Who Will Go?

Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

Isaiah 6:8

Isaiah answered God's call to be the representative of the Trinity. Just prior to the Lord's question, Isaiah had been given a vision of God that overwhelmed him. He saw God exalted, seated on the throne. He beheld God's holiness and recognized his own sinfulness and the sinfulness of the people around him. The Lord forgave Isaiah and cleansed him from all unrighteousness. Then He asked the question, "Who will go?" God could have demanded Isaiah serve Him, but He didn't. He gave Isaiah a choice. Isaiah's response shows his eagerness to serve. The Lord is still looking for volunteers; people who are willing to go into the world on His behalf. It's not a matter of how talented or educated we are, it's about how available we allow ourselves to be. We don't have to join a missionary organization, we can be used of God right where we are -- in our homes, our jobs, our neighborhoods. Are you willing to go?

First Things First

But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Luke 10:40-42

I have often heard these verses used to teach that we must choose between being a Mary who sits at the feet of Jesus, and Martha who busies herself with preparing dinner for Him. Dare I say that we can be both Mary and Martha; that we can both worship Jesus and serve Him? Mary chose "the good part", to put worship of Christ first. I submit that Martha had her priorities messed up. She should have put the meal on the table after spending time with the Savior. The Lord pointed out to Martha that she was "worried and bothered about so many things." This tells me that Martha was stressed out over her service to the Lord -- maybe even doing too much -- and He didn't want that. He said "only one thing is necessary", and that one thing was spending time with Him. My guess is Martha would have found her service less stressful, if she had first spent time with the Lord. 

Wash Their Feet

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"If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.  For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you."

John 13:14-15

The night He was betrayed Jesus washed the feet of each of His disciples, including Judas.  He knew His betrayal would come from Judas, yet he chose to serve even his enemy. This is an amazing picture of how Jesus wants us to treat each other.  Rarely will we so much as tolerate those who oppose us, much less stoop to humble ourselves before them.  Is there someone God wants you to serve? Listen to the beautiful song "Humble King" by Brenton Brown and meditate on the words.  Let the Lord speak to your heart.

What Delights God?

"For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;

         You are not pleased with burnt offering. 

    The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

         A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."

Psalm 51:16-17

It's not the work of our hands that delights God, but the work of our heart. It begins when we repent of our sins with broken and humble hearts that yearn to be in fellowship with Him. When we accept the sacrifice that Christ made on Calvary, understanding that it's nothing we do that puts us in right stead with the Father, but rather the work of Christ on the cross that is our claim for pardon. At last we are free from the bondage of sin, never to return to it as long as we remain in Christ, and we serve the Lord out of love and not out of guilt. This is what delights God. This is the truth that our Father wants us to grasp. This is the joy inexpressible that He wants us to experience. 

No Sting in Death

"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."

1 Corinthians 15:56-58

A friend reminded me today that we are blessed "because we are saved". So true. There will come a time when each of us will breathe our last breath. For those who have received Christ as their Savior, there will be no sting in death, but only a victorious celebration in the presence of our Lord. For this reason, we will stand firm in our faith and never stop serving the Lord Jesus. A time is coming, dear ones, when we will receive the reward of faithful service. Our toil is not in vain. Thanks be to God.

My House Will Serve the Lord

"but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15b

Before Joshua's death, he gathers the Israelites and reviews their history from the days of Abraham up to that time. He reminds them of God's faithfulness and the unfaithfulness of their forefathers. Then he gives them a choice -- to serve the false gods of other nations or to serve Jehovah, the one true God. No matter what they decide, Joshua declares that he and his household will serve the Lord. The people answer that they will serve God, too. Joshua makes a covenant with them and builds a memorial. Joshua has been a shining example to the Israelites of one who loves and serves the Lord. Loving and serving God is always a choice. Consider who you are serving today.