Category: Matthew

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Thankful

We should always have a thankful heart. Those of you who are my “friends” on Facebook know that yesterday I have lots to be thankful for.

Our newest granddaughter was born at 12:01 am on October 13. She is healthy, whole and beautiful. Her momma is doing well and hopefully will be dismissed today and come home. Dave and I have been having fun with her older siblings, ages 4 and 2, while her momma and daddy have been at the hospital with her.

Each day should be started with thoughts of gratitude. If we wake up grumbling about the events and activities that are ahead of us we rob ourselves of joyful mornings. However, if we get up and thank God that the roof didn’t leak last night, the house didn’t catch fire and that there’s food in the refrigerator this morning, we can set the course of our day on a path of gratitude.

Thankfulness!

Sitting here this morning while it’s still dark out and feeling the cool of the fall, enjoying the warmth of a good cup of coffee and seeking the Father for the day’s direction, I am very thankful. Thankful that my Father is still in control; He hasn’t fallen off His throne, His omniscience is superior to the knowledge of the world’s wisest men and His omnipresence penetrates to the farthest reaches of the universe. All is under His control, Jesus tells us:

“My Father has given me everything, and he is the only one who knows the Son. The only one who truly knows the Father is the Son. But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so that they can know him too.
28 If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest. 29 Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me. I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest.” Matthew 11:27-29 CEV

Jesus has taken the time to tell us about the Father and not only that, but Jesus made a way for us to be adopted by the Father so that we can call Him “Abba Father” (Papa or Daddy) and we can experience firsthand His love and compassion.

Just like our newest grandchild is already experiencing the love of her parents, we experience the daily love of our Father. Kisses on the forehead, cuddled in close to the chest, hearing our Daddy’s heart beat and the words “I love you, you’re perfect”. And then if that isn’t enough, He says lean on me, I will give you rest.

Thankfulness!

I don’t have to have all the answers and I don’t have to learn by “hard knocks”. I can trust the Father and learn from Him.

“With all your heart you must trust the LORD and not your own judgment. 6 Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.” Proverbs 3:5-6 CEV

Enjoy your day and let the Father lead you and there you will find rest.

Be thankful!

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Are You Thirsty?

I have lived in the desert most of my life and I have learned many lessons from the Bible by looking at my surroundings. I recall one time, years ago, when Dave and I were farming alfalfa west of Phoenix. The summer’s were hot and dry.

We had some equipment problems with one of the balers and so we had to go through the fields, cut the baling wire off bales that were broken and needed to be re-baled. It was really hot! Dave had been picking up the good bales with the road sider and it was my job to walk from field to field, cut the wires, spread the hay for re-baling until all was done.

At some point Dave had finished his job, came to check on me and then had gone off to do something else. It was then, as I saw him drive away, that I realized he was leaving with the water! I was so hot and thirsty. I sat on a bale and cried. I felt so alone and forgotten.

I was parched!

Every time I read a verse about “thirsting” for God’s Word I remember that experience. When our soul cries out for strength and help, it’s like that day I cried out for water in a hot, dry land.

“You are my God. I worship you. In my heart, I long for you, as I would long for a stream in a scorching desert. 2 I have seen your power and your glory in the place of worship. 3 Your love means more than life to me, and I praise you. 4 As long as I live, I will pray to you. 5 I will sing joyful praises and be filled with excitement like a guest at a banquet.” Psalm 63:1-5 CEV

Now you need to know that Dave did come back with the water. He didn’t abandon me, he had just gone to get something and returned very shortly.

Our Father doesn’t abandon us either. I am so glad He is faithful to see that I am well watered! He provides streams in the desert.

“Then the eyes of the blind will be opened so that they can see, and the ears of the deaf will be opened so that they can hear. 6 Crippled people will dance like deer, and those who cannot speak now will use their voices to sing happy songs. This will happen when springs of water begin to flow in the dry desert. 7 Now people see mirages that look like water, but then there will be real pools of water. There will be wells in the dry land where water flows from the ground. Tall water plants will grow where wild animals once ruled.” Isaiah 35:5-7 ERV

If you’ve been experiencing a dry and thirsty time, look to the Lord. He is our provider. You will be filled!

