How a real Servant Acts

During my stay at Haus Edelweiss every morning at 10 guest services would meet for devotions. Jim would usually lead and they were usually about servant hood. The last devotion was particularly insightful. He shared 6 things about being a servant that I felt needed to be shared.

Real servants make themselves available to serve.
Much like a soldier, a servant must always be standing by for duty. I saw this over and over again among the staff at TCMI and the short and long term workers I worked with. " What can I do?" "How can I help?' If you only serve when it is convenient for you, you are not a real servant.

Real servants pay attention to needs.

Servants are always on the look-out for ways to help others. " When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should pay special attention to those who are in the family of believers." Gal 6:10. I saw this in action during Sunday morning worship at the Haus. One of the students was giving her testimony and was overcome with emotion. Debbie Poer just stood by her, gave her a hug and that was all she needed to finish.
We miss many occasions for serving because we lack sensitivity and spontaneity. Great opportunities never last long. " Do not say to your neighbor, "come back later, I'll give it to you tomorrow"- when you have it with you." Proverbs 3:28.

Real servants do their best with what they have.

Real servants don't make excuses, procrastinate or wait for better circumstances. They never say" one of these days or when my kids are older or when the time is right." Many people fear they are not good enough to serve. It doesn't have to be perfect- just your best. God knows the difference.

Real servants do every task with equal dedication

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man" Col 3:23. You are never to important to help with menial tasks. I find it amazing that Tony Twist, president to TCMI drying dishes or seeing professors doing that. You are never to important for the menial tasks. God will never exempt you from the mundane. " If anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself." Gal 6:3. Jesus specialized in the menial tasks: washing feet, helping children, fixing breakfast, and serving lepers.
It wasn't in spite of his greatness but because of it" . Small tasks often show a big heart. There will always be people willing to do great things for God than there are people willing to the little things. The race to be leader is crowded, but the field is wide open for those willing to be servants.

RReal servants are faithful to their ministry

They finish their tasks, fulfill responsibilities, keep their promises and complete their commitments. They are trust-worthy and dependable. they never retire. They serve faithfully as long as they are alive.

Real servants maintain a low profile

They do not promote or call attention to themselves. Instead of acting to impress and dressing for success, they" put on the apron of humility, to serve one another."

The world defines greatness in terms of power, possessions, prestige and position. Jesus measures greatness in terms of service not status, not by how many serve you, but by how many you have served. Thousands of books have been written on leadership, but few on servant-hood. Everyone wants to lead, no one wants to be a servant. Having the heart of a servant is most important to God. He shaped us for service not self-centeredness. Your shape reveals your ministry, your servants heart will reveal your maturity.

No special talent or is required to stay after a meeting to stack chairs or pick up trash. Anyone can be a servant. All it requires is character. Jesus said" By their fruits you will recognize them." Matt 7:16


Jim -- thanks for the devotional:)

this little light of mine....

"If Jesus Christ is external to your life there will be times when the world will not see Him and hear Him and will not know you belong to Him. But if Christ be in you, living and reigning absolutely and you are obeying Him there will never be a moment when the truth will not be evident. You cannot hide Christ if once He comes within. If the light is there it simply must shine."

I read this quote in my devotions and it struck me-- this is who I want to be---I keep seeing a person standing with the light shining on them with no shadow--no darkness to hide in ;just light shining on them and through them.

This is my prayer Lord--that you would shine through me this week and next. Sometimes, I don't live as if you live in me--I walk in fear and distrust. I get angry instead of having compassion; selfish instead of giving. Thank you that you love me anyway. Sometimes, I get envious, feel overlooked, under-appreciated and just plain forgotten. Thank you that you have felt all these things, walked through them. When I feel this way, remind me that you love me, see the plan when I don't and that you are the God of the forgotten, down-hearted and weary.

I ask that you would give me the eyes to see the things that need to be seen. Help me to remain focused on you and who you are.

Luke 11:36 " If your whole body is full of light and none of it is dark, then you will shine bright as when a lamp shines on you."

may it be so--amen

Rivers

What happens to a friendship when you get busy--you drift apart. Sunday, I realized that I have been drifting--it didn't happen intentionally--it just happened. Kinda like the lazy river with a floaty... nowhere in particular--just drifting.. aimlessly going where the river goes. there have been times in the last few months that the river has been fast and furious--where I feel totally out of control and not sure where I will end up...just hanging on for dear life... there have been other times where it seems like I got stuck in the whirlpool of life and I was afraid it would suck me under... then there are the days where I just plain got stuck--the river was really shallow and there was no current to push me along.
I realized on Sunday that God was there all along holding on to me when I felt like I was going under, holding on when I felt like no one else gave a rip or even understood what was happening in my life; and even when I wasn't going anywhere-HE was there. I have been having a hard time hearing his voice with all the others clamoring for my attention--He is so patient and kind--the Good shepherd--gently calling me and leading me back to him--because he knows on my own I' m not going to make it. Ever so gently saying--Tammy I'm here--its going to be OK. Lie down, rest, be still ..I have a plan and its all under control even if you aren't. I know that He is working things out to the good ---and in the end that is all that is important .

