Here is another great Tozer devotional from "Insight for Leaders".
March 30
Humble Service
You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
--2 Timothy 2:3-4
Save me from the error of judging a church by its size, its popularity or the amount of its yearly offering. Help me to remember that I am a prophet--not a promoter, not a religious manager, but a prophet. Let me never become a slave to crowds. Heal my soul of carnal ambitions and deliver me from the itch for publicity. Save me from bondage to things. Let me not waste my days puttering around the house. Lay Thy terror upon me, O God, and drive me to the place of prayer where I may wrestle with principalities and powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world. Deliver me from overeating and late sleeping. Teach me self-discipline that I may be a good soldier of Jesus Christ....
And now, O Lord of heaven and earth, I consecrate my remaining days to Thee; let them be many or few, as Thou wilt. Let me stand before the great or minister to the poor and lowly; that choice is not mine, and I would not influence it if I could. I am Thy servant to do Thy will, and that will is sweeter to me than position or riches or fame and I choose it above all things on earth or in heaven.
God Tells the Man Who Cares, 105-106.
"Lord, this prayer of Tozer's seems so contrary to the spirit of today's church growth emphasis, celebrity pastors, and TV personalities. Enable me by your Holy Spirit to make this prayer genuinely mine. Amen."
source: http://lmi.gospelcom.net/tozer.php3?date=03-30-06
4 comments:
Tozer was an awesome example of a servant heart. Servanthood is true worship! Awesome Sean!
In today's society people seem to always want to know what the church can offer them. Instead they should look for a church where they can be used and contribute! Jesus' example to us was that of a servant. Yes He was and is Lord and Master, but he certainly wasn't in that role when he taught and healed the sick even though he was exhausted! He wasn't in that role when he washed the disciples' feet!
I often wonder about people who always want the church to be there to give to them. Where do they think the money and ministries the church offers come from?
Where did this idea of the church being 'all about me' come from?
Is it the churches fault? Trying to get people to come to church have we become people pleasers?
There is a difference between serving and pleasing. It is the difference between giving someone what they NEED vs. what they WANT.
Like money,
What I WANT is to have all the money I can spend. What I NEED is to learn to live on the money I have.
Jesus did not seem like a people please to me. But He always knew what someone needed.
Worshiping and learning about God, conforming our lives to be more like Jesus, and submiting or lives to Him. These should be the message of the church. Not 3 steps to be successful.
Being in the will of God will make your life a success. Being successful will not put your life in the will of God.
AMEN!!!
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