Example of a Servant – He was submissive

“He went a little farther and fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” Mark 14: 35, 36

The moment was agonizing; the Lord Jesus was going to be crucified. By thinking that in receiving the sins of the world, the Father would have to turn away from Him; it was an hour of agony. But our example of Servant did not come to this world to fulfill His own will; and He didn’t because He came with the purpose of fulfilling the will of the Father in favor of the humanity. And things were not easy for Him. On the opposite, he was despised by many, humiliated, treated as a false prophet and condemned to death on the cross; determined to the worst transgressors of the law. The Lord Jesus went through all of this without complaining, without hitting the foot, without giving up and most important without displeasing God, ever.

But many servants have not been like their Lord. They do the work of God according to their own will. They always question the orders of God and want to do their own will. They perform the work not wanting to please the Lord of the work, but looking at them. They complain about the responsibilities, where they are sent, and the direction they receive; in other words, they forget that they are servants and must submit to the Lord. So they contradict what He tells them by doing the opposite or asking for favors from others.

The Lord Jesus overcame because He never allowed Himself to do what He wanted, but fulfill the mission He had received. Being God, he was subjected to live in this rotten and unjust world to execute the plan of salvation.

Have you been doing the work of God according to your will or God’s will?

“For I came down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” John 6:38

Example of a Servant – The Work of God was above Him

“Those who saw it told them how it befell him who had been possessed with the demons and also concerning the swine. Then they began to plead with Him to depart out of their region. When He entered the boat, he who had been possessed with the demons prayed Him that he might be with Him. Jesus did not let him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you and how He has had compassion on you.” So he departed and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.” Mark 5:16-20 (if you’d like to read it all, you can read in your bible from verse 1)

The Lord Jesus was visiting a city, and as soon as He arrived He met a man who had been possessed with demons. He was known by everyone for his deplorable condition. He lived in the cemetery, he hurt himself with stones and was often caught with chains, yet no one could calm him down.

The Lord Jesus set him free and when he was seen in perfect judgment by the people of the city, they were terribly frightened and did not want Jesus to remain there. He was prevented from continuing in the city, people were afraid of Him, for having set free the gadarene man from the demons. On the other hand the man was so grateful that he wanted to follow Jesus. But Jesus asked him to stay in the city, so that through his transformation of life other people could be reached and believe. And so it happened.

You see that the Lord Jesus did not think about himself, not even to satisfy the desire of that man, but he thought of the people of that place who could be saved through the testimony of the man who was set free.

In the work of God our will cannot prevail. The priority must always be the work of God and not our desires. The question is:

- Would you let go of people you like to have by your side, for the good of the work of God?

- How many times have you renounced something for something greater?

- Do you see the work of God with spiritual eyes or the eyes of the flesh?

- Can you understand the purposes of God for your life and for His work?

- Do you do the work of God thinking about yourself or the Kingdom of God?

From your answers depends your future on the work of God. All those who do the work of God thinking about themselves, one day will no longer be with us. The work of God is not about our own life; and in practice it demands total renounce of our will. And giving up hurts, but not everyone is willing to feel this pain. Meditate on your intentions regarding the work of God. Just like the name says, the work is His and not ours. Think about it!

Example of a Servant - Always warning others

“He warned them, “Take heed. Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” Mark 8:15

Our example of a servant, the Lord Jesus, always warned his disciples about the danger of bad influences, so that they would not be contaminated by the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.

Yeast represents evil and corruption because it has the power to alter the dough, just as sin alters genuine faith.

In the same way Jesus warns us to watch, to flee from bad conversations, and from people who can contaminate our faith with our words and actions.

How many people have already given up the path of faith? Simply by joining others who were spiritually bad and subtly injecting poison into their innocent hearts. When that person realized it he/she had already bad eyes, bad feelings, bad thoughts and full of malice.

Watch out! Sometimes the wolves come dressed in sheep just to destroy you.

As it is very clear in the above verse, we must guard ourselves. It is we who decide with whom we come together and who we listen to. It is not God who will keep us from these people, it’s us! From the moment we do not join them, we do not listen to them, and we do not follow them.

Do not forget what I always teach here on the blog. If it's not good for your faith, and it's not good for you, so run away!

I would like you to leave your comment bellow. Who has already given up on faith because h/she allowed himself/herself to be contaminated by someone who was spiritually evil?

Example of a Servant - Always Thinking of Others

Hello darlings! On Fridays we will continue with the series “Example of a Servant” because it has not been finalized.

