“For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.  When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard” (Matthew 20:1-2).

Will you come in and work in the vineyard?  We each have the invitation to come into God’s reign and live and work there.  Many do not want to work.  Some do not want what God offers.  The wage is eternal life.  Eternal life with the Lord.  We all have the invitation to come and work in the Lord’s kingdom.  We know what we are given in exchange.  Will you live the life to which you have been invited?

Lord, You know my heart and there are those times when I grumble and do not understand that You have invited me out of the way of this world and into the way of everlasting life.  Lead my heart, O Lord, so that I willingly enter the work of the kingdom.  We are all paid the same, so let me not worry about that.  We each will have different jobs, so let me not grumble about that.

Holy Spirit, keep my mind in check and help me to have a pure and clean heart.  That is, a mind that sees things as they are and rejoices that Your work is being done in me.  May I learn from You to be grateful for Your kingdom having come to me so that I share Your kingdom with others.  Lead me, Lord, in the way You know I need to go today and help me to be a willing worker in the Father’s vineyard.  Amen.

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms on account of my name, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last; and the last, first” (Matthew 19:29-30).

We need to get it out of our heads that this is a territorial answer.  Everything belongs to the Lord.  If we begin to see this relationally, we see that our Lord is telling us that we are a part of His kingdom when we walk in His grace.  We each have our unique part.  Be led by faith in what the Lord is doing and not by seeing things the way this world is doing things.  Our Lord’s kingdom is forever, good, pure, and true.

Lord, help me to get beyond myself and see things through Your eyes.  I am barely able to begin to comprehend what You are creating, but I see a reflection of it with each faithful person who lives by faith in this world.  Guide me out of wrong thinking to trust You above all things.  You are creating what You are creating, and You have invited me to be with You forever.  Let that guide me in all that I do.

Lead me, Holy Spirit, into the kind of thinking that is fitting for the Kingdom of Heaven.  You know the things that are getting in the way of me thinking with purity.  Guide me in the upward call of faith so that I focus upon what You would have me focus upon and leave behind what needs to be left behind.  Through all things, teach me how to love as You love so that I may focus upon loving my neighbor.  Amen.

Then Peter responded and said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?”  And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:27-28).

Do not take this as a service and reward statement.  Some do.  We serve the Lord and just being in the kingdom is a great enough gift.  The Lord is teaching us the principle that we are to serve one another.  As our Lord has served us, so also, we ought to serve one another.  To be an arbiter is not as we think of ruling.  It is to be a peacemaker and one who protects relationships.  Our Lord invites us to do the same.

Lord, You know that I see things in a worldly, sinful way.  I think of ruling and power, but You have demonstrated first grace and mercy and then caring for others.  I think of what I can gain, but You gave all You had away.  I think of others looking up to me, but You have taught us that we are to love God above all things.  Lord, help me to understand the truth of what You are teaching me.

Holy Spirit, You know where there are those places in my heart that are still steeped in pride and covetousness.  Teach me the things I need to know.  Help me to see things the way You have created them to be.  Guide me along the path of becoming so that I do not impose any earthly things upon what You are doing in me.  Help me to see and understand the abundance of grace and mercy that I need.  Amen.

“When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?”  And looking at them, Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:25-26).

Listen carefully to the truth of Jesus.  Many seem to act as though they have their part in the actual salvation which God alone accomplishes.  We have our part in the relationship the Lord establishes, but we can do nothing without God’s doing it for us.  Our Lord is the One who saves us.  Yes, work as though it depended upon you, but never forget who is the One who is saving you.

Lord, You know how much pride has taken root in this generation.  We were not created to be separate from You, but because of sin, we are.  Help me to see that I am not independent, but completely dependent upon You for all things.  Lead me in the way of seeing and living life so that I know that with You, all things truly are possible, and that begins with Your saving me.

Lord Jesus, thank You for these simple words of truth.  I too have been lost in the game of thinking I have to do this on my own.  Help me to not think of myself as a free agent but live in the reality that only in You can I walk this life of faith.  You have redeemed me, and You alone know all that I need to continue walking in the faith that You have given me.  Guide me  ever deeper into You.  Amen.

“And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.  And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:23-24).

We are all rich in the things of this world.  Whether it physical possessions, attitudes, or feelings, we have accumulated much.  We think highly of ourselves.  We cling to the things we have accumulated.  It is hard for us because the Lord is telling us to give up all these things.  Whether we are money poor and resent the rich or rich and have disdain for the poor, we cling to what we cling to.  The Lord tells us to give up what we call our wealth and to live the life for which we have been created.

Lord, I think of rich as money.  There is a part of me that asks you to make me money-rich, but no matter how much I have, I want more.  But I am rich in the things I have experienced, and I cling to them too.  Lord, teach me to die with You and to be rid of all that hinders my walking with You into eternal life.  Guide me in the way of righteousness.  In human terms it is impossible, but with You, all things are possible.

Lord Jesus, You went to the cross with the repentance I cannot make, paying the price I could never afford, having modeled a life I cannot live without You leading me.  You have come to redeem me in order that I may become what You will make of me.  Lead me out of what this world calls riches into the true riches of Your grace and mercy.  Help me to die to self in order to be resurrected with You.  Amen.

“The young man said to Him, “All these I have kept; what am I still lacking?”  Jesus said to him, “If you want to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”  But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property” (Matthew 19:20-21).

