amen.

“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.  Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven’” (Matthew 6:9).

Your Father and not some distant figure.  Your father is to be hallowed.  Do you look to the Lord and trust Him?  Do you look to the Lord and revere Him?  His kingdom is in your heart.  He desires to do His will through you.  He wants you to learn to do things here and now as you will do them in heaven.  He has chosen to partner with you in the adventure of making you to be like Christ.

Lord, I often take these things so seriously.  Yes, they are important.  More important than anything, but I do not need to be driven.  Guide me to live a full life, which includes the joy You give in everyday life.  Lead me according to Your goodness and mercy to live with You Father, seeking to do Your will on earth the way I will do it in heaven and looking forward to Your kingdom coming within me.

Lord Jesus, with such power and simplicity, You have given us words that never stop resonating the truth of eternity.  I still need to learn more fully this prayer You have taught me.  Lead me daily to understand that my faith is way too important for me to think I can do it on my own.  Help me to live by faith in the truths You have revealed and to be guided by the Holy Spirit which You have breathed into me.  Amen.