“In those days, the crowds being very great with nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have now been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint on the way, for some of them have come from afar.”

His disciples answered, “Where can one get bread to feed these men here in the wilderness?” He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven.” He commanded the people to sit down on the ground. Taking the seven loaves and giving thanks, He broke them and gave them to His disciples to serve. And they served the crowd. And they had a few small fish. And blessing them, He commanded that these also be served them. So they ate and were filled. And they collected seven baskets of the broken pieces that were left. There were about four thousand who had eaten, and He sent them away.” Mark 8: 1-9

Jesus had compassion on the people who had been with him for three days and had nothing to eat. His compassion is an example to all of us. We always ask God for opportunities to serve Him, and they come every day. Sometimes we think that we are used by God only when we do something extraordinary, however we can serve Him in small things too.

Whenever we think of others, when we pay attention to the needy that is on our side, when we help a person who needs help, we are serving God. This can happen either in our own home, with a friend, in the church or even with a stranger on the street.

A word, a smile, a gesture, a favor, sharing bread, teaching something, paying attention, etc. are things that can make a difference in one's life. Have realized if your husband needs you to pay more attention to him? How about the people you work with in the church, have you seen how they are? Do they need anything? What can you do for your friend? Maybe she's going through a problem and needs a word of faith! Your neighbors have problems, have you told them about Jesus?

Do we always think about others? Or are we selfish? Feeling sorry is one thing and doing something about it is another. The Lord Jesus had compassion and did something for those people; it means that there’s no use for being pitiful if we don’t do anything. Let’s look further in the needs of people around us. Perhaps because we’re too busy, we don’t pay attention in the details and the opportunities that God give us to serve Him.

So what are you going to do now?

If you’d like to read the previous posts about this series, click here!

Example of a Servant - He was submissive

“He went a little farther and fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 

He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.” Mark 14.35,36

Many are those who want to do the work of God, but according to their will. It’s not them who submit to the will of God, but God has to submit his desires and whims.

Many perform many prayers only asking and demanding, “I want this and this only, I want this responsibility, I want to do the work in such country, I want my husband to take care of such church, and I want it because I want to!”

See that you did not read “I want to do His will and let it be fulfilled in my life.”

The Lord Jesus would go through distressing and terrible moments. Moreover, by taking the sins of mankind He would be separated from the Father and that would be the worst time. He asked that if it was possible God did not allow him to pass through that moment, but then He said, “Yet not what I will, but what You will.”

And here's the big difference between the servant of God and the one who serves herself.

Consider whether your behavior has been of a true servant of God and what has been your reaction when:

- You are contradicted in the work of God

- Things do not go exactly as you want

- You want one thing and God determines another completely different

- You prayed for a purpose and did not happen, because God's will for your life was not that

- You're counting on something and doesn’t happen.

Do you have faith to do the same prayer that Jesus did? Or you are not willing to give up your will? Think well, for what God wants or plans is sometimes quite different from what you might think or want!

Are you willing to submit?

 Tânia Rubim

Translated by: Márcia Sebastião

Example of a Servant - He was accessible, never rejected anyone

“At once, Jesus knew within Himself that power had gone out of Him. He turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing against you, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”

And He looked around to see her who had done it. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the entire truth. 

He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” Mark 5: 30-34

The hemorrhagic woman was afraid to explain about the miracle she received, since in the Jewish law she could not be there in the crowd. She was considered unclean because of the flow of blood that she was suffering.

Jesus did not judge her, on the other hand He admired and praised her faith.

Our example of Servant was always focused on helping the afflicted. He always put people's lives above anything else.

How do you face unusual situations? Are you usually merciful, understanding or you judge people?

Or are you partial? To those who you like and admire, you act with patience, compassion, and understanding, but to those who you don’t like so much, you are harsh and unforgiving.

Have you ever wondered if you cause fear in people? Are you are accessible to those who approach you and ask you for help? Or do you keep people away from you with your way of being and acting?

Perhaps people feel rejected just by the way you look at them or treat them.

The hemorrhagic woman was afraid to be violating a law, not afraid of Jesus.

We should always think how our behavior is in every situation, because God tests us in each one of them.

I cannot think that God is pleased when I am righteous with certain people, if at the same time I am unfair to others.

Our character has to reflect the character of God to everyone. There’s no way that the bad misbehavior of people can influence my own, to the point of acting like them.

