Morning Devotional 062225 Bearers of the Fruit

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

June 22, 2025

Matthew 25:19-23

19 “Now, after a long time, the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The one who had received five valuable coins came forward with five additional coins. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five valuable coins. Look, I’ve gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Excellent! You are a good and faithful servant! You’ve been faithful over a little. I’ll put you in charge of much. Come, celebrate with me.’ 22 “The second servant also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two valuable coins. Look, I’ve gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done! You are a good and faithful servant. You’ve been faithful over a little. I’ll put you in charge of much. Come, celebrate with me.’

Good Morning! Let the light of Jesus shine!

Do you remember the first time your parent allowed you to be in charge of something? I remember asking to take care of a beautiful poinsettia that we received as a Christmas gift. Even though my dad gave me thorough instructions, I don’t think I really listened. Perhaps, it was one of those “Yeah, I’ve got it” times. 

As you can imagine, things started okay, but it didn’t take long before my beautiful poinsettia began to suffer from my haphazard attempts to care for it. First, I forgot to water it, then I overwatered it, and its leaves began to drop. The more I tried to fix my mistakes, the worse the plant looked. Finally, all that was left were the stems that could be described as scraggly at best. I was an epic fail as a ‘gardener.’

Fortunately, my dad gave me another chance, and after some other plant disasters, I learned to care for the plants he gave me. I distinctly remember my first real success: a cherry tomato plant. I didn’t neglect it, and it bore a plethora of fruit that year. After that, my dad began to give me larger plots of land upon which I planted and nurtured vegetables and flowers. 

God, our heavenly father, is a patient teacher who lets us begin where we are, and, through the Holy Spirit working within us, we learn to use the gifts that God gives us. Go and bear fruit for the world. To bear fruit means we do all that Jesus says, and to start, that means loving one another as Jesus loved us (John 15:12). “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law”

For these efforts, God will bless us and say, “Well done! You are a good and faithful servant.” 

Giving Lord, you bless us abundantly! We are slow to learn your ways of mercy. Help us be more attentive to your word. Thank you. We love you, Lord! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen

Thought for the day: Seek to serve God and be grateful for God’s mercy.

Go and bear fruit for God! Pastor Liz