A Servant’s Heart
Posted in love, Misti's Posts, service 0 comments
Gal 5:13-For you were called to freedom, brothers; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
In Philippians, Paul talks about Jesus’ willing sacrifice of service to mankind. Chapter 2, verses 6-7 say this: “who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of man.” Jesus set the example for us. And if we truly have Him in our hearts and lives, then service is our truest desire.
A true servant’s heart is not something that can be turned off and on at will. Evidence of a servant’s heart will spill out of you wherever you go. Probably, names come easily to your mind of people in your church who have a servant’s heart. They are the people who are always gracious, always willing to jump in and help in any situation. They are the people who embrace God’s will for their lives, and use their gifts to God’s glory.
Much emphasis is put these days on international missions. There is always availability to sign up for a short-term mission trip to Mexico, China, or elsewhere. While I agree that this is important, I believe we are missing something. In Acts 1:8, Jesus instructs this: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Many American Christians today are doing a great job serving their Samaria and "ends of the earth", but are completely missing their Jerusalem. Think about this: When was the last time you served your home church? Your youth group? Your family?
People don’t expect others to serve them. We live in a selfish, self-serving world. When we as Christians refuse to conform, and instead, put others’ needs ahead of our own wants and desires, we make people think. We make them wonder why we would make a sacrifice for them. And the people who know us best; who know our selfish inner person, will be the most impacted by our service.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25
In Philippians, Paul talks about Jesus’ willing sacrifice of service to mankind. Chapter 2, verses 6-7 say this: “who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of man.” Jesus set the example for us. And if we truly have Him in our hearts and lives, then service is our truest desire.
A true servant’s heart is not something that can be turned off and on at will. Evidence of a servant’s heart will spill out of you wherever you go. Probably, names come easily to your mind of people in your church who have a servant’s heart. They are the people who are always gracious, always willing to jump in and help in any situation. They are the people who embrace God’s will for their lives, and use their gifts to God’s glory.
Much emphasis is put these days on international missions. There is always availability to sign up for a short-term mission trip to Mexico, China, or elsewhere. While I agree that this is important, I believe we are missing something. In Acts 1:8, Jesus instructs this: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Many American Christians today are doing a great job serving their Samaria and "ends of the earth", but are completely missing their Jerusalem. Think about this: When was the last time you served your home church? Your youth group? Your family?
People don’t expect others to serve them. We live in a selfish, self-serving world. When we as Christians refuse to conform, and instead, put others’ needs ahead of our own wants and desires, we make people think. We make them wonder why we would make a sacrifice for them. And the people who know us best; who know our selfish inner person, will be the most impacted by our service.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25
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