First, today I must appologise for this weeks post. Last week was a very hard week and Elaine and I went away for the weekend to rest and recharge. This post is a short version and if the week allows, I may post another mid week. Hope you enjoy these!
May the Lord bless you this coming week!
I can’t take any credit for this. This is a little prayer that my wife Elaine says every day. Guess what? The Lord always answers this one! It’s become a running joke with us, I keep telling her, you’ve got to stop asking him so much! Some days it is a constant job!
But, isn’t this what Jesus asks of all of us? Didn’t he say in Mark 10:45 “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many”?
So, I ask you, how can we not ask the question – “Lord, how may I serve you today?”
This isn’t just a challenge but a direct instruction from Jesus. In verses 43 and 44 of the same chapter in Mark, He is addressing the disciples after they started to argue about who would sit at His right and left hand in heaven. He said: “But amoung you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to everyone else.”
Our responsibility is to serve, not be served. Our leadership in our families, our work, our church and our communities is in the example of service we give to others. To me that is the sign of true leadership. Someone who is willing to server his brothers and sisters, no matter what the task, is in my eyes a leader. Someone who just talks the talk, and seems to always say the right words, but never gets in the mix of what they are asking everyone to do is no leader, they are like the chief priests, the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ time. They were big on appearance, big on all the talk and proclamations, but were of the opinion that they were “above” doing any of the work.
I’m afraid we have a lot of the same in our present society. We have government leaders, federal, state, and local that are big on all the suggestions and ideas of what to do but are not willing to truly “serve”.
I’m drawn to another favorite book – Romans and in particular Chapter 12. I won’t take up the space to list the entire chapter, but do take the time to read it! There are very good life principles here, spoken by the apostle Paul to the Romans. In essence he is giving us examples of how to use our God given gifts in service to each other!
In the second verse, he tells us not to copy the behavior of the world, boy that can be a tough one! How often do we get caught up in the marketing of what’s “right”, the latest and greatest or what society deems correct? And how often does this go against what we know to be true and right as taught in the Bible? He goes on to explain in verse 4 that we all are truly in this together! We all are parts of the body of Christ. We really, really need to remember this! We need to remember that we are here for each other; our actions always have an effect on those around us, and many times much more than we realize. We all have a skill set in God’s eyes that we bring to the body. It is our responsibility to use it wisely and well. He continues to explain this further in verses 5 – 8.
In verses 9 & 10, he then tells us that we are to love one another with genuine affection. This can be another hard one for us to take. Human nature again gets in the way! Not many of us can say that they love someone who has just “thrown us under the bus” at work can we? Same way if comments are made that really hurt or cut into someone’s character or reputation, not really showing much love there either.
Just continue reading verses 11 thru 18, after you read them take a close assessment of yourself. If you’re anything like me, there are many times I wish I would be better at living as Paul spoke. I fall short every day, but I rest assured that in Christ, I get to try again the next day!
Now, a tough one, let’s look at verse 19 “Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written, “I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it,” says the Lord.” How often do we joke, I don’t get mad I get even? Probably not a good thing based on what the Lord is saying! I think He’s definitely making the point here, that this is HIS job and based on some of the writings in the Old Testament, He’s pretty good at it! I don’t want to be on the wrong side of that equation!
In the last two verses he then goes on with another great example of service. One that is again a challenge, but has its rewards in God’s eyes. Paul states: 20 Instead, do what the Scriptures say: “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you.” 21 Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good. How hard it is to help our “enemies” ? This is an outward sign of what we are called to do as Christians isn’t it?
One of the last teachings of Christ at the last supper is another example of the importance of being a servant. In John 13:15-17 Jesus says, “ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
So, in closing today – think about the short prayer Elaine says every day. I challenge you to try it! Ask the Father – “Lord, how may I serve you today?” I think you will be surprised and blessed by the opportunities he presents you!
May the Lord bless you with days full of cheerful service to those around you, let Him fill your heart with the compassion of Jesus Christ and the willingness to be a faithful, loving servant!
Philippians 4:13Friends, I greet you today with this verse as I find comfort in it in any challenge I face.
How often do we face what we feel is an impossible task? It can be at work, at home, anywhere. It could involve our finances, our health, the care of a spouse, child or aging parent.
Many times in our lives we are put in positions of feeling that we have to do, we see as the impossible task! And many times we are tempted to say Lord, I can’t do this! You need to get someone else! This is way too much for me!
These times are when I reach back to this verse for strength. I actually use verse 12 & 13: I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
I’ve been there! There were many times where everything was so tight with the budget, that we weren’t sure where money was coming from to feed the family. There were times thru JoAnn’s cancer battle that we had very little. But I can attest to Paul’s writing, through our faith in God and the promises of Jesus Christ, we always made it! Here’s were verse 13 really rang true! “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
No matter what your situation, or no matter how impossible the task, He will never give you more than He knows you can handle. On top of that, if you put your trust in Him, He will empower you with the tools, the skills and the words, that are necessary. If we are faithful, He is always faithful.
