Thursday, July 16, 2009

Today's Devotional Scripture

Today's Verse
Jesus said, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."
~John 15:15 NIV
Thoughts on today's verse...
Sometimes in the pursuit of being a "good Christian" we become involved in doing works of service. We can become members of every committee and attend every prayer group and Bible study that the church offers. We can volunteer to work in the nursery or become a Sunday School teacher. If there is a job to be done, then by golly, we're there! We may even run ourselves ragged doing things for God and somehow lose sight of Him in the midst of all of it. Sometimes we may even experience Christian burn-out. I don't believe God called us to burn-out for His name sake, but to wear out in due time.

I also think that when we become so involved in the works as described above, that is what it becomes - work and not service. God becomes our boss, our task master and not our friend, and without His friendship life becomes a rat race and Ladies, more often than not, the rats win!

As yesterday's devotional stated, we all have a gift (or gifts) and once we learn what that or those may be, then we become free to use that gift (talent) in the Lord's service. What liberation!

My prayer...
Abba, Father! Free me, liberate me to see and know exactly what my gift is so that I may use it to Your glory! ~Amen

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

4 comments:

  1. You have a gift to inspire blogging friends to be a better person Tamara!

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  2. Nice post!

    My sister always said this exact same thing, about 'doing too much' in the Lord's Name and how so many people suffer that 'burn out' and how they almost grow resentful of their good works.
    She also said that she noticed a lot of churches were more about socializing rather than devotion to the spirit.
    It's easy to see how the two sometimes get blended, and then you need to take a step back and reassess.

    Thanks for sharing.

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  3. ...Been there, done that, Tamara.
    A friend of mine said something once that still resonates with me. Do I feel that it is my mission to shepherd the sheep...or to win the lost...or both. It is hard for me...I struggle with the first one...and I feel that the Lord wants me to put more time into the latter. Take care of you, Tamara...and remember that 'stepping' could be sideways...into another path...not necessarily aside or back...perhaps in a different direction. Again, the direction you are in may be exactly where God wants you. God will let you know that....without a doubt.
    Hugs and smiles to you from Jackie

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  4. Oh, Tamara, I was guilty of over doing many years ago and then nothing was done the way it should be. It ended up more about rushing and doing than serving and worshipping the Creator. there are times I still need to step back and make sure my priorities are in the right order!
    Thanks for a great devotional!

    blessings and hugs,

    marcy

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