A Servant’s Heart

Friday, August 13, 2010

Based on “Christ, Our Example” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 8/7-8/10,

Message #6058; Daily Devotional #4 - “A Servant’s Heart”

Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind. (Psalm 26:2)

Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): Jesus is our example for how to do life. Mark 10:45 tells us that, “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.” Yes, this contradicts what our world tells us to do. But the world is wrong. And if you think you can’t live a servant’s life, you can. Listen to God. For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. (2 Corinthians 10:3-4) Warning: Expecting and waiting for others to serve you is hazardous to your health. Common side effects include increased levels of bitterness, frustration, depression, loneliness, anxiety, and an inability to serve God and serve others. Perhaps we can look at the negative consequences of selfishness as good things. Negative emotions can act as a reminder that something is wrong in our hearts. If we are wise, they will prompt us to change. So let’s be active, not reactive. When we find ourselves experiencing negative emotions, let us step back and figure out what is going on. Let us see what is happening in our minds and hearts. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5) Thank God for allowing us to experience these negative emotions, for they can help us realize that something needs to change within our hearts.

Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Each day this week commit to be obedient to what God tells us in Romans 12:2: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Thank God for His Son, Jesus. Ask God to give you Jesus’ heart, a servant’s heart.
Keep tabs on your negative emotions, such as sadness, worry, bitterness, anger, loneliness.
Stop and take an inventory of the thoughts running through your head at that moment. Write them down.
Determine whether your thoughts are in line with God’s Word.
Ask God for help. Ask God to put His truth into your heart.
Meditate on and obey Scripture daily. He will fill your mind and heart with His Truth.
Thank God for His amazing grace and love.