“Those who are hungry and thirsty to be right with God are happy, because they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 NLV

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Starting to Sink

A couple days back I shared with you the story of Peter going overboard. You remember, he saw Jesus walking on the water in the middle of the night and thought it was a ghost. Peter questioned Jesus and asked if it was really him; Jesus said yes. Then Peter said well then let me come to you on the water. Jesus said, ok.

“Just before the light of day, Jesus went to them walking on the water. 26 When the followers saw Him walking on the water, they were afraid. They said, “It is a spirit.” They cried out with fear. 27 At once Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take hope. It is I. Do not be afraid!”

28 Peter said to Jesus, “If it is You, Lord, tell me to come to You on the water.” 29 Jesus said, “Come!” Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind, he was afraid. He began to go down in the water. He cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 At once Jesus put out His hand and took hold of him. Jesus said to Peter, “You have so little faith! Why did you doubt?”

32 When Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind stopped blowing. 33 Those in the boat worshiped Jesus. They said, “For sure, You are the Son of God!” Matthew 14:25-33 NLV

There’s more to this story than just Peter walking on the water. The first thing we should notice is that everyone in the boat was afraid. They were on the sea in the middle of the night and they thought they saw a ghost coming on the water.

Fear had gripped their hearts. The first thing Jesus wanted to do was calm their fears so he spoke words of encouragement to them. “Don’t be afraid.” We all have a tendency to fear during life’s darkest hours. Perhaps that ghost of failure shows up in your dreams in the middle of the night when you are most vulnerable. Can you hear Jesus? He’s there and He says don’t be afraid.

Peter is embolden by Jesus words so he says “if” it’s you Lord tell me to come. What’s Jesus to say? “No Peter, don’t try this or Yes Peter, it’s me but stay put.”

Jesus says come and Peter went.

His eyes were on Jesus and he walked on the water! But then something happened. Peter began to look around, maybe thinking “hey, boys do you see this?”. He took his eyes off Jesus, saw the waves and felt the wind (external circumstances) and he began to sink. Fear came back and he was going down. I’ve often wondered how does one begin to sink. But in that split second of beginning to go down, Peter cries out, Jesus reaches out and they walk back to the boat together! And the winds ceased.

Do you feel like you are beginning to sink? Maybe you feel like you’re going down for the third time? You’ve felt like you were doing exactly what God wanted you to do, what He called you to do, you heard him say “come” and now the waves and the wind are bigger than you thought and you are going down.

Call out. Jesus is there. He will rescue you and the two of you will walk back to the boat together. Hand in Hand. Once they were safely in the boat, the others who were there realized that Jesus truly was God’s Son and began to praise Him.

I remember one other incident when they were all in the boat and ready to sink in the storm. Jesus stood up and said “Peace, be still”. You know we relate the “peace, be still” to Jesus talking to the wind and the waves but I think that Jesus may have been saying “peace to you disciples who are so fearful” and “be still” to the storm. Just a thought.

In closing I want us to look at a couple verses in Psalms.

“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.” Psalm 37:7 NLT

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” 11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.” Psalm 46:10-11 NLT

Be encouraged because it’s God who says “be still, I AM God”!

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Firmly Planted

Needing wisdom today? Have a problem that’s bigger than your scope of understanding? Maybe you’ve tried everything you know to do and things still don’t seem to be getting better. Is it time to raise the white flag or throw up your hands, or throw in the towel?

Don’t quit. It’s just time to re-focus!

“He rescued his people and made his agreement with them forever. His name is awesome and holy. 10 Wisdom begins with fear and respect for the Lord. Those who obey him are very wise. Praises will be sung to him forever.” Psalm 111:9-10 ERV

“I will sacrifice a voluntary offering to you; I will praise your name, O Lord,
 for it is good. 7 For you have rescued me from my troubles and helped me to triumph over my enemies.” Psalm 54:6-7 NLV

Obeying God’s word is a true source of wisdom. Trusting the One who created all, the One who knows the beginning from the end and not having to depend on our finite thinking is true wisdom! There is wisdom in giving God the reins.

“Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way. 7 Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the Lord and stay away from evil. ” Proverbs 3:5-7 ERV

There wasn’t any earthly wisdom in walking around a city seven days and then blowing trumpets and shouting. But it brought down the walls of Jericho. There wasn’t any earthly wisdom in facing a giant with a sling shot and a stone but it brought victory to Israel by the hand of a shepherd boy, David. There wasn’t any earthly wisdom in thinking that a baby born to a virgin girl could bring salvation to all the world but it did! Jesus came to bring us life and life more abundantly and He did!

“God blesses those people who refuse evil advice and won’t follow sinners or join in sneering at God. 2 Instead, the Law of the Lord makes them happy, and they think about it day and night. 3 They are like trees growing beside a stream,
trees that produce fruit in season and always have leaves. Those people succeed in everything they do.” Psalm 1:1-3 CEV

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.” Matthew 7:25-26 NLT

Stop trying to figure it all out on your own -> refocus -> lean on the Lord and not your own understanding. He will keep you standing tall when you’re built on the rock of His word.

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Man Overboard

I am often disappointed when movies are re-done to make them more current with new actors. I enjoyed the remake of True Grit but it wasn’t as good as the original. However, I did enjoy the second Thomas Crown Affair better than the first. But, just last week Dave and I came across the movie Overboard. We had enjoyed the original with Goldie Hawn so we thought we’d give this one a try – after only a few minutes of watching we turned it off. It didn’t measure up. We were disappointed again.

However, it got me to thinking about the term overboard. In the early 1980’s Dave and I had a good job working for an absentee farm owner. We ran 900 acres of alfalfa. We were provided with a new mobile home, were given a farm truck and fuel. Our only expenses were our clothing and our groceries. It was nice! We worked hard, very hard during the peak growing season but we enjoyed the work and our kids were being raised in a rural environment and life was good.

We had been praying that the Lord would provide someone to minister to local farmers and ranchers on a regular basis; working around the strange hours of farming and providing us with a good, solid Bible teaching and Christian fellowship. One day as Dave was driving from field to field he heard in his heart, not with his head, that the Lord said he had answered our prayer and provided someone.

Thank you Jesus!

Who? The next answer that came was completely unexpected. You! Not us Lord, we have a ranch to run and there aren’t enough hours in the day. But we gradually began getting invitations to preach to at local farms and ranches. We had a young couple who sang country gospel music and another man who had a country heart who would preach. Dave and I provided the organization and administration at first. We would travel on our weekends when we weren’t cutting or baling hay.

One day we knew it was time to quit farming and go fulltime with Bible Studies and teachings to the farmers, ranchers and kids who attended the youth rodeos in Arizona. The man we worked for was very gracious. He knew what we had been doing part time, he wished us well and sent us off with his blessing.

When we told family and friends that this was what we were going to do we had one well meaning soul tell us “now you don’t want to go overboard with this”. I loved it when I heard Dave reply, “if we don’t go overboard we’ll never walk on water”.

“A little while before morning, Jesus came walking on the water toward his disciples. 26 When they saw him, they thought he was a ghost. They were terrified and started screaming.

27 At once, Jesus said to them, “Don’t worry! I am Jesus. Don’t be afraid.” 28 Peter replied, “Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come on!” Jesus said. Peter then got out of the boat and started walking on the water toward him.

30 But when Peter saw how strong the wind was, he was afraid and started sinking. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31 Right away, Jesus reached out his hand. He helped Peter up and said, “You surely don’t have much faith. Why do you doubt?” 32 When Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind died down. 33 The men in the boat worshiped Jesus and said, “You really are the Son of God!” Matthew 14:25-33 CEV

We felt like Peter. “Lord, if you really want us to go full time with this ministry we’ll get out of the boat but You have to help us or we’ll sink”. I can tell you God was faithful. (Maybe some day I will write a book to tell you about all the ways we saw the Father’s faithfulness.)

