Reading for today
Old Testament: Exodus 23, 24, 25
New Testament: Matthew 25
Thoughts from today’s reading
Exodus 25:1-9. God asks for a free will offering from the people to be used to build the tabernacle for a place of worship. It’s interesting to note the graciousness of God for He is the one that instructed the people to go and take gold from the Egyptians and He granted them favour with the Egyptians such that His people were given much valuables. Even though He was their source, He still asked that what they gave be from a willing heart.
Matthew 25. This Chapter contains 3 parables . The first one of the bridegroom speaks of our relationship with the Lord. As much as we are in groups with others like churches and fellowships, we also have a personal responsibility to maintain our relationship and readiness to meet the Lord when He comes. Just like the wise virgins could not help the foolish ones, no other Christian is able to help you to be ready to meet with your God.
The second parable of the talents speaks of our relationship to ourselves because we have been endowed with talents that we must give account for. We cannot blame the Lord for where we are or what we have in life. He is committed to helping us, but we must be willing to work with what He has given us and be at peace with ourselves to produce fruit for the kingdom.
The third parable is one that addresses how we treat others. Every kind act that we show towards others is an act of service that we make to the Lord.
These 3 parables really sum up the great commandment to love God and love others as we love ourselves.
Prayers
1. Heavenly Father, you have given me freely all things to enjoy. You have blessed me with all my needs according to your riches in glory in Christ Jesus. I pray that my heart will always overflow in thanksgiving and generosity towards the work of your kingdom. Help me to identify and give to the right causes that you are pleased with.
2. Lord you have given us the great commandment to love you and others as we love ourselves. I pray that I will take the responsibility to love you in prayer, worship, fasting, obedience and service. May I not wait for someone else to do it for me, but to always keep my heart ready for your return. I pray to be responsible for producing results that glorify God by living a life of service to others in Jesus name.