Looking at Paul’s life, he had endured many hardships. It was evident by the statement that he learned to live with plenty or little. We can also be encouraged that the he is telling us that regardless of the circumstance, he also learned that he could endure these hardships because of his faith in Christ. His faith in Christ is what gave him the strength to endure.
We have to be sure to understand the full context of the message. “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” may mean that we are not going to overcome a situation, or complete the task as we wanted, but by the strength of Christ we will have the power to endure.
Friends, this week when faced with adversity, consider the verses from Paul to the Philipians, be assured that your faith in Christ, will give you the strength to overcome. Be strong in the Lord and He will carry you thru.
May you have Christ’s peace with you throughout this week, and may those you encounter see the presence of God shine within you!
– Matthew 28:16-20
16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[a] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Most of you are probably well aware of these verses. I have to admit that up until my recent re-awakening to Jesus Christ and the Word, this was not the case for me. Maybe it was just the extent of my Christian learning during my time as a Catholic or even the situation of the churches I was a part of prior to becoming a Methodist. I’m just not sure. I knew of the verses, but never referred to them as “The Great Commission!” Again, the next statement is purely my perspective only, but I really don’t remember that phrase being used while I was a Catholic. I hear it often in the Protestant faith, so I’m more prone to associate it there. I also think that more emphasis is placed on all of us in the Protestant church to actively strive to live out this commission.
I’ll pose this question to you; how are you living “The Great Commission”?
This is the last instruction from Jesus before he ascended into heaven. The apostles went off and did just as he instructed, thus beginning the expansion of our faith to the world. It is now our responsibility to continue spreading the Good News.
Jesus didn’t tell them to build “churches” and gather people in these structures to pray and worship once a week. He didn’t tell them to go off by themselves and pray about what they learned.
No… he offered them a much more difficult challenge. GO, GO and make disciples of ALL nations.
Let’s break this down: First he said GO – don’t stay here, don’t wallow in sorrow that I’m leaving you, but Go forth. Still applies to us, we need to go forth, that means out of our house, out of our churches and especially out of our comfort zones. Might mean a mission trip, either local or international, might mean going to visit the prisons, or a hospice, or even the homeless in our midst, but GO.
Then he tells them, “make disciples of all the nations.” Disciple – defined by Webster – one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another. So He’s instructing them to make more followers around the world and teach him the doctrine (commands) He has taught them.
As Christians, that is our charge also. If we are to be true Christians and follow the instructions of the Bible, then we are to also make disciples of all nations we encounter. My interpretation would again be that we are to teach the lessons of Christ to anyone we encounter! I’m not saying be carrying the Bible everywhere and start preaching to someone we may meet on a street corner. Even though with our smart phone technology that’s not impossibility, I have the Bible with me all the time as a download application (YouVersion). Again, I’m saying, show compassion to others, the homeless, the down trodden, those of a different race or ethnic background than you, those who even challenge your beliefs. We are more apt to teach the doctrine’s of Christ by our words and actions. If we are living the Christian life, we will act more like Christ and people will see this in us. It has been my humble experience that as people have seen this in me, they have also inquired more. They notice changes in you, they see the good that comes from Christ shining in you, and they will ask because they also long for that peace that comes directly from Christ.
He then tells them “baptize these new disciples in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Baptism is defined as an act to cleanse spiritually. Our baptism with water is a sign that we acknowledge that we are not pure as the Father, and we realize that we need to be made clean spiritually to return home to Him. The ONLY path to do that we have as a human is thru Jesus Christ and thru our acceptance that He shed His blood and died as a full payment for our sins. Our baptism reminds us of this and this is what we can teach to others. In baptizing someone in the name of the Trinity, they have acknowledged that they need to be clean spiritually and are accepting the sacrifice of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God the Father.
Next he tells them; “teach the new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.” Again, He doesn’t say keep all you have learned from me to yourself! He wants everyone to be included! He wants everyone to know the peace and joy that can be found in the Father! He wants all the world to know the secret to being “totally free”. Free from fear, sadness, anxiety, pain, and suffering. All of this comes from the Father thru the Son.
And last he gives the greatest assurance we all could have: “be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” WOW! If that doesn’t hit home. Read it again, “be sure of this: I am with you ALWAYS, even to the end of the age.” He assures us that we are NEVER alone, NEVER! Regardless of how bad we think things are, how hurt we are, how alone we feel, how desperate we feel. He is there! He wants us to know that He will always be there. This is something wonderful to bank on.
If you get nothing from this blog this week but this, please remember this promise – “I am with you ALWAYS, even to the end of the age.”
So my friends, how are you living The Great Commission? How do others see Jesus Christ in you? Something to think about this coming week.
I hope this brings a new perspective to your daily journey, I hope this brings you a step closer to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
May this coming week bring you comfort, peace and thankfulness in knowing that “He is with you always” – find your peace in Him.
thecatholicdropout 