Think and see if you have been the same for all, or you have rejected somebody who needs your help, attention, patience and understanding.

If you have done so with someone, approach that person and do like Jesus, do your best to her.

The Lord Jesus was attentive to that woman, He understood and helped her solve that problem.

 

Tânia Rubim 

Translated by: Márcia Sebastião

Example of a Servant – The Work Consumed Him

“Then they entered a house, and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat bread.” Mark 3:20

The amount of afflicted people was such that Jesus and His disciples didn’t even have time to feed themselves. His concern toward the needy was endless.

The pleasure of the servant is to serve; if anyone doesn’t like to serve, than he/she is not a servant.

Many like to serve the way they like or are comfortable with, without leaving their comfort zone, without being contradicted, or in something that doesn’t demand too much from them.

The true servant is willing to be used by the Lord according to His own will, even if what He asks goes against his/her will and desire.

To only do what we like, is very easy and pleasant; and almost never God asks you to do something that brings you too much comfort. Instead He asks what He believes is necessary for His work, and at the same time for your life, and to make you a better servant.

When the servant wants to choose, it shows that he doesn’t have the Spirit of a servant. Imagine if all the servants wanted to serve in the church hall? Who would take care of the kids?

Jesus did not choose to come to this world, be humiliated, mistreated, despised, and die for all of us sinners; but He fulfilled the mission that the Father trusted Him with.

Are you ready to fulfil the mission God gave you?

-       In the church you attended (be it evangelizing, cleaning, in the CBC, YPG, counseling)

-       At home with you family

-       Serving the spiritual authorities (normally there’s no difficulty in doing this one)

-       Serving your subordinates (in here we find a little resistance)

-       Serving the people of the church

The servant of God serves everyone equally and with the same dedication. The servants of themselves only serve those who can give them something.

How has your dedication to the Wok of God been? Do you have pleasure to serve, or you do everything like it is an obligation?

Tânia Rubim

 Translated by: Márcia Sebastião

Example of a Servant - He did not justify Himself

“Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him. Then the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Do You answer nothing? What is it which these men testify against You?” But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.” The high priest tore his robes, saying, “What need do we have of any further witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned Him as guilty unto death.” Mark 14:57, 60-64

Even tough Jesus was being false and wrongly accused, He did not open His mouth to justify Himself against those injuries. He was not worried about proving nothing to nobody, because He trusted that God was who justified Him. However, when asked who He was, He answered with the truth. Now imagine what it would be, if before the high priest Jesus became altered, and started to defend Himself: “I didn’t do it; I only help people; they are all liars; they don’t like me that’s why they make up all these things; they’re demonized; let fire come down from heaven and kill them all.” You cannot image something like that happening, can you? Well, but isn’t it how you’ve been reacting to likely situations?

In the Work of God for sure, you will face injustices, misunderstandings, or even false accusations. In these moments many become rebellious, they want to defend themselves, they want to make justice with their own hands, and they even curse whoever raised such falsity. They become despaired, in anguish, and even bewildered, after all to be accused of something you didn’t do hurts the soul. Jesus went through this and stayed silent. When someone wants to justify herself, is the same as putting God aside and take control of the situation. It is the opposite when she trusts all of that in the hands of God and let Him justify her.

Of course that when she is asked, she will answer the truth, just like Jesus did, otherwise she needs to know to wait in God. Even if during the waiting time you suffer, go through shame, feel humiliated, people judge or reject you; you need to be strong to face it all. If during this time you feel angry, frustrated, you get tired, think that God is slow and nothing happens; once again you show that you do not trust. The reality is that you do not let God take control of the situation, you want to drive yourself and crash.

How do you react to accusations and injustices? Who is in control, is it you or Him?

Leave your comments and be sincere in your answer, this will be the first step to acknowledge, call things by their name, and give the control of your life to God once and for all.

Example of a servant – He was humble

“He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good, except God alone.”” Mark 10:18

The Lord Jesus was really good, holy and righteous, but He wanted people to recognize God as good. He put himself in the place of a servant, being humble, even though He was the Son of God.

Nowadays, we see many people wanting to prove at all costs that they are “good,” how successful they are, how “great works” they do; it is there where danger lies. Analyse what this may result in:

-       Pride, which is haughtiness of spirit.

-       Arrogance, the person thinks that he/she is superior to others and irreplaceable.

-       The person thinks that he/she is “the one.” There was no one better than him/her, and there will never be.

