copied from “My Utmost for His Highest” February 23rd

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve . . .” – Matthew 20:28

Jesus also said, “Yet I am among you as the One who serves” (Luke 22:27). Paul’s idea of service was the same as our Lord’s— “. . . ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake” ( 2 Corinthians 4:5 ). We somehow have the idea that a person called to the ministry is called to be different and above other people. But according to Jesus Christ, he is called to be a “doormat” for others— called to be their spiritual leader, but never their superior. Paul said, “I know how to be abased . . .” (Philippians 4:12 ). Paul’s idea of service was to pour his life out to the last drop for others. And whether he received praise or blame made no difference. As long as there was one human being who did not know Jesus, Paul felt a debt of service to that person until he did come to know Him. But the chief motivation behind Paul’s service was not love for others but love for his Lord. If our devotion is to the cause of humanity, we will be quickly defeated and broken-hearted, since we will often be confronted with a great deal of ingratitude from other people. But if we are motivated by our love for God, no amount of ingratitude will be able to hinder us from serving one another.

Paul’s understanding of how Christ had dealt with him is the secret behind his determination to serve others. “I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man . . .” ( 1 Timothy 1:13 ). In other words, no matter how badly others may have treated Paul, they could never have treated him with the same degree of spite and hatred with which he had treated Jesus Christ. Once we realize that Jesus has served us even to the depths of our meagerness, our selfishness, and our sin, nothing we encounter from others will be able to exhaust our determination to serve others for His sake.

This really spoke to my heart this week. Somedays it is just tough being a Mother. I’ve been tired. I’ve been whiney. I’ve been exasperated. But this reminded me- I’m not doing this just for my family. I’m not doing it just for my babes. I’m not doing it for me. Its about HIM. “…the chief motivation behind Paul’s service was not love for others but love for his Lord.” When I’m focused on my Lord then I won’t be focused on myself and all the thanks/love/appreciation I want! And I do receive all of those from my guys… I just wanted more. Thank you Lord for your Love and a renewed perspective!

“If you had known… in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.” Luke 19:42

    Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly and the city was stirred to its very foundations, but a strange god was there- the pride of the Pharisees. It was a god that seemed religious and upright, but Jesus compared it to “whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27)

    What is it that blinds you to the peace of God “in this your day”? Do you have a strange god- not a disgusting monster but perhaps an unholy nature that controls your life? More than once God has brought me face to face with a strange god in my life, and I knew that I should have given it up, but I didn’t do it. I got through the crisis “by the skin of my teeth”, only to find myself still under the control of that strange god. I am very blind to the very things that make for my own peace. It is a shocking thing that we an be in the exact place where the Spirit of God would be having His completely unhindered way with us, and yet we only make matters worse, increasing our blame in God’s eyes.

    ”If you had known…” God’s words here cut directly to the heart, with the tears of Jesus behind them. These words imply responsibility for our own faults. God holds us accountable for what we refuse to see or are unable to see because of our sin. And “now they are hidden from your eyes” because you have never completely yielded your nature to Him. Oh, the deep, unending sadness for what might have been! God never again opens the doors that have been closed. He opens other doors, but He reminds us that there are doors which we have shut- doors which had no need to be shut. Never be afraid when God brings back your past,. Let your memory have its way with you. It is a minister of God bringing its rebuke and sorrow to you. God will turn what might have been into a wonderful lesson of growth for the future.

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April 3rd- “My Utmost for His Highest”. Convicted me and ministered to me… I mourn the doors that my stubborn heart has closed, but am so grateful for the Amazing Love of His that opens other doors <3