I want to encourage all of you this morning. If God has put a dream in your heart, go for it. The world will think you’ve lost your senses; you might lose friends but when you go overboard Jesus will be there to see that you walk on the water and don’t drown.

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Clean the Glass

I have several hurricane lamps in our home. Periodically I need to take the globes off the lamps and clean them. We don’t use them very often but if/when the electricity goes out they come in handy, besides that, I just like looking at them. However, they aren’t of much use if the glass is dirty or if I forget to fill them with oil.

I was thinking about those lamps this morning and it reminded me of what Jesus said to the multitude at the Sermon on the Mount.

“You are like light for the whole world. A city built on top of a hill cannot be hidden, 15 and no one would light a lamp and put it under a clay pot. A lamp is placed on a lampstand, where it can give light to everyone in the house. 16 Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 CEV

And then Paul gave us another instruction using the same analogy.

“Do everything without complaining or arguing 15 so that you will be blameless and pure, children of God without any fault. But you are living with evil people all around you, who have lost their sense of what is right. Among those people you shine like lights in a dark world, 16 and you offer them the teaching that gives life. So I can be proud of you when Christ comes again. You will show that my work was not wasted—that I ran in the race and won.” Philippians 2:14-16 ERV

Hurricane lamps need to be kept full of oil and the wicks need to be trimmed periodically to keep the lamps burning clean. They can smolder and then soot builds up on the glass chimney and the light is dimmed. It’s then the lamp has to be scrubbed clean. It was no easy task.

The world needs our light; we bring brightness to the lives of those around us through our relationships. Sometimes the glass globes of our lives get covered in soot. We need a good cleaning! The Lord uses His word will wash us clean.

“Christ did this so He could set the church apart for Himself. He made it clean by the washing of water with the Word. 27 Christ did this so the church might stand before Him in shining-greatness. There is to be no sin of any kind in it. It is to be holy and without blame.” Ephesians 5:26-27 NLV

Holy Spirit clean the globe of my life with the “washing of the water of the Word”. I want to shine as brightly as I can for the Father’s glory. Amen.

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Greater Than

And the greatest of these is love!

God’s love for us is beyond amazing. We are to follow the example of Jesus and be imitators of the Father. Jesus told us that our greatest commandment was to love the Father and then to love our neighbors.

The commandment to love is always greater than any circumstance or situation we will face.

“The Pharisees learned that Jesus had made the Sadducees look so foolish that they stopped trying to argue with him. So the Pharisees had a meeting. 35 Then one of them, an expert in the Law of Moses, asked Jesus a question to test him. 36 He said, “Teacher, which command in the law is the most important?”
37 Jesus answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and most important command. 39 And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.’ 40 All of the law and the writings of the prophets take their meaning from these two commandments.” Matthew 22:34-40 CEV

The Pharisees were trying to test and even trick Jesus into a wrong answer; something that would discredit him to his followers and better yet, something that would give them place to prosecute him and silence him in public.

What Jesus did with his answer was discredit the Pharisees. By giving the answer that He did, Jesus proved that their heart’s motive was anything but love. If they weren’t walking in love toward Him, their neighbor, they weren’t keeping what they called the greatest commandments.

(Remember yesterday’s teaching: What is in our hearts will be revealed by our actions and our words. The Pharisees were showing what was really in their hearts.)

The Pharisees had all the outward trappings of religion and righteousness but their hearts were wrong. It was self-righteousness and it was religion instead of relationship. Jesus was talking about a living relationship with the Father.

As we spent time loving the Father we will reflect His love to others. The moon has no light source in itself but it reflects the light of the sun. In the same way, as we spend time absorbing the Father’s love we will reflect that love to others. We can’t give what we don’t have – so as we receive more and more love from the Father we are able to love others more.

There is nothing GREATER THAN God’s love. Our love for Him should always be our first and greatest desire!

Father, I desire to love You with all that I am and then to reflect Your love to those around me today.

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Be a Kid!

This morning I was remembering a friend of ours and his wife who had nine children. When we first met them they had seven children. The two oldest were in preschool with Kaci, our youngest. Later we learned that they also attended the same church we did.

