Unworthy F.A.T. Servants

Attitude of God's Servants

"Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'" Luke 17:9-10

If we have obeyed God, we have only done our duty. If we have served God, we should regard it as a privilege and an honor. Obedience and service are our duty and our expression of love, gratitude, & devotion to our Lord. God doesn't need any of us but He graciously chooses to use us to do His kingdom work...to be His hands and feet in this world...to be Christ's ambassadors. Isn't it amazing that we get to work for Him and witness His work in & through us and others? We have a front row seat watching His glory and power at work. What an awesome and mighty God we serve! To me, it's a joy to serve God and others. "We are unworthy servants."--Humility is the key here; there's no room for spiritual pride! "Serve one another humbly in love." (Galatians 5:13b) Effective servants of God are those who are F.A.T. (Faithful, Available, Teachable) :). We are called to love and serve like Jesus. "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:43-45) Status does not define Christ's disciples; servanthood does!

Does God bless obedience? Yes, He does; however, we should never do things just because we want something in return or expect blessings from Him. Do you feel that you deserve extra credit for serving God? We should examine our attitude and our motive. God owes us nothing; we owe God everything! Our motive for serving should be love for God and love for people. True service is agape love in action. "What can I do for you?" Keep serving God and others faithfully & cheerfully... someday you will get to hear these sweet words from the Lord, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

Gifts Given for Serving

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms...If anyone serves, they should do with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 4:10, 11b)

We are called to be faithful stewards of God's grace by using whatever gift we have received to serve others. Everyone has been given some gifts. Find yours and use them to serve God & others. We should invest our time, talents, and treasures where they will make an eternal difference. We are saved to serve! The believers' gifts are not to be laid up for selves but laid out in service. Do you know what your spiritual gifts are? Try this test and see if you agree: http://www.sdrock.com/giftstest/ .  In all things...Soli Deo Gloria!

Keep On Serving the Lord

Serving is not easy. There will be problems, challenges, conflicts, discouragement, and disappointment. "Go labor on; Spend and be spent, my joy to do the Father's will; It is the way the Master went; should not the servant tread it still?" (H. Bonar) When adversity hits, don't quit. Even if no one appreciates, applauds, or acknowledges you, don't stop serving. Do it all for the Audience of One and for God's glory alone. "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." (Hebrews 6:10) "My dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58) Let nothing move, shake, or deter you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord! Continue to work enthusiastically for our Master even when we don't see results and/or we face opposition/persecution. Nothing we do in the Lord for the Lord is ever in vain. "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people." (Ephesians 6:7) God will bring life and produce fruit to our messy attempts and meek efforts. If you're on God's side, you're on the winning team. When you feel inadequate to serve, focus on Jesus and ask Him to help you. "God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supplies." (~Unknown) As Christians, we have the power of the Holy Spirit and the promise of Jesus that "with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26) Serving is to be done in the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

"In the deed that no man knows
Where no praiseful trumpet blows,
Where he may not reap who sows,
There, Lord, let my heart serve You." 
~Unknown

"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve." ~Albert Schweitzer

 "Serving costs. Being present with people means both rejoicing and suffering with them. But this is where life is to be found, and those who live lives of service ultimately and overwhelmingly say that they find a fullness of life, a joy that can be found nowhere else, and a sense that indeed, it is better to give than to receive." ~Richard Dahlstrom