Life Journal

Scripture

Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, "Come along now and sit down to eat"? Would he not rather say, "Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink"? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, "We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty."
Luke 17:7-10

Observation

This has always been a difficult verse for me and I know for many others as well.

I guess it is because in the world, being a server is where you start off. Busboy, cleaner, dish washer, grunt, a go-for...we're all familiar with the terms. You prove yourself there first, but then you work away from serving as quickly as you can toward the position of becoming the "One BEING Served."

We hear it taught, touted, and modeled. We are allured by it, we strive for it, and we applaud those who have achieved it. Anything less is seen as a failure in life and business.

On the other hand, the Bible teaches us that being a servant is not something we are to run away from. Instead, we graduate to this. But the greatest among you shall be your servant (Matthew 23:11).

We are to be comfortable and at home with it. If not, we will set ourselves up for being offended and for possessing wrong aspirations that lead us to selfishness, pride, and condescending. We shun scriptural references such as we find here in Luke.

Application

But what it is teaching us is that being a servant is a to be a joy. Whatever the Lord asks of us, we are happy to do. That is why we exist! To be servants of the Most High!

I don't serve as a penance or as a method of paying my dues on the way to the top. Instead, that is who I am. I am a servant and I am happy to be that.

Servanthood would be a short-lived effort unless it becomes my DNA, my identity, and my joy. And should there be rewards, I am so appreciative, but that cannot be my goal. Rather it is to serve.

Paul the apostle said it well in Philippians 4:12, I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

Every gift I have, each ability I possess, and every capability I have, I get to use in service to the King. I do not need accolades. I simply want to please the One who enlisted me as a servant.

Prayer

Dear Father,

Please continue to transform me into the servant you want me to be. That is my joy. That is my life. That is my DNA. I have no other aspiration than to serve the purposes of God with my life. I have no vote in the matter, no more than the sun has over whether it will shine or not. No more than a river has a choice over whether it will flow toward the sea or not. I too, Oh Lord, have been created to serve You. That is my life and heart's desire.

© 2007 Pastor Wayne Cordeiro at New Hope Christian Fellowship O'ahu

Original found here.

Scripture

But the word of God continued to increase and spread.
Acts 12:24

Observation

It reads like a fictional thriller. A brilliant escape from an impossible Roman jail. confounded even those who were a part of the escape team. The escapee, Peter, was bound with two chains (not one) to the guards themselves. Those assigned to insure his captivity were under the oath of death should he escape. It was more intriguing than Oceans 13, and far more fascinating than Gone in Sixty Seconds. But he did escape, and after it was discovered, the guards were executed (Acts 12:19).

Then a King is stricken with worms and dies...royal robes and all. Quite a sight, I am sure. What an eventful week! But still after all the commotion, the bottom line remained in the eyes of the Lord - The Word of God was increasing and spreading. That was the main thing. Regardless of what was crashing down in the city, God was undistracted and more concerned about whether the Word of God was increasing and spreading. If the devil can't defeat you, he will distract you. So, here God dials us back to what's most important.

And this is my heart's desire, too. Sometimes I am stalled by problems and mistakes, but I must keep my eyes on the proclamation and promotion of God's Word. It is so easy to look at the state of the church or the staff. It is easy to get involved with the lack of organization or a leader leaving. I can get easily discouraged with financial setbacks or a lack of comradeship among members. But I am realizing that I must keep my eyes on the Word of God increasing and spreading!

• Is the Word of God being preached?
  
• Are people coming to Christ?
  
• Is the banner of the cross being held high?

Application

This I shall do. Regardless of what is going on, I will deal with it, but that is not my highest concern. It is rather that the Word of God is increasing and spreading. Even though Houdini-like escapes are taking place and kings are dying by worm infestation, I will be concentrating on the Word of God increasing and spreading. Then, and only then, will I be able to overcome the pull of the daily concerns that will distract me from what I must be about...which is my Father's business.

Prayer

Thank You, Lord, for putting my eyes back on the goal. Discouragement happens when I take my eyes off the goal. So I put my eyes back on the Word of God increasing and spreading. That will be my main concern because it is Yours!

© 2007 Pastor Wayne Cordeiro at New Hope Christian Fellowship O'ahu

Original found here.