And so the Last will be First, and the First will be Last...

Happy Wednesday everyone! I hope your all having a blessed week:)

I've been reading the book of Matthew, and as always I've learned a new thing from this chapter that I never digested before. That is, why Jesus taught in parables and what exactly they are. In Matthew 13, I learned that Jesus used parables because they are stories that compare something familiar to something unfamiliar, thus helping us to comprehend spiritual truth by using everyday objects and relationships. One parable that really stood out to me was that of the Vineyard Workers in the 20th chapter of Matthew. In this parable Jesus uses an owner of an estate, and his workers to describe the kingdom of heaven. He starts out describing the owners quest to hire workers for his vineyard. Early that morning the owner goes out and finds workers whom he agrees to pay the normal daily wage to. Later in the morning, he finds more workers, and agrees to pay them whatever was right at the end of the day. Again at noon, he finds more workers, and agrees to the same compensation. Then twice that afternoon, at 3 o'clock, and 5 o'clock he finds more workers and offers them the same compensation. When the work day had ended he gathered all the workers together and paid everyone the same wage. As expected this angered some of the workers who had been hired at the break of dawn, because they felt like they should be getting paid more because than had done more work, than the workers who were hired in the afternoon. Immediately after reading this parable, it hit me...God's grace...his generosity is given in the same way. As Christians we can sometimes look down on the person who isn't involved as much in the church as you are, or who doesn't live the holiest life as you do, or who even doesn't read the bible as much as you do. However we must learn that God's grace is available to all. Whether you commit your life to Christ at 9 or whether you commit your life to Christ at 76. The bible tells us in Luke 23: 40-43, that the criminal who repented as he was dying will be there along with the people who believed and served God for years.  So instead of getting upset about "how much grace" we think we are owed, we should instead just be grateful for his grace. This goes along with not being jealous of what others have. You may see someone who you think is a sinner, and feel angry because you are doing all that's right and don't have nearly as much as them, but again we must quickly end those thoughts and focus on God's gracious benefits to us. I challenge this week to ponder on where your attitude stands on this subject, and I pray that we all can come together and just be thankful for his grace. For Matthew 20: 16 reminds us that, "And so it is, that many who are first now will be last then, and those who are last now will be first then." There's no ranking in who receives his grace. It's open to all! Now isn't that something special.......

At This Moment In Time..

Hello guys! I hope you're all having a fabulous week! I was walking back to my desk last after filming our weekly webcast, and a thought came over me that led me to sharing with you what's inside this post. As I was walking back to my desk, one of my co-workers stopped me and said, "Hey I've been meaning to ask you who films that webcast that you tape each week?" I responded with, "I do." He then proceeded with, "Oh really, well then that leads to my next question, who edits it?" I answered again with, "I do." I didn't ponder on it immediately, but a couple of moments later, I began thinking wow it is pretty cool that I can do everything on my own without having to reach out to an outside vendor to produce our webcast. It was in that moment that I begin to ponder on how I got to that place, which led me to thinking that we should really step back sometimes and learn to be "Content Within The Space We're In." Just think about it, so many times we get caught up in complaining about our current situations, and saying, "I can't wait till I get another job," or "I can't wait until I get a new car," and so on. Instead we should use each moment in time to look at what can be learned from our current situations. This leads me back to my revelation this past week. I realized that while I had complained about my previous job, and begged, and begged God to elevate in my career, he was using my time in my current situation to drill into me valuable tools that would allow me not to just be elevated in my career but to stand out in my career. For example, I can remember complaining about having to write my own news stories, then tape them, and then edit them. Little did I realize that my time in learning to do those things, would prove to be a highly recognized and valuable tool in my current job. Instead of having to hire an outside contractor to produce our weekly webcast, I can do it, and without any help. That accomplishment is solely accredited to God. So at this moment in time in your own life I encourage you to look at what you're currently doing, and how it will be useful in the future. In particular look at the things that you kinda despise doing, and think about the knowledge and experience you're getting from doing those things, that may come in handy in your future. I challenge you this week to instead of complaining about your current situation, you can learn to be "Content In The Space You're In." As you work towards this outlook on life, ponder on this, for Philippians 4:11-13 says: "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."  In pondering on this, keep praying and believing that when the time is right, God will answer your prayers. For 2 Peter 3:9 remind us that, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."  So keep the faith, and think about what you can learn FROM THIS MOMENT IN TIME!

Blessings to you all:)