Finding The Secret

More Than Conquerors
July 2003 Part II

“But Jesus called them unto him and said, ‘ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you; but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant; even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” —Matthew 20:25-28

This passage (and many like it) has been taught numerous times and has been looked at in different ways. Right now, we should try to take a close look at what Jesus is saying and how we can apply His principles practically.

It is probably easy to understand the fact that, in Christ’s kingdom, the greatest members of His kingdom are His servants, but how often have we put that into personal application? How many of us are earnestly seeking ways to reach out and do something for someone else? Especially if it’s just for the sake of God’s glory and that person’s uplifting.

This is a challenge to everyone out there who takes their Christianity seriously. See for yourself, Jesus instructs us to be servants for His use. This is also an encouragement to those who have not yet experienced the joys of servanthood. Seeing the grateful expression on someone’s face because of your help and watching God use it for a witness is a privilege unmatched anywhere.

Try it, and watch God work wonders through our little services. The whole Bible stands behind it; embrace it, and let the Lord take over your actions.

—Samuel Popiel

His Servants And Soldiers Don’t Stand Still

Where there’s a need, we’re called to meet.
Where there’s a tangle, make it straight.
We cannot stand and watch the play.
We can’t let time make up our day.

As servants we are given tasks;
As servants, do what Master asks.
Soldiers must be bold and fight;
Soldiers cannot halt in fright.

Though the Enemy is here,
Though he works with human fear.
We can’t let this hold us back.
We have strength that does not lack.

—Samuel Popiel

A Blessing to You

Minister to the saved. Minister to the lost.
Minister to each other
Without your counting the cost.

Be there for each other, as God asks you to do.
Showing His love toward others
Will be a blessing to you.

© by Joyce C. Lock
Used with permission
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SmileSharing

The Love of God

We need the Love of God
In our hearts, today...
Love unfeigned and love so true,
The Love that Jesus gave;

A Love that reaches out to souls
To give them a chance to live,
A Love that gives and gives and gives
’Til there is no more to give.

We need the Love that Jesus showed
That day on Calvary;
The Love that kept Him on the Cross,
The Love that made us free,

A Love that reaches out to souls
To give them a chance to live,
A Love that gives and gives and gives
’Til there is no more to give.

We need the Love that the Bible tells
Will hide a multitude of sin;
One that will love his neighbor as himself
And makes an enemy his friend;

A Love that reaches out to souls
To give them a chance to live,
A Love that gives and gives and gives
’Til there is no more to give.

The Greatest Of These

Looking at the horizon
For the sunrise,
Earnestly seeking the dawn
With expectant eyes.
It doesn’t matter how dark
The night may seem,
To you the sorrow always
Passes like a dream.
Hope – but there is something greater…

Walking across water
Without a fear,
Not turning back a moment
For God is near.
Grasping tight to a hand
You cannot see,
And even moving mountains
Can become easy!
Faith – but there’s still something greater!

The heart of a shepherd
And a servant’s hands,
Giving and helping others,
This is Christ’s command!
Laying down even your life
To help a friend,
Sacrificing all you’ve got
For a greater end!
The greatest of these is Love!

Hope alone is futile,
Faith without deeds is nothing;
But he who learns to love
Is always on the right track

Faith is hope in motion
And love is faith in action.
And he who learns to love
Will soon have nothing he lacks.

—Benjamin Graber

What is His will?—that I may go
And do it, in the hope
That light will rise and spread and grow,
As deed enlarges scope.

I need not search the sacred book
To find my duty clear;
Scarce in my bosom need I look,
It lies so very near.

Henceforward I must watch the door
Of word and action too;
There’s one thing I must do no more,
Another I must do.

Alas, these are such little things!
No glory in their birth!
Doubt from their common aspect springs—
If God will count them worth.

But here I am not left to choose,
My duty is my lot;
And weighty things will glory lose
If small ones are forgot.

I am not worthy high things yet;
I’ll humbly do my own;
Good care of sheep may so beget
A fitness for the throne.

Ah fool! Why dost thou reason thus?
Ambition’s very fool!
Through high and low, each glorious,
Shines God’s all-perfect rule.

’Tis God I need, not rank in good;
’Tis Life, not honor’s meed;
With Him to fill my every mood,
I am content indeed.

—George MacDonald

A Common Slave

As simple as a common slave,
In rags for clothes—
Standing in a group of men
Too good for those—

Bending down with humble care,
And gentle hands,
To wash the tired, dusty feet
Of filthy sand—

Dirty water at His bowing knees—
In a servant’s bowl—
Of dirt both washing muddy feet
And gruesome soul—

Reduced to such a lowly state
Who would have known
That this common slave
Heired Heaven’s throne—

I Will Arise

Weary and weak,—accept my weariness;
Weary and weak and downcast in my soul,
With hope growing less and less,
And with the goal
Distant and dim,—accept my sore distress.
I thought to reach the goal so long ago,
At outset of the race I dreamed of rest,
Not knowing what now I know
Of breathless haste,
Of long-drawn straining effort across the waste.

One only thing I knew, Thy love of me;
One only thing I know, Thy sacred same
Love of me full and free,
A craving flame
Of selfless love of me which burns in Thee.
How can I think of Thee, and yet grow chill;
Of Thee, and yet grow cold and nigh to death?
Re-energize my will,
Rebuild my faith;
I will arise and run, Thou giving me breath.

I will arise, repenting and in pain;
I will arise, and smite upon my breast
And turn to Thee again;
Thou choosest best,
Lead me along the road Thou makest plain.
Lead me a little way, and carry me
A little way, and hearken to my sighs,
And store my tears with Thee,
And deign replies
To feeble prayers;—O Lord, I will arise.

—Christina Rossetti

Empurple
Empurple – to make or become purple

Purple is the color of kings
And color of nobility
It was once so rare that it was
Worn only by the royalty

And if it is a royal hue
This brilliant mix of red and blue,
What better place for it to be
Than among the heavenly?

This, then, is what life is about:
Being prepared for life above,
By learning to walk in faith,
And donning a robe of love!

This is God’s plan in history:
To empurple you and me
Making us fit for royalty
Preparing us for what will be

He’s empurpling us more each hour
Through the strength of His loving power…

—Benjamin Graber

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or
nakedness or danger or sword?… No, in all these things
we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
—Romans 8:35, 37

If you have any comments or questions, or if you have a poem to share that you would like included in the next issue, please send an e-mail to bgraber@neo.rr.com

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