Here to Serve

                            
  "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor a messenger greater than the one who sent him."
                                                John 13:14-16

              About a hundred or more years ago it was normal to talk about servants and to have at least one servant (if you had the money) in your house.
           
              When reading about Jesus talking about servants; men and women could see what the humbleness of a servant looked like.  In this present day and age, we don't truly know what it looks like to be a servant.  What people usually say when a person brings up the topic of servitude is,  "you mean a slave?" Hmm.  Are they one and the same or are they different?  Should Americans become servants?  Things have changed since Jesus first came to earth.

                      For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus sake.
                                           2 Corinthians 4:5

                What comes to my mind when I think of a servant is this; you have no choice, no free will. How about, before going any further lets see what "servant" and "slave" mean.
                Slave- a person held in servitude as the chattel of another, a person who has lost control of himself and is dominated by something or someone.

                 Servant- one that serves others, one that performs duties about the person or home of a master or personal employer.

                  Okay, after looking at both words it's clear that they're different. A slave is one who has no free will and has lost themselves to a person or even...a thing. But, a servant is by choice.   Looking at Jesus when He lived on earth, he willingly served many and was open to being served as well.  Why do we struggle serving others?  It's not a big deal...right?

                        I'll do anything but that!

             You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love.
                                                                               Galatians 5:13

               All  people struggle to serve others because we want to always put ourselves first. Pride is probably the root that's the biggest in the way of serving.  We think we're too rich, beautiful, weak, tired, ugly, fat, and the list goes on.  Jesus said to come as you are.  He wants you to humbly come to Him,  and He will show you how  joyful and purposeful  it is to help others.  A servant sees what needs to be done and they do their best to get the job done.   Let's look at some servants in the Bible.

             Esther had the heart of a servant.  She trusted God and her cousin Mordecai during a threatening time. She became a messenger for Mordecai to the king.  And she became a messenger for God to save her people.  Esther had to humbly ask King Xerxes to have the chance to dine with him so she could talk with him.  She didn't go into the room boldly expecting to be seen as an equal.  She entered as a servant. 

            Joseph expected to marry a normal young lady and settle down immediately.  Next thing you know, he finds that Mary is pregnant and that the child is the long-expected Savior!  Joseph could have bragged and told everyone how good he was that God chose him to be Jesus' earthly father. No; he humbly took the message from the angel and brought Mary to Bethlehem, serving her and taking care of her needs.

           Then there's the sinful woman.  When she heard Jesus was eating at a Pharisee's house she could have just kept going on doing what she always did.  She didn't;  she chose to seek Him out.  She became a servant, washing Jesus' feet with her tears, kissing them (remember people's feet during that time were nasty!) and using her hair as a cloth; she cleaned his feet and poured perfume on them!

            Like I said earlier, we don't know what it looks like to be a servant truly in this day and age. The only way we see that is through our work but I'm sure a lot of people see it more as slavery.  Naturally people don't like serving others unless there was something in it for them. Think about Jesus for a second.  He came to the earth not to be served but to serve.  He expected nothing in return.  All He wanted was to reunite His people to God and restore our brokenness.  So, why does God expect us to be like that?  He did all the work so we should be able to do whatever we want!  Right?!   Wrong.  Like what Galatians 5:13 said,  we are to serve each other in love.  God's love is patient, kind, keeps no records of wrong, always rejoices in the truth,  hopes, trusts, perseveres and never fails.  It is not proud, doesn't envy, does not delight in evil, is not rude, isn't boastful, self-seeking, and not easily angered.  If you need to do a heart check-up with God, do it right away.

         God wants us to serve because He did that for us. If we call ourselves His children;  then we need to follow in our Father's footsteps. If there are nasty jobs that God calls you to do and instantly you think, I'll do anything but that!  You need to stop and remember.  Jesus could have said that about us,  but He didn't.  If the price is for Christ to use you to save a life...then that's worth it.

          Last thing,  do not serve in order to gain salvation or worth.  If you accepted Jesus as your savior then hey,  that's covered.  Serve out of love.  If you feel worthless,  you're not.  You are God's daughter so,  that makes you a princess and as a princess you are greatly treasured by your Heavenly Father.  Serve out of love for Christ;  Christ's love will reach another woman who feels worthless.

         We cannot serve or love on our own.  Ask Jesus to serve others and love through you so,  that they will see more of Him and less of you.  It's going to be hard ( believe me, I understand) and it will be a process that will take the rest of your life. But, it's totally worth it!!      

