At vintage time he sent a servant to the vinedressers that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard
(Mark 12:2)
A man planted a vineyard and leased it to tenants. When the season came, he sent his servant to collect fruits. I am a tenant and my due is fruits from the vineyard. What are the fruits? Good deeds and kind words. But, most of all, thanksgiving and praise to the Lord.
As I read this passage, I examine my heart. I find concerns, bitterness, cares of life, and unmet needs. Where is my thanksgiving and praise due to the Lord? I kneel and confess little thanksgiving and little praise. And I remember Acts Chapter 7. Stephen was reciting Israels history, which is the record of Gods mercy and unending love.
As Stephen brought Israels history to the unthankful leaders, I bring my past to my hearts attention: slavery to the Devil, deliverance from the slavery, and the blessing of knowing the Lord. Soon, my unthankful heart started to see the hand of the Lord in my life.
Now is the season to give fruit. Now is the time to give thanksgiving, even in the midst of cares of life and godly grief.
Lord, I obey and give fruits to you. In the morning I praise you, in the evening I exalt you. Let my prayers be ripened in the mercy of the Lord. Amen.
A man planted a vineyard and leased it to tenants. When the season came, he sent his servant to collect fruits. I am a tenant and my due is fruits from the vineyard. What are the fruits? Good deeds and kind words. But, most of all, thanksgiving and praise to the Lord.
As I read this passage, I examine my heart. I find concerns, bitterness, cares of life, and unmet needs. Where is my thanksgiving and praise due to the Lord? I kneel and confess little thanksgiving and little praise. And I remember Acts Chapter 7. Stephen was reciting Israels history, which is the record of Gods mercy and unending love.
As Stephen brought Israels history to the unthankful leaders, I bring my past to my hearts attention: slavery to the Devil, deliverance from the slavery, and the blessing of knowing the Lord. Soon, my unthankful heart started to see the hand of the Lord in my life.
Now is the season to give fruit. Now is the time to give thanksgiving, even in the midst of cares of life and godly grief.
Lord, I obey and give fruits to you. In the morning I praise you, in the evening I exalt you. Let my prayers be ripened in the mercy of the Lord. Amen.
