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“Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” (Psalm 100:2, KJV)

Is there gladness in your service?

Most of us take note when we’ve been attended to by a waiter in a restaurant, or a clerk in a retail store, who was glad to serve. Such service arrests our attention; it lifts our spirit; it transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.

As you approach your tasks today — working as for the Lord — will you bring gladness to the task?

Will your interaction with others today — serving each as you would Jesus — transform the ordinary into the extraordinary because of your attitude? – Luther

Tagged gladness, service, the book of Psalms

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“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:”. (Philippians 2:5, NIV)

The thought in today’s verse doesn’t end with the “:”. Paul goes on to specify the attitudes that reflect the mind of Christ, which are:

a. Regarding gifts as opportunities. . . (Verse 6) Some gifts you have, and some gifts you are! Each are given to us for service, not for status!

b. . . . in servitude. . . (Verse 7) “Service” is an act or series of acts in support of others. (Being served is a good thing, but have you ever received a service from someone who wasn’t “into it”?) On the other hand, “servitude” is an attitude.

c. . . . through humble obedience. (Verse 8) A star athlete falls short of his or her potential when the coach is not obeyed. Likewise, we must do, go, and be as the Holy Spirit directs; not for our own glory, but for the glory of God.

Are you cultivating “the same mindset as Christ Jesus” in your relationships with others? – Luther

Tagged discipleship, obedience, service, servitude, the book of Philippians

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“Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves.” (Luke 22:27, New Living Translation)

The disciple of Jesus is a servant.

He or she is not a “servant-leader.” He or she is not an “apprentice-leader.” He or she is not “doing time” as a servant until something opens up at the top of the hierarchy. The pinnacle of a disciple’s aspiration is to be like his or her Lord; and the Lord Jesus is “among you as one who serves.”

This is so not like us. We desire the perquisites that come with leadership; or we see leadership as a reward for being a “good foot soldier.” But even leadership, in the estimation of our Lord, is nothing more than a greater opportunity for servitude; and “servitude” is to “service” as “being” is to “doing.”

Make servitude for the sake of being like Jesus your sole ambition as a disciple. Even in the kingdom of God, good help is hard to find! – Luther

Tagged discipleship, leadership, service, servitude, the book of Luke