Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Servant

I know I've done a post on this subject before, but feel it is an important one, and the Lord placed it on my heart to post about it again. In fact, He's been relentless on getting me to do so. ;) And so, I want to be obedient.

Our Pastor has spoken about this very subject often, and a lot lately. I've been reading and hearing it in other places as well, so it seems that the word needs to be repeated.

The question is: Are you a servant of Gods on Sundays, or are you a servant everyday? Does it really matter whether you are or not? You better believe it is. Charles Stanley in his "Hungering and Thirsting for God" podcast said it well. (In fact, if you do not get his podcasts, I highly recommend him. You can also go on-line and order the readings at intouch.org).

"If you think about how Jesus looked at Himself, He said, “I didn’t come to
be served.” He said, “I came to give my life, a ransom for many, to be a
servant.”
This is so good. Then he followed with some saying, "Well
you don't know my boss and about my job." Charles Stanley followed with the
following answer; "Do you know who your real boss is? Your real boss is the
Lord, Jesus Christ!"


You know, I never thought of it in that respect before, but it is so true. God is our boss. Our instructions are in part in the Bible, the rest is spoken to us as we walk with Him and He teaches us. Of course we have earth bosses at our jobs, but...the one we must "always" follow is the Lord.

I guess I should probably clarify this a little better. We have bosses here on earth with the employment one holds. Does this mean you don't have to listen to what they say since God is our boss. No, you still have a boss to follow here as well. One thing to think about though, if your boss is doing things you know is wrong, one should not follow, and it would be wise to try to stop it, or leave and find a job where your boss is on the up-and-up.

It would be easier and nice if we were all believers/followers of Christ, but we're not. Therefore it is wise to ask for discernment, be a servant of the Lord "everyday" and not just on Sundays. The more we follow, hunger and thirst for God, the better we will do in the world. We will be able to avoid the worldly ways much easier.

Our Pastor put it well the other day when talking about often times people will walk into church feeling down, tired, trodden, etc. and come to church to worship and start to feel better, then get filled with the word, and by the time they leave church, they feel good again, only to repeat the whole scenario the following Sunday. That isn't the way it is suppose to be. We should be in the word "everyday," praying "everyday," worshipping Him "everyday."

Although there are many areas in the Bible that tells about being servants, I'm going to quote Colossians 3 out of the NKJV.
Col3:1-17

1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth; fornification, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons
of disobedience,

7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these; anger, wrath,
malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man/[woman] with his/[her] deeds,

10 and have put on the new man/[woman] who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him/[her],

11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long suffering;

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint again another, even as Christ forgives you, so you also must do.

14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, sinning with grace n your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord, Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.


Colossians pretty much tells us that we need to be servants of the Lord and to abide by Gods instructions to us. Since my last post on trying to change; I've been praying on a regular basis, staying in constant conversation with the Lord (which I pretty much did before), but know now to pray first thing in the morning. Just staying in constant conversation doesn't quite cut it. Also, reading the Bible daily. I've been using the Bible tools at Christianity.com which is listed on my side bar. It's been awesome using that site. They offer so much and the best part, is you set the date you want to start following the reading the Bible in a year program.

I have to say, I've been feeling much lighter, happier, freer, peaceful--you name it--since I've started being committed more to God. Taking care of the grandchildren and dealing with life's trials and tribulations has been getting easier and easier day by day. My belief in the Lord has grown much stronger in this short of time. God is faithful. How can we not be happy in His presence. May the Peace of the Lord our God be with you all at all times. Be blessed.

9 comments:

sailorcross said...

So, so happy that your journey with God is growing deeper!!

Servanthood--I have found that when I'm feeling down and out, negative, all of those things that the enemy places in me that the best thing I can do is pray and then go and serve someone else. Always takes the negative away by serving.

Beth

Heather said...

We all need to breath in His peace and out our frustrations...moment by moment :o). I totally understood when you shared that you were going to be on a little less often.

Might I add something? Years ago, I was working where I struggled day after day with the boss's wife. She was clearly upset about my presence in this little business and that I was able to perform without even being asked to. I would come home night after night frustrated, explaining to my husband the suffering she was causing me...

...One day I saw the Bible at my mother's house and you'd think that the verse was BOLD lettered, screaming out at me, but it was not. The Lord opened my eyes to see beyond myself and realize that, just as you said, we work for Him. The circumstances at work didn't matter because I was there for His purpose. When I began to understand and believe this, peace filled me. Not to say that I didn't experience the daily frustrations, but He would remind me in them that I was there for His purpose; which made it all worth while for me :o).

That place was a testimony to many growth's in The Lord; mine, hers, his and many of the other workers there. I worked there for 14 years (well...there for eight and at home for almost seven).

Wow...that was a long comment...sorry about that.

Anyway...great reminder to all of us and doesn't it feel good when we finally release that bit of knowledge that He's impressed upon us to share? Sometimes it seems so trivial to us, or even scary to put out here...but He Always has purpose...always.

Woo-hoo!! ♥ to you!
~Heather

Debra Kaye said...

What a timely Word....this is something my husband and I are sharing with our son right now since his boss at work has been giving him a really tough time. Work unto the Lord...He is your ultimate boss.

Blessings to you today!

Cinder Rail'lee said...

So very true! I feel at times I put things in front of GOD, and don't allow GOD to go first. It's something I've been working on, praying on, and hoping on, I know he'll hear my words. I always laugh..God doesn't have a watch, and he certainly doesn't work on Tami time. LOL
I love him so much.

Omah's Helping Hands said...

Beth, the journey has been wonderful. I so agree with you that praying and serving others does take away the negative atmosphere. He is so faithful! Thank you.

Heather, great comment. Thanks for sharing that. It is amazing how work can really get one down, but then when we stop ourselves and realize/think about who our boss really is, it makes it all seem so much easier to tolerate. Granted the problem may still be there, but when we relax with God, it's not so bad.

God's timing is always perfect Debra. :) I'll be praying for your son. It's hard when doing a job with a boss who is hard on you.

You know Tami, I think we all have a tendency to do that. We can do our best and still mess up. The important thing is we come closer to Him and do our best. He doesn't ask for anything more. I am right there with you in Loving Him so!

Anonymous said...

You are truly growing in your faith in God. When one starts to obey the Lord, it is a beautiful thing. I am so proud of you my friend! I have an award for you. Congrats!

Omah's Helping Hands said...

Awww thanks Valerie Lynn, you are so sweet. I'm trying my best to be as obedient as possible. I've been doing a lot of reading now. It feels good to be back to where I needed to be.

Thank you all for being so supportive and undrestanding. You are all awesome!

Toia said...

Thank you for such a beautiful and inspiring post. I have never thought of it as God being our boss as well.

My prayer is that I become obedient and more committed to what God has called me to do.

Blessings to you!!

Omah's Helping Hands said...

Amen Toia. I'm glad you found it helpful. I hadn't looked at it that way as well. Even though I take care of the grandkids, you would not believe the difference it's made since looking at it in this manner. Blessings to you as well!