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12-30-2007, 03:38 AM
“May I Serve You?”
“Who, being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” — Philippians 2:6-7 NIV
Are there times when you act as if you were trying to be general manager of the world? Do you try to "fix" what is wrong with your spouse? Are you upset when you don't get the appreciation you expect? Do you try to do everything by yourself? If so, perhaps you are finding situations that are very difficult for you and others. Could it be time to ask yourself whether or not you are serving the Lord or yourself?
John tells us that Jesus was in the beginning, was with God and was God (John 1:1). Yet Jesus refused to be high and mighty or a show-off, when the devil tempted him in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13). Today's scripture tells us the true nature of our Savior, who came as a servant to the Father and to us. If we desire to be like Jesus, we should think of ourselves in that same way, which isn't easy.
The Reverend Charles Swindoll suggests that:
"Servants cannot control anyone or everything, and they shouldn't try.
Servants cannot change or "fix" people.
Servants cannot meet most folks' expectations.
Servants cannot concern themselves with who gets the credit.
Servants cannot minister in the flesh or all alone."
Sometimes we get so busy with our Christian duties that we forget or have no time for the Lord whom we love so much. When we stop and think that he has given us everything we have or are, we realize that everything we do is in service to him. Then we begin to look for his guidance, and we become the servants he has taught us to be.
Lord, I want to walk in your footsteps. Take away my selfishness, so that I may joyfully serve you and my neighbor. Amen.
“Prayerful Living”
“Who, being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” — Philippians 2:6-7 NIV
Are there times when you act as if you were trying to be general manager of the world? Do you try to "fix" what is wrong with your spouse? Are you upset when you don't get the appreciation you expect? Do you try to do everything by yourself? If so, perhaps you are finding situations that are very difficult for you and others. Could it be time to ask yourself whether or not you are serving the Lord or yourself?
John tells us that Jesus was in the beginning, was with God and was God (John 1:1). Yet Jesus refused to be high and mighty or a show-off, when the devil tempted him in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13). Today's scripture tells us the true nature of our Savior, who came as a servant to the Father and to us. If we desire to be like Jesus, we should think of ourselves in that same way, which isn't easy.
The Reverend Charles Swindoll suggests that:
"Servants cannot control anyone or everything, and they shouldn't try.
Servants cannot change or "fix" people.
Servants cannot meet most folks' expectations.
Servants cannot concern themselves with who gets the credit.
Servants cannot minister in the flesh or all alone."
Sometimes we get so busy with our Christian duties that we forget or have no time for the Lord whom we love so much. When we stop and think that he has given us everything we have or are, we realize that everything we do is in service to him. Then we begin to look for his guidance, and we become the servants he has taught us to be.
Lord, I want to walk in your footsteps. Take away my selfishness, so that I may joyfully serve you and my neighbor. Amen.
“Prayerful Living”