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Today is Monday October 04, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Matthew, chapters 10-11. If you would like to read today's chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-4

In Today's Bible Reading: Jesus sends His twelve apostles on a mission, questions from John the Baptist, Jesus declares judgment upon the unrepentant cities, and Jesus gives all an invitation.

Today's Message: God, The Servant
Did you know that Jesus, although the Son of God, was a servant? In fact, it was God Himself who came here in the flesh of Jesus to be a servant to us? “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” -Philippians 2:5-8. Does that sound impossible? With God, nothing is impossible. God is omnipresent, meaning He can show up everywhere at the same time and still do some miraculous things in every place. If He can heal a thousand people from all over the world He can most certainly come here in the flesh and be a servant.

Why would He do that when He has so much power? His love for us. He loves us so much that He would rather give His life for us than to see us end up in hell. He came here to show us that even though we carry around this wretched flesh we can still live right and serve God. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man....For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” - Hebrews 2:9,16-18.

So, what exactly is a servant? A servant is a person that is employed by another person, in other words, when we serve God we are employed by Him. Can you think of anyone better to work for? Jesus had a job for the apostles, an apostle is a disciple that worked with Jesus in the flesh, they were to go out and preach the Gospel.

“And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand...Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet...For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” - Matthew 10:7,10-14,20.

The apostles were to visit everyone in the city they were visiting and present them with the Gospel. They were instructed to just bring themselves to the door and offer only the Gospel to them. He advised them that some will accept them and the Gospel, while others will not, but keep going, shake it off, do not take it personally, and understand that God is working through them. Jesus said, “The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.” -Matthew 10:24-26.

A servant is not above his lord, in other words, an employer is not above his boss, if the boss gets a bad reputation so will the employer no matter how good the company is. The master of the household is God Himself, Beelzebub, is Satan, Satan is constantly attacking those whom work for God, Therefore, Jesus advises all who work for Him that they are not above Him, they will fave the same persecution that He did. However,

Jesus assures us that we do not need to fear what Satan tries to do to us because God will protect us, “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” - Matthew 10:30-33.

All Christian's will face persecution at some point in our lives simply because they chose to follow Christ, those who are determined by faith, will not be intimidated or stopped by family members, friends, or fierce opposition against their Lord and Savior. They put their trust and protection in the Lord, “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” -II Timothy 4:18.

Since we are all called to be God's servants, we must expect to enter into the Kingdom of God through many tribulations. However, we can not forget the master of the house, when we remain faithful to Him He will defend us from evil, and supply us with peace through it all. “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:27-30. Our Savior has invited all that labor and are heavy-laden, to come to him. The convinced sinner is heavy-laden with guilt and terror and the tempted and afflicted believer has labors and burdens. Christ invites all to come to him for rest to their souls. He alone gives this invitation, when, feeling their guilt and misery, and believing His love and power to help, they seek him in fervent prayer.

If God can be a servant, that means we can be a servant as well, in fact, God has given every believer a job, the most important is to preach the Gospel to the lost, however, He gives us all an opportunity to serve Him in at least one other way. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” - Ephesians 4:11-13. The more we do to serve God the more knowledge we give to those who live in the world that a wonderful life can be lived with Jesus in it. Little by little I went from helping out a little bit at church to a soul winner, to a teacher, and now I sing in the church choir. I ran into an old friend I use to work with yesterday and when she heard all that I was doing she stopped and asked, how did you get from where you were to where you are now? I said, Jesus. Jesus was truly what I was missing in my life and I never want to go another day with Him not in it. Praise God!

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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