Purpose Driven Life Day 34: Thinking Like A Servant

Numbers 14:24

But because My servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows Me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to and his descendants will inherit it.

Philippians 2:5

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

Service starts in your mind
To be a servant requires a mental shift, a change in your attitude. Attitudes count more than achievements.

Real servants serve God with a mindset of 5 attitudes:
1. Servants think more about others than about themselves
This is true humility: not thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less. They are self-forgetful. 

Philippians 2:4

Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interests of others.

When we stop focusing on our own needs, we become aware of the needs around us.

We can measure our servant heart by how we respond when others treat us like servants. How we react when you're taken for granted, bossed around or treated as an inferior?

Matthew 5:41

If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life.

2. Servants think like stewards, not owners
Servants remember that God owns it all. In the Bible, a steward was a servant entrusted to manage an estate. Servanthood and stewardship go together, since God expects us to be trustworthy in both. 

1 Corinthians 4:2

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

How are you handling the resources God has entrusted to you?

To become a real servant, you are going to have to settle the issue of money in your life. 

Luke 16:13

No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Living for ministry and living for money are mutually exclusive goals. Which one will you choose?
All your time belongs to God. He insists on exclusive allegiance, not part-time faithfulness. When Jesus is your Master, money serves you; but if money is your master, you because its slave. Wealth is not a sink but failing to use it for God's glory is.

The Bible is very clear: God uses money to test your faithfulness as a servant. That is why Jesus talked more about money than He did about either heaven or hell.

Luke 16:11

So, if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?

3. Servants think about their work, not what others are doingThey don't compare, criticize or compare with other servants or ministries. They're too busy doing the work God has given them.

Galatians 5:26

We will not compare ourselves with each other as is one of us were better and another worst. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.

Real servants don't complaint of unfairness, don't have pity-parties and don't resent those not serving. They just trust God and keep serving. It is not our job to evaluate the Master's other servants. It is also not our job to defend ourselves against criticism. Let your Master handle it.
I you serve like Jesus, you can expect to b criticized. The world and even much of the church, does not understand what God values. Your service for Chriet us never wasted regardless of what others say.

4. Servants base their identity in ChristBecause they remember they are loved and accepted by grace, servants don't have to prove their worth. If you're going to be a servant, you must settle your identity in Christ. Only secure people can serve. Insecure people are always worrying about how they appear to others.

2 Corinthians 10:18

For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one when the Lord commends.

The closer you get to Jesus, the less you need to promote yourself.

5. Servants think of ministry as an opportunity, not an obligationThey enjoy helping people, meeting needs and doing ministry. They serve with gladness because they love the Lord, they'e grateful for His grace, they know serving I the highest use of life, and they know God has promised a reward.

John 12:26

Whoever serves Me must follow Me; and where I am, My servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves Me.

Hebrews 6:10

God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.

Imagine what could happen if jut 10% of all Christians in the world got serious about their role as real servants. Imagine all the good that could be done. Are you willing to be one of these people?
It doesn't matter what your age is, God will use you if you will begin to act and think like a servant.

Point to ponder: To be a servant I must think like a servant.

Verse to remember: Philippians 2:5
Your attitude should be the sane as that of Christ Jesus.

Questions to consider:
Am I usually more concerned about being served or finding ways to serve others?

Purpose Driven Life Day 33: How Real Servants Act

Mark 10:43-44

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servants and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.

Matthew 7:16

By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?

We serve God by serving others.

The world defines greatness in terms of power, possessions, prestige and position. If you can demand service from others, you've arrived. In our self-serving culture with its me-first mentality, acting like a servant is nit a popular concept.

Jesus, however, measured greatness in terms of service, not status. God determines our greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you. While knowing our shape is important for serving God, having the heart of a servant is even more important. For God shaped us for service, not for self-centeredness. God often tests our hearts by asking us to serve in ways we're not shaped! While we may not be gifted for a particular task, we may be called to do it if no one gifted at it is around. Our primary ministry should be in the area of our shape, but our secondary service is whenever we're needed at the moment. Our shape reveals our ministry, but our servant's heart will reveal our maturity.

1. Real servants make themselves available to serve

2 Timothy 2:4

No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.

If you only serve when it's convenient for you, you're not a real servant. Real servants do what's needed, even when it's inconvenient. Can God mess up your plans without you becoming resentful?

If you will remind yourself at the start of everyday that you are God's servant, interruptions won't frustrate you as much, because your agenda will be whatever God wants to bring into your life. Servants see interruptions as divine appointments for ministry and are happy for the opportunity to practice serving.