What a happy family! It was always a fun time at their house – kids everywhere. Laughter filled the air. Each time we went over, the twins took great pleasure in making Dave their living jungle gym. Dave would sit down on the couch to visit with Brian and one child would be crawling up his legs while the other one was crawling down over his shoulders.

To be honest, it was a bit distracting to adult conversation but the kids were having a ball. They knew they were loved and they were important because they were being treated with kindness, affection and were given priority over the other things that were happening.

Each time I read about Jesus taking time to pray for and bless the children I picture it very similar to the way it was for Dave with Luke & Lizzie. Total joy and focus.

Jesus’ disciples seem to have been a bit annoyed that these parents were wanting Jesus to take time for their children. In fact, the disciples scolded the parents for taking up Jesus valuable time.

“Some people brought their children to Jesus, so that he could place his hands on them and pray for them. His disciples told the people to stop bothering him. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and don’t try to stop them! People who are like these children belong to God’s kingdom.” Matthew 19:13-14 CEV

“Some people brought their children to Jesus so that he could bless them by placing his hands on them. But his disciples told the people to stop bothering him.

14 When Jesus saw this, he became angry and said, “Let the children come to me! Don’t try to stop them. People who are like these little children belong to the kingdom of God. 15 I promise you that you cannot get into God’s kingdom, unless you accept it the way a child does.” 16 Then Jesus took the children in his arms and blessed them by placing his hands on them.” Mark 10:13-16 CEV

This event of Jesus blessing the children is recorded in the books of Matthew, Mark and Luke. It made an impression on all three writers. Jesus used what his disciples thought was an interruption in his busy schedule to teach a valuable lesson.

Be child-like. Accept spiritual things as a child, in simple faith!

As adults we have a tendency to analyze, rationalize and criticize when we don’t understand what we see or experience. Children accept things by faith and aren’t bothered by the technicalities.

I find it interesting that just a short time earlier than this situation with the children, Jesus had used another child to teach his disciples about being humble and having a servant’s heart. Obviously, the disciples had forgotten what Jesus had said about children.

“After Jesus sat down and told the twelve disciples to gather around him, he said, “If you want the place of honor, you must become a slave and serve others!”

36 Then Jesus had a child stand near him. He put his arm around the child and said, 37 “When you welcome even a child because of me, you welcome me. And when you welcome me, you welcome the one who sent me.” Mark 9:35-37 CEV

Jesus had a compassion for all people – no one was of greater or lesser value in His estimation. He wanted his disciples to see that.

You know that I frequently use this verse in Hebrews when I talk about the Father and His desire to help us. I see this verse through the eyes of a child.

“So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV

I have always imagined this verse like this. A small child comes running through the door calling “Daddy, Daddy. I need your help! My toy is broken; the neighbor kids are picking on me…Daddy help!” And it’s there, at the Father’s throne that I see myself standing in child-like faith saying “Daddy, I need your help” and He, my Father, has never turned me away.

God, the Father, is inviting us to be like a kid – take Him at His word, bring Him everything. He always has time for us!

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Content With Life

I started my morning by looking at pictures that reflect contentment – so many images of serenity. I was content just looking at them.

Scenes of waves on a beach, a boat on a lake, a kitten curled up by the fire, beautiful sunrises and sunsets, big pillow-y clouds in a rich blue sky. If you were to photograph contentment what would your image be?

With some of the images there were quotes. Succinct sayings to convey the meaning of contentment.

  • 1. “To be content doesn’t mean you don’t desire more, it means you’re thankful for what you have and patient for what’s to come …
  • 2. “Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate what they already have.”. Bilal Zahoor.
  • 3. “Contentment is an attitude that says, I will be satisfied with what God has given me.”. Anonymous.
  • 4. “Contentment comes from many great and small acceptances in life.”. Anonymous.

All too often we lose the joy and peace of today because we are striving to obtain more for our tomorrow. Perhaps, we are so busy reflecting on our losses of the past we forget to enjoy blessings of the present. These will both rob us of our contentment.

