Serving Others

Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. Whoever wants to be first among you must be as a slave to others. That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many.  Mark 10:45 (The Message)  

On Christmas Day, we enjoy giving gifts to those we love.  We learned this from God, who gave us the greatest gift ever.   Jesus was sent to the earth to be our Savior.   

One day, Jesus was listening to his disciples arguing over which one of them was going to be the greatest disciple.  James and John asked Jesus to give them the seats on his right and on his left when they got to heaven.  They thought this would make them the most important disciples of all.

Jesus explained that greatness in heaven was not His to give.  He helped the disciples to understand that greatness was not the objective in heaven.

After Jesus had given His life completely, Paul wrote these words:

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of being God and took on the form of a slave, becoming human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death.   Philippians 2:5-8 (The Message)

Jesus did not try to be great by showing how powerful He was.  He did not seek greatness when He calmed the sea or when He walked on water.  No, Jesus was great because He obeyed God and served others daily.  

When you pray, ask God to help you serve others each day.

Click here to send a prayer request to the Intercessory Prayer Ministry.

Worship

. . . true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. John 4:23

One definition of  worship is “to be preoccupied with God.”  We are not in a trance, focused only on God.  But our habitual thoughts of God are constantly running in the background.  They naturally and immediately surface when there is a gap in our thinking. 

Brother Lawrence, a 16th Century monk whose ministry was tiresome, dull cooking and cleaning, made those tasks awesome and pleasant, by constantly “practicing the presence of God.”  It is another type of praying without ceasing.  We can easily worship alone--as well as worship with others.

Ancient Hebrews would not understand at all when we talk of a place or time of worship.  Their worship was anywhere and everywhere, any time and all the time. Their special celebrations of worship had set times and places, but not their lifestyle worship.

And remember, if there has been worship, it always results in service or ministry; if there is none, then there has been no worship.

Sing or say these words from "Majesty":

  Majesty, worship His majesty;

  Unto Jesus be all glory, honor and praise.

  Majesty, kingdom authority,

  Flow from his throne unto his own, his anthem raise.

  So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus.

  Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus, the King.

  Majesty, worship His majesty,

  Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all kings.

Prayer thought:  Lord, bless me as one whose mind is steadfast, trusting in you.

Click here to send a prayer request to the Intercessory Prayer Ministry.

Prayer

Be still and know that I am God.   Psalm 46:10

Perhaps these words can remind us what to do daily just like the words "Stop, Drop, and Roll" remind us what to do in a fire.

It could cause a problem in your prayer life if you never sit still and acknowledge God. 

It can be easy to tell the Lord all about one's day and ask Him to guide you.   But what about just being still and recognizing who God is and what He is doing? 

The value of being still and listening to God can help you see things from God's perspective.  Priorities seem to get in the proper order and what may seem unclear can give way to a better path to follow. 

As you find yourself getting ready for the day, stop and be still, reflecting on the goodness of God.   For one week, consider writing what God speaks to your heart.  Then periodically review what God has done in your life.  Remember: pray without ceasing, for our church and Pastor Search Committee.  God is at work in you.

As you pray today, take time to be still and acknowledge Christ Jesus as Lord.

Click here to send a prayer request to the Intercessory Prayer Ministry.

Thinking about God's Word

How I love your word! I think about it all day long.  Psalm 119:97

The famous car maker, Henry Ford, said, "Thinking is hard work!" The Bible commands us to think about God's teaching, and to meditate on the truth of His word. "Think" and "meditate" have several meanings in the original language.

One meaning is "to plan in the mind." After we read a passage of scripture, we can think and plan in our mind the best way to obey and follow its truth.

Another definition is "to revolve something in the mind." We can keep a Bible truth revolving in our brain like a carousel horse, and keep it jumping up to help us make good choices throughout the day.

To "think" and "meditate" can also mean "to imagine." You can use your imagination to picture yourself obeying God's teachings.

Sing or say these words from "Take Time to Be Holy":
  Take time to be holy,  

  Speak oft with thy Lord;  

  Abide in Him always,   

  And feed on His Word:  

  Make friends of God's children,  

  Help those who are weak;  

  Forgetting in nothing  

  His blessing to seek.

When you talk to God, pray these words from Psalm 119: 27: "Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds."

Click here to send a prayer request to the Intercessory Prayer Ministry.

Reading God's Word

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV

As we move toward 2012, many New Year’s resolutions will be made.  Hopefully, one of those includes reading the Bible on a consistent basis.

If you choose to read through the Bible in one year, many resources are available to assist you in doing that.  Several versions of The One Year Bible can be purchased at various bookstores, which typically take you through an Old Testament and New Testament passage as well as readings from Psalms and Proverbs.  A One Year Bible for Children is also an option.  A myriad of reading plans are accessible online as well.  

Some people like to read the Bible in order from beginning to end, while others may prefer to read chronologically (as events happened in real time).  Still some choose to approach the scriptures historically, according to the estimated time of their writing, or by combining readings from the Old and New Testaments each day.

Whatever approach and time of day you prefer, the important thing is to just get reading.  God has so much to teach us through the written word if we‘re just willing to listen and learn.  How often have we found comfort and guidance in these pages?   

As we move toward and through 2012, may we be sensitive to God’s message to us through the Bible and willing to learn from each other lessons God has laid upon our hearts.

Say or sing these words from Fanny Crosby’s hymn “Thy Word is a Lamp”:

  Thy Word is a lamp to my feet, O Lord,

  Thy Word is a light to my way;

  It shines in my soul like a star by night,

  And comforts and cheers me by day.

  O wonderful, wonderful Word,

  My treasure, my hope, and my stay;

  Each promise recorded delights my soul,

  And brightens each step of my way.

When you pray, ask God to lead you as you read and study the Bible.

Click here to send a prayer request to the Intercessory Prayer Ministry.