Give up.  What is it that you are still clinging to?  We all have much in this world and we hold on to it.  Even our bitterness, anger and resentments have been collected and retained  over the years.  To what are you holding on?  Do not be led by the ways of the world, but by Christ and the way of the cross.  Learn to give up all that the Lord needs to take from you so that You become more like Him in all you think, say, or do.

Lord Jesus, You have told us what we must do.  You died for our sins, so it is not a matter of striving to be better, but to actually become complete.  I cling to the things of this world, both those things which others see as stuff, but also the things that are inside of me.  Help me learn how to shed all these things and be free of what encumbers me in this age.  Lead me to see that only in You is there true value and worth that lasts.

Holy Spirit, You know the treasure troves I have stored away in my heart.  Detach me from the things of this world to be free to live into the life for which I have been redeemed and called.  Guide me in Your goodness, Lord, so that I may humbly walk in the way You guide me.  Help me to be thankful for the possessions I have, but not to be bound by them, knowing that the things of this world are passing away.  Create in me a new and right heart, Lord.  Amen.

“Then he said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not give false testimony; Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 19:18-19).

These commandments instruct us about our behavior toward others.  Do we respect others and treat them the way we want to be treated?  It isn’t just about how we treat others, but also about realizing that I am no different than my neighbor.  They are equal in God’s eyes, and we are to treat others, no matter who they are, the way we want to be treated.  Respect others and protect them.

Lord, I want others to respect my property, be honest with me, and live faithfully in the community.  What I expect of others I should expect of myself.  In this age, we are tempted to think of ourselves as special.  In a very real way, we are all in the same situation.  We are what we are.  So help me to have a new way of thinking and to see in others what You see in them.  Guide me in the way of true life and how to live it.

Lord Jesus, I need the forgiveness that only You can give me.  I have taken from others, not been honest, nor given honor where I should.  Take me from where I have been to where I need to go.  Guide me in the way of eternal life and help me to see others the way You want me to see them.  Teach me how to love my neighbor.  Guide me to live life as You know I need to live it, here, now, and forever.  Amen.

“And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do so that I may obtain eternal life?”  And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you want to enter life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:16-17).

Sinners believe they know the difference between good and evil.  We were created to know God.  God is good.  Our trouble begins when we think we truly know good and evil.  All goodness has its roots in God.  Jesus is the only true and just One.  Doing what He asks is good.  To not do what He asks is rebellion against Him.  Seek first the kingdom, which is found in King Jesus, and then all else that is needed will be added.

Lord, I seek but do not find.  I look, but I do not see.  You alone are good.  The last part of the Great Commission tells me to obey all that You command.  Without Your grace, I am unable to keep the commandments.  By Your grace, I can do all things through You, who strengthens me.  Guide me, Lord, on the path of eternal life so that my goal is You alone and not one of my own making.

Lord Jesus, You are teaching me that I will be what You are making of me.  Help me to get my old self out of the way and become what You are making of me.  Guide me in Your goodness and mercy so that I run the race You have set before me, enduring to the end to win the prize.  The prize is You and hearing that You are well pleased.  Lead me, Lord, and be the One to whom I look in and for all things.  Amen.

“Then some children were brought to Him so that He would lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them.  But Jesus said, “Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them to come to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  After laying His hands on them, He departed from there” (Matthew 19:13-15).

In this world we have expectations of how people ought to behave.  Children are children and they will behave as they behave.  There is a beneficial conformity, and then there is peer pressure.  Adults sometimes are very dismissive of children, forgetting that as children they were hurt by being dismissed by adults.  Everyone is precious in the sight of the Lord. So treat all others as you want to be treated.

Heavenly Father, You have created us to experience life as we should.  We are filled with expectations, but You have placed in us wonder and joy.  Where there is loss in what You have created, replace it.  Where there has been sinful hiding from who we are in Your eyes, give us faith to repent it.  You know what needs to happen for us to be Your child.  Do allow anything to hinder us from being Your children.

Lord Jesus, with great love you speak the truth to us.  Help me to receive what You give me not as I see through my eyes, but by Your grace through faith.  Guide me in the way You know I need to go.  Restore what has been lost and remove what needs to be removed from my life so that I become more and more like You.  Help me to see others the way You do and learn to love them with Your love.  Amen.

For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by people; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who is able to accept this, let him accept it” (Matthew 19:12).

We are what we are, whether from birth, by circumstances, or by choice.  Learn to accept who you are, most especially the truth that, in faith, it really is a matter of whose you are.  You were redeemed at a price.  Jesus shed His blood to eternally redeem you, that where He is You will one day be.  Too often, we fret over our circumstance.  You are where the Lord knows you need to be.

Lord, I look around and compare myself to others.  You are making of me that which You will make me.  Help me to not resist what You are doing in my life.  Guide me away from looking to others, or even myself, but look to You.  You are the author and finisher of my faith.  Guide me in the goodness of the Father to accept what I cannot change as You change me into what You know I will become.

Lord Jesus, You are our leader, the King.  You have come so that I may live into the true life for which You have redeemed me.  You have taken away things that need to be taken away.  You have created in me things that make me uncomfortable.  And You are taking me to new places.  Keep me from any resistance and place in my heart joy that You are conforming me to Your image.  Help me to faithfully accept all that You are doing in my life.  Amen.