Full transcript of “Choose to Serve Like Jesus Today | Morning Prayer”. Click a timestamp to open the video at that moment. Need another video? Use the YouTube transcript generator.
0:02 Before we pray, let's first take a moment to listen to God's word and then we'll pray together. Isaiah 55 8-9 leaves us with some very profound words today that ring true to our understanding of the things of God. These verses of scripture say, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." I believe these verses of scripture reflect the mind of God over several topics in the Bible,
0:48 including the topic of our devotion today. How often do we get it wrong? Particularly in the place of service. How often do we get things mixed up? We may have started out in service truly honoring God. But are we also aware that we can let things slip past us or that it is easy to let things slip past us? Have we let some things slip? Are we aware of when that service we claim to be giving to God gratifies our flesh more than it exalts God? Is our mind towards service as Jesus mind is? Serving the Lord is a beautiful
1:34 endeavor, one every Christian should be committed to. But it can be tricky too if we are not cautious and careful. This time it is something more personal. something closer to home that undoes our efforts that gets in our way and that is our flesh or self. The flesh promotes many things in our lives if we do not curb it. And I think one of the most dangerous things that it promotes is our need to be seen and our need to be heard. It is not bad to be seen and to be heard. But in the work of God and as far as the purposes of the kingdom of God are
2:20 concerned, when the need to be seen and heard becomes our primary goal, we begin many times without knowing to seek self-gratification. We begin to seek glory. We begin to desire that people see us, that they hear us. which was never the point and is the shest way to end up prideful. The point and purpose of service has always been to do the work of God. The point and purpose of the work of God has always been to let the Lord to let Jesus be seen. The point of service has always been simply that to serve. It should be with
3:06 some consolation today that if we feel we have been veering off the true purpose of service, if we find that our hearts have been shifting toward other things, we are not alone. There was a group of men in scripture that also went through it too. And in the corrections that Jesus gave to them, we find direction today. The account of what Jesus said to these men is found in the book of Mark 10:es 42-4 where Jesus says to them Jesus called them together and said you know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and their
3:52 high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. And whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. Jesus spoke these words to his disciples after James and John asked to sit on either side of Jesus in his glory. Both brothers were seeking glory for themselves. And I believe that this is where we find our first lesson today. The pursuit of glory is something we are all familiar with. In fact, it is
4:39 something that has come to many or tempted many in the place of service. And the disciples of Jesus were no different. But it was this pursuit that prompted Jesus to redefine greatness for them as being a servant. He also teaches us what it means to truly serve. He says to his disciples that it is not to be lord. It is to be a slave. It is to be a servant to those we are called to serve. The type of service that Jesus teaches is the type that lays down his life for those he was called to serve. He did not come as a lord but he came mindful of the people he was sent to.
5:27 He says he did not come to be served but to serve. And I believe that is the point of serving like Jesus. A service that is truly focused on what the Lord wants us to do. A service that is truly dedicated to the cause of the gospel. A service that is truly focused on others without us seeking reward, without seeking applause, without us seeking to be known for what we are doing. Service should flow out of our daily lives as Christians. There are spaces where we are called to serve in the church, but there are also places where we can show our heart for others in our daily lives. And both must
6:15 be present in us as Christians. When Jesus was in the world, most of what he did, he did without hesitation. He did it more as a response. He saw the hungry and he could help. So he was there. He saw the sick. He was moved with compassion and he was there. It was simple. He was available. He was in tune. He was compassionate about what others needed at each moment. When we focus on service like this, we will find that things are different. This service strengthens our connection
7:01 with God and with others rather than stoking our ego or giving self a bigger place in us. When we serve truly focused on others, it does something to our hearts. It changes us and it fills us with compassion. We can truly see the pain that needs to be healed, the needs that need to be filled, and the hurting hearts that need to hear the words of Jesus. I also believe strongly that when it comes to service as Christians, we must live ready. We must live our lives in a way that we can use them to honor the Lord in whatever situation because many times we cannot guess what
7:48 will come up in the place of service. We must be a well of water springing up that people can always drink from. A well that always carries Jesus. Serving like Jesus is not just in doing. It is in our living and using the way we live to help others see Christ. It is being full of Christ at all times so that when those who are not as close to him or those who want to learn of him come around, they can see the Christ in us. This is a responsibility for every Christian. The Bible tells us of men like Steven whom the Bible says was filled with the Holy Ghost even as he served others.
