Many times we put off serving the Lord because we think it will affect our lifestyle and keep us from having a good time. The truth is that serving and giving of ourselves is the way that God puts that sense of peace, happiness and gratitude in our life. Jesus said only by giving can we receive and only by loving can we be loved. If you are struggling in the area of serving others, then this message will help you to see the benefits of being a servant. (2 Corinthians 9:7-10) (1 John 4:10-13)
IT'S A START We know a wealthy couple in Dallas who have really struggled with teaching their children servanthood. For one thing, the kids have had almost whatever they've wanted for years. They've become so accustomed to others meeting their needs that the idea of "serving" sounded like something from the Middle Ages...or Mars. The father in that family realized he was getting a late start, but hey it was better than no start at all! A week or so before the holidays, he said to his family, "We're going to do something different this Thanksgiving." His teenagers sat up and listened. Usually when he said things like that it meant something exotic. Like parasailing in the Bahamas. But not this time. "We're going to go down to the mission," he told them, "and we're going to serve Thanksgiving dinner to some poor and homeless people." "We're going to what?" "Come on, Dad, you're kidding...aren't you? Please tell us you're kidding." He wasn't. They went along with it because of his firm insistence, but no one was happy about it. For some reason their dad had "gotten weird" and apparently it was something he just had to get out of his system. Serving at the mission! What if their friends heard about it? No one could have predicted what happened that day. And no one in the family could remember when they had a better time together. They hustled around the kitchen, dished up turkey and dressing, sliced pumpkin pie and refilled countless coffee cups. They clowned around with the little kids and listened to old folks tell stories of Thanksgivings long ago and far away. The dad in the family was thoroughly pleased and would you believe even stunned by the way his kids responded. But nothing could have prepared him for their request a few weeks later. "Dad...we want to go back to the mission and serve Christmas dinner!" And they did. As the kids hoped, they met some of the same people they'd become acquainted with at Thanksgiving. One needy family in particular had been on their minds, and they all lit up when they saw them back in the dinner line again. Since that time, the families have had several contacts. The pampered teenagers have rolled up their sleeves more than once to serve the family from one of Dallas's poorer neighborhoods. There was a marked but subtle change in that home. The kids didn't seem to be taking things for granted anymore. Their parents found them more serious...more responsible. Yes, it was a late start. But it was a start! By Gary Smalley and John Trent I hope you have found a bit of inspiration in this story that shows how it is much better to serve others rather than to be served ourselves. I have said it many times, and I believe it is worth repeating again. Jesus said by loving others is the way all people will know that we are His disciples. Love is the greatest of all attributes and by serving others, God's love is made manifest. (John 13:34-35) (Romans 13:9-10) It is easy for us to make excuses of why we are not able to volunteer and help the people that are not as fortunate as we are. We can say that we don't have any time or our job schedule is so busy that it is impossible. Yes, it is easy for us to make excuses, but I believe it show's more character in a person who despite being so busy will still make time and say, “I will help those that are not as fortunate as I am.” I want you to know that you will not only be a blessing, but you also will be greatly blessed for your kindness and compassion towards those who are not as privileged as you are. (Romans 15:1-6) (Luke 6:38) (Matthew 5:42-45) ----------------------------------------------------- This mail is generated from http://www.jesusyouth.org To subscribe to this mailing list send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe from the list send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----------------------------------------------------
