Thanks, But No Thanks

"'Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.'" - Luke 17:9

I know that God calls us to imitate His servanthood, knowing that most of the time we won't recieve any recognition of gratitude from man. But at times, when I serve someone I find myself waiting for those two words: "Thank you." To know that they appreciate what I have done for them. And when I don't hear those words I begin to complain about the person, saying to myself, "Wow. No thank you. What a jerk."

I have found the reason why I wanted that "Thank you" in the first place, it's becauase I wanted to know that the person acknowledge me for doing such a "selfless" act, so they could recognize what a "great" servant I am. I wanted to be glorified.

I wanted all the glory, forgetting who it rightfully belonged to; God. I just wanted that as my reward for my deed. But man's praise is so temporary, even if the crowd were to stand up and applaud for me serving I'll later find them sitting back down returning to their conversation, forgetting what I've done as if it never happened.

There are rewards that are eternal though. It comes from God and only God. No tip, or "Thank you" will ever compare to it. To obtain these rewards you have you have to have the right motives in your heart and that is to serve God and glorify Him.

Application: I remember Margret saying that if we don't have a desire to do something for God we can ask Him for that desire and He'll give it to us. So since I still struggle with this, I will pray for God to give me a desire to serve only to glorify Him, I will also go over the beatitudes tonight.

Don't Wait To Be Served; Serve!

"'But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'?" - Luke 17:8

I love it when Jesus gives a speech. His mouth flows with wisdom that no philosopher can achieve. He uses illustrations that point out social norms to show us His attributes, and in this case He shows us His selflessness.

He shows the nature of majority of masters: self-centered. As a master you view the servant as nothing more than property. He was yours to use in any way you wanted, weather it was plowing the field, or tending the sheep. The servant was a tool and nothing more, so its only fitting for the master to place himself first.

Then you come to Jesus, God in the flesh. Since He was and is God, then its only right to to give Him the title: Master. And He knew his diety. Yet, you didn't see Him say to his disciples, "Get on your knees, and wash my feet, this instant!" On the contrary, You saw Him pick up the bowl of water and towel, and wash the disciples feet himself. A Master doing the unthinkable, serving His servants; putting Himself last.

He did this as an example for us. As Christians we are called to mimic His selflessness by serving, or putting others before us. Yet, we find ourselves waiting to be served when we should be the ones waiting to serve. But don't get me wrong, its not only in serving that you can demonstrate selflessness. It can also be you allowing someone to go in front of you in the check out line at your local grocery store, or taking time out of your busy day to get a meal for a homeless man, maybe the seemingly meaningless act of giving the last piece of your chocolate, that you want for yourself, to a person who wants some. Its theses small acts that can speak volumes of who God is to people in a "self-absorb" society.

Application: I have found myself becoming self-centered. I will keep a look out for an opportunity to put someone before me This whole week.

Sip = Empty Bottle

"Lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the inflicted." - Prov. 31:5

As I read this verse I see how a sip of sin leads to us ignoring or forgetting God and His word. James tells us how that happens: "When [fleshly] desire has concieved, it gives birth to sin, when it is fully-grown, brings forth death" (James 1:15). It's a process, not something that just happens.


When we are drawn away from God by our sinful desires we become vulnerable prey for satan, like a sheep that leaves its sheperd's side is vulnerable to be attack by wolves. There satan temps us with sin with an enticing voice, saying "Just have a little, it won't hurt you" or "God will forgive, so just do it." And so often, like sheeps we fall victim to our predator; believing his decieving lies.Only to later find out that us Christians, beings who are sinful by nature, are never satisfied with a sip. We crave more of it. We start practicing the sin in our lives, becoming drunk off of it. When you hit that stage you become numb to the Holy Spirit. We no longer feel the conviction. We die, forgetting God and His word. That sin that ensnares and kills us effects the people around us as well.


Application: I will memorize Proverbs 3:1-4: "My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart and so find favor and high esteeme in the sight of God and man."

A Caring Master

“And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, “Come at once and sit down to eat’?” – Luke 17:7

At that time, no one cared for the servants. They were considered just tools and nothing more. They were inferior to people, including their master, so I highly doubt that a master would serve a servant. In fact, I don’t even think he would care much for the servant after working practically all day. But as Christ’s servants He doesn’t treat us as slaves. He welcomes us in to His lovely home, Heaven, to be seated in His presence, which none of us deserve.

Yet, if you think about it Jesus, the living God, was a servant. The Gospel of Matthew tells us: “…The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” (Matt. 20:28.) God came and served us, only for us treat Him as an outcast; considering Him a demon, or a mad man. They hated Him so much because He exposed us for who we really were. And yet, He still chose to become our sins and die for us: “…and to give His life for many” (Matt. 20:28). To show us the compassion, the very thing we didn’t show Him. Welcoming us into His home when we didn’t even welcome Him to ours. And when we are tired from serving Him and His people; when we have heavy burdens on our heart, He simply says, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my Yoke easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30). His compassion for us is just breath taking. He cares for us so much and at times we forget about that, or toss it out as “cool fact” about Him.

Application: I will send this to my Church’s youth group and ask them to put this on thier devotion bulletin to share with the kids about our God’s compassion for us.

Love

"Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." - Cor. 13:7

Often times when we read this part of the scripture we tend to ask ourselves, "Is this the love that I have for others?" Which is not wrong, but the question the Holy Spirit asked me is: "Is this the love I have for God?" I'm not going to lie, or sugar coat the truth. I don't have this love for my God.

You would think that this is the love I would have for God, the maker of the universe. Who knew my sins, my thoughts, my backsliding moments before I was even born...before the foundations of the universe and still loved me to point of dying on the cross for me. He endured humiliation when He deserved praise. He took lashes when He deserved glory. He wore a crown of thorns when it should of been a royal crown. He was pierced to a cross and hung there in unbearable pain when He should have been given a throne.

Jesus loved me and believed a sinner like me is worth redemption. After knowing this truth how can I not love Him with a love that is willing to endure trials. A love that is willing to believe all things are within His grasp. A love that is willing to trust Him with my very life.

The sad part is my love for Him is lukewarm when it should be boiling. I'm sorry God. Please give me a heart that burns with a passionate love for You.

Application: I will wake up early in the morning to spend time with my Lord and play some worship songs.

Tossing Mud

"Does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;" - 1 Cor. 13: 6

Its amazing how God uses people to soften one's heart to be able to hear His voice. He used Joshua, Eloi, Paige's IBS, and this verse to shine light in an area of love I've fallen short in: "rejoicing in [one's] iniquity."

My father and I don't have the best father-son relationship, to be honest, we barely have a friendship. Now I see why. Whenever we spend time together it always ended up with us arguing; me tossing his sins in his face and rubbing it in. In other words, rejoicing in his iniquity.

I could try to justify my actions (which I'm use to doing), but in the end I have to realize that Jesus never rubbed my sins in my face. He chooses not to remember them; blotting them out. Yet, I find myself doing what Satan does best: condemning.

Want to hear something even more convicting? This man who I ridiculed using his sins gave me $2000 to go to Potters Field Ministry. I bet you if I didn't hear God pointing this out, and I were to get in an argument with my dad I wouldn't even remember the money he gave me for the school, just his sins that effected me. What is worse is my younger siblings are following my example.

Application: I will write my father a letter apologizing for my actions and allow him to remind me about the letter when I argue with him.

Lingering Cancer

"Does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;" - 1 Cor. 13:5

At first when I read this I thought nothing in this verse convicts me, but as I continue re-reading it the Spirit really begins to draw my attention on a small fragment: "...Is not provoked." Instantly, God shows me events from my past (some just a couple days old) where my anger was easily aroused. He's showing me another nail I haven't hammered in on the coffin for my old self.

One event I remember in particular is the day I snapped at my mom full of anger. I've done this many times, which I've been convicted of, but this event is really pathetic on my part; continue reading and you'll agree with me.

One night I was on the computer probably on Facebook, and my mom calls out my name. She doesn't yell at all. She says calmly, "Jesse." I respond irritated, "What do you want?!" She comes to me and says, "Mijo, can you go through the Bible with me?"

My mom just wanted to learn more about God, and within that could of been the opportunity to share Christ redeeming love to her. I've allowed my anger to linger in my life, never really put effort in getting rid of it. Its like a cancer to my body, and instead of seeking medical treatment, I just pushed to the side hoping it would get rid of its self. Funny, how naive we are to believe the "little sins" are not a threat to our spiritual lives, or our witnessing. It is another lie that the enemy wants us to believe.

Application: I will pray and asked the Lord to reveal to me a piece of scripture to combat my easily provoked answer. Also, when I go back home I will ask my mom if she would like to have a bible study, something God has placed on my heart.

Update: I've sent my mom a letter apologizing for my anger and mistreatment. She forgave me and said I'm a good son. I love my mom.