Encourage One Another - Serve

Hebrews 10:23-25 (MSG)
Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

Many of us are afraid of service. Just what will be expected of me? Do I have to do something I am not comfortable doing? I don't have time for this, is there something quick I do? Perhaps these questions are prompted by our misunderstanding of the word SERVE.

For me, I see a waitress or waiter, menus in hand, pencil poised just waiting to be given an order. While that is a form of service, it isn't the only one, nor what we are speaking of when we ask for folks to help serve.

Serving can be as simple as visiting with an elderly neighbor, perhaps bringing them food. It can be as mundane as raking leaves for this same neighbor, or as professional as providing skilled nursing.

Jesus served His followers every day. He provided food, healed

them from illness, washed their dusty feet, and showed kindness and love with every deed.

Jesus served His followers, not only the Disciples but all who followed His moves. He provided food, healed them from illness, washed their dusty feel and showed kindness and love with every deed. Jesus encouraged everyone who came in contact with Him. His servant's heart drew people into to Him. 

Our servant's heart will do the same. How are you going to put someone else first today? What will that look like in your life?


Hebrews 10:19-25

John 13

Our scripture passage today is another popular one. We have all probably heard the story of Jesus washing his disciples feet, countless times over the years. Some of us may have even participated in a foot washing service ourselves. Why is this passage talked about so often?

The night of Jesus’ arrest he shares the Passover meal with his disciples. Knowing that Judas was going to hand him over to the Jewish leaders, Jesus takes the time he has left, for one more lesson. What lessons in school do you remember the most? I remember the lessons where I was able to participate, but I really remember the ones that took me by surprise.

Jesus definitely takes his disciples by surprise with this final lesson. I just love how Jesus shows his followers how he expects them to serve others, through his service to them. Jesus removes every excuse that could possibly be given for not serving others.

If it wasn’t beneath Jesus it shouldn’t be beneath the disciples (or us) to serve others. If Jesus didn’t feel that, what he was going through personally gave him reason enough to take the night off, we too shouldn’t take a break if we feel the pressures of life surrounding us.

This passage explains that the essence of serving Christ is through serving others, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
 
Read the entire passage at Biblegateway John 13

Watch Your Step 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

Have you ever been on a diet? I have been on gobs of them and they always seem to happen during a holiday like Valentine’s Day where chocolates abound. My husband loves food channels on TV, and of course during those holidays they always highlight the popular foods offered. It drives me crazy and Steve, who is never tempted by anything sweet, does not understand when I beg him to change the channel.

His interest in how the foods are made create an opportunity for me to stumble on my diet. Although Steve is not doing anything wrong he still changes the channel not wanting to make life harder for me.

Our scripture passage today talks about how we, as Christians, should enjoy the things this earth provides for us, but that if any of our liberties cause a nonbeliever from knowing God, we should abstain. Paul says, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”

Have you ever thought of it that way? Everything we do is a reflection of us glorifying God. Even abstaining from things we have a right too, in order to remove stumbling blocks from those who do not yet believe.

Galatians 2:20 say’s, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” Nonbelievers should see Christ when they look at us and that means sacrifice.

Heavenly Father,
Help me give you glory in all I do.
Please give me the strength and wisdom to
know when I need to sacrifice my freedoms
so someone can come to know Jesus.
It’s in His name I pray. Amen

Read today's passage at Biblegateway 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

Jesus, have you noticed my boys? - Matthew 20:17-34

For many years my mother worked as a waitress in a supper club. She often told stories of a customer's demands from the evening; a menu item they wanted changed, requests for free sample plates, and so on. I was always impressed with the kind, but firm come-backs she would have for them.

In our Scripture for today, Jesus uses a mother's exuberance for her sons' well-being, to give us a lesson in servant hood. It is comical to read this passage and realize the sons were in on this venture to get second and third billing. It is comforting to hear Jesus' response, His kind but firm reply to them. He simply said, “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” (Matthew 20:22)

My mother's job was to serve others; she got paid to do this. I learned from our talks that serving wasn't always fun, serving others often caused her to swallow her pride and put up with another's foolish demands. Jesus wanted to be sure these brothers, as well as the rest of His disciples, knew what lie ahead. He used this time to teach them they would suffer for His sake. He taught them that to love is to serve and to serve is to love.

This lesson is true for us today.  Do you have a story to share about serving with love.  What does it mean to have a servant's heart?

Read the entire text for today here.