Luke 17:10

October 27, 2011

“So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants.  We have done what was our duty to do.’”

There it is, our template on how to remain humble when we receive recognition for the things that we are required to do.  It should be our goal for the Lord to receive the praise for all we do.  Not the other way around, we shouldn’t take praise for the things the Lord allows us to do through Him.  When recognized for out works we need to simple say that, “We are unprofitable servants.  We have done what was out duty to do.”  Although we all want to get recognized for stuff we are required to do, it’s not our place at all.  We are alive for one reason, to glorify God in all we do; not glorify ourselves through the things that we think we have done with our own strength.

In applying this I will give the glory for the things He allows me to do through the strength He has given me.

Luke 17:9

October 26, 2011

“Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him?  I think not.”

I had to chuckle when I read this verse.  How often do I think I should receive thanks and praise for doing something that is required of us by God.  How did we get such a foolish inclination as humans to do things thinking we should get praised for them?  We are called to be servants to all, never once do we see Jesus, the example we strive to live our lives like, complain about not being thanked or going out of His way to get people to notice the “good things” He does.  In fact he preaches against it.  In Matthew 6:3-4 Jesus says, “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and you Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”  He is referring to the Pharisees who would make known their good works and seek recognition.  Unfortunately we are still steeped in this error of ways which is clearly not condoned by our Savior.

In applying this I will do something for someone today without anyone knowing and not seek recognition.

Luke 17:8

October 25, 2011

“But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’?”

No employee in their right mind would ever expect the CEO of the company they work for to walk up to their cubicle and tell them to leave work and come out to eat lunch with the higher up.  This is unheard of.  Employees are expected to do their whole job for the entire day not get to sneak away for lunch.  Likewise Jesus is asking what master would prepare food for their servant for when they came in from the field.  We also are required to fulfill the great commission and make disciples of all the nations.  Jesus said He won’t return until every ear has heard the good news.  Our work isn’t over until the great commission is fulfilled, that is when we are able to sit and rest and partake with our Father in Heaven.

In applying this I will continue to talk to friends I have been pouring into about our Heavenly Father and His gift to us, and that they can partake of this gift also.

Luke 17:7

October 24, 2011

“’And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down and eat’?’”

We can’t opt out of hard day’s work prematurely.  We have jobs which require us to work that notorious 9-5 shift.  We don’t get to exit out of the workplace at 3:30, we are required to finish the whole day, no easy outs.  Ministry is a lifelong task in which the work is never done.  We are constantly on the clock, we can’t minister during the week, but go and party on the weekends.  Ministry is a constant we, as Christians are always being watched by those attempting to find a fault or flaw and call us out on it in front of the whole world.  This is why it is so imperative to not slack on our morals when we think we have gotten away from the everyday crowd.

In applying this I will pray for wisdom and discernment in how to not cause any to stumble and give a bad name to other Christians and our Lord, and never believe I am “off the clock” as a Christian.

Matthew 6:11

October 20, 2011

“’And blessed is he who is not offended because of me.’”

I’ve heard so many people say that God doesn’t love them and that he never listens to them.  God’s ways aren’t our ways; He has a different way of doing things and always sees the big picture.  People pray that someone they know with cancer will be cured and not pass away because of the ailment; but that may not be God’s will to heal them.  However; just because God doesn’t seemingly answer our prayers as fast as we like or to OUR expectations doesn’t mean He isn’t in control and still sovereignly sitting on the throne in Heaven.  It just means our will doesn’t line up with His perfect will and plan.  Jesus says we are blessed if we aren’t offended because of Him, we should never get offended at the work the Lord is going to do in the big picture.

In applying this I will continue to pray fervently for the softening of heart for people in my life that have become hardened to the Gospel that a door might be opened up to share with them. 

Galatians 6:8

October 14, 2011

“For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”

What we do will always catch up with us, whether it be good or bad.  I have sowed some bad seeds in my life.  There are thorns and thistles that have been produced from previous actions in my life.  There are long term consequences that have come out of my sin and seeking to please my flesh.   Everyone has a goal in life, such as; going to law school and becoming a doctor.  In everything I do, my goal is to sow to the Spirit that I might reap everlasting life and have as many partake in that as I can. 

In applying this I will sow to the Spirit by sharing with people I come into contact with about Jesus’ sacrifice and that He wants all to be with Him in eternity.