There is nothing wrong with ambition; with setting goals and having a vision. Those are good traits as long as we are letting the Lord be the one who sets our course and we are following Him.

I asked you what your picture of contentment would look like. When I asked that I had to stop because I was imagining what Daniel might have pictured – his would be sleeping among the lions. Peter’s image might be the inside of a prison cell and Jesus might take a picture of a boat on a rough and stormy sea. Paul and Silas would no doubt draw the inside of a dungeon during an earthquake and Jonah would possibly sketch the contents in the belly of the great fish.

Strange images, right? Not what you or I would choose to put on a the pages of a “serenity calendar” but these were places of contentment. In each of these places the occupants sensed the power and the presence of Almighty God. There they were content. The Apostle Paul said this:

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13 NLT

My heart is stirred to focus on God’s goodness and His peace. The world seems more out of control than it has ever been, yet, in this world Jesus says we can have peace.

“I have told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have troubles. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” John 16:33 ERV

We all know that things do not bring happiness or peace. We have examples of people everyday in the news who seem to have it all and they are miserable. Again we have the words of the Apostle Paul:

“…These people think religion is supposed to make you rich. 6 And religion does make your life rich, by making you content with what you have. 7 We didn’t bring anything into this world, and we won’t take anything with us when we leave. 8 So we should be satisfied just to have food and clothes.” I Timothy 6:5-8 CEV

Lest anyone thinks that I am saying that we should all be paupers, I’m not. Our lives in Christ are to be full and abundant. When we are focusing on our relationship with the Father, He provides for all our needs and we can be content.

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:31-33 NLT

I pray that we all find contentment in each day. Living in peace and enjoying the Father’s goodness.

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A Servant’s Heart

About a week ago I shared a post on spiritual bookkeeping. We need to settle accounts quickly. If you don’t remember the teaching on “Owe No One Anything but Love” go back and re-read the post I did on August 27, 2019. Did you find that you owe a huge debt of love; first to Christ and then to those He has placed in your life? I did too!

We need to look for ways to love each and every day. It could be a kind word, an invitation to dinner, a listening ear or financial assistance and it doesn’t have to be a “huge” gesture to be effective and selfless. Just make it heart felt and sincere.

Again this morning I was reading in Romans, among other places. I usually start at the first of a book and read through but the last couple of days I have been drawn to the end of the book. It’s there we find Paul’s instructions for living with one another.

“If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord’s followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves. 2 We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them. 3 Even Christ did not try to please himself. But as the Scriptures say, “The people who insulted you also insulted me.” 4 And the Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us by giving us hope. 5 God is the one who makes us patient and cheerful. I pray that he will help you live at peace with each other, as you follow Christ. 6 Then all of you together will praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Honor God by accepting each other, as Christ has accepted you.” Romans 15:1-7 ERV

Jesus knew what it was like to help and encourage the outcasts, the hurting, the misfits. Many came to Him looking for help. He also knew what it was like to be criticized and judged wrongfully for doing what was right. He was never out to promote Himself or to receive accolades or praise from men; He had one simple mission – to do what the Father had asked Him to do; to reconcile the world to the Father. He became a servant instead of a king.

“Whoever wants to be first must serve the rest of you like a slave. 28 Do as I did: The Son of Man did not come for people to serve him. He came to serve others and to give his life to save many people.” Matthew 20:27-28 ERV

I remember the first time those verses became real to me. I had been complaining to the Lord about all I was doing to take care of people; going on and on about how no one was helping me and how all the responsibility for a particular meeting was on my shoulders. Poor me! My bottom line of love was in a severe deficit.

That’s when I just “happened” to be reading in Matthew and these words jumped off the page and into my heart. I quickly repented and changed my attitude about serving. I can truly say that today I thank the Lord for opportunities to serve.

The Lord will give us as many opportunities to serve others as we ask for. In fact, He will bring some that we don’t ask for. Look for situations to serve today. Do it with an attitude of love and not obligation. It’s what the Father is asking us to do.

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