TO BE SERVED OR TO SERVE?
Today’s Reading: Matthew 19-20
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A young man seeks God in St. Gabriel Church, a Greek Orthodox church in Nazareth. This is the place where some believe that the angel appeared to the Virgin Mary announcing that she would give birth to Jesus. In the crypt of the church flows what is called “Mary’s Spring,” an artesian well from which the people of Nazareth would draw their drinking water.
Key Verses: Matthew 20:27-28
And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave– just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
There are several key differences between the structure and leadership of a typical company and the Church (Example – Walmart – the most recent business where Norma-Jean shopped). The first difference is apparent in our key verses. Usually in a secular setting, a leader emerges who is hard-driving, ambitious, and strives for a higher position. This is entirely the opposite of Christ’s teaching regarding the Church. Only the humble should lead; they lead not from a place of pride, but from a position of serving. Another difference has to do with power. In the Church, the “Chief Executive Officer” is always the Chief Servant, and we seek to serve Him, the Lord Jesus, instead of ourselves.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Jesus, please make my heart more and more like Yours – a servant’s heart. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I learned a lot from my Dad. He was a farm boy who served in WWI, had an earned doctorate, served as a college President, and served God in Egypt for 21 years. Twice when he came home on furlough, he was assigned to a country charge (Pastoring two or more congregations). He kept coveralls and boots in the trunk of the car. He would visit from farm to farm, find the farmer and ask if he could help him clean the cow stable. When I had a day off school, I’d be there with him. After an hour or so of work, he would say to the farmer, “Do you suppose we could have prayer with you and your wife?” He was never turned down. The churches filled up and people came to know Christ.
Yours as a slave of the One who washed other people’s feet,
David
P.S. Happy Father’s Day! I few years back, I was interviewed by Jim Cantelon on the 100 Huntley Street telecast during Father’s Day week, and I shared about my father. If you would like to watch it, click HERE for part one and HERE for part two).
Happy Father’s Day, dear David, and all brothers-in-Christ on the blog. Miss you, dad! Thank You Jesus, for being my eternal Father, in heaven, on earth, and Christ light in my heart. Yes, I pray for a servant’s heart. Amen! Thank You, Lord, for the gift of life and blessings to walk again. This song has been playing in my head all morning. Wishing all a wonderful day, in the Lord.
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NKJV
Jesus We Love You \\ Paul McClure \\ We Will Not Be Shaken
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TCWaNP96AA
In God’s economy we are all created equal, there are no favourites. To those who come to know Christ personally as a young person or an older person makes no difference to Him, as long as we come. This reflects the awesome grace of God, for He calls all unto Himself regardless of age, gender, race, rich or poor. God’s grace is sufficient for all. Jesus took of the “bitter-cup” and became the ultimate servant, that we might not have to taste the eternal consequences of death. Believers may rejoice in the fact that they will be alive forevermore with Jesus, because of God’s all encompassing grace given to us today. Hallelujah!
Happy Father’s Day to all Dad’s out there!
Thank you Scott for your insight into my question on Matthew 16: 28. I don’t always read the blog on my computer. I use a smart phone and I do not reply on it as the instructions to do so are not to my liking. But thank you. I think you have the right understanding of that verse.
Happy Fathers Day, David! I appreciate all the guidance and spiritual insight you have provided over the years and since following you on this blog since the beginning. Hope you’re feeling stronger and have a very enjoyable time with your family today. In some ways you have been like a father to me, and I suppose, countless others have felt the same of you as well. Take care. Keep strong.
David N
Happy Father’s Day to you David, may God hold you in his arms and look after you. You have been so important in bringing so many to Jesus. I pray for you and Norma Jean.
In Jesus precious name Amen
I agree with everything you wrote Beverlee
Yes, thank you for sharing your testimony about your father and being like a father to all of us bloggers David. Lord help us to have a servant’s heart!
Happy Father’s Day David. My husband Bill and I are with you again for the third time around. We find this daily reading of the word to be a Blessing!! We thank you and your family for providing this blog and now vlog for us. May
God continue to Bless you and yours richly!!!!
Amen, Ger. You are like a father on earth to us, David.
So appreciated the two interviews…and the tears…imagine that, they are all collected in a bowl in heaven!!! Thank you Pastor David!! and always appreciate Jim Cantelon:)
BLESSINGS ON THIS “FATHERS DAY” All you fathers!!
AND PRAISES FOR “OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN””
Amen, Irene.
My father died when I was just four years old…
In my adult years wshen I accepted Jesus into my heart as my Savior…it was to Jesus I related…it took a few years before I could relate to THE FATHER IN HEAVEN, even though I learned and repeated the “Our father” prayer as a child at bed-time; also in school every morning before class began.
My dad had his problems but he was a good provider; he was a very smart farmer, I have often wondered how he knew when to vacinate the cattle, the calves, the piglets and so on and so on……….he was very smart; he raised top beef cattle, he also produced the top grain crops in our area, his father was a very good farmer also, that would be my grandfather, he always read the Bible every day, usually in the late afternoon, he taught the family to pray, also my grandparents came from Russia/Poland, my dad was only 2 when they fled……
my day also believed that the family should have fun, and Saturday evening we all went to a movie theater……we went to church Sunday mornings…….
in the evenings (sometimes) my dad would go fishing and always bring home the number of fish allowed for that day….I learned how to clean the fish…..my dad did take me fishing sometimes and I caught some fish……it was fun even though I was terrified of falling into the water because I could not swim…..
a drunk driver took the life of my dad when he as only 56………of course none of us knows when we will see the Lord…….I wished I had told my Dad how much I appreciated him and what he did for the family, I wished I had told him that I love him more often…….I wished I could have told my dad that I was sorry for hurting him so much…….I wished I could have told my dad how proud I am of him that he quit drinking and smoking 2 years before he passed away! That was a blessing in many ways, especially for the legal affairs that had to be dealt with in regards to his estate!
Yes, tell your family and friends that you love them, now, while they are still here to hear those words!
I thank God for my mom and all the hard work she did on the farm! I learned to can food; learned to knit mits, learned to clean up a room…
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Thank you Lord for the memories of my dad! In Jesus Name I Pray AMEN.