Tag Archives: Servant

2016 Day 18 – Matthew 7

18 Monday Jan 2016

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There are plenty of people out there who talk a good game. There are many self-proclaimed athletes who can trash-talk with the best of them. But “talk” is cheap and the measure of an athlete is found on the athletic field. The same goes for the faithful believer and servant of God. In Matthew 7:21 Jesus says, “Not everyone who say to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Jesus wants your “walk” to be better than your “talk”. Talking about doing the right things means nothing if you are unwilling to do the right things. Let your actions be the measure of your commitment to doing the will of God.

2016 Day 16 – Matthew 6

16 Saturday Jan 2016

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By His example, Jesus took care of people without seeking glory. His acts received attention because of other people, not for the purpose of attention alone. In Matthew 6:1 Jesus says, Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Good and bad attention will come to you if you are doing what is commanded of you by God. But when we do things for the sake of attention itself, we miss the point, which is to bring glory to God the Father.

2016 Day 14 – Luke 6

14 Thursday Jan 2016

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It is easy to love people and be kind to them when they love you and are kind to you. But what happens when people are mean, unkind, and unloving? In Luke 6:32 Jesus answers that question, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them.” Jesus is our example and we are supposed to be a reflection of Him. Loving others is not conditional.

2016 Day 12 – John 5

12 Tuesday Jan 2016

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There are no rules around doing what is right and Jesus exemplified this at every opportunity. In John 5:17 Jesus makes it clear that rules do not supersede taking care of those in need, Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working.” Let us never hide behind traditions and liturgy in place of doing what is right. If we need to shut down the church on Sunday in order to feed and clothe the poor, then let’s do that.

2015 Day 337 – Psalm 134

03 Thursday Dec 2015

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Of the three verses in today’s Psalm, verse 134:2 stood out to me, Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. In all we do for the Lord, let us do it fully and with reverence to Him. By lift our hand to God, not as a public display, but as submission to Him, we fully give ourselves to God’s service.

2015 Day 265 – 3 John 1

22 Tuesday Sep 2015

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Today we read the third and final letter written by John the Apostle. The letter was written to Gaius, a prominent Christian in one of the churches to encourage him in his Christian life and to commend him for his hospitality. At this time, church leaders traveled from town to town helping establish new congregations. They depended on the hospitality of fellow believers and Gaius was one of the ones who welcomed them. In 3 John 1:5 John says, Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. It amazes me when I meet fellow believers that we immediately feel kinship with each other through the commonality of Christ in our lives. As believers we are all part of the same family.

2015 Day 260 – 1 John 3:18

17 Thursday Sep 2015

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There is an old adage that says, “talk is cheap.” 1 John 3:18 says it more eloquently, Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. We can say we care and love one another, but the truth is evidenced by our actions. If we say we love serving and never serve, then where is the truth? Let us do more and talk less about doing.

2015 Day 226 – Titus 3

14 Friday Aug 2015

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As believers we have nothing to prove to this world. It is not our job to convince others of the truth. It is our job, however, to lovingly show them the truth and allow the Holy Spirit to work in each individual’s heart to bring them into a relationship with God. Paul talks about this in Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Arguing with someone who does not choose to believe and see the truth is a waste of time and brings them no closer to God. We are called to do two things; love God and love others. If we focus on those two things we are obedient and help bring people closer to God.

2015 Day 224 – Titus 1

12 Wednesday Aug 2015

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Today we begin the book of Titus. This book was a letter written by Paul to Titus who was a Greek believer living on the Island of Crete and was one of the leaders of the church there. The purpose of the letter was to advise Titus on his responsibilities of supervising churches and as Paul’s representative in the region. While the letter was meant specifically for Titus and his work in Crete, it can serve us in understanding the requirements of leading churches today.

2015 Day 219 – 1 Timothy 3

07 Friday Aug 2015

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In today’s reading, Paul talks about church leadership and what is required. The first verse sums it all up in 1 Timothy 3:1, Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Church (people, not the building) leadership is a big responsibility because we serve as God’s representative. It is not a popularity contest. It requires strength of character, integrity, and most of all, a commitment to love others and serve God wholeheartedly.