service of our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ. And serving Him means serving others. We can all agree this isn’t always an easy task. How ‘bout you? Do you find the idea of serving others easy — or hard — to swallow? Well, consider this: Philippians 2:5-8.
TUESDAY Read Mark 10:43-45. Jesus is our ultimate example of servanthood. He had everything. He was (and is!) God after all. Yet He was willing to give it all up to do for us what we couldn’t do for ourselves — die in our place and earn for us forgiveness of sin and the right to live forever in the presence of our Creator. Does realizing this motivate you to serve others in the way Jesus Christ has served you? If not, why not? Ask the Lord to show you how you can shine His light on the lives of others by being a servant today.
WEDNESDAY If the idea of being a servant doesn’t come easy to you, think about it…. What is holding you back? Your own selfish plans and desires? Fear of being inconvenienced? Pride? It’s important to remember that the benefits of serving God and considering others before yourself far outweigh the negatives. Check out this great reminder in the inspirational words of I Corinthians 13:1-13. Ask the Lord to help you love (and serve) others — even those you consider hardest to love — in Jesus’ name today.
THURSDAY Sometimes we think of a “servant” as the lowly person that always gets taken advantage of and walked all over...the person walking around with a huge frown on their face, moaning about how awful life is. But that’s not God’s idea of what being a servant is all about. And as we read on Tuesday, we can’t truly learn to serve unless we have a relationship with the Ultimate Servant, God’s Son Jesus Christ. Jesus endured the pain and agony of the cross to give us LIFE. He gave it all! Are you willing to serve even when you know that choice may cause you discomfort, or even pain? Read Hebrews 12:1-3.
FRIDAY Philippians 2:2 tells us that loving others by serving them will bring us joy. Think about your life on a typical day? Are you typically waiting to be served or looking for opportunities to serve others? Think about what Jesus has done for you. Are you following His example, looking out for the best interest of others, or doing what “works for you”? Remember, we serve not to earn God’s love but out of gratitude for God’s love! How will you spread God’s love — and experience joy! — by serving someone else today?
SATURDAY So what does a “true servant” really look like in real life? Well, just as God designed each person individually with their own skills and abilities, He’s also given us each the ability to serve in a unique way. We can serve at any age and in any place. Are you serving your parents? Your grandparents? Your siblings? Your classmates? Your neighbors? Your grandparents? You have opportunities to serve right where you are on any given day! God has placed you there for a reason! Will you choose to be His hands and feet today?