SERVE

 

Write From My Heart

May 31, 2021

 

SERVE  to work for; to be used by

 

Psalm 100:2-3 (NIV)  Serve the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

 

Ponder this: In our Nation, we set aside this day as Memorial Day—the day we recognize all those men and women in every branch of military service who gave his or her life while serving our country. They lost their lives so we could live ours. We may or may not be called to serve our country as did they, but we are called as Christians to serve God, and to do so willingly and joyfully. We are to serve him with our best effort in all we do.

Give of Your Best to the Master (H.B.G.)

                                                    #358, Advent Christian Hymnal (1952)

Give of your best to the Master; Give of the strength of your youth; Throw your soul’s fresh glowing ardor Into the battle for truth. Jesus has set the example; Dauntless was He, young and brave; Give Him your loyal devotion, Give Him the best that you have.

Give of your best to the Master’ Give Him first place in your heart; Give Him first place in your service, Consecrate every part. Give, and to you shall be given; God His beloved Son gave; Gratefully seeking to serve Him, Give Him the best that you have.

Give of your best to the Master; Naught else is worthy His love; He gave Himself for your ransom, Gave up His glory above: Laid down His life without murmur, You from sin’s ruin to save; Give Him your heart’s adoration, Give Him the best that you have.

Give of your best to the Master; Give of the strength of your youth; Clad in Salvation’s full armor, Join in the battle for truth.

REMEMBER

 

Write From My Heart

May 30, 2021

 

REMEMBER  to keep in mind; to bring back to mind by effort; be careful not to forget

 

Psalm 25:6-7 (NIV) Remember, O LORD, you great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD.

 

Ponder this: The word remember can hold multiple variations in meaning and perhaps that is illustrated within these two verses. The psalmist, David, asks the Lord to keep in mind—an ongoing, unending, action—his great mercy and love. The next prayerful request is that the Lord would NOT bring back to mind the transgressions David has committed. Finally, he asks the Lord never to forget about him because truly God is good. What was true for David, holds true for us today. God still keeps in mind his love and mercy; once we have been forgiven, God never calls those transgressions back to mind; and he never forgets about us for God is good!

COMPASSION

 

Write From My Heart

May 29, 2021

 

COMPASSION sorrow for another’s trouble, misfortune, or suffering with an urge to help

 

Matthew 15:32 (NIV)  Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people…”

 

Ponder this: The entire story of Jesus feeding the thousands can be read in Matthew 15:29-39, however I would like to draw attention to the short phrase noted above. We are so quick to say we have compassion for others, yet what we really feel is pity for them. Yes, we pity them—that is, to feel sorrow for their plight—but true compassion accompanies a willingness to do something to help, and often this is what we lack. When the topic changes to the state of a lost and dying world due to its sinfulness…do we feel pity or compassion? Yes, we are sorry that others will not have the hope of eternal life, but do we have enough compassion for the lost to help by spreading the gospel to all whom we meet? And friends, this message isn’t just for you, it is for me as well. It is time to change our pity into compassion. It is time to help share the gospel news to others.