"Living Life God's Way"
9/24/2007
A servant-hearted attitude keeps us from a self-minded attitude.
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Servant - Hearted
Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don't try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this, If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden
only from people who are perishing. Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of
those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't
understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. You see,
we don't go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we
ourselves are your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let there be light in the
darkness," has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God
that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts,
but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes
it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
2 Corinthians 4: 1-7
In his fine little volume In the Name of Jesus, Henri Nouwen mentions three very real, albeit subtle temptations any servant of Christ Faces. They correspond with the three temptations our Lord faced before He began His earthly ministry. They also fit with three observations the apostle Paul makes in his letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor, 4:1-7).First Temptation: To be self-sufficient and self-reliant, Instead of being so self-assured, we need to be open, unguarded, and vulnerable.Second Temptation: To be spectacular...a celebrity mentality, In Nouwen's words, "Jesus refused to be a stunt man...He did not come to walk on hot coals, swallow fire, or put His hand in a lion's mouth to demonstrate He had something worthwhile to say."Third Temptation: To be powerful...in charge. To lead is appropriate, necessary and good. But to push, to manipulate, to be in full control...never! To say it simply, one God is sufficient.Servanthood implies diligence, faithfulness, loyalty, and humility. Servants don't compete...or grandstand..or polish their image...or grab the spotlight. They know their job, they admit their limitations, they do what they do quietly and consistently.Servants cannot control anyone or everything, and they shouldn't try.Servants cannot change or "fix" people.Servants cannot meet most folks expectations.Servants cannot concern themselves with those who get credit.Servants cannot minister in the flesh or all alone.Let me suggest five practical guidelines for cultivating the right kind of servant habits.
Whatever we do, let's do more with others. Ministry is not a solo, it's a chorus.Whenever we do it, let's place the emphasis on quality, not quantity. Excellence, not expansion, is ourgoal.Whenever we go to do it, let's do it the same as if we were doing it among those who know us the best. Not only will this keep us accountable, it'll guard us from exaggeration. Whoever may respond, let's keep a level head. If someone criticizes, don't allow it to get you down. If someone idolizes, don't tolerate or fantasize such foolishness.However long we minister, let's model the Master...a servant -hearted and a grace-oriented style.Let's serve...in the name of Jesus.
from Day to Day with Charles Swindoll
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