Heart Repair

Heart Repair

Philippians 1: From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus—

To all God's people in Philippi who are in union with Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and helpers:

 

² May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

 

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Just getting a job was my heart’s desire at one point. But after a period of working, it was not enough. I needed to move up in the company. The pay, while good at one point, was now not enough. The work seemed repetitive and the people wore me down. “Why do they always listen to that guy?” was my complaint.

 

• I was discontent
• I wanted more.
• I lost my thankfulness.

 

Paul and Timothy send greetings to everyone through a letter to the Philippians. The title they gave themselves was that of a “servant.”  Their desire was to bless everyone with grace and peace that only came from GOD.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to trade in my need to be on top to that of being on the bottom.
• GOD wants me to desire more for others than myself.
• GOD wants me to value being a servant more than being served.

 

Serving people is GOD’s highest honor. I mean, when I serve someone, the hole in my heart gets filled. Unfortunately, when I am serving people for my own personal gain, then it can wear on me, causing me to be discontent. I long for something else “better” than the role I am playing at the moment.

 

BUT GOD has a remedy. HE makes me a servant wherever I am. HE guides my mindset to giving others the best, knowing I am adding to a huge “reward” account HE is storing up for me. HE changes my view of something negative into seeing that I  am serving others because HE wants me to. I am glad GOD guides me to those HE wants me to serve.

 

Challenge

• What stands out to you in this opening greeting from the writers?
• Have you ever felt discontent even when your prayers have been answered?
• Will you receive GOD’s grace and peace today by taking a deep breath and serving others without expectations so HE will fill your heart with overflowing thanksgiving?

Servant Leadership

Servant Leadership

2 Corinthians 6: ³ We do not want anyone to find fault with our work, so we try not to put obstacles in anyone's way. ⁴ Instead, in everything we do we show that we are God's servants by patiently enduring troubles, hardships, and difficulties. ⁵ We have been beaten, jailed, and mobbed; we have been overworked and have gone without sleep or food. ⁶ By our purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness we have shown ourselves to be God's servants—by the Holy Spirit, by our true love, ⁷ by our message of truth, and by the power of God. We have righteousness as our weapon, both to attack and to defend ourselves.

 

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Tired of bullies and being a goody, goody, I decided to get into body building. This way I could be attractive and be ready to fight. The bigger I got, the more I realized there was always a bully who was bigger and stronger than me. I was preparing to fight the wrong battle.

 

• I wanted to overcome frustrations by venting or fighting.
• I wanted to fulfil my lusts.
• I wanted to be seen as a strong leader based on the world’s definition.

 

Paul describes a life that is less desirable to many. It is a life dedicated to GOD’s service. He mentions that he was beaten, jailed, mobbed, sleepless and starving all for the sake of being a servant of GOD.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to patiently endure troubles, hardships and difficulties.
• GOD wants me to focus on purity, knowledge, patience and kindness to be HIS example.
• GOD wants me to show the love of the HOLY SPIRIT with the message of truth.

 

Being a pushover is not where GOD wants me. I mean, HE doesn’t want me gullible or unwise. HE knows the ways of the world require that I understand it, but not follow it. GOD’s kingdom is the only kingdom worth building.

 

HE loves when I surrender parts of my life solely for HIS purpose. HE then gives me HIS righteousness to attack injustice with peace and fight bullying, whether passive or overt, with love and truth. I gladly take on being a servant of GOD so HE may bring many back to HIS kingdom.

 

Challenge

• Have you ever viewed your hardship, difficulty or trouble as the ministry GOD wants you to use as your ministry?
• What do you notice about what the writer went through?
• As a child, were you ever scared to do something so you asked an adult to help you?
• Will you be that adult to someone and share how GOD is keeping your trial today?

What is the Real Motivation?

 

What is the Real Motivation?

Romans 15: ¹⁴ My friends: I myself feel sure that you are full of goodness, that you have all knowledge, and that you are able to teach one another. ¹⁵ But in this letter I have been quite bold about certain subjects of which I have reminded you. I have been bold because of the privilege God has given me ¹⁶ of being a servant of Christ Jesus to work for the Gentiles. I serve like a priest in preaching the Good News from God, in order that the Gentiles may be an offering acceptable to God, dedicated to him by the Holy Spirit. ¹⁷ In union with Christ Jesus, then, I can be proud of my service for God. 

