Jesus also said, “Yet I am among you as the One who serves” (Luke 22:27). Paul’s idea of service was the same as our Lord’s— “…ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5). We somehow have the idea that a person called to the ministry is called to be different and above other people. But according to Jesus Christ, he is called to be a “doormat” for others— called to be their spiritual leader, but never their superior. Paul said, “I know how to be abased…” (Philippians 4:12). Paul’s idea of service was to pour his life out to the last drop for others. And whether he received praise or blame made no difference. As long as there was one human being who did not know Jesus, Paul felt a debt of service to that person until he did come to know Him. But the chief motivation behind Paul’s service was not love for others but love for his Lord. If our devotion is to the cause of humanity, we will be quickly defeated and broken-hearted, since we will often be confronted with a great deal of ingratitude from other people. But if we are motivated by our love for God, no amount of ingratitude will be able to hinder us from serving one another.Paul’s understanding of how Christ had dealt with him is the secret behind his determination to serve others. “I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man…” (1 Timothy 1:13). In other words, no matter how badly others may have treated Paul, they could never have treated him with the same degree of spite and hatred with which he had treated Jesus Christ. Once we realize that Jesus has served us even to the depths of our meagerness, our selfishness, and our sin, nothing we encounter from others will be able to exhaust our determination to serve others for His sake.

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February 23 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, I believe that we are called to serve others. And I believe I am called to reach out to others in Your name.  But what service, which one? At church yesterday there were eleven or twelve different groups and organizations set up in the Narthex; set up to communicate their particular mission/service and to engage people of our church. But none of them spoke to me. How do we decide which service, or how we are to engage and help others?

And God says…”When you have been engaged to help others in the past, you have simply been available and looking for opportunities to serve. When you are connected to Me and keep your eyes open for the service opportunities I have for you, you will see them clearly. It may be one of the opportunities put in front of you at your church or your service may be to reach out and help one family or one person on one particular day.  Seek Me, hear my voice and respond. Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and I will provide everything else you need or require, including opportunities for service. Simply be connected and aware. My sheep hear my voice. When you are engaged serving others, your spirit joins with Mine and you know you are living life abundantly.”