"Saved to Serve"
Thank God for allowing us to still be alive, alert and available for his use! It's day 3 of fasting and I hope that you are still as excited, about being on one accord with your brothers and sisters.
Salvation and service go hand in hand. There's no way to claim Christ as Lord and not have a servants heart. That's the take-a-way from John 3.
Nicodemus is a well respected spiritual leader. No one has pointed out that he is in leadership, but has no relationship with Jesus because that was the norm of the day. However, Nicodemus notices that something is missing within himself. So, he waits until dark to pay Jesus a visit. Isn't that true for most of us? We have the tendency to make Jesus a priority, only when darkness falls. Upon his arrival, he questions Jesus about how someone can be saved. The responses that Jesus gives him are difficult to process with his mortal train of thought. Plainly, Jesus explains that God's unconditional love for the world has provided a way for humanity to be saved (to have eternal life), through his son.
Salvation is a free gift, that's accepted of an individuals own will and volition. It's what affords us the opportunity to live without fearing death. Also, our appreciation for salvation should be translated into service. The saved don't sit! Once one has been truly saved, some positive action must follow.
John, Jesus' first cousin, had the job of preparing people to hear and receive the ministry of Jesus. There was no room for jealousy. Family all to often, allows petty insecurities to hinder the progress of good work. John understood what his role was. That's a key principle to hold on to; your role. If you want to intrude on someone else's lane, chaos will be the result. Now is the time to bloom where we've been planted and allow God to work through you, without a jealous spirit.
The servant's heart of John is to be emulated. He didn't want to be Jesus but he did want to serve in the best way he could. His philosophy of decreasing for Jesus to increase, is a major declaration. May our prayer be for us to be less seen by people, so that Jesus can be elevated in their sight. If we don't get out of people's view of Jesus, God will move us. I'd much rather come down instead of being brought down.
I'm praying that the Lord will agitate and aggravate you so much, that when you get up in the morning, you'll have the determination to want to serve God. Here's the only reason that you need, he saved you!
I hope you'll join the prayer call tonight at 7 p.m. and check back here tomorrow, for the evening devotion on John 4:1-54. I love you all and speak God's blessing of strength, sufficiency safety and sanity over your lives, that you may be incredible servants for building God's kingdom. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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