Sunday, November 18, 2007

  • RELISH OR IGNORE?

    Luke 22:24-27
    24
    And there was a strife among the disciples, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
    25
    And Jesus said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
    26
    But you shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
    27
    For which is greater? He that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at meat? But I am among you as he that serveth.

    The first thing that I'd like to point out is that even though we are saved and our sins are forgiven, Jesus tells us that we are not all equal in the Kingdom of God. But he that uses his life to serve others is greater than he that doesn't.
    It's so easy for us to get caught up in our own lives and our own needs and completely forget about helping or serving others. We may go to church every week and read our bibles and pray every day, which are important things to do in our walk with the Lord, but we need to keep our eyes open and recognize the opportunities that come into our life where we can humble ourselves and use an opportunity where we can help and serve someone else that has a need, no matter how small it may seem.

    It's very interesting how Jesus contrasts the normal thinking of this world compared to the way a Christian is supposed to think concerning the Kingdom of God. Jesus asks the disciples some questions and says - "For which is greater? He that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at meat?"

    Jesus is insinuating that he that sitteth at meat is greater than he that serveth. That would be the normal way of thinking. But then Jesus turns it completely upside down and says - "But I am among you as he that serveth."

    Wow. Revelation time for the disciples and for us that read Jesus' words. Jesus, the only begotten, sinless Son of God, came not for the disciples to serve him, but that he could serve them and ultimately us by laying down his life and being crucified for our sins so that we can have eternal life.
    If Jesus did that, shouldn't we also love and serve those in need?

    I pray that God will open our eyes and help us to recognize even small opportunities where we will let God use us to bless somebody else.

    Do you relish or ignore those opportunities?

    Matthew 18:1,4
    1
    At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
    4
    Jesus said, whosoever shall humble himself as a little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.


Comments (23)

  • MuchPeaceToYou2

    ((LARRY)), YOU ARE ALWAYS RIGHT ON TIME IN MY THINKING!

    JUST TODAY, I WAS TELLING MY MOTHER HOW IT BROKE MY HEART, AS WE HAD A LITTLE GIRL, 12, DIE IN A NEARBY TOWN AFTER SHE FELL OFF HER BIKE WHILE COMING FROM SCHOOL AND ROLLED INTO A LANE WHERE THE REAR ENDS TIRES OF A BUS RUN OVER HER AND KILLED HER. MY MOTHER'S USUAL RESPONSE IS "DON'T DWELL ON IT, YOU DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HER!" THAT REALLY BREAKS MY HEART, TOO...THAT RESPONSE! I JUST WISH THERE WAS SOMETHING I COULD DO! SOMETIMES I THINK IT'S EASY FOR US TO GET INTO THE LINE OF THINKING THAT SINCE WE ARE SAVED, WE JUST NEED TO WORRY ABOUT OURSELVES. THAT IS WHY SOMETIMES IN XANGA LAND, I GET FRUSTRATED. IT'S LIKE POST AFTER POST IS ONLY ABOUT THE GOOD THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING TO THE WRITER! I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO TELL THE BAD SITUATIONS AS WELL THAT WE HAVE GONE THROUGH, NOT TO BE NEGATIVE, BUT TO ALLOW THE UNBELIEVERS TO SEE THAT WE ARE NOT PERFECT AND THAT WE HAVE PROBLEMS LIKE EVERY ONE ELSE. I WAS THINKING TO MYSELF THE OTHER DAY EVEN THAT IF I WAS UNSAVED WOULD SOME OF THESE POSTS ENCOURAGE ME OR DISCOURAGE ME. PEOPLE DON'T NEED TO SEE PERFECT PEOPLE...IF THEY DID, THEY WOULDN'T NEED JESUS! I HOPE THAT MAKES SENSE...JUST SEEMED THE RIGHT TIME TO SAY IT, LOL!

    ANYWAYS, AS ALWAYS, THANKS FOR YOUR INSPIRATION! I MISS HAVING YOU AROUND SO OFTEN! YOU DO SOMETHING MOST POSTS DON'T FOR ME...CAUSE ME TO LOOK PAST MYSELF TO OTHERS!

    LOVE, CHERYL
  • Barrygw

    Wow Larry , I guess that my spirit wants to always serve . Then my mind kicks in and says be pratical you can not get all of that done by your self and if no one else cares why should you waste your time . I trust Jesus cares and shows up to help . Now my spirit will tell my mind that Jesus is all the help I need .

    Thanks for the Post my brother !

    It was so sad to read what Cheryl had to say .

    I pray for all involed from her family to the driver and riders of the bus and to the 1st responders who worked this sad case .

    God bless !

