SERVANT??? Who you callin' a servant?

Wednesday, February 23, 2011 @ 12:10pm

From: My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers 
 

The Determination to Serve

 Matthew 20:28 – “The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto; but to minister.”

Paul’s idea of service is the same as Our Lord’s: “I am among you as He that serveth”; “ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.” We have the idea that a man called to the ministry is called to be a different kind of being from other men. According to Jesus Christ; he is called to be the “doormat” of other men; their spiritual leader, but never superior. “I know how to be abased,” says Paul. This is Paul’s idea of service—“I will spend myself to the last ebb for you; you may give me praise or blame, it will make no difference.” So long as there is a human being who does not know Jesus Christ, I am his debtor to serve him until he does. The mainspring of Paul’s service is not love for men, but love for Jesus Christ.

*If we are devoted to the cause of humanity, we will soon be crushed and broken-hearted, for we shall often meet with more ingratitude from men than we would from a dog; but if our motive is love to God, no ingratitude can hinder us from serving our fellow men.

Paul’s realization of how Jesus Christ had dealt with him is the secret of his determination to serve others. “I was before a perjurer, a blasphemer, and injurious person”—no matter how men treat me, they will never treat me with the spite and hatred with which I treated Jesus Christ.

*When we realize that Jesus Christ has served us to the end of our meanness, our selfishness, and sin, nothing that we meet with from others can exhaust our determination to serve men for His sake.

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Ouch! These words from O.C. hit me hard today. I have been serving select people and choosing to complain (in private—to Chelsea—of course) about the actions of others. I am honored by some, misunderstood by others, and can find scores of “faults” around me which give reason for ingratitude and superiority to creep in. How do I serve my Lord in my interactions with others? How do I take each moment as an opportunity to serve, not as one for critiquing and later evaluations?

One unexpected pitfall I am hanging over the edge of: I have begun to read and study in order for good words to teach, not for personal application. This is a horrible to be staring into! I begin to instruct others without seeing my own life. When teaching, my words begin to transform into accusatory words and result in frustration when I do not receive the response which they “ought to” produce. Yet I myself have not responded fully to the message either! O hypocrite me!

Instead, I should turn all words upon my own heart and see the desolation there, humble myself before my God and Master, and seek to become the lowly, humble instrument which I’ve been made into. Then, when I am called upon to speak, I can talk as a fellow wash woman offering suggestions to my neighbors as I plug along the road with them.

Oh that I might be a servant of all; turning not to my own observations for results to satisfy my “preacher’s ego,” but turning to my Master to see if He is pleased. “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

I thought I would share with you how to make Indian tea since I have been learning myself in the last few days.

Boil enough milk to fill the cup of each person you are making tea for. (Make sure you use a thick bottomed pan so you will not scorch your milk.) Once the milk has boiled for a minute or two, add one scoop of loose Indian tea mix, we’re using the 3 Roses brand right now, for each cup (I suggest using chia tea for a substitute if you don’t know where the closest Indian market is, and if you leave it in the bag you won’t have to strain the tea. I haven’t tried this myself, so I’m just guessing.) While the milk and tea are boiling for another two to three minutes, add a scoop of sugar to each cup. Finally, remove the tea from heat and, using a very fine strainer, strain the tea into each cup. Stir to fully dissolve the sugar and serve very hot!

Thoughts on Republic Day

This is actually Bethany :)

Wednesday, 1/26/11 @ 2:15pm – “Today is Republic Day. They are celebrating 62 years of independence from Britain. We attended the local festival in town where various schools and programs put on performances. The dancing was wonderful to watch. However, it was a little awkward for us because of the countless news reporters who were always watching us and our reactions to the show. It is so very strange to be a celebrity. We really are nothing special and we know that, but to them we are a bigger deal than all the high officials. Right now our faces are probably all over the news and being pasted into documents for tomorrow’s newspaper. Yet here I sit, a common girl who has just eaten lunch, is tired from washing clothes late last night, has to fix a cut on her finger, and needs strength from the Lord to get through life just like everyone else. Rather than making me proud or boastful, this is teaching me to be humble and reverent. One day in man’s eyes I will be nothing, another day I will be great, and then again I will be forgotten. It truly is the Lord who exalts men. For we are too shifty and unpredictable to successfully display good people. I must not idolize other people and assume they are great. It is only when the Spirit of God points out great people that I should honor them. I will be gracious to all so that I do not offend and hinder the gospel, but I will not lavish compliments on one because he appears great in man’s eyes while ignoring another because he is small to his fellow men. Lord, teach me to honor those who honor you.”

Honor the Lord

Monday night, 1/24/11 – “We learned that the local evangelist lost his home because the landlord was angry that he would not work on Sundays. He had set that day aside as holy unto the Lord. This is a way to bear testimony of their trust in the Lord. The landlord ran him out and placed an idol in the house to defy the evangelist. This godly man is now living in another, not good, place and commuting (walking/biking) to work and his pastoral duties. How many of us fill up our time without reserving any for the Lord and have little remorse at the sacrifice to our spiritual lives. Yet these people, for the sake of their love and honor of God, give up their homes and jobs for His sake! ... Lord, may I give my all to honor you!”

"I have food you do not know of..."

Monday, 1/24/11 – “Last night Chelsea and I were persistent in turning down food. We have been so full physically that we’ve had less room spiritually. But after turning down dinner, we sat in the bedroom and began to extol the Lord and His good works. The Spirit realigned our spirits so that we were refilled with life and joy. We prayed for HBA and GECC and their leaders; we praised over and over the great things of God; we prayed for the ministry that would be happening today (in the Yanadis villages); and for great growth in our lives as the Spirit teaches us. For a good 2 hours we simply couldn’t leave his presence. A moment of stillness and we would look at each other, smile, and say, ‘I just can’t go,’ or ‘I don’t want this to end!’ Oh, how sweet it is to be in the Lord’s presence as His favored ones! May we often repeat this.”

"THROW IT"

Testing!... We are checking to see how videos upload on this site.  Let us know how it looks!

So... a little explanation here: In most places in India people don't use trash cans; that is a very "western" thing I guess.  Pastor David went and specially bought us a trash can for our home. When you're out and about on the streets and acquire trash from something, you're supposed to just throw it on the ground (usually in the gutter or side of the road).  This habit is very hard for me accept and Chelsea is requiring me to "become like the Indians".
Pastor David has bought Bulah, his wife, a trash can to use in their home. They want to learn this habit from us.

On Motives

Jeremiah 31:3-4 – “The Lord has appeared to us in the past (from afar), saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful.”

Quote (Passion for Jesus, pg. 26, Mike Bickle) – “As my confidence in Him grew, my heart became soft and pliable, fervent and warm. Understanding God’s great affections for me ignited my love for Him.”

I love Patrick more as I grow in understanding of him and as I grow in my understanding of his love for me. Genuine patience and trust also increase. When I first knew him, I was eager to please him for my sake. But now I am becoming more eager to please him for his sake.  I am patient and trusting when I don’t understand him because I know his character, not because I want to uphold mine. This is also how it is with the Lord, only greater-for His spirit is in me to teach me.  If I am patient and trusting with God because of my character, then I know that I do not really know or understand Him. 

~Bethany