Real Christian service is not what we do for Jesus, it’s what we are to Jesus.  Being his disciple is based on our devotion to him, not our living lives distracted by the dictates, decisions and destruction of others.

It’s about seeing who Jesus is and realizing that He is more than enough.  When I really get this, then the opinion of others does not matter and will not influence me.  My only desire will be to live for and please my master.

It’s easy to say we believe!  But real belief causes our devotion to flow in one direction and one direction only and this is the direction of Jesus.  It must go through him and then be directed by him to wherever else it must go.

There is a very big difference between being devoted to Jesus and to the cause that his life started.  Jesus is our source and just as his first act of obedience was to the will of the Father and not the needs of men, so then must be our first act of obedience be to him, so that men might be truly saved.

It is not a good thing to be devoted only to the vast needs of humanity, because they are so great that we will quickly become worn out and useless.  The main drive of my life has to be my personal and passionate love for Jesus, the Savior of my soul.  This love allows me to serve humanity and be treated like dirt.  This love allows me to be a disciple even and especially when I don’t feel like it.  And this love allows me to experience more of Jesus, who gives me everything that I need to really live.

A devoted disciple has discovered that loving Jesus is the secret to really loving!  Get your love for Jesus right and all of the other love will fall into place!

It has been a very long time since I have gotten away for a break from my normal routine.  I have gone on vacations, but have never really been able to let it all go and just enjoy time away “re-creating”!  So far this week, that is exactly what I have been doing.

God has been teaching me a lot about vision, especially His vision.  He has been teaching me about freedom that flows from His amazing grace and how I so often tend to take this freedom for granted.  He also is teaching me about faith, faith that allows me to recognize Him, gives me the strength to abandon the restraints that hold me down and back and that allow me to experience the miraculous.

I am enjoying a break, learning from it and looking forward to being a better servant to God and His people when I return!  Thanks to all of you who love me, pray for me and help to make it all possible!

Why do we do what we do?  Why work so hard, when you could just glide by?  Why take the time to listen to the hurts and pains of others, especially those who can do nothing for you?  No one really seems to appreciate what you do and eventually many of the people you serve will turn on you.  So, why do what you do?

The answer is really simple when you answer the “why” with a “who”.  We do it for our Creator.  God created us and sustains us.  God provided away for us, when we could not make away for ourselves.  God is patient with us, even though, He should have given up on us a long time ago.

Colossians 3:23-24 says:  “23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

There it is!  Really not near as complicated as we make it.  If you can’t do what God has called, gifted and equipped you to do where you are, then get up and get to where you can.  I will tell you from personal experience, God’s intention is that we will find joy in our service to Him.  That’s not to say that it will be easy, but even in the difficult, your life can be filled with the “joy of the Lord”.  Do what you are doing for Him with all your heart or quit wasting time.  There is not room or time for half-hearted service to the King!  It’s not near as complicated as we make it, so let’s stop playing games.  Get the who right and the why will take care of itself!