Tag Archives: serving the lord

Greg Laurie – What Deforms a Soul

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God’s Restoration Plan

Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. — 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

There are people who say that God is very harsh, that He is very hard to follow. But the problem is they have a faulty view of God.

I never had a dad growing up, but I will tell you this: I have known my heavenly Father for a while now, and He always has dealt with me in love and never has been inconsistent. I don’t always understand (or even agree with) what my Father in heaven does. But I have submitted to Him because I know He is looking out for my best interests.

In Luke 19, Jesus told a parable about a nobleman who went away and entrusted some of his servants with an equal amount of silver to invest while he was gone. When he returned from his journey, one of the servants told him, “Master, I hid your money and kept it safe. I was afraid because you are a hard man to deal with, taking what isn’t yours and harvesting crops you didn’t plant” (verses 20–21). Even when the day of reckoning arrived, there was no sense of regret on the servant’s part and no sorrow over his lack of productivity. In fact, he actually blamed his boss for his shortcomings.

A lot of people today are like that servant: It is not my fault. . . . All of my teachers are bad. . . . All of my bosses are bad.

Our view of God affects everything we do in life. If we have a warped view of God, it will affect the way that we live. As A. W. Tozer said, “Nothing twists and deforms a soul more than a low or unworthy conception of God.”

The proper motivation for serving the Lord should be a love for Him.

Joyce Meyer – Enjoy the Journey

Joyce meyer

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come before His presence with singing! —Psalm 100:1-2

So many Christians are headed somewhere, but not many of us are enjoying the trip. It would be such a tragedy to arrive at the end of your journey only to realize you had not enjoyed life to its fullest. Often, you think you must do something great, and you forget the simple things that bless the Lord. Serving the Lord with gladness is a worthy goal. He rejoices when your heart is filled with joy and your mouth is filled with praise.

You should be determined to finish your course. But like Paul, you should strive to run the race with joy. Whatever your present station in life, whatever you are called to do, wherever you are called to go, enjoy the journey. Don’t waste one day of the precious life God has given you. Rejoice in the Lord, and again I say, rejoice!

 

Alistair Begg – Serve Where He Set You

 

These were the potters [who] lived there in the king’s service.  1 Chronicles 4:23

Potters were among the ranks of manual workers, but the king needed potters, and therefore they were elevated to royal service, although the material upon which they worked was nothing but clay. In the same way we also may be engaged in the most menial part of the Lord’s work, but it is a great privilege to do anything for the King; and therefore we will play our part, hoping that, although we live among the pots, we will soar in the service of our Master.

These people dwelt among plants and hedges and had rough, rustic hedging and ditching work to do. They may have wanted to live in the city, amid its life, society, and refinement, but they kept their assigned places because they were doing the king’s work. There is no ideal place for us to serve God except the place He sets us down. We are not to run from it on a whim or sudden notion, but we should serve the Lord in it by being a blessing to those among whom we live. These potters and gardeners had royal company, for they lived with the king, and although among hedges and plants, they lived with the king there. No lawful place or gracious occupation, however menial, can keep us from communion with our Lord. In hovels, run-down neighborhoods, and jails, we may keep company with the King. In all works of faith we can count upon Jesus’ fellowship. It is when we are in His work that we may reckon on His smile.

You unknown workers who are serving the Lord amid the dirt and wretchedness of the lowest of the low, be of good cheer, for jewels have often been found among rubbish, earthen pots have been filled with heavenly treasure, and ugly weeds have been transformed into precious flowers. Dwell with the King and do His work, and when He writes His chronicles, your name shall be recorded.