Serving Free For a Clear Cause

[S] 1 Corinthians 9:19 (ESV) --

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.


[O] Paul was clear on his objectives -- to win more souls for Christ.  He was willing to serve for free and become the servant to all if he was able to achieve this end-goal for Christ's sake.  This statement displays the complete transformation of Paul from before and after he had met Christ and his life turned around.

[A] As I claim that my life had turned around after meeting Christ, I am not as clear or bold as Paul is and this is one area God has been building me up.  I need to continue working in this area of winning more (or as many as I could) souls for Christ.

[P] Dear Jesus, forgive me for lacking in this area.  As we enter the Passion Week, I want to approach a family to come to East Service with us this Sunday.  Please allow me to serve them and invite them.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Standing Between the Dead and the Living

[S] Numbers 16:47-48 --
⁴⁷Then Aaron took it as Moses had spoken, and ran into the midst of the assembly, for behold, the plague had begun among the people. So he put on the incense and made atonement for the people.
⁴⁸He took his stand between the dead and the living, so that the plague was checked.

[O] After a series of grumbling and complaining against Moses (starting with Korah), the whole congregation approached Moses and Aaron to blame them for putting all of them in such a situation. God was not happy with them and asked Moses and Aaron to step aside while He wipes them off the face of the earth. For the third time straight, Moses and Aaron falls to their faces and intercedes to God for the people. I don't know if I can do that, let alone three times in a row. Then even before God's wrath is released on the people, Moses acts quickly and tells Aaron to offer the incense/atonement for the people. What's amazing is how quickly and sacrificially both of the leaders responded to save the people. The phrase in verse 48, "stand between the dead and the living" really grabbed my heart as I was reading it. Is this what a godly leader's role is -- to stand between the dead and the living risking my own life trusting in God based on a firm relationship through Jesus Christ? Wow! The only hope in this picture is "so that the plague was checked." God honors such a servant leadership even to the point of saving lives (and in my limited perspective, changing His mind in this situation).

[A] Spiritual leadership is based on the servanthood of taking of lives of the followers. Humility and willing sacrifice seems to be requirements. Need ask God for strength to carry out such a leadership in the small group ministry on daily basis.

[P] God, You never meant a true leadership of Your people to be a "walk in the park" but is only possible through humble commitment to be fully responsible for Your people's lives (both spiritual and physical). It's a quite scary proposition but You've drawn me in to taking such a role and with trembling I come to You. Continue to pour into my heart Your own heart of sacrificial love for Your people. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Audience Of One

[S] Galatians 1:10 --
¹⁰Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

[O] This reminds me of the violin student who was only focused on his master's approval after the concert regardless how much the audience was applauding.  He had the audience of one.  When I do God's work, do I also have the audience of One or am I trying so hard to earn other people's recognition?  Who I am trying to please will determine who I am serving.  So, if my focus is to please God then I am a servant of Christ.  If not, I would be servant of other men.

[A] While I need to collaborate with other people in doing God's work, I must not be too hung up about being recognized by other people as long as I am approved by God through His Spirit and Word.

[P] Dear God, whenever I'm involved in doing your work, I want to only please You while treating others I work with as dear Brothers/Sisters.  I thank You for sending co-workers into my life but may I not confuse them to be the ones I need to please.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.