Tag: Demonstrate

You Choose Whom You Serve

It is pretty clear in this world and life that we are the masters of our choices, as we have grown to understand them that is. As a small child we are not in understanding and therefor rely on our parents to decide for us. But now that we are not small children, we are in control of our choices and decisions.

The title of my writing this morning is the same as my study passage from James MacDonald. We are indeed in charge of our choices and the object of our service is certainly in that realm of choice. We like to think that we are the product of our circumstances and that things are left to chance and where it appears that way, it is not true. Yes, things happen and we are left to work through that which follows, but we can either be the victims or lean in and serve the one really in charge as we work through them. God allows things to happen and we have the choice to serve Him or abandon them in favor of ourselves or some other entity.

“15And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15 (ESV)

The Israelite people had the choice to serve the LORD or serve the idols of their ancestors or serve themselves. Joshua pointed out their choice and was clear where he and his family landed. And he made it clear that once the decision was made, the commitment would be held to account. God would remember and the outcome would not be of the people’s liking.

“19But Joshua said to the people, ‘You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. 20If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good.’” – Joshua 24:19-20 (ESV)

It is not just of words that we commit to serve. It is in action. We can say that we will serve, but not until the action is taken does the service come to being. Lori and I are members of a church plant, although we are now going on 5 years now. As a part of our membership, we committed to volunteer our service. But, just saying we would volunteer does not make it so, it is in our action of service that we are demonstrating our service. And for the 5 years of the Bridge Fellowship, we have served.

With God and service to Him, it is not something we can say and then get away with avoidance. He is watching and keeping account. As noted in verses 19 and 20 above, if we have committed and then turn away, we will be dealt with and held to account. Even as we were once doing as we committed. The choice is for now and forever.

I want to be careful to point out that our choice to serve is not a condition of our salvation. When we choose the LORD for our salvation (in our heart, mind, and body), that choice is made. We are saved. And then comes the next choice, to serve Him. We are still sinners and will be swayed easily by the evil one. We will still be subjected to the ways of the world. So, just because we have accepted salvation through the grace, mercy, and love of God, our job is not done. Service to Him comes next.

“5Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,” – Ephesians 6:5-7 (ESV)

We do choose whom we serve. We are to make it clear and then act on that choice. The words have meaning to tell others of our choice, but it is the actions we take that demonstrates that choice. As Paul notes in his letter to the Ephesians to do “the will of God from the heart,…as to the LORD and not to man”. Actions speak louder than words and it is our actions that demonstrate our choice of just who we serve.

What actions are you taking to demonstrate your service? Have you said the words of choice and now leave it to chance as to how it plays out? What if you demonstrate your service to the LORD through your actions “from the heart,…as to the LORD and not to man”?

Don’t Despise Your Mother

This morning, as with all mornings, I prayed for God to give me wisdom that I might read and be able to apply His Word. As I continue to study the word “mother” I was brought to another passage in Proverbs that does not seem that much different from the last, only this one focuses on me a little more.

“20A wise son makes a glad father,

but a foolish man despises his mother.”

— Proverbs 15:20 (ESV)

I know, the last passage I studied was about the foolish son being a sorrow to his mother, so yes, it did involve me. But, here I see that it is my thoughts and feelings that are the focus. I have a mother that I love and she loves me. It is difficult for me to feel any other way, or at least think of feeling any other way.

There are those out there that may not have the same relationship with their mothers and I do not expect that everyone would. I know those who have a very close relationship with their mothers whereas mine is not one where we talk every week. My oldest son in fact is one that speaks to Lori at least once if not multiple times each week, and that is great for them. The thing is that the relationship is there as is the love.

We do not have to have relationships like everyone else with our mothers. But, we do have to be wise enough to love them. It is the action of love that I am talking about, not the emotion of love. We show them that we love them as opposed to telling them. Words are that, just words. Remember the saying of old, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”. Well, words won’t hurt us, and they may not make us feel better, either. And sticks and stones, they may break bones, but they will also demonstrate healing.

Show mothers that we love them, if not for their sake, but for our own. Do not despise mothers, love them through our actions so that they can “see” them and will attribute those actions to the love we have for them.

What love do you have for your mother? Are you working through words and hoping that will do the trick? What if you showed love through action to demonstrate your love for them to see?