The Act of "Serve"ice in 100 Words

Service is provided when one makes the decision to serve.  Service, alone, means nothing.  It is simply a noun.  However, when put into action, it then becomes a verb.  This is exactly why Jesus humbled Himself and came to earth, for He came to serve and not to be served (Matthew 20:28).  He made the decision to serve the least of these for the betterment of God’s Kingdom.  Jesus did not just simply agree with what service is, but He lived out service by serving others according to God’s will.  He is the epitome of how His followers should also live their life.  It is for God, and God alone, that life should be lived, by serving.  

The Act of "Serve"ice in 200 Words

The root word of service is “serve.”  Service is a noun, which implies the physical portion has already been done, whereas serve is a verb, which is the action of living out service to the peak of one’s abilities.  Service is a result of serve and, therefore, one cannot exist without the other.  Jesus came to earth to serve and not to be served (Matthew 20:28).  He did not settle for living for Himself by service, but rather, He lived for someone even greater than He and served God only.  He did this out of His love for the Father, thus yielding a service.  Paul explains this as such, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).  This is exactly what Jesus did while He was on this earth.  He did not merely provide a service to those around Him, but He physically served them.  This is how His people should also live, for “when pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2).  His people can only gain the wisdom and the blessings from serving once they realize God’s love can cover a multitude.  It is more than gaining for one’s self.  It is the gaining for others by pouring out His love over those who desperately yearn for it.  It is serving.  

The Act of "Serve"ice in 300 Words

“Service,” in its simplest form, is “the action of helping or doing work for someone.”  Based on this definition, it implies that service is not for one’s own benefit, but for that of another.  One of the many blessings of service is that not only is someone’s life being touched, but also is the one doing the service.  It is human nature to help someone else in need.  However, what is so often overlooked is the Biblical background of service.  Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”  In the New Testament, it says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).  This means that one should serve in order to better someone else.  Jesus, Himself, came to serve and not to be served (Matthew 20:28).  He saw the need in the world and served each need with love.  He humbled Himself so others could gain.  This, in its rarest form, is serving.  There is quite a difference between the two words.  The most obvious is that the former is a noun, whereas the latter is a verb.  Service requires one to perform some sort of action or deed, whereas serving requires one to live out an obscure lifestyle, one that is not often seen.  Because of God’s love for His children, we, too, have the instinct to love and to serve one another.  Some people, however, only provide a service.  They do not serve for the betterment of another, nor for God’s divine Kingdom, but they serve to merely accomplish something within one’s self.  It is out of selfish ambition, as opposed to the lifestyle in which God has called His people.  Serving is the physical portion of the word serve.  One cannot provide a service with first serving.  For example, it is impossible to perform the service of helping an elderly cross the street without first serving the elderly, without first physically aiding him or her.  This is living like Jesus.  The result will never be found out without first discovering in each moment with physical ambition of serving Christ.  

The Act of "Serve"ice Introduction

I am taking a Freshman Seminar class called "Making a Difference."  We were given an assignment to first write our philosophy of service in 300 words.  Once we wrote that, we were then to portray the same message in 200 words, and then, finally, in 100 words.  Since it has been sooooo long since I have posted something, (and I'm going through withdrawals) I thought I would post each one here.  That way, you can read them too.  I'll post each one individually, so you can see how they transition.  

I love you all! :]

Your Satisfaction... Guaranteed!

I would like to walk you through a famous story in the Gospel, whose meaning happens to sometimes be overlooked.  That story is:  Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand. 

Jesus says to His disciples, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat" (Mark 8:2).  Jesus then takes seven loaves of bread, breaks the bread, and gives thanks to God for the bread.  He is then able to perform a miracle and multiply the bread, so the four thousand may eat.  He also does this with the few fish He has.  He gives thanks before He is able to perform a miracle.  In verse 8, it says, "The people ate and were satisfied.  Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over."  

Jesus had compassion on the people that were WITH Him.  They were listening to His teachings and taking in His every word.  They had not eaten during these three days.  They had sacrificed this portion of their lives, so they could be with Him.  Because of this, Jesus wanted to reward them.  He had compassion on them.  When we are with Jesus, our outlook changes.  We do not focus on our problems or the lack of what we have.  Instead, we simply focus on spending time with Him.  In time, (for these people, it was three days), Jesus will reward you and bless you. 

