JULY 2009

WHOM DO YOU SERVE?
Everyone does in some way serve someone. So, whom do you serve? One might respond with practical service applications like: your boss at work, family members, someone in your church, a charity, political organization, business enterprise, etc.. So what is your practical service application?

The 2009 July life verses present a different aspect of service. Everyone who has received Jesus into their life as Savior are by spiritual default an ambassador for Jesus Christ. An ambassador is someone who represents a higher authority and therefore their messenger. 2 Corinthians 5:20 simply states, “we are ambassadors for Christ”. Therefore we are Christ’s ambassadors and are to carry the message of the love of God as demonstrated by Jesus Christ sacrifice for sin, the Gospel, (Death, Burial and Resurrection) and reconciling the world through the power of the Gospel.

The spiritual conflict of being an ambassador for Christ comes when we decide to serve ourselves and not Jesus. We make the spiritual choice everyday of whom we will serve. Jesus was the example of service we need to follow. God does not ask us to give our physical life via death, but in the spiritual sense to give our life to Him through service. We are to love other brothers and sisters in Christ by serving them when the occasion of service presents itself.

God gives each of us opportunities of service each day. It may be a physical act of service or showing kindness to those around us (both believers and un-believers) with an uplifting word of encouragement. Be alert and look for the special times when God wants you to be His ambassador each day.

I encourage each of you to memorize 2 Corinthians 5:20 and be prepared to carry the message of reconciliation to those around you everyday.
Mr. G.

JULY LIFE VERSES
2 Corinthians 5:20 - Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Joshua 24:24 - The people said to Joshua, "We will serve the LORD our God and we will obey His voice."

Matthew 6:24 - "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

Matthew 20:28 - Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

Romans 14:17-18 - For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this {way} serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.

Galatians 5:13 - For you were called to freedom, brethren; only {do} not {turn} your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.