Purpose Driven Life chapter 33/34

Chapter 33/34: How Real Servants Act and think

Something to Remember: We serve God by serving others and Service starts in your mind.

Verse to Remember: "Whenever we have the opportunity, we have to do what is good for everyone, especially for the family of believers" Galatians 6:10

"Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand" Philipains 2:4

Something that was impactful: God shaped you for service not self-centeredness. Rick says that "your shape reveals your ministry, but your servant's heart will reveal your maturity" (258) I like that.

Real servants make themselves AVAILABLE to serve. They dont fill up their schedule with other things that will stop them from serving. They will be able to make time to serve. Real servants do whatever is needed whether its convenient for them or not.

Real servants pay attention to needs. They are always on the lookout for people in need. THats self explanitory i think.

Real servants do their best with what they have. It doesnt matter who you are, God can use you. Many people fear that they are not good enough to serve. EVERYONE is good enough to serve. Everyone has something to offer!

Real servants do every task with equal dedication. They use Colissians 3:16(?) that says whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. I like what Rick said that "small tasks often show a big heart". I think that is totally true. In my church, there are people who do things behind the scenes, such as make the bullitens, lead sunday school etc. THey have teh biggest hearts because they dont get noticed for what they are doing but they still do it.

Real servants are faithful to their ministry. They dont give up. They continue their task until its fulfilled. Its a rare quality, and in very few people. They can always be counted on by other people.

Real servants maintain a low profile. That goes with what i wrote before about the small tasks. They dont WANT to be noticed or recognized for what they do.BE HUMBLE!

Servants think more about others than themselves. They focus on the comfort of others before their own. I know many people like that and those people are the people i love most. They are not self-centered. When we stop focusing on ourselves and our own needs, we become more aware of others needs around us. I love that!

Servants think like stewards, not owners. God owns everything not you. All your time belongs to God. Your time should be used to make him happy. Servanst are Kingdom Builders not Wealth Builders.

Servants think about their work, not what others are doign. Dont focus on what other people are doing. Don't criticize what others are doing. Its not a competition!!!!!!

Servants base their identity in Christ. We dont have to prove our worth because we know what we are worth in God's eyes.

Servants think of ministry as an opportunity, not an obligation. They think of it as a good thing that they WANT to do, not somethign they have to do.

I am willing to be one of those Christians who gets serious about my role as a servant. Lord help me to be more a servant and less selfcentered! Help me to be able to serve out of opportunity not out of obligation. Help me be happy to serve. Help me KNOW that it doesnt matter how old i am. I can do anything through YOU who gives me strength. Help me Lord to know that anyone can serve. Everyone has something they can offer. Thank you for revealing this to me at a time where i was feeling like i had nothing to offer to my church! Thank you Lord! Amen!