Servitude for 2013

1 Kings 12:7

"If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants." (NIV)

When I see comments like this in the Bible it always makes me stop and think.
The verse is basically saying 'If you serve them, they will be your servants.' Which at first glance that concept makes no sense, especially because this advice was given to a King of Israel.

This is a great principle for all leaders and those that wish to become leaders in work, school, community organizations, and even in the household. We have to have a servants Spirit and heart. Always serving and giving God the glory. For even Jesus, the Son of Man "came not to be served, but to serve." (Matthew 20:28).  He served by healing the ill, and giving hope to the hopeless. Because of His amazing service to us (dying for our sins) we now take every moment of our days as Christians to serve and glorify Him.

Serving Jesus is done by serving others. Believers of Christ should be doing what Jesus would have been doing on earth if He was still here. In all actuality He is still here. His Holy Spirit is within us.  He lives forever on earth through us. And as we act in service toward others they get to see and feel Christ's love for them  through us.

By serving others we unconsciously give them the joy and love and freedom to serve us and others. We open them to the light of God. We serve them in hope and faith that they may be thankful not to us, but to the greatest servant of all time, Jesus, and serve Him in return.

How can you be a servant in 2013?

King Solomon: The Ludacris of the BC Era - A Lesson on Obedience

1 Kings 11 (Abbreviated)

"King Solomon loved many foreign women besides Pharoah's daughter....They were from nations about which the Lord told the Israelites 'You surely must not intermarry with them because they will surely turn your hearts after their Gods.' Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love.... As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart to other God's, and His heart was not fully devoted to the Lord His God."

When I read this scripture I couldn't help but feel like King Solomon  must have been honing Ludacris. He was walking around His amazing palace singing "I got H&#s in different area codes." This was a man that really loved the ladies and he did not discriminate. Maybe many of our male readers can relate. And if you can relate to Solomon I hope you read all of 1 Kings 11-12.  God gives a fierce warning to all men through Solomon's disobedience.

Solomon was known as the wisest man in history. He prayed for wisdom and God provided it abundantly. God blessed Him to be a king of all of Israel as long as he continued to obey God's commands. Solomon was fortunate enough to have God appear to Him on many occassions. Therefore, there was never a doubt for him in regards to if he was hearing from God or not. But Solomon chose to disobey. Because of His disobedience God raised adversaries against Solomon's kingdom and caused the kingdom to be divided.

"The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel." 1 Kings 11:9.

So for those who may be out boasting about the women you've had or have had, be careful because you may be losing your God in the midst of your lust.What would you rather have ---  a hord of women or the approval of your God? 

If you are wondering why things aren't going your way --- you're failing tests, you're being fired, you're having illness after illness, you're having financial problems --- check yourself. Though all of these issues do not always stem from disobedience, they very well could be coming because of your disobedience. You may be losing out on blessings God has for you because you are not obeying Him. Solomon's situation  is just one example of disobeience. But we all disobey in different ways. Ask yourself, what is in your life that needs to be removed in order for you to fulfill God's call for your life? He is inhibiting your blessings to get you to wake up and see your disobedience.

But the good news is --- If He is attempting to wake you up to your disobeience, then He is also giving you a chance to turn from your ways and obey Him. He is giving you a chance to get back on track.

WAKE UP!

Praying for Humbleness

James 2:3 "If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, 'Here's a good seat for you,' but say to the poor man, 'You stand there' or 'Sit on the floor by my feet,' have you not discrimnated ..."

Lord, give me a clean heart. I want to not judge others for their age, ability, and talents. I want to be ready and willing to help others take their proper place in God's purpose for their lives. I want to lift up and not bring down.

As you push me into greater roles, let me not forget your Word. Let me not put myself before others. Let me be humble and have a serving Spirit. Give me the grace to hear from you in all things and do your will. Allow me to do what you please.

God remove the Spirit of gossip, instigating, and feeding negativity from my heart. I want to go to work, home and school and be an example of your light. If my comments are not edifying, caring, and loving -- I prefer that you close my tongue, force me to bite it. The negative things I say are detestable. And laughing at others negative comments is equally detestable.

I cannot change others negativity if I do not change my own. I cannot be a light if I am not an example. I cannot have the Word dwelling in me, if I do not practice its teachings. What I believe is what I do.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Do not conform to this world. You are because God is. God's people are a peculiar people. Don't worry about being peculiar. Don't worry about people thinking you're weird for not gossiping or being negative. Be the person your Spirit is, not the fake person for the world.