Learning what it takes...

“Will he not rather say to Him “Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink?” –Luke 17:8

This shows the expected relationship between a servant and a master. You fulfill their needs before your own. We are bondservants of Christ, but I think I can speak for some of us in saying that we expect our needs to be fulfilled before our Masters. Now, our Master NEEDS nothing, Acts 17:25 says “nor is He is served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything “But, God, our master deserves our first fruits, our time, and our best. So often, I come to Him at the end of the day, when I’m worn out and tired, and give Him that time. Or, I spend my paycheck and give him whatever is left over. I’m a pretty lousy servant from the sounds of it. Especially since there was a price paid for me to even be a servant. I should take these responsibilities a LOT more seriously.

Application: Tomorrow morning, I will wake up at 6 and give my first fruits to the Lord.

Heirs with Christ

“Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at a table’?” –Luke 17:7

The answer to this question can be left unsaid. It is unheard of for a master to invite his slave to come recline at his table, and put his servant before himself. That’s what makes our heavenly Master so holy and beautiful. We are so lowly, but God invites us to join him in fellowship and communion because he sent his son to fulfill our responsibilities. We are no longer servants, but fellow heirs with Christ. In John 15, Jesus tells us that we are now friends, because we know what the Father is doing. This pumps me up so much. The veil was ripped in half, and now we have direct communication with God. He invites each one of us to dine with Him. What an honor. We are all unworthy of this gift, and I know for myself, I need to appreciate it more.

Tomorrow, I will get up and spend an extra half an hour in prayer, because through Christ I have direct communication with God, and I don’t want to take it for granted.

All Things

“And the Lord said “If you had faith like a grain of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea’ and it would obey you’” –Luke 17:6

            How many times do you find yourself, like the disciples in the verse before, calling out to the Lord saying, “Increase my faith” We don’t need MORE faith, we need to HAVE faith. It’s funny how much faith we have in the workings of the world, yet lack faith when it comes to the creator of it. We know that the sun will rise and set, that the chair will hold us when we sit down, and that our next breath will bring oxygen to our heart and brain. When it comes to things unseen, unexpected, and unimaginable, we don’t believe it can be done.

 God has worked many miracles in my life and I’ve seen unimaginable things happen; yet I still lack faith during trials, or stressful times. If only I had the faith the size of a mustard seed, I could do ALL things through Christ. Instead of worrying about whether I have enough money to finish out my time here at Potter’s Field, I will have faith that God will provide. Because he is faithful to complete the good work he started.

Application: I’ve been praying about how long God wants me to stay in the field, whether six or three months. I know he’s faithful to answer this prayer, so today I will fast and seek the Lord for an answer.

            

Follow Your Leader

“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute” –Proverbs 31:8

If I was mute, or destitute, would I be okay with King Solomon speaking for me? From reading his writings, I would say yes. I then asked the same question about my Pastor, my parents, and my friends. I was pleased to say yes, I would definitely trust them to speak for me and I know they would stand up for my rights. There is such an importance in surrounding yourself with trustworthy people, especially someone in leadership. The making of a great King or leader is trustworthiness. I then asked myself, “Would people trust me enough for me to speak for them?” I would like to think so, but have a feeling it’s not the case with every friendship I have. I’ve broken trust, and made poor decisions in my life, and I’m sure they wouldn’t want me making decisions for them. I want to change that. I want them to know without a doubt, I trust is God and can be there for them in their need.

I will write a letter to a friend of mine tonight, apologizing for bad decisions I’ve made that I affect our friendship. I know God can restore these friendships, and I am going to pray that He does.

Jehovah Jirah

“Let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more” –Proverbs 31:7

I keep chewing over the idea of poverty. Physical poverty has been a very common thing from the beginning of time. Although, I’m sure the writer was talking physical poverty, I can’t help thinking about how spiritually impoverished people are. The beautiful thing about it is that you don’t have to be wealthy in the sight of the world to experience the riches of God. God has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. (Psalm 72:13) He is close to the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18) Our God is not a God who loves according to social standing, or wealth, but he loves everyone. From the needy to the wealthiest person. Let those who are spiritually impoverished drink of the living water, and remember their misery no more. Their thirst will be quenched, and need not drink of the cup of this world.

In Costa Rica, there will be people that will be in poverty, both spiritually and physically. I want to be better equipped to share the wonderful news of Christ. I will commit to waking up at 530 tomorrow, so that I will have time to study Spanish.

Proverbs 31:6

“Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress” –Proverbs 31:6

Who are the people that are perishing? Sinners. Lemuel’s Mother was telling him that strong drink wasn’t meant for Him. Christians aren’t perishing. John 3:16 says, “Whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” So why is drinking only meant for the perishing? Drinking is meant for those in the world because that’s the only hope they have of peace (temporarily). Our call, as Christians, is to replace the alcohol with Jesus. We need to share the hope that we have with the people in bitter distress and anguish.

I will write a letter tonight to my unsaved Aunt and Uncle, sharing with them the hope we have in Jesus Christ.