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.