    Barry
  • vertically_challenged_asian
    I have a servant's heart, so it is not a big deal for me to serve.  I think it is hard for me to sit back and study and receive. 
  • MinC308
    We are His Hands and His feet!  I wonder what He thinks of us when all we do is take take take?
  • magvoice
    It's all about His Glory and Not ours!..................Have a Blessed weekend and Thanksgiving!............In Christ's Love.........Monic
  • xThexGodfatherx

    Hi Larry,

    Good to hear from you again!  Have a great weekend....Mike
  • TheTheologiansCafe

    Our desire to be first is in constant battle with the important task of being a selfless servant.
  • casey_at_bat
    I think for me Larry, its part of my personality to serve. I actually do generally enjoy serving though sometimes its hard.
    tim
  • sweet_acid_rain

    I love giving a helping hand to someone who needs it. But I will admit that I can be selfish and want someone to reach out and say "how can I help you today?" every once in a while...sometimes it sucks being the giver all the time. But there are not enough giving people in the world....

    ~Ria
  • HisWorkInProgress

    When I'm focused, my heart is to serve. When I'm in a selfish mindset, my mind will say, "why me? Why do I always have to do blah, blah." - Thankfully, the spirit rises up in me and shows me, I do not live unto myself, it's not about me, we are here for HIM, to fullfill His purpose, not mine.

    Ah, good word here Larry, thanks!

    † God Bless!
  • shes_facedown

    Thanks. Good lesson.

    -k.
  • Breath_Of_Dawn
    What I like best are the times God uses me and I don't even know it until later.

    Ideally, Christians should simply live in their relationship with Christ and let him use them when, where, and however he sees fit. And if it works as he intended, most of the time they won't realize it.
  • Monyikka
    Such a good reminder, Larry!  Thanks!
  • sweet_acid_rain

    It wasn't meant to last forever...these things happen. The best I can do is smile and continue on with my life. If it wasn't "meant to be" that means there is someone else out there waiting. I shan't hold grudges.

    Thanks though!!!
  • Bobbilu
    Honestly, I have ignored a lot of opportunities in my life time. There are so many ways that God can use us. I think I have come to the understanding that it is about first and foremost, Loving and trusting God, and then loving People. It's about loving people! giving of yourself, like how Christ gave of Himself. It doesn't even matter where you are or what you are doing. It could be in opening the door for someone or giving a ride home,or witnessing at work. Start with those you directly influence! People in your household that you spend most of your time with. Start there! Make a concentrated effort to serve them in the way you know best! Spiritually, emotionally , physically... Whatever opportunity arises, take it! Anyway, I am rambling. Thanks for the thought Larry! Love ya.
  • lovemyJehovaGod

    The Lord opened the door for us to help feed the homeless every Sunday afternoon at a downtown park from September of 2006 to 03/2007. It was quite an eye-opening experience. The hurting, whether spiritual, financial, emotional, mental, physical, or all of the above, offer ample opportunity to reach out to others. Even we among ourselves at times can use another brother or sister to reach out in times of major warfare, or any times of distress. We will always have someone in our lives that we can reach out too, and should reach out to. Even if it's just to say, "I'm here if you need me."

    Great post!!!
  • Barrygw

    My Thanksgiving thoughts to you and all who visit your site Larry .

    I thank God for this truth , "He is not here: for He is risen." Matthew 28:6

    and with this truth I trust Jesus has prepared a place to go after I leave this world and for my brothers and sisters who also received Christ !

    This hope and peace is my rest as I face these days in my walk in Him .

    Have a blessed and safe Happy Thanksgiving !

    In His love ,

    Barry
  • RaZeHeLL
    Happy Thanksgiving, Larry.  ~Carolyn
  • LisaBabie123

    Awesome post Larry~ I find that I don't have a hard time with this! Serving others comes easy for me. I guess it's one area I know the Lord has graced me with! Now...if you were to mention other areas...I'd probably have some serious problems with them lol...We all do need to be reminded of this though...it's something we should be doing on a daily basis...and without complaining!!!!!!!!!
  • wingfiea
    thanks for the comment Larry.  You're right about the word...and I know that's what I should do...I'm just tired and not sure if I want to or even can keep walking this path of faith that I've been on this year.
  • Monyikka
    Thanks for the birthday wishes Larry!  It was a wonderful day!
  • Barrygw

    Hi Larry, I pray all is going well for you brother !

    The Lord put something on my heart the other day and the answer could only be " yes Lord " if He is Lord in the life He gives me .

    "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1

    The saints are watching us on the playing field of life. They are cheering us on from the Heavenly grandstand to "run with patience, the race that is set before us."

    Last week one of my patients seemed a little more open to talking about his after life . He is overdue the grave by 10 months and is stating to hope for death soon . He always resisted before but he said he is more concern with his 54 year old son who is going to die with the same illness but 24 years sooner . I gave him the book the Case for Christ and told him he could share it with his son if he liked it and for him to call me if he had any questions or just wanted to talk or needed help with anything .He thanked me took the book and left .

    It is odd how someone who lived their life as they wanted then when death is close refuse God due to pride , they feel it is below them to go to the God the turned their back on for so many years . God offers them the same grace as a child but they take justice by a self imposed date with hell because they can not forgive themselves .This is what is hard for me to get through to reach them . Please pray for Mr. Howard and his son and for me if he calls that I may show him Jesus .

    God bless you brother and thank you !

    Barry
  • Barrygw

    I am a Dentist Larry and I thank you for the prayers my brother .

    God is so good , I hope He will use us as a tool to bring others into His Kingdom .

    God bless you !

    Barry 

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