However, before rewarding them, He gave thanks for what He had.  Seven loaves of bread and a few fish is obviously not enough for four thousand people...  Or so we think.  Jesus took what was few and made it plenty.  Now think about your life.  Is there an aspect where you feel as if you don't have enough?  If you are with Him, He will take what you think is few and turn it into something so much greater.  Jesus exemplifies an important lesson here.  Be thankful for what you do have.  "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess. 5:18).  Even if you have little, be thankful for it.  

Finally, it says, "the people ate and were satisfied" (v. 8).  Because of their trust and longing to be with Jesus, Jesus blessed them with food and they were satisfied.  It does not say they were "somewhat satisfied" or "almost satisfied."  It says, "they were satisfied."  He will bless you in the midst of your problems, so much so, that you will be satisfied.  They will be an abundance of blessings.  They will pour over your problems and give you peace.   You'll have basketfuls left over!

With this world, satisfaction is scarce and only lingers.  With Jesus, satisfaction is guaranteed to stay and overflow.  :]


"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit"  (Romans 15:13).

In All Things, You Make Us New

Well, it's back-to-school time again!  For some, it's grade school.  For others, like myself, it's college.  Either way, it's another chapter in our story, a new season of life. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1 says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven."  It then goes on to give examples of such times.  Going back to school consists of many obstacles, just on the first day!  But remember, "from the divine order of the seasons to the meticulous timing of a flower's bloom, God's handiwork surrounds us."  It is everywhere, even on that first day.  I encourage you to, therefore, give Him praise in all things.  "O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago" (Isaiah 25:1).  He has already planned our first day of school, our today, our right now, our new season.  "He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end" (Ecc. 3:11).  It is such a blessing to be reminded of God's faithfulness in each new day and in the beauty of every new season.  

Because God provides us with a new season, He also provides each of us, individually, with a new spirit, if we allow Him.  Second Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"  The Greek word for "new" is "kainos."  This means, "recently made, fresh, recent, unused, unworn, uncommon, unprecedented."  Just the opposite, the Greek word for "old" is "archaios."  This means, "original, that has been from the beginning, conditions."  Before choosing to follow Christ, we continue in the same pattern, the same routine.  It is original and does not stand out from the rest.  However, once we make that choice, we become fresh, unused, unworn, uncommon, unprecedented...  We become like God.  We become who He created us to be - one of a kind.  Romans 12:2 says, "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."  The word "renewing," here, means, "a renewal, a renovation, a complete change for the better."  As you venture into this new season, become new in yourself, as well.  Turn away from your old self, from the patterns of this world.  If you do so, He will make a complete change in you for the better.  He will show you His perfect plan for your life.  

Trust in Him always, and He will continue guiding you.  Personally, I know God has big plans for me in this new season.  And I can guarantee He has them for you too!  :]

A Prophet Without Honor

In Mark 6, Jesus goes to his hometown and teaches in the synagogues.  While He is there, people who had grown up with Him, questioned Him.  They took offense at his teachings and his healings.  Jesus responded, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor" (v. 4).  Then, in verse 6, it says, "He was amazed at their lack of faith."

I'm not sure about you, but this hit me hard.  Jesus went to his hometown, among people He loved and people who loved Him, and He wasn't even accepted there.  

Think about Him in our world today.  His hometown is inside of us.  When we accept Him as our Lord and Savior, He resides in our hearts.  However, if ever we start to doubt Him or turn away from Him or question His miracles, He becomes a prophet without honor.  We are doubting His credibility.  Then, He becomes amazed at our lack of faith in Him.  

Jesus deserves all the glory AND honor AND power.   Revelation 4:11 says, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”  He created all things, and He heals all things.  Therefore, don't doubt Him.  Don't turn away from Him.  Don't question Him.  And please, PLEASE, don't make Him a prophet without honor.  Trust in Him with all you have, and He will heal you.  :]

Here's a song that I think goes with this message.  I think you'll like it.  It's called "Cannons" by Phil Wickham.  The lyrics are there, as well.  :]

http://youtu.be/dSo46FWGh8g

WE Are Beautiful

Well, I realized it was slightly hypocritical of myself to ask you all to not be silent but remain silent myself.  God has changed my life in soooo MANY ways, and, in God's perfect timing, I will tell you all of it.  But, for now, God would like for me to share with you one particular change.

During a short period in high school, I believed a lie.  I would look at myself in the mirror and be discontent.  I didn't like who I saw.  Not because of something I had done, but simply because I didn't see myself as beautiful.  I allowed the lack of being told I am beautiful by my father to consume me.  Because of this, I became jealous of girls who had boyfriends and I didn't.  I compared myself to those girls and thought, I'm just not as pretty as they are.  I didn't like what I wore, because I thought I just didn't look good in my clothes.  I wore too much makeup.  I tried to "cover myself up" or "fix myself" in order to attempt at being beautiful. 

I realize that just about every girl goes through this stage.  But I write this to you today to offer hope.  Because now, when I look in the mirror, I see a beautiful creation of God.  Somedays, yes, Satan still creeps in my head, but I shut him out and turn to God.

The Bible says that "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:27).  We were all created in God's image.  No one else's but His.  The Bible also says, "The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him; for he is your lord" (Psalm 45:11).  So not only do we look like God, who is the epitome of beauty, but He is enthralled by how beautiful we are.  When we look in the mirror, we shouldn't see a simple person, we should see a beautiful creation of God.  We should see God staring right back at us. 

When I went on a mission trip to Miami, I got to share this portion of my story with a five-year-old girl.  She never told me her story, but that didn't deter me from what I felt led to tell her.  I told her how absolutely beautiful she is in the eyes of God.  I told her how I overcome the lie of being "ugly" and how I still overcome it each day.  She was so amazed and her eyes lit up before me.  She had a smile on her face knowing I cared for her enough to share this with her.  The smile on her face also came from finally knowing she's beautiful.  I can't even begin to tell you how much joy I felt in my heart from telling her this.

You see, what Satan means for harm, God will turn it around for His glory.  Satan tried to make me believe I wasn't beautiful.  And I believed him for a bit.  That was until God reminded me of who He is and who I am in Him.  I went through that stage of my life, so I could tell that little girl how beautiful she is.  And, believe me, it was soooo worth it. 

So, I no longer look in the mirror and turn away.  I look in the mirror and see God staring right back at me.  I am beautiful.  And, so are you.  :]

I REFUSE to Be Silent

For the past four weeks, my pastor has been preaching a series called, Silenced.  He has been talking about how, as followers of Jesus, we cannot be silent in our prayers, our lives, or our beliefs.  I have been praying about how exactly God wants me to go about not being silent.  And He simply answered, "Just don't."  It's that simple.  Just don't be silent.

Today I read Mark 5:1-20.  This is the passage where Jesus heals a man who is possessed by a legion of demons.  Jesus casts the demons into a herd of pigs, and the man is healed.  The man wanted to go with Jesus, but instead, Jesus responded, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you" (v. 19).  Once again, Jesus is reminding me of His command.  Go tell my family.  Go tell my friends.  Go tell people I have never before met. 

The following verse says, "So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis (which means 'Ten Cities') how much Jesus had done for him.  And all the people were amazed."  The man who had been healed did as Jesus commanded him.  We have already been healed by the pouring out of His blood on the cross.  So go tell someone.  If you're worried what people will say, don't.  For this man, "all the people were amazed."  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (Prov. 3:5-6).  Don't consider yourself; consider Him.  Trust Him.  In ALL your ways, acknowledge Him.  Tell others about His love and about what He has done for you.  If you do this, He is faithful and just and will keep His promises (Psalm 117:7). 

I ask you these three questions.  What true works of God have you seen in your own life or in others' lives?  Who are your "family" to whom you can be a witness?  How do you overcomplicate the simple act of sharing what God has done for you?  These are the same questions I was humbled by today.  I overcomplicate my daily life in order to somehow "escape" God.  That's impossible.  Just like being silent is impossible.  So go tell someone!