-       If she is not recognized, she gets revolted and/or disheartened. After all she is so good. How can’t anybody see it?

-       She likes to be praised and noticed.

Notice that all turns to her. Without watching these evil and impure feelings, they begin to take over and pollute her interior. John Baptist says: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30

That is the servant’s position, even though some have modified this verse to: “it is necessary I grow, it does not matter who decreases for that to happen”. Be careful! The proud presents himself masked. He is full of reasons and arguments, but do not forget that he is against you and wants to harm you. Do not run after the glory of this world, fight for what is eternal.

Our example of a servants is humble and we must be like Him. I hope that at the end of this series, we end up looking a lot like the Lord Jesus, and following His example in everything.

Tell us your experience!

Example a servant - No competitions

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“But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.  And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Mark 9:34, 35

Jesus being the Son of God, Lord and King never bragged about it, on the other hand, He often asked not to say His deeds; as many would not believe and it would disturb His mission. He lived in this world in a surprisingly way. Everyone expected a Messiah in robes of a king, a crown of diamond, and living in a palace with many servants. Unlike all this, He was simple, He walked among the disadvantaged, and was not concerned to receive glory or have position. He came to save, not to reign, although He reigns in the hearts of those who love Him.

Unfortunately in the work of God we have seen servants disoriented, unfocused, competing for a title, a position, a status. Completely diverted from the purpose for which they were called. They live frustrated waiting for an “opportunity”, recognition, and applause. They do the work of God sad, without motivation because their eyes are on earthly things and not the eternal, their eyes are on themselves and not the souls.

Disputes become the incentive day to day. The struggle to conquer higher position and greater responsibility begin to overshadow the vision of the servant of God and then begins her destruction. When she is put in a place she likes, a place that in her eyes is good and she deserves to be there, she gives her best. If she goes to a place that does not exceed her expectations, she works discouraged, doesn’t give her best, and “pushes with the belly” showing that she doesn’t serve God but herself.

Many think that their success depends on the friendship they have with people who can “favor them.” They take their faith in God to place in these people. So they do everything to please them, serve them, and not disappoint them, so they don’t lose the chance to receive some benefit. Our example of servant did not like competitions. When he was aware of this kind of attitude among the disciples, He’d say that whoever was worried about being the biggest or the first will be the servant of all.

Some have not yet achieved this spiritual level and therefore live outside of God's purposes. Instead of servants, they have been lords; their concern is not to serve but to show off. You will never get the Spiritual things through carnal means. And if you ever get something that way you know that it did not come from God and therefore you’ll lose it; simply because everyone knows her intentions and motivations.

Tânia Rubim

Translated by Márcia Sebastião

Example of a Servant – He appreciated

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“And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply. But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me.” Mark 14:3-6

Jesus appreciated each gesture of love and faith that people had towards Him. Even though to human eyes the action of that woman seemed like a waste or an unnecessary attitude, Jesus seeing her intention to demonstrate love, gratitude, and consideration, received it willingly. For sure Jesus was moved by the appreciation she showed to Him, just like He very much appreciated her gesture of generosity.

In the work of God, at home or even in your work environment, you are around several people. Among them there are those who are caring, who are sensitive to your necessities, help you, and sometimes they sacrifice for you. Let’s think:

-       Are you able to appreciate what people do to you?

-        Are you grateful? Do you value the effort and love they show you through big and small details? Or do you think that it’s their obligation to serve?

-       Do you like to be appreciated when you do something to someone but you have a lot of difficulties in appreciating others?

-       Do you only appreciate when someone exceeds your expectations?

-       To those who are married: Do you appreciate your husband?

-       Moms, do you appreciate your children?

-       Children, do you appreciate your parents?

-       Pastors’ wives, do you appreciate the other wives that work with you?

-       Do you know how to appreciate the effort of the auxiliary pastor that helps your husband?

-       Do you appreciate your leader?

-       Do you appreciate everything God does to you?

To appreciate is to serve because you’re demonstrating to that person your satisfaction, your gratitude and your love. This appreciation provokes an attitude on our part that serves that person, making her feel wanted and loved.

Contrary to all that were in the house, Jesus knew how to appreciate. How about you? If you don’t normally do it, how about start right now? Appreciate someone, send a message, say “thank you”, show that you care, talk, and take an action that shows your appreciation.

Kisses to you all!

Tânia Rubim

Translation by: Márcia Sebastião