Dance to the music

                                Shout with joy to God,  all the earth!  Sing the glory of

                               His name;  make His praise glorious! 

                                                                                           Psalm 66:1-2

               Everybody loves music.  Even those who claim to hate music must at least enjoy a song or two.

               What is it about music that is so invigorating and reaches you and moves you in ways that words cannot?  This is probably a question a lot of people ask. 

              "Does God like music?"

                            Sing, Sing, Sing a Song

                             "Hear this,  you kings!  Listen,  you rulers!  I will sing to the Lord,

                         I will sing to the Lord,  I will sing;  I will make music to the Lord,  The God                             of Israel."

                                        Judges 5:3

           In the Bible, a lot of the authors talk about singing,  instruments and just making music.  Why is there so much in the Bible about music?  Let's look at the meaning of the word "song."

           Song- music or a piece of music intended for vocal expression.

            Vocal expression.  That sounds like a different language, like how sign language is a way to express yourself and communicate to those who can't  hear. Have you ever looked at some sheet music?  Whenever I sit down and play one of my instruments,  I would think,  man this is a different language!  When reading music you have to learn the notes,  hand placement,  music theory,  and so on.  

Music is how the world can come together as one.  Music can help you express how you truly feel when a word cannot meet that expression.  Why do you think in Disney movies and Broadways  the characters would burst into song?  Music is the language of passion and deep emotion.  

Mary the mother of Jesus and Zechariah, her cousin's husband, have a section that's  called 'Mary's song' and 'Zechariah's song.'  Why is it called 'Their song?' Did they go around singing it?  No. They were praising God.  That alone can be called a song.  Praising God through thanksgiving,  prayer and talking to Him,  is music to God's ears. Sometimes when I'm vocally expressing  my thoughts I am filled with such passion and joy that I burst out singing.  That's why in Church the worship-through-song part is so important.  That's how God can reach us in one way.  Sometimes that's when I feel God's presence the most; when I'm joining my voice with fellow brothers and sisters worshiping the one true God!!

                                               Read the notes

                                     

                 My heart is steadfast,  O God,  My heart is steadfast; I will sing and                                          make music.

                                                       Psalm 57:7

           So,  if the whole world loves music, do God and the angels like it?  People have said throughout the years that Satan was the director of music when he lived in Heaven.  There's no evidence of that,  and we can't be quite sure but,  we do know that God does know that music is effective for teaching and memorizing.  Throughout the Bible people people wrote music like David. There's even a book called Song of Songs!  My sister Brittany has a music timeline in her room ( she, like the rest of my family, loves music).  On the upper left hand corner she wrote down a little something about music.  I'll share with you what she wrote.

           'Music has always been a big part of cultures from all nations and all times.  In the Bible the word 'sing' is mentioned in the King James version 119 times!  If God enjoys music so much,  then He must have instilled it in us,  His creation.' 

         I believe that God enjoys music.  So that means,  Satan must enjoy it too.

        Like what I said earlier,  music can help with memorizing and teaching (think of the ABC's).  Satan uses music to deceive and destroy.  When you learn about a new artist always check the lyrics.  Make sure that what they sing about is honorable.  What helps me is to compare it to the verse Philippians 4:8.

               Finally, brothers,  whatever is true, whatever is noble,  whatever is right,  whatever is pure,  whatever is lovely,  whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.

       Most of all, ask God if it's okay for you to listen to the song or artist.

             I know you may be the kind of person who's not convinced that music can affect your life. I've heard many people doubt it's influence,  and I'm sure you've heard too.  They may say that music,  a certain artist or song helped them through a hard time and even saved their life! If  music can do that, think of all the music you let into your life. 

Children can pick up a song scary-fast.  They can listen to it once or twice and the next thing you know they're singing it wherever they go.  What if we as daughters, sisters, aunts, mothers, grandmothers, godmothers and friends chose to only listen to music that is lovely and honorable? How embarrassing is it when you walk into a friends house or a friend comes into yours and a song comes up on your radio of an artist singing at the top of his lungs a sensual experience he had with a woman.  Yuck!! Not for this girl!!

          We can be musical and be full of singing.  We are women of noble character,  let our voices of praise be heard on the mountains and hills.

    My heart is steadfast,  oh God,  my heart is steadfast;  I will sing and make music.

                                                                                            Psalm 57:7