Monday, November 2, 2015
Today, I would like to expand on the thought the Lord gave me for our church bulletin yesterday. Here it is: [ Jesus told a parable in the 21st Chapter of Matthew about of a man who had two sons. He told them both one day to go out and work in his vineyard. The first said he would not but later changed his mind and went. The second said "I will Sir" but did not go. Jesus said that, of the two, the first one was the one that did the will of his father. The second son sounded like he was noble and obedient but it is clear that he was all talk and no action. We all know people like him, those who promise much, but do nothing. Though the parable does not mention it, I suspect that when he said "I will Sir", he did it in a loud enough voice so that others could hear him. When Jesus said in Matthew 6:3, "Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing" , He was basically saying “Don’t tell the world what you have done or where you have been; let your deeds and actions do the talking.” As your pastor, I plead with you: Please don’t be like that. Let us not forget that people want to hear about Jesus, not about us. ]
Then, we have another group that is very similar, those who are always saying what they are going to do or where they are going to go. Like many of you, I believe in the “words are cheap” saying. Anyone can say “I am going to do this or the other”, actually doing them is not so easy. The Bible addresses that issue as well. James wrote about those who boasted that they were going to do this or that on the day of tomorrow, not knowing if they would seetomorrow in the first place. Be sure of this: it is not a sin to share our plans for tomorrow with others if we remember to add that we will do so, God helping us. That is why James added in verse 15, Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." If you read the entire chapter carefully, you will note that it specifically addressed those who were arrogant, proud, and boastful in doing so, the kind who tire people out because they are always speaking about themselves.
May the Lord remind us to always go about our business quietly and with as little fanfare as possible. If we plan on doing something or going somewhere in the future, lets not forget to ask His permission, approval, and guidance.
Memory verse for the week: (Proverbs 27:2) “Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.”