on the fridge

I was looking at the stuff on my fridge today--pretty messy but it is a snapshot of our lives..:) --telephone numbers, a Mutts comic strip, various and sundry cards --then I came across this. It has been on the refrigerator for years. I don't even remember how long it has been there. but it struck me...this is the christian life I want to live. It has been really difficult lately. I feel beaten up , worn down and just plain tired of all the character building.

I recognize that I shouldn't live my life based on feelings; some days its just a whole lot easier to be grumpy and crabby. So this is what I found:

My commitment as a Christian:

I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up , slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, posit ion, promotions,plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean of his presence, walk by patience, life by prayer and labor by power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up , let up -- until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go until He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me ...for my banner will be clear.

I don't know who wrote this --but I am thankful for the reminder that I can rise above my circumstances, I am a conqueror and that this to shall pass.

Amen and let it be so.

Therefore take up the armor....

"Finally be strong in the Lord and His might power. Put on the full armor so that you can fight against the devil's evil tricks. Our battle is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of the world's darkness" I just got done reading a book by Randy Alcorn--" Lord Foulgrin's Letters". It is along the lines of the " Screwtape Letters" by C.S. Lewis which I have never read. Alcorn's book is very good--it gave me insight into what the passage in Ephesians was talking about.

I firmly believe in demons and that hell is a real place; I also recognize that I can't blame everything that happens to me on them... that I have a sinful nature. But the battle that is taking place daily, hourly , minute by minute for my thoughts and actions is real as well. I have a part to play--I must call on the shed blood to cleanse me and continually seek the LORD in all that I do: take thoughts captive, live the life He has called me to live, praise Him, read his word....but have you ever wondered about the battle taking place?

I had a vision of U of Michigan stadium: in this stadium the place was packed : one side was beautiful--angels all around. The other side was ugly--black and angry. I looked down on the field and saw a game going on: angels vs. demons---every time the demons cheered their team moved forward--every time the angels cheered they moved forward.. For a while, the demons were winning...then I heard this singing... the angels started moving forward very rapidly, I could hear low murmuring... they moved forward some more... then this loud cheer erupted and they scored. Praise , Prayer and someone accepting Jesus.... this ensured the victory.

I think this how we win--prayer and praise; the evil one thinks he will win--he doesn't. When I allow myself to wallow in negative thoughts, don't praise or read His word..I allow the enemy to move forward. He doesn't have much of a game plan--but it certainly works to his advantage...if he can make me doubt, bring confusion or believe the lies--he influences my behavior .

Thank you, LORD that you know the outcome..

prayer and refining

I have been " stuck" in a certain spot in my devotions for a couple of weeks now. In James 5, it talks about prayer: " anyone who is having troubles should pray. Anyone who is happy should sing praises.... When a believing person prays great things happen." I love that!! I know that it is all in God's will and timing but I can still go HIM with big troubles or little troubles and know that he hears me...even if I don't know or can't pray or it feels like it is very ineffectual. " God honors prayer..He longs to demonstrate His power in the tremendous trials that jar us like thunder and the pinprick troubles that annoy us. Giant needs are never too great for His power; dwarf-sized ones are never too small for HIS love." Warren Meyers



Then in 1 Peter 1 it talks about why we have troubles: " Theses troubles come to prove that your faith is pure. This purity of faith is worth more than gold, which can be proved to be pure by fire, but will ruin. But the purity of your faith will bring you praise and glory and honor when Jesus is shown to you" I am learning that through the trials and troubles, I am made complete.





I read somewhere about how silver and gold is refined--the person has to stand right there and hold it into the fire for just the right amount of time: I guess the Lord knows how long this refining will take place and even though, I would like it to be over and done; (please LORD!!) I must not be there yet.

Between you and God

"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway." Mother Theresa.



I read this and thought how true-- I am a "workman approved by God". It doesn't matter what people think I should be doing as long as I am doing what God says I should be doing. It doesn't matter if no one else approves of what I do as longs as God does. At the end of the day, all I need to know is that God approved--and if I am not doing what he wants me to do--he will deal with me on that.