 

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Each day seemed to bring on a new trouble. It was a rough time and “everything” was going wrong. I had not focused on GOD very much, so I turned to HIM as a last resort. “Maybe if I am good, then I can get out of the trouble I’m in” I thought to myself.

 

I stopped doing a few sins I blatantly knew I was doing in hopes that the trial would end sooner. When the trial was over. I went back to the same sins.

 

There have been times when I tried to act righteous to get my way.

There have been times when I tried to use manipulation on GOD to get my way.

There have been times when I tried to be “good” temporarily so I could get my way.

 

Paul expresses his surety in the capabilities of those he wrote the letter. He also mentions his reason for writing. Paul wanted “everyone” to be accepted by JESUS, not just those he was familiar with. He would not be proud of himself until the Gentiles believed in JESUS.

 

GOD wants me to have a true purpose.

GOD wants my purpose to be permanent.

GOD wants JESUS to be known as the Savior and HE wants me to have this as my purpose.

 

When getting out of trouble becomes my purpose, I would desperately do anything. I mean, I lose sleep, panic and worry my way into a solution that usually fails and then I panic more. GOD wants to change that. HE brings me back to having purpose in my life, namely teaching people about the Good News of JESUS.

 

With purpose, temptations go away. It is easier to say “no” to fear, doubt and worry when GOD is my true purpose. Staying in the trial becomes easier when I have purpose because I know GOD wants me right where HE has me and HE is with me. I can then have peace wherever HE places me.

 

What is your purpose in life?

What is GOD’s purpose for you?

Will you accept GOD’s real purpose HE made you so you can speak about JESUS today?

Being the Boss

Matthew 20: ²⁴ When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. ²⁵ Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ²⁶ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

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After learning a lot, I felt it was time for me to try my hand at management. I mean I was deemed the “best” in the department in the technical systems. I asked to lead a group and was given the okay. “Do this” and “Do that” were my first orders. Later, I received complaints about my “management style.”

• I once thought being the boss meant bossing people around.
• I once thought being the boss meant I was on top and everyone else was on the bottom.
• I once thought being the boss meant “do as I say” and that is that.

Being the boss quickly turned into a mutiny when I tried to flex my position. I went into my boss’s office to find no console. What was I to do? I still had to lead the people.

• GOD says to me “You must become a servant.”
• GOD says to me “I became a human to serve, not to be served.”
• GOD says to me “I freely gave MY life as a ransom for you and for many.”

JESUS wants me to follow HIS example of extreme servanthood in order to be the leader HE wants me to be. Human leaders boss people around, sometimes they bully people into action. GOD wants me to serve people into action. Those who respond to HIS example belong to HIM; those who do not respond are not mine to lead, it’s as simple as that.

Once I started “serving” the people, they began serving me and others. GOD enables me to serve in order to draw people back to HIM.

• Are you trying to be bossy?
• Do you criticize your leaders?
• Can you become a servant whether you are the boss or the employee for GOD today?

Chosen Friends Have No Fear

Isaiah 41: ⁸ “But you, Israel, my servant,
    Jacob, whom I have chosen,
    you descendants of Abraham my friend,
⁹ I took you from the ends of the earth,
    from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
    I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
¹⁰ So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

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Laughter poured out of the house as we played the game. Distracted with conversation, the game kept getting interrupted followed by, “is it my turn?” Tears of laughter fell from my face as I said for the fourth time “It’s your turn.” The distractions were more fun than the game!

• Having “Chosen Friends” is a blessing.
• Having “Chosen Friends” is warming to the heart.
• Having “Chosen Friends” is truly a gift.

Friends believe in your cause instantly, no matter how crazy it may seem. They stick with you through thick and thin and do not have to be convinced. Great friends correct my course, especially when I am trying to stray from GOD. The great news is GOD says I am a friend.

• GOD says to me “There is no love greater than to lay down MY life for you as MY friend.”
• GOD says to me “I have called you and chosen you as MY servant.”
• GOD says to me “I have not rejected you so do not fear, for I AM with you, I AM your GOD.”

GOD strengthens me and helps me like no other friend can. HE leads me, guides me and upholds me with HIS righteous hand. It is great knowing I have a friend in my corner who will never leave me no matter how tough things get. GOD chose me as a friend and I am grateful!

• Do you need a friend?
• Have people left you or stepped away from you?
• Can you allow GOD to choose you?
• Are you willing to speak HIS words instead of yours?