Rev. Luke Powell Daily Devotions

What is the role of the servant? To tend to the needs of the people, rather than to sit at the table and be served. Which are you doing? Sitting at the table? Or getting your hands dirty and serving? Follow the example of Jesus.

The disciples were obsessed with their status and title in this world. But Christ showed them (and us) a better way: the way of service, which leads to true greatness.

When his disciples were showing their self-serving bias, Jesus said something radical: that greatness comes through serving others. Who are you serving today?

Surrendering our pleasures doesn't mean living a pleasure-less life... it means finding our deepest pleasure and joy in our relationship with God. We renounce worldly pleasures to enjoy superior pleasure in Him.

We are not owners of our possessions, instead we surrender our ownership to God and become stewards of HIS blessings. A lesson today from a six year old named Blake.

Instead of living for our glory and greatness, we live for His greatness - devoting our life to making Him look great.

When we surrender to God, we give him our plans, and yield to whatever plans HE has in mind for us.

What does it mean to take up your cross and follow Jesus? It means surrender - giving up that which you consider your own, to Him.

"The Christian who has stopped repenting has stopped growing" - John Blanchard. Repentance should be a lifestyle, not just a once-off! And remember, such a lifestyle is so much better with friends to support you.

The call to repentance is not a moralistic scolding! ANYONE can improve their morals, but what Jesus calls for is a change of heart, which results in a greater commitment to good. Give him your heart, and see your morals change flowing out of your new love for him.

"Remorse is being sorry... repentance is being sorry enough to stop." Have we confessed without repenting? Jesus calls us to do more than confess - he calls us to repent and change our ways.

Some people think that they are basically good, and so they don't need to repent. But Jesus calls us all - the good, the bad, the ugly - to repent and believe the good news.

What teaching does Jesus start his ministry with? Love one another? Blessed are the poor? Do unto others? No: his challenging opening words are for us to repent.

Some challenging words in Wesley's prayer teach us to be humble, and not worry about our rank in life. Whether we are placed high up or low down, our mission is the same: to love God, and care for the people around us with humility. Pray this prayer today, and gladly accept the position God leads you to.

Wesley's covenant prayer encourages us to let go and step aside when the time is right. This is a sign of great spiritual maturity - trusting God and letting go when he asks you to. Samuel did it in the Old Testament - let's follow his example, and pray these words along with Wesley today.

Wesley's covenant prayer challenges us to suffer for the sake of the gospel. The early Christians suffered greatly, and Paul said that suffering for Christ is a privilege! How deep is our commitment to our faith? Are we only committed to go as far as is comfortable? Or are we willing to suffer when God leads us into tougher places? He will always be with us, to get us through whatever we face.

Wesley's covenant prayer challenges us to put our hand and volunteer to be employed for God - to go for Him, wherever He may send us.  But, like Isaiah, it is only when we know we are forgiven that we are ready to go for God.

Wesley's covenant prayer reminds us who we belong to. His words remind us of God's great commitment to us - he has called us by name, and we belong to Him.

Paul tells us to be different from the world - not fitting into its mold. But let's remember that while we are not OF the world, we are still IN it, and that we are different for a purpose: to draw people to the God who has saved us.

John was not different for the sake of being different. He didn't try draw attention to himself, but he pointed away from himself, saying that Jesus must become greater and he should become lesser. THIS is the different that the world is thirsting for - not our quirkiness, but Christ's greatness.

John the Baptist dared to be different, by speaking out against the evil he saw around him. Are we staying silent instead of standing up for what we believe in?

In a world where accumulating possessions was normal, John (and Jesus) dared to be different, by treasuring God and people above STUFF. How about us?

John the Baptist dared to be different... but not just on the surface. His values and passions set him apart. Can we dare to be different, not just in shallow ways, but from our hearts?

My favourite lyric from Crosby's hymns teaches us to live in great hope for the life to come, where we will have new bodies, new sight, and new joy. 

At 82, Fanny Crosby was full of like and joy, reveling in each new that God blessed her with. Can we be this joyful too, whether young, old or somewhere in between? If SHE could, then WE should!