Free to Be a Joyful Servant

Although joyful and servant seem to be an oxymoron when put together, the ideal life on earth according to Jesus Christ is of servitude. Imagine a world where we all are helping each other, where we actually enjoy serving, and where being responsible for ourselves and others, is normal. That’s a world where selfishness does not exist, love and giving take priority, no one is left out, everyone does their part, respect prevails, and peace and harmony always permeate the atmosphere.

Philippians 2:5-7 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

The joy of giving of ourselves in servitude to God and others brings heaven to the natural world. God is not surprised by our actions whether in giving, loving, sharing, and helping or in taking, hoarding, hating, or walking away from the needs of others. When we reach out in love we fulfill the command of Christ to love, our lives take on new meaning, and we walk joyfully.

Dorfkrippe von Baumkirchen Nativity

The only problems we might encounter in a world where servitude is a priority in life would come if God were not considered. In that case, our servitude would be distorted at best and subject to our control according to our own thinking, desires, needs, and opinions. Servitude without God is manipulative at best.

The unfolding sky (Photo credit: badjonni)

Isaiah 64:6 For we are all become as one that is unclean, and all our righteousness is as a polluted garment: and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

5 Biblical tips to the joy of serving:
1. Pray. Prayer is the most important service we can give our fellow man. If we pray for the needs of others and pray for God to open our hearts to know and give what is truly needed, the Holy Spirit will guide us.

1 Samuel 12:23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing,

2. Ask. Reach out to your neighbor and ask if there’s anything you can do to help them.

1 Corinthians 10:24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

Romans 13:10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

3. Be receptive and grateful. When others serve us they receive a blessing from God in return.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

4. Love your family. God has given us a family for a good reason and a service of love toward your family, whether wife, husband, brother, sister, mother, father or family in Christ is expected and desirable.

1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Proverbs 11:29 Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be a servant to the wise of heart.

1 Peter 2:17 Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Have a respectful fear of God. Honor the emperor.

Romans 12:10 Love each other like the members of your family. Be the best at showing honor to each other.

5. Bless your enemies. As difficult as it may seem, another way of serving God is to forgive and love even our enemies.

Luke 6:27 “But I tell everyone who is listening: Love your enemies. Be kind to those who hate you.
Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.

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Removing the Stronghold of Destruction

Destruction, unlike deterioration, has a definite end. The end of this present time and life is final and is promised in scripture. But does our understanding of the world have to end in destruction or can we be assured of a new beginning? In other words, are we setting ourselves up or causing our own destruction or can it be avoided?

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call on heaven and earth as witnesses today that I have offered you life or death, blessings or curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants will live.

Since destruction is inevitable for the physical body of a person especially one dedicated to the world our goal should be to avoid being destroyed, demolished or annihilated because of a mindset on worldly things. A stronghold of destruction sets in along with other strongholds that cause us to ignore our basic need for redemption and the things of God. Those of us in Christ live in the world but we are not of the world. Those of us without Christ are of the world and are guaranteed to end their lives in everlasting hellfire. Harsh? Sure it is. But the word of God assures us that we are given a choice (free will) and it’s up to us to get serious about that choice.

Deuteronomy 30:15 Today I offer you life and prosperity or death and destruction.

We have been given free will by our creator and that free will invites destruction when we ignore God and proceed to place ourselves in the center of the world (and sometimes universe) and its offerings. It’s so easy to abandon others and God’s will when this occurs. If we continue to ignore our creator we need to heed this warning "God cannot go against his own will."

Malachi 3:6 “I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.”

James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Numbers 23:19  “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?”

What can be done in order to avoid the sure destruction that comes from wrong choices?

5 Biblical truths to overcome a stronghold of destruction:
1. Stop right now and change the way you think and act. If you are deliberately going against the word of God you are in danger.

Luke 3:8 Do those things that prove that you have turned to God and have changed the way you think and act. Don’t say, ‘Abraham is our ancestor.’ I guarantee that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

2. Receive Christ Jesus. If you receive Christ and choose to walk uprightly whenever it depends on you or your choice, your life is free from destruction.

Romans 6:23 The payment for sin is death, but the gift that God freely gives is everlasting life found in Christ Jesus our Lord.

3. Ask God’s help to deliver you from any sin that you’re struggling with. Never allow any sin to stay long enough to become a stronghold that will lead to destruction.

Philippians 3:18-20 I have often told you, and now tell you with tears in my eyes, that many live as the enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ In the end they will be destroyed. Their own emotions are their god, and they take pride in the shameful things they do. Their minds are set on worldly things. ²⁰ We, however, are citizens of heaven. We look forward to the Lord Jesus Christ coming from heaven as our Savior.

4. Fear God and Him alone. Do not allow peer pressure or fear of the opinions of others to keep you from turning from your sins.

Matthew 10:28 Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell.

5. Keep your mind and heart pure and free from sin as much as you are able.
James 1:27 Pure, unstained religion, according to God our Father, is to take care of orphans and widows when they suffer and to remain uncorrupted by this world.

John 8:10-12 ¹⁰ When Jesus raised Himself up, He said to her, Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you? ¹¹ She answered, No one, Lord! And Jesus said, I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on sin no more.

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.

Stronghold of Stinginess

Stinginess like pettiness depletes the host of whatever it is withholding. A stingy person is unwilling or shows an unwillingness to share with others. A stronghold of stinginess sets in when the fear of poverty increases–unfortunately, this same stronghold perpetuates poverty and the resultant fear.

If a stronghold of poverty or fear didn’t come before stinginess became an issue, it invites the stronghold of poverty and of course many other strongholds along with it, depending on the measure of stinginess–think, Ebenezer Scrooge. In the story of Scrooge, Ebenezer Scrooge became shut off to the world, fearful, and petty in all he did.

Proverbs 11:24 There is that scatters, and yet increases, and there is that withhold more than is meet, but it tends to poverty.

Where does this stronghold come from?
Like most other strongholds stinginess begins in our thoughts. Fear is a great contributor to this thought process but selfishness is not far behind. Fear of losing, of not having enough, of going without, of getting too close–in short, any number of thoughts can trigger the thought to withhold something that should be given.

What can be done to keep this stronghold from setting in? 

5 Biblical tips to overcome or obliterate a stronghold of stinginess:

1. Learn God’s will for provisions in your life and His direction. 

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Proverbs 28:27 Whoever gives to the poor lacks nothing. Whoever ignores the poor receives many curses.

2. Trust the Lord to keep His promises for your obedience.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

3. Cast away any fear that might lead you to believe anything other than what God has said. Be patient.

Proverbs 28:22 He that hastens to be rich has an evil eye and considers not that poverty shall come upon him.

4. Give generously when you have the opportunity and ability to give.

2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

5. Love. Keep your thoughts free from anything that would cause you not to withhold love.

Matthew 22:36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka