Joshua 24:14-15
14Now therefore revere the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15Now if you are unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
There are a lot of definitions for “serve” in the dictionary, but they basically mean the same thing“to assist others and to be trustful.” As a family, we read today’s Bible passage and discussed what it means to serve the Lord. Responses included helping the homeless, helping those who are sick, being kind to others, worshipping God, giving of tithes,and volunteering at church.The Bible says in Mark 10:45(NIV), “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”This passage reminds us that Jesus is the greatest servant of all.
Jesus had a willing heart to serve God and so should we. Willing service is done out of love. In sharp contrast, idol worship is self-centered; focusing on what a person can get from serving an idol. Christians are to be selfless rather than self-centered. Instead of expecting God to serve us, we are to serve him, expecting nothing in return. We serve God for who he is, not for what we get out of him. Let’s learn to serve God and one another as Jesus did!
The Lyn Family
For reflection:
What does “serving the Lord” look like in your life?
How is serving, a form of worship?
What do you find happens within your spirit, when you serve?
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ReplyDeletematters of the spiritFeb 29, 2012 08:50 AM
ReplyDeleteThere are some phrases that I am known to repeat frequently at church...because they are so central to my understanding of discipleship. One is, the constant call and invitation to "see the face of Christ in our neighbor, and be the face of Christ to our neighbor." Nowhere is that awesome experience lived out than when we serve others. I agree with Savannah--one's spirit soars, when God uses us in service to others!