Being unemployed stinks, I don't like sitting around and doing nothing. Its hard to keep myself occupied. I have lost count on the resumes and the apps that I sent out to both companies and churches. Since I'm not doing full time ministry (hence finding a secular job to afford dating and find a wife to work for a church...I'm I bitter? Just a little) I might as well be useful and write a tribune for my service to the Kingdom. To have a heart of a servant doesn't mean one has to be preaching behind a pulpit 247 to serve Jesus. One doesn't have to be a deacon (though the Greek means “servant or “minister”) or an elder to serve Jesus. I mean do titles make us super-Christians? Or make us better than other Christians? One doesn't have to be a lawyer from Harvard to serve Jesus ( no offense to lawyers and Harvard). Jesus picked ordinary dudes to be his disciples. One was a tax collector, one was a zealot who despised tax collectors. Others were fishermen.
“For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”-Luke 5:9-11
Jesus chose men who weren't the sharpest tool in the shed, but He taught them. We don’t need them fancy degrees and education to serve Jesus but we have to immerse ourselves in the Word. Women can also serve Jesus.
“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.”- Luke 8:1-3
Why does Luke mention women who followed and served Jesus? Because in that day, Rabbis refused to teach women and sometimes treated them like second class, but not Jesus. Isn’t it interesting that all of Jesus’ enemies were men? Women are mentioned a lot in the gospels as being active in ministry as Jesus traveled everywhere. They were the first ones to the tomb...It was a woman who anointed the feet of Jesus. During times of transition when everything seems like chaos instead of walking around like chickens with our heads cut off we need to put some elbow grease to maintain the spirit of unity in the bond of peace. We have to serve one another in love to be more efficient to serve Jesus. He is the one who is running the Church.
"not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, )serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality”- Romans 12:11-13
Christians have a responsibility to all people but especially to other Christians (Gal 6:10). We serve God by rejoicing in Him, not rejoicing in results. Hard times do not give us an excuse to lack in love for the body of Christ or a lack of determination to do God's work. The Greek word for hospitality means glove for strangersh. Make every effort to maintain the spirit.
Hutch
