Heart Strength Studies from God's Word forum: A Servant's Heart
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| A Servant’s Heart For this mini-study, we are using the New King James Version. (copyright 1982, by Thomas Nelson, Inc.) I have my personal favorite version that I like to use and I am sure you do, as well, but I believe it is advantageous for us to become familiar with the different versions of the Bible. It gives us an opportunity to compare the subtle differences in wording. Becky has also provided us with a Biblos Parallel Bible which gives us no less than fifteen different versions of the Bible. Once again, let's all be reminded that these mini-studies are intended to get you thinking about the subject matter in each study and to encourage you to do more study on your own. Becky has given us the tools right here on the Heart Strength Cubit to make it quick and easy to look up verses. Just go to Bible Gateway and click on “Keyword Search” in the left-hand column. Then type in the word you are looking for, such as “servant” and select from the drop-down list the version of the Bible you want to use. Voila! You will find a list of Bible verses with that word in them. If you know the particular passage you are looking for, you can just click on “Passage Look-Up” and enter the book, chapter and verse in the box. The title of this study is “A Servant’s Heart”, more specifically, “The Silent Servant”. How did I come to pick “The Silent Servant” as a topic for one of these Heart Strength studies? Several weeks ago, my daughter, her husband and I were reading our daily chapter in the Bible reading program recommended by our pastor. The particular chapter of that day was Mark 11. Verses 1-3 say this: New King James Version (NKJV) The Triumphal Entry Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.” As we were reading this passage, the Holy Spirit dropped into my spirit the words “silent servant”. That put me to pondering about the person who owned the colt. We are not given their name or any other information about them. All we know is that they provided the Lord with the use of their colt for Him to ride on during His “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem. I further wondered about how many times there were others who became “silent servants” by providing Jesus with the use of their material possessions for His purposes. Why were they “silent servants”? Because we know absolutely nothing about them, including their names, and yet they willingly supplied that which the Lord needed!  |
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| With a little further study, I found the following verses: Mark 4: 1: “And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea.” Mark 6: 7--10: “And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts— but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.” Mark 6: 56: “Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.” These are just a few of the many verses that you can find in the New Testament that mention “silent servants” who willingly gave of their possessions when the Lord had need of them, whether it was a boat, houses to sleep in and food to eat or whether it was that colt mentioned in the verse above. Who were the people who supplied these things for our Lord? What were their names? Did you ever give it a thought? Don’t forget to consider the night before the Lord went to the cross. Who was it that supplied the room where the Lord and the disciples ate their Passover Meal—the place where the Lord instituted what we know as “The Lord’s Supper” or “Communion”? These are the “unsung heroes”, if you will. They received no recognition publicly on this earth, as far as we know, and yet I believe they had a great reward waiting on them when they got to Heaven because they were willing to be “silent servants”.  |
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| The definition of the word “Servant” as defined by Dictionary.com is as follows: serv·ant [sur-vuhnt] noun 1. a person employed by another, especially to perform domestic duties. 2. a person in the service of another. 3. a person employed by the government: a public servant. For our purposes, we will use the definition given in #2: a person in the service of another. We are not talking about slaves here. Slaves are in servitude to another person involuntarily. A servant is either a person hired for a particular position or a person who serves voluntarily without pay. Either of these can be “silent servants” but I want us to consider the silent servant whose service is rendered without charge and voluntarily. Have you ever considered the number of people in our churches today who are silent servants? Whenever your church has any event that requires a lot of planning, organization and “behind the scenes” preparation, have you thought about the number of people it takes to carry out an event like that? Normally, you are aware of the emcee, the speakers, those in the limelight but what about those who were there behind the scenes performing their duties without recognition and not even expecting to be recognized nor even wanting to be recognized publicly. If the event was a play of some type requiring actors in period costumes, who were the people who sewed the costumes? Who were the stage hands that made sure scene changes went smoothly. Who were the others that performed the myriad of duties required for such a play to progress as it should and bring the story to the audience? Even if the event is a pot luck supper, who are the people who set up the tables, make sure the napkins, paper plates, eating and serving utensils are available? Who are the people who make sure the place is left as it was found: neat, clean and everything put away?  |
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| Have you ever been a silent servant? If so, have you grumbled to the Lord that nobody appreciated you or did you perform your duties happily and without expecting any public recognition? Perhaps you volunteer for a particular ministry, performing duties that are necessary but that receive no public recognition whatsoever. Your name is not mentioned in the monthly newsletter. Nobody gets up on stage and tells the attendees about how hard you worked to help get the event going and to see to it that the event went along as planned. In fact, perhaps nobody even knows your name or why you are there. Do you sometimes have the tiniest nagging thought in the back of your brain that you are unappreciated or that nobody cares how hard you have worked? Well, be encouraged! You are a part of the body of Christ that is absolutely necessary but also is absolutely unsung and silent. You may not receive your reward here on earth but you will have a reward waiting on you when you get to Heaven! The Bible tells us that we are rewarded in Heaven for our works here on earth. What does it matter if only a select few even know your name? Is that why you are volunteering your time and efforts—to receive recognition? Or are you cheerfully but silently giving of yourself and your spiritual gifts to further the Kingdom of God here on this earth? I would like to insert here two quotes from Chuck Swindoll: "When God is in control of the servant's mind, we realize as never before that life's greatest joy is to give Christ's love away." "Servanthood starts in the mind. With a simple prayer of three words: "Change me, Lord."" Excerpted from Improving Your Serve: The Art of Unselfish Living, pages 86–90. Copyright © 1981 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. (Thomas Nelson Publishers). All rights reserved worldwide. I conclude this mini-study with these passages from the Bible: Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. 1 Corinthians 3:7 & 8 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. I Corinthians 12: 14-26 For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.  |
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| Marilyn, Thank you so much for preparing this new study for us. I pray that our members will get involved and chat with us about servanthood. People naturally want to be served. We are always thinking the world is about us, about our needs and about what recognition we can claim. However, as believers, we can put aside that old nature and serve the Lord with love and joy. Because, even when we are serving others, we are serving Him. I love this verse and it brings me to ask God who I can serve today? “Anyone who gives freely will be blessed. That's because he shares his food with those who are poor.” Proverbs 22:9 Cubits Artistic Joy ~ Becktoria Baby ~ Do Overs ~Garden Heart ~ I LOVE Christmas ~ Trust in the Lord ~ Heart Strength ~ All Things Plants Garden Art ~ Purslane & Portulaca ~ Southwest Gardening |
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| That's good, Becky! We should all ask ourselves, "Who can I serve today?" Just this morning, I saw a piece on The Today Show about a little girl who, for her ninth birthday, didn't want any presents. Instead, she wanted people to give to "Charity: Water" which provides wells for people in third world countries who don't have clean water. This little girl had seen something on TV about the children who are dying from lack of water and she wanted to do something for them. Sadly, she was killed in a car wreck the last of July. Her story was publicized on radio and TV and in a few short days, over a million dollars has been raised! Even in her death, this little girl has become a servant!! |
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I will be here when I can. Thanks for inviting me. Jo  |
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| My Seniors group at Church has about $1,600 in it's treasury....now, I don't like to see money just sitting around not helping anyone....so I suggested we send $200.00 to Heifer, to help buy cows, pigs, bees...and other things for third world countries...so we did...Jo |
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| Welcome, Jo! Heifer International is headquartered right here in Arkansas--in Little Rock. They have a farm west of Little Rock where they raise animals to send overseas. I have toured both the farm and the headquarters building in Little Rock. They do a really good work, world-wide. It is a charity that you can trust to spend your money the way you would like to see it spent! They teach people how to raise their own cattle, sheep, goats, etc. They encourage them to give one of the babies that