8:35 It is my prayer that even as we serve going forward, we truly honor the Lord with our service, that we are focused on the cause of that service, that we serve with humility, with hearts full of compassion, and that we serve like Jesus. If you have listened to this devotional today and you feel there needs to be a review of how you have been serving the Lord, that there needs to be a review of your understanding of service, or if you know you are beginning to feel things you should not feel, and you are beginning to honor the flesh more than you honor God, then take a moment to say this prayer
9:21 today and let God touch your heart and help you. If you are ready to say that prayer right now, say with me, "Heavenly Father, I come to you today asking for a renewed heart. I know I need your touch, but before anything else, I want to thank you, Lord. Thank you for your word, for helping me understand today, and for showing me the condition of my heart. I have been devoted to serving you. But in recent years, there has been a hollowess, a difference I could not
10:08 quite understand. I feel that my heart has changed. Lord, I feel that my heart is not as it used to be. And as I read this devotional today, I see myself in its pages. I have become more easily irritated by people not seeing how much I do. I have hoped for people to acknowledge me. I have sought to be known. I have sought to be great in the place of service. Simply put, Lord, I have let pride into my heart. I have let self take control. And now I find that many times I am not satisfied when others do not acknowledge me for what I am doing. I have lost
10:54 focus Lord. I have lost my reason for coming to serve. I have let my gaze be shifted. That is why I ask today Lord that you forgive me. Have mercy on me for seeking glory in a place where there was no need to seek glory. I have been distracted, Lord. And today I see clearly. I ask that you restore my focus. I resist this distraction that has crept into me. I stand against self today. I rededicate myself to a life of selfless service in you, Lord. Father, in the name of Jesus, as I have
11:42 heard these words today, I pray that you teach me to serve in truth. Teach me to serve with a heart that is truly compassionate. A heart that is humble. A heart that wants the best for others. A heart that wants to see the gospel glorified. A heart that wants to see Jesus glorified. a heart that is fully devoted to the gospel and to the well-being of others. Lord, I also pray for strength. Give me strength to do what is needed. Give me strength to step out of my comfort zone when needed so I can help others. I also pray for grace to always be in
12:27 tune with you. Grace to always be filled with your spirit and grace to stay in the place of fellowship so that everything that flows out of me can bring life at the right time. And Lord, in the course of my service, I stand against the flesh. I stand against self. I stand against everything that would have me be focused inward rather than outwardly on the people I have been called or led to serve. I pray against every iota of pride trying to rise within me right now. I come against every inordinate need to be acknowledged, applauded, or considered great.
13:15 Instead, I receive the grace to listen today. I receive the grace to know what people need and I receive the grace to be attentive to what you would have me do in the place of service. Heavenly Father, I thank you again today for hearing me and for answering me. I thank you for your word. I thank you for the renewal of my heart. I thank you for a renewed and filling of your spirit. Thank you for a heart filled with humility. And thank you, Father, for letting all the vices of the flesh that have been blinding me fall away.
14:02 Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Jesus. To you alone be all the glory. In Jesus' name amen. I hope this devotion helps you examine your heart and return to the true purpose of serving God. If you have any special prayer requests, feel free to share them in the comments. We would be honored to pray for you. And if Grace Oasis Ministry has blessed your life, please consider joining our Patreon or supporting us through buy me a coffee. At this time, your support is the only source of funding for this ministry as we continue sharing God's word every day. If you are not able to support today, that is completely okay.
14:47 Your prayers and support mean so much to us. May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always. God bless you.
