"Servants" for Life
"Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle." Romans 1:1 NAS
In the Bible the word "minister" isn't just a noun (which denotes a person, place, or thing); it's also a verb (an action word). It's what you do, not what you claim to be. In Scripture, the word "servant" sometimes referred to a third-level galley slave chained to the oar of a Roman ship. Day and night, they rowed to the beat of another, and whether in battle or in merchant service, they expected to die chained to that oar. What a picture! Paul says, "Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God... Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable" (Romans 12:1 NLT). Paul had no doubt about what God had called him to be. When he referred to himself as a "bond-servant," he was describing a slave who served his master faithfully for six years. In the seventh year, the law of Moses required that the slave be set free. But if, when he was released, he came back and said, "Master, I'm not serving you because I have to; I'm serving you because I want to," his master would take him before a magistrate and pierce his ear, signifying that he belonged to him forever (See Exodus 21:6). Sometimes you need to look up and say: "Lord, I'm not serving you because I have to; I'm serving you because I love you. Pierce my ear. Mark me as yours. Bond me with you so I can never belong to another." When you think of everything Jesus has done for you, is that really too much to ask?
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word for You Today
In the Bible the word "minister" isn't just a noun (which denotes a person, place, or thing); it's also a verb (an action word). It's what you do, not what you claim to be. In Scripture, the word "servant" sometimes referred to a third-level galley slave chained to the oar of a Roman ship. Day and night, they rowed to the beat of another, and whether in battle or in merchant service, they expected to die chained to that oar. What a picture! Paul says, "Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God... Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable" (Romans 12:1 NLT). Paul had no doubt about what God had called him to be. When he referred to himself as a "bond-servant," he was describing a slave who served his master faithfully for six years. In the seventh year, the law of Moses required that the slave be set free. But if, when he was released, he came back and said, "Master, I'm not serving you because I have to; I'm serving you because I want to," his master would take him before a magistrate and pierce his ear, signifying that he belonged to him forever (See Exodus 21:6). Sometimes you need to look up and say: "Lord, I'm not serving you because I have to; I'm serving you because I love you. Pierce my ear. Mark me as yours. Bond me with you so I can never belong to another." When you think of everything Jesus has done for you, is that really too much to ask?
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word for You Today
Recent
Archive
2024
January
A New Year, A New StartThis Year, Do First Things FirstNever Stop Learning (1)Never Stop Learning (2)Get Out Of Debt And Stay Out Of DebtDon't Be So ControllingThe Seven-Day ChallengeParent, Keep PerseveringTurning Two Families Into OnePut Your Heart Into Your PartFour Principles For Victorious LivingTake Control Of The Small ThingsDon't Give UpLearning To Listen To God (1)Learning To Listen To God (2)Learning To Listen To God (3)Learning To Listen To God (4)Set Other Things Aside And ServeGod And WorkHow To Enrich And Strengthen Your RelationshipsProphecy FulfilledDon't Shout About ItYou're Growing In GraceWalking With GodYour Secret PlaceWork On Growing CloserAre You Worried About Retirement?Gideon's God Is Your GodTo Grow We Must Keep Asking QuestionsBe Interested In Everything God DoesTo Know God, Examine What He Has Made
February
God Will Speak to You - If You ListenDo The WordPraying Without Saying A WordShow Grace Under FireHaving Job Security (1)Having Job Security (2)Having Job Security (3)Having Job Security (4)The Holy Spirit Prays Through YouYour Personal GuideStop and Ask For DirectionsYour Harvest Is On The WayGive Your Children Convictions To Live ByYour Limted Window of OpportunityPull Down Those StrongholdsUse The Gift God Gave YouFinding Self-WorthMuzzle Your MouthChoosing a LeaderGod Knows What's Best For YouAre You Tired of Living in Defeat?Make an ImpactBe a Disciple of JesusTake Time to Wonder and WorshipLive the Living WordBe Patient, God Is At WorkTo Be Conformed Is To Be CreativeLive In The "Here and Now"You Need God's Help
March
Going Forward Or Going BackCome Out Of That CornerTell The TruthBelieve God For Greater ThingsHonor God, And He Will Honor YouMoving From Failure To Success (1)Moving From Failure To Success (2)The Right Attitude (1)The Right Attitude (2)"Strong, Firm And Steadfast"Raising Great Kids In A Troubled World (1)Raising Great Kids In A Troubled World (2)Raising Great Kids In A Troubled World (3)Raising Great Kids In A Troubled World (4)Raising Great Kids In A Troubled World (5)Are You Hooked On Pornography?You Can Rise Above Worry (1)You Can Rise Above Worry (2)Your Boaz seasonStand On God's Word (1)Stand On God's Word (2)Stand On God's Word (3)Stand On God's Word (4)Stand On God's Word (5)God Will Forgive And Restore YouDon't Strike BackAre You A True Friend?The Right BalanceEvidences Of Christ's Resurrection (1)Evidences Of Christ's Resurrection (2)Evidences Of Christ's Resurrection (3)
Categories
no categories