If you seek to please men, you can never be a servant of the Lord.
From Psalm 100:1-2: “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come into His presence with singing.”
Zac Poonen (born 1939) has been serving the Lord as a Christian Bible teacher for nearly 60 years in his home country of India.
Each sister, each brother
Walking with Christ, our Lord
Supporting one another
With grace, arriving on board
Faith immersed in Christ’s Word
Trusting always His light
Revealing peace to be heard
Enemy’s darkness takes flight
Christ, faith’s firm foundation
Transforming every stone
Building path to salvation
Filled with hope, never alone
Believers marching on
Following in Christ’s steps
Witnessing Heaven’s fate drawn
Mercy knocks at each doorstep
Each sister, each brother
Sharing Christ’s Living Bread
Accepting one another
Called to serve with truth now fed
When God gives a vision of truth, it is never a question of what He will do, but of what we will do.
From Joshua 24:15: “Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living, but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher. Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons. Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST. I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.
Remember that you are needed. There is at least one important work to be done that will not be done unless you do it.
From Romans 8:28-30: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified.”
Charles L. Allen (1913-2005) was an American pastor and Christian author.
I know that the light of His presence with me doth continually dwell.
From Psalm 34:5: “Look to Him, and be radiant so your faces shall never be ashamed.”
Fanny Crosby (1820-1915) was an American mission worker, poet, lyricist, and composer. Her prolific creation of hymns and gospel songs produced over 8,000 finished works.
Tranquility’s breath
Morning’s comforting stillness—
Novel’s deep reading
Volunteer’s spirit
Stepping up, giving of self—
Serving slice of grace
Rendezvous with friends
Conversation with good food—
Forks up and phones down
Waking up early
Tasting morning’s sunrise
Brewing extra coffee
Blessed exercise
Turning off headlines
Producing one’s own news
Looking outside for joy
Always better view
Extending kindness
Helping neighbor with chores
Finishing up early
Never keeping score
Praising each minute
Gathering, coffee’s up
Meeting with cherished friends
Rewards with each cup
Witnessing sunset
Putting past hours away
Giving thanks for life’s pulse
Every gifted day
As Christians, we are to emulate Jesus’ submission to the Father and spirit of servanthood. We may never be applauded for our work here on earth, but our reward is in heaven.
From Matthew 20:26-28: “It will not be so among you, but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Enlightened
Accepting Jesus
One, true Messiah
Through Him, new life
Beholding
Empowered
Denying oneself
Ready to serve
Heart overflows with grace
Believing
Undaunted
Emptying thyself
Filled with faithfulness
Carrying Christ’s own cross
Following
This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.
From the words of celebrated German-born writer, Anne Frank: “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
Gathering His flock
World hindered with needs
Christ’s teachings share grace
Unselfish love’s deeds
Following God’s Word
Single, perfect Lamb
Christ’s enduring light
Blessed telegram
Improving this world
Struggles helped along
Christ’s example leads
Actions always strong
Answering with hope
Aid for neighbors met
Christ encourages
Faith’s righteous mindset
Caring for others
Mercy walks ahead
Christ bringing comfort
Witness daily bread
From Matthew 25:31-36: “When the Son of Man comes in His glory and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and He will put the sheep at His right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at His right hand, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’”
Big Sky Buckeye 