How Can You Best Serve God?

Matthew 6:24

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord]. AMP.

Everyone has a master. This may be shocking for those who live in the “free world” where one boasts of their independence and freedom. Yet even in the countries of northern America or western Europe every person has a master. Most often their master is not the governmental system or leader but themselves.

The truth be told each one of us either serves our passions and dreams and desires rather than someone else’s dictates. Yet Jesus himself states that a person cannot truly serve two masters. One will be more effectively served than the other. So how do you know you are truly serving your Lord rather than yourself?

First there are those who serve Jesus for their own self-centered purpose. Generally, they want something and believe if they serve Jesus, he will grant them their wish. Then there are those who have emptied themselves from personal ambition and truly find joy serving Jesus without a personal agenda. These are the ones who have matured through life realizing the relationship with God is more valuable than any personal goal.

The first group looks for ways to “buy” God through favors by servicing others. The second group builds a relationship with God to become more aware of His presence and join him with their hands and feet in serving others. Typically, they don’t even know what they are doing and the impact their service for others mean. They simply and gratefully appreciate the opportunity to work along their Master.

Typically, the second group doesn’t look for additional work to perform for God. Instead they know God is already involved in the work they do; their service is to perform their daily routine for God’s glory. A mother or father caring for their children is already glorifying God through their loving responsibility for their children. The receptionist in the office is already serving God by being a joyful representative of His kingdom with everyone he meets. Likewise, the mechanic repairing the client’s automobile as if it was his own, being truthful and fair in the exceptional work they perform, is already serving God by witnessing His values before others.

The list is endless. We serve God best by doing what we do every day for His glory. When we exercise the gifts he has bestowed upon us into good, productive work, and perform our service for others in a saintly manner, being transparent and caring for their well-being, you are being a profitable servant introducing God’s kingdom to the world as His faithful witness.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:

 *  Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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Copyright 2013-2019 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

The Prosperous Soul

3 John 1:2

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.

prosporous soul1

The apostle John wrote to his local church with the reassurance God wants each one of his children to prosper not only spiritually, but also physically. The challenge though is more people emphasize the physical objectives of life and ignore the spiritual. They want the benefits of a healthy spiritual walk, but don’t want to invest the time and effort.

The prosperous life is so much more than physical comforts. You could gain the whole world, but be vastly poor in spirit. You could have beauty, power, and fame, but be empty, frustrated, and lonely. A disciple’s walk with his Teacher is life enriched with confidence, boldness, and humility. Her life radiates from an inner peace of contentment. The toys and material items that surround her are simply the means to fully experience the vast richness of God’s creation.

To be healthy is a blessing. But to be healthy for self-aggrandizement is pompous and vain. Health is a physical and mental condition. Both though are empowered by the soul. A soul that is rich in love, joy, patience, goodness, kindness, and self-control. The essence of God’s character is displayed through a soul that is in constant contact with Him.

A soul rich in spiritual blessings is the master of the physical comforts around them. The computer, television, smart phone, and automobile are simply tools being managed by the soul keeper. A rich soul is not addicted to the toys around him. Instead the rich soul effectively manages the comforts of life for a greater purpose.

A rich soul likewise treasures the body as a temple for His divine presence. Therefore, her attitude is to maintain and operate the body’s functions for the long haul. She will not glorify it but discipline it. She will praise its Creator and sustain it for His glory.

Whatever the enriched soul pursues, he does so with the intent to make it better than before. Whether mind, body, or soul, the desire is to magnify the creator. The enriched soul is not self-made. Instead, the prosperous soul knows Her Creator, regularly thanks him in gratitude, and humbly walks with those around him for their benefit and God’s purpose.

So, whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. Prosper in your health, in your bank account, and in your relationships. But always remember your priorities and your most important function today. God knows. So do you.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:

Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
Great Business Emulates a Good God
Be Radical…Follow Christ!
Simply The Messenger
Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!


Copyright 2013-2018 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Gratitude 101

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.

gratitude1

Gratitude is an attitude of repentance. Repentance is a mind-set realizing one needs to lock unto the God of the universe and change one’s thinking from a self-centered perspective into a Christ-center worldview.

To acknowledge the self as not the center of the universe and there is Someone greater than self who made everything possible, is a position of humility reflected through one’s attitude.

When one begins this journey, one finds many reasons to be thankful.

Thankful for knowing one’s blessing is not necessarily due to one’s superior talent, above average intelligence, or persuasive demeanor, but being at the right place and the proper time with the ideal people to bring it all about.

Thankful for realizing how blessed one is for being born this time in history.

Thankful for appreciating all the people in your life who contributed toward your success to date.

Thankful for knowing we are all dead trees blowing in the wind apart from God who shares His life and Spirit which enriches us every day.

Thankful for realizing everything was created by Christ for Christ and shared with us through Christ.

Thankful for appreciating our value in Christ.

Thankful for knowing the truth which leads to freedom and contentment.

Thankful for realizing your potential as a person which begins in God and comes from God and revealed through you.

Thankful for appreciating who you are in relationship with others who likewise are included in Christ.

There is much to be thankful for as we travel through the day.  For we eventually come to know and see that whatever good we see and whatever great gifts we experience, comes from the Triune God who brings it about for you and me for the purpose of truly coming to know Him.

Knowing, realizing, and appreciating Him for who He IS makes being grateful for even the everyday mundane routine activities of the day. Why? Because He is involved with you through it all.

Gratitude 101 is the basic fundamental foundation of coming to appreciate God’s involvement in your life.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Encourager & Founder of
Vocational Leadership 360
Author of e-Books:

Dancing With God: Life-Giving Theology Explained
Great Business Emulates a Good God
Be Radical…Follow Christ!
Simply The Messenger
Unequally Married

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!


Copyright 2013-2018 Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved