"Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing.  He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go."  Matthew 21:30

This is kind of like promise last week.  The difference is we may not "promise" we are going to do something.  We might just "say" we will.  In fact, in our own defense, it might be the reason we give for "not" doing something - right?  Or...  How often do we say, I know I do, "in a minute" but we definitely do not mean in "60 seconds"?

Moses is showing the people, again, that God IS with them.  He does what God tells him to do and gets water out of a rock "for the people to drink". (Exodus 17:6)  Paul is encouraging the Philippians to be encouraging to each other, giving "tenderness and compassion."  (Philippians 2:1)  In the Gospel reading Jesus is telling about two sons - neither of which actually did what he (the son) said he would do but one actually DID do what the father had asked. (Matthew 21:29) 

Doing what God is asking us to do, talking about how - like the Israelite people - we have known and felt God's presence helps others to be encouraged which is what Paul is encouraging.  The question is are we doing what God asked us to do?  Are we talking about feeling God's presence with us?  Something to think about..........

"But he answered one of them, "I am not being unfair to you, friend.  Didn't you agree to work for a denarius?"" (Matthew 20:13)

Promise - what do you think of?  The noun - "a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing?"  Or the verb - "assure someone that one will definitely do, give or arrange something"?  They both sound kind of alike to me - except for one small detail.  The noun is a statement of intent.  The verb is actually doing.  One sounds like a long contract with signatures required.  The other one sounds like doing, living, what we say. 

The readings today are about promises.  In Exodus we are reading about the people's reaction to being out of Egypt.  They are "grumbling" and God hears them.  God has brought them out, kept them safe and hears their grumbling. (Exodus 16:12)  Now He is continuing His promise to take care of them by feeding them. (16:13-15) In Philippians Paul is reminding believers to be living for Christ. (1:21) In the Gospel reading Jesus is telling the parable about the workers, those who worked all day vs. those who were only working a short time.  Jesus is pointing out the owner is keeping the promise between the workers and himself (the owner) to work for a day's wages. (Matthew 20:13)

We know God KEEPS God's promises.  What about us?  Do we need the written document with signatures?  Do we keep our promises?  Do we keep our promises to ourselves?  Do we keep our promises to God?  Something to think about.........