Servant

SERVANT

“Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 4:11 (ESV)

As we move closer to Christmas, what kinds of thoughts occupy our minds? Yesterday I thought about how I have yet to begin shopping for any gifts whatsoever this year! Today I can’t believe that next week we will be celebrating the most anticipated holiday of the year. It comes so fast and it leaves even quicker doesn’t it? Part of me wants Christmas to be here now and another part can’t stand how quickly the holiday slips away.

This winter I have been reading the books of Mark and Luke. They tell the story of Jesus. I am simply amazed by how little I know and understand about him. The more I read the more I am often confused about what the character of Jesus was like.

1 Peter chapter 4 helps me piece together an identity of who Jesus Christ was and is. The passage gives us direction on how we should behave and act. Peter, a man that walked side by side with Jesus, tells us to love unconditionally, show hospitality, and use our gifts to serve one another. I think this passage tells us how to spend our Christmas this year. Even though our thoughts are wrapped up in the holiday, I hope that our mission deep down is to serve, share, and love one another.

This year I hope we can all enjoy the spirit of Christmas more than we ever have, and to do that we must “serve by the strength that God supplies.” Enjoy this season for what it truly is by serving, sharing, and loving; and in the end let us give God all the glory.

- Matt Simmonds

Teamwork

“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.”

Colossians 3:14-15 (ESV)

For 16 seasons, Brett Farve wore green and gold, leading the Green Bay Packers as quarterback to 7 division championships, 4 NFC championship game appearances, 2 Super Bowl appearances and 1 Super Bowl victory. Farve’s best selling uniform identified him with the Packer fans who loved and cheered him on with abandon all those years when he stepped on the field. For many, Brett Farve was the Green Bay Packers.

But in 2009, Farve signed with the Minnesota Vikings, a long time rival of the Packers. Farve was no longer wearing green and gold, but purple, gold and white. I remember watching his return to Lambeau field, the home of the Packers when the Vikings played there. As their formerly beloved quarterback took the field wearing the uniform of the Minnesota Vikings, the Packer fans first sat in stunned silence, but then roared a resounding boo. The same fans that cheered him on for 16 seasons realized that the hero, “Mr. Packer”, was no longer theirs! Farve looked like a Viking, played like a Viking, and led his team to victory at Lambeau field once again, only this time as a Minnesota Viking. Once he put off the green and gold, and put on the purple and gold, there was no turning back.

In Colossians chapter 3:9-10, Paul is writing to people who have identified themselves as followers of Jesus. He is not talking about identifying ourselves by our clothing, but by our character. “For you have stripped off your old evil nature and all its wicked deeds. In its place you have clothed yourself with a brand new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ”. When you make the decision to follow Christ, you can’t wear two uniforms. You must put off the “old uniform” of anger, rage malicious behavior, slander and dirty language) , and put on your “new uniform” of tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. But the most important part of this new uniform is Love, it’s what binds us all together in perfect harmony.

- Kathy Grubbs