Serving Others

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

Just before the Passover feast, on the night that Jesus was arrested, he knelt down and washed His disciples feet. We read, ‘So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.'” —Jesus— (John 13: 12 – 17)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

During the first century, nearly everyone wore sandals. The roads and pathways were comprised of small stones and dirt; making daily foot washing an indispensable necessity. Servants and low ranking members a house were usually called upon to accomplish this filthy task. And yet Jesus, being the Son of God, lowered Himself down and washed His disciples feet; creating an example for all those who may desire to follow Him. Being a Christian means embracing a life of humility and selflessness. Rather than seeking to be served, we must strive to serve others. And in turn, we will experience the joy derived from emulating our Lord and Savior.

There once lived an influential evangelical preacher named Gypsy Smith. One day he recounted the story of a woman who was interested in Christian work in London. She wrote him a letter stating, “I have a meeting I want you to come to speak to. It is only a small meeting and will take nothing of you.” He answered, “I cannot come, and it would be of no use if I did come. If it takes nothing out of me it will do nobody any good.” It is service which costs, and a cheap religion is not worth preaching […] Another Christian missionary named E. Stanley Jones once said, “The man is not greatest who has the greatest number of servants, but the man is greatest who serves the greatest number of people.”

Serving others represents the foundation of Christ’s earthly ministry. To follow Jesus is to embrace a life of selflessness and service. If we let go of our own wants and desires, we can more resoundingly accomplish God’s will in this place. Jesus said in verse 17, “if you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” The word ‘blessed’ generally refers to the happiness that accompanies God’s favor. And so He promises that a service oriented life will bring us more joy than a self-centered existence ever could. By serving others we can know God’s blessings.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we pray for the strength and desire to live a life of service; to sacrifice for Your kingdom and Your glory. May we lay down our selfish concerns to better represent Jesus Christ; that we too might be an example of Your love in this place. May we care for our fellows, may we serve others, and may we receive the blessings that accompany genuine Christian living. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

Get Baptized

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKS

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” —Jesus— (Matthew 28: 19 – 20)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Jesus identifies baptism as an essential component of the gospel message. When an individual is baptized in water, they are committing themselves to the lifestyle of repentance that accompanies genuine faith. Salvation and forgiveness are from the Lord alone; but the decision to turn away from sin and permit God to transform us is an individual decision. Abandoning sin is difficult; fornication, idolatry, lewdness, adultery, deception, addiction, etc. can be familiar and comfortable; and yet every authentic convert must abandon their sins and attempt to live rightly. Baptism is therefore the outward manifestation and public profession of our commitment to Holy living.

As the story goes, some years back a man who was practicing Hinduism chose to place his Faith in Jesus Christ. He immediately chose to be baptized. He arrived at the ceremony wearing, as all Brahmins do, the ‘Yagnopavita,’ or sacred thread that hung from his neck; these decorative sashes also identify the highest members of India’s caste society. During the baptism, after coming up out of the water, he snapped the thread and tossed it into the surrounding water; thus signifying the death of his old life and his commitment to, ‘walk in newness of life’ in Christ.

Like this converted Hindu realized, Baptism is an act of submission to God’s will. Those who embrace the gospel must choose to repent of their sins and return to the Lord. Being baptized is a public profession of this commitment; a promise to follow the teachings of Christ. Those who are baptized will experience a strengthened relationship with God. If you have placed your faith in the Lord and have never been baptized, consider undergoing the ceremony whenever possible. If you desire to accept the faith and convert, then be baptized and know the fullness of God’s love for you.

“Lord Heavenly Father, you are an amazing and powerful God. We accept and recognize the importance of water baptism; especially among those who are turning to the faith. Give us the strength to live according to the commitments we have made. Through the power of Your Holy Spirit, may we continually remain faithful and repentant; transformed by the beauty of Your grace. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen.” God bless all of you!

Keep Reading

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKS

Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father has sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on me will live because of me.” (John 6: 53 – 56) Then in verse 60 we read, ‘Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying; who can understand it?'” And further in verse 66 we read, “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.”

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Jesus issues a proclamation requiring His followers to eat His body and drink His blood. Physically consuming human flesh and drinking a man’s blood were considered abominable acts which God would never ordain. And for this reason many of the disciples abruptly abandoned Him; foolishly renouncing their faith. However, had they patiently waited until the night before the crucifixion, their concerns would’ve been relieved. That evening, during the last supper, the Lord revealed that His seemingly cannibalistic assertion, was in fact, symbolic rather than literal. During the Last Supper the bread eaten and the wine consumed by the disciples represented His body and blood; a Christian practice known today as communion. If those foolish souls who abandoned Jesus had simply waited, their concerns would’ve been addressed and their doubts erased. Instead, they rejected the only faith that leads to eternal life.

Concerning faithfulness, most human beings are aware of the name Christopher Columbus. Still fewer are familiar with the struggles he endured during his journey to the new world. After nearly 31 days at sea the crew had become restless, believing they would perish before reaching any land. They therefore implored Columbus to turn back. Mutiny was a genuine concern. Some have even suggested that the crew was plotting to cast their leader into the sea. As the story goes, Columbus, yearning to salvage his flailing expedition, urged the men to give him 2 to 3 more days. He promised that if they hadn’t spotted land by then, he would submit to their desires and return to Spain. Two days later they encountered land. The new world had been officially discovered. Columbus reached the Americas because, even in the face of uncertainty and open rebellion, his faith remained unwavering.

Just as Columbus had discovered the new world, the bible also begs to be discovered; to be read and understood. During this process of enlightenment, many will encounter passages that can be initially confusing and difficult to comprehend. Certain questions will arise that can only be answered through continued study; but those answers will eventually be revealed. If we faithfully persist in His word, we will discover the fullness of the God’s truths. May we never give up or turn away; for in time we will know the beauty of every divine chapter and verse.

When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, we set sail on a journey toward an eternal kingdom. As we travel through a sea of trouble, God’s word will sustain us; feeding us with courage and hope whenever we experience fear and uncertainty. Still, no matter which questions we might encounter, we must trust that in time, God will provide us with the answers; and that those answers will conquer our doubts and devour our fears. Continue in the scriptures, and God’s work will continue in You.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we praise You for Your wisdom, and for your Holy word. As we discover Your divine scriptures, may we never permit fleeting ignorance to create lasting doubt. We trust that eventually all we desire to know will be known. Give us a hunger to read Your word daily; that through revelation, we might draw closer to You and to our only Savior Jesus Christ. We love You Father, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!