2. Real servants pay attention to needs

Galatians 6:10

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

When God puts someone in need right in front of you, He is giving you the opportunity to grow in servanthood. Notice that God says the needs of the church family are to be given preference, not put at the bottom of 'things to do' list. We may only get one chance to serve a person, so take advantage of the moment!

Proverbs 3:27

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

when it is in your power to act.

"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you ever can." - John Wesley -

3. Real servants do their best with what they have
Servants don't make excuses, procrastinate, or wait for better circumstances. 

Ecclesiastes 11:4

Whoever watches the wind will not plant;

whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.

It doesn't have to be perfect for God to use and bless us. It's better to involve thousands of regular folks in ministry than have a perfect church run by a few elites.

4. Real servants do every task with equal dedication

Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Galatians 6:3 (NLT)

If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody.

God will never exempt you from the mundane. It is in these small services that we grow like Christ.

Jesus specialized in menial tasks that everyone else tried to avoid: washing feet, helping children, fixing breakfast and serving lepers. Nothing was beneath Him, because He came to serve. Small tasks often show a big heart.

Great opportunities often disguise themselves in small tasks. The little things in life determine the big things. You develop a servant's heart when you're willing to do anything needed.

5. Real servants are faithful to their ministry 
Servants finish their tasks, fulfill their responsibilities, keep their promises and complete their commitments. They don't leave a job half undone, and they don't quit when they get discouraged. They are trustworthy and dependable.

Are there promises you need to keep, vows you need to fulfill, or commitments you need to honor? This is a test. God is testing your faithfulness. Imagine what it will feel like one day to have God say to you,

'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' Matthew 25:23

By ther way, faithful servants never retire. They serve faithfully as long as they're alive. You can retire from your career but you'll never retire from serving God.

6. Real servants maintain a low profile
Servants don't promote or call attention to themselves. 

Matthew 6:1

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."

Self promotion and servanthood don't mix. Real servants don't serve for the approval or applause of others. They live for an audience of one. You won't find many real servants in the limelight; in fact, they avoid it when possible. They are content with quietly serving in the shadows.

Unfortunately, many leaders today start off as servants but end up as celebrities. They become addicted to attention, unaware that always being in the spotlight blinds you.

You may be serving in obscuriy in some small place, feeling unknown and unappreciated. Listen: God put you where you are for a purpose! He will let you know if He wants you somewhere else. Your ministry matters to the kingdom of God.

Colossians 3:4

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory.

The most significant service is often the service that is unseen. Knowing this, don't be discouraged when your service is unnoticed or taken for granted. Keep on serving God!

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work if the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Even the smallest service is noticed by God and will be rewarded. Remember the words of Jesus. 

Matthew 10:42

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because He is My disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his rewards.

Points to ponder: I serve God by serving others.

Verse to remember: Matthew 10:42

And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because He is My disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his rewards.

Question to consider: Which of the 6 characteristics of real servants offers the greatest challenge to me?

Summary of the 6 characteristics of real servants:
1. Real servants make themselves available to serve. 
2. Real servants pay attention to needs. 
3. Real servants do their best with what they have. 
4. Real servants do every task with equal dedication. 
5. Real servants are faithful to their ministry. 
6. Real servants maintain a low profile.

Forgiveness

Matthew 18:21-35 The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?" 

Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

" Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. 

"At this the servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. 

"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. 

"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.' 

"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened. 

"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. 

"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart."

Forgivable person vs unforgivable person
How can I forgive when it hurts so much?

Isaiah 1:18

"Come now, let us settle the matter,"

says the Lord.

"Though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red as crimson,

they shall be like wool.

Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 

Luke 23:34

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Matthew 18:18

"Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

The gift of forgiveness

John 20:22-23

And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

We need to acknowledge that we need to be forgiven. 
Would you forgive someone who keeps coming back with the same sin?

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

We need to forgive everyone for everything. 
Forgiveness is costly => usually involves broken heart. 
Forgiveness is God's mandate

Matthew 6:14-15

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

10 Things to be Thankful for today

1. Good parents - provided and protected me thus far
2. Good spiritual support - prevents me from making the wrong choices in life
3. Storms and rain - make me stronger and have a closer walk with God
4. Opportunities - to see the amazing works of God and experience His love
5. Happy moments - to know that this is not the end, it's just a bending
6. Holidays - to see the world from a different perspective
7. Friends - to add color to our life
8. Meditation - reminds us of all the blessings in life
9. Good health - able to do God's work
10. Being alive - to see/ experience God in a different way today!