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Service
July 13, 2013

I recently had the opportunity to visit Hawaii and whenever I am away from home on vacation, I am reminded of service as I am a recipient of service. Whether it was the agent who gave me a meal voucher when my flight was delayed, or the maid service at the hotel, wait staff at restaurants, or tour guides, service was provided and appreciated. The Bible calls us to a life of service, and just like my vacation was improved through the service provided, we can improve the quality of lives through the service we provide.

Matthew 20:20-28
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Jesus shows the path to greatness involves being a servant and living a life of sacrifice and he provided this example when he was asked by the mother of Zebedee's sons to allow them to sit on his left and right side in the kingdom, a request to be given a ruling position. And just like I valued the service given to me on my recent vacation, those who receive service based on Biblical principles will value service. In modern use, when we value and appreciate service given to us in restaurants or on vacation we tip, so tipping was part of my vacation. Biblically, we wouldn't need to tip a person fulfilling his or her Christian responsibilities; we should be appreciative of what is done for us and can express this in other ways.

Colossians 3:12-15
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

In all we do, it is important to have an attitude of gratitude because we have already been given so much through the sacrifice of Jesus. Thankfulness is part of the equation and we cannot be impeded by fear. Fear of the unknown, or of the possibility of making a mistake can keep us from being of service to others. As Christians, we cannot be stopped in a life of service by fear; we must still be of service.

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

On my recent vacation to Hawaii, I enjoyed the service received as it made the vacation memorable. As Christians, we are called to a life of service, and as we live a life in service to others, we celebrate what is good, embrace what is good, and do what is good.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
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