Lenten Series: In Need of The Helper
Lent is a liturgical observance and season of reflection; not a biblical mandate. It is simply a time to remind ourselves and appreciate the abundant grace of Christ’s saving work on the cross. It is a time to press in deeper in submission to Christ’s authority as we prepare our hearts to celebrate, with exceedingly great joy, the resurrection that awaits every believer and follower.
In our Lenten daily devotionals, we will focus on our spiritual needs and desires and how the Helper is our Gift for strength and success if we will bow in greater submission to the authority of our King and the terms of His Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit.
Reflection: Willingness to Serve
Digging for Truth: As a part of God’s Family, you and I are called to have a willingness to serve others. Paul teaches us about this in his lesson to the Church in Philippi. He reminds us that in our flesh we have selfish ambition, and we tend to look out for our own interests. But, in the Spirit, there is humility as we take on the same attitude as Christ and in that place, we can look out for others as Jesus does (Phil 2:3-5).
Grace for the Heart: After washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus asked them “Do you understand what I was doing?” He preceded to remind them that they call Him “Teacher and Lord” and although they were right, because He is “OUR” Teacher and Lord, He was giving “US” the greatest example to follow on how to serve others. Remember, He washed every one of their feet, including Peter’s feet, who would later deny Him, and Judas’ feet, who would later betray Him. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them” (John 13:12-17). God blesses you and me when we serve one another, because we are offering an extension of His love to His Creation to His Family.
Mark 10:43-45 (NLT)
43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Challenge: Friends, you and I have been made free through our salvation in Christ Jesus, and we are containers of His Spirit. Thus, He calls us to live in that freedom, and to not use it to satisfy our own sinful nature, as that has been laid down at His feet and forgiven. Instead, we are called to use our freedom in Christ to serve one another in love by the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:13). Allow the Spirit to use the freedom of your salvation in Christ today to serve one another in love.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to help be our reminder that we are to serve others. Help us, Holy Spirit, to put the interests of others before our own selfish interests. Use each of us today to serve someone else so that the love of Christ is spread into this hurting world. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.