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Posts Tagged ‘Servant’

Word of Encouragement-Servant

October 19th, 2021 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – This week, our words of Encouragement direct our attention to who we are as a new creation in Christ.

Today’s Word of Encouragement is “Servant.”

In Matthew 25, Jesus told a story of a man who went away on a journey and entrusted his wealth to his servants. When the master returned from his journey, He settled accounts with his servants.

To some of them, he said, “Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.”

This is the smile of God on His faithful servants. This can be our experience when we use what He has given us for His Kingdom.

Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Find encouragement in following Jesus as a servant of God in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Freedom Phrase-The Attitude Of Christ

December 13th, 2019 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – In the Year of Redemption, today’s Freedom Phrase is based on Philippians 2:5.

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

Being in very nature God, Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

The mindset of Jesus was not pride, but humility.

His mindset was to obey the will of His Father, and to die as a sacrifice for our sins. This is the way of Jesus, which transforms our attitude from having selfish tendencies to look for service opportunities. This holiday season, think about how to reach out to someone in need with the mindset of a servant. Then, go do it.

Through Jesus, we are set free to pursue the attitude of Christ in the way we handle relationships.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

Red Letter Wisdom-A Timely Question

July 25th, 2019 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Wisdom from the Red Letters is found in Mark 9:33.

Jesus asked His disciples, “What were you arguing about on the road?”

They had just arrived in Capernaum. On their journey, the disciples had been arguing about who was the greatest. But when Jesus asked the question, no one answered Him. 

Sometimes, a timely question is a good conversation starter to bring spiritual issues into the light. That is when we have opportunity to deal with sinful habits and ambitions with honesty and humility.

Through this simple question, Jesus was providing an opportunity for the disciples to learn about true greatness in the kingdom of God. He said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, the servant of all.”

The words of Jesus inspire us to a life of true greatness through the path of serving others in the Year of Redemption. 

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

LIFE APPLICATION TRUTH-MARY’S WILLINGNESS

December 12th, 2012 No comments

JOHN SHIRK-from Luke 1:38.

After hearing what God was calling her to do, Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”

She was given the task of delivering Jesus to the world.

The angel said to Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” Then later, the angel said, “For nothing is impossible with God.”

It was a sacred calling, and she accepted without hesitation.  Mary’s response reminds us that the Lord has a purpose for us as well, a sacred calling to deliver the good news of Jesus Christ to the world. Mary’s response gives us insight of how to do that.

Respond as a servant of God. Don’t try to change the details of His plan. He knows what He is doing. He made us for such a time as this. This is the window of opportunity to follow His calling. As we cooperate with His mission, He provides the fruit. Some of it is evident and some of it is not.

Willingness to serve God is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

 

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