Wednesday July 28, 2009
Christ has a lot to say about SERVING. There are several examples to draw from as well. The following encounter recorded in Matthew’s Gospel gives us a strong challenge in the way that we approach serving. Today, let’s open up our hearts and evaluate our motives as we serve.
Matthew 20:20-28
Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
“What is it you want?” he asked.
She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”
“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”
“We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”
When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave — just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus calls us to the highest level of serving. We are too often tempted to serve in ways that gain us recognition in the eyes of those around us. Another temptation that we are faced with is, we will serve when it is comfortable or convenient. In Paul’s letter to the Romans he says, “Each of us should please his neighbor for his own good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please Himself.”
Take some time today to evaluate your motives in serving and pray for the strength and the heart to serve in ways that Christ has called us to serve.
Prayer: Lord, penetrate deep into my heart today and reveal the true motives of my heart. Open my eyes to the needs around me and guide me into serving where you would have me to serve. Amen
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2 comments:
Great idea creating a blog, hope it becomes something we can "spread". We will be reading daily. -cassie & justin
Many of you know my neighbor died about a year and half ago - Kermit. Since then, I have felt a burden to look after his widow - Eunice. However, eventhough I feel God's call in this, I move slow at it. Then one night I saw lights flashing outside my bedroom window. I thought it might be the police or and ambulance...when suddenly my heart sank...and I began to wonder if Eunice was in need! I looked out my window to see that the lights were coming from a city workers truck and not emergency services...whew! I was releaved that Eunice was ok...but God spoke to me that night. "How many nights do you come home, to see her light on in the kitchen, to sit in her loneliness! One day those lights will be emergency lights, and it will be too late for you to respond to her need!" I asked for His forgiveness and went over the next day to visit with her! I want to do more for her like that - just simple friendship I think can heal a lot. Pray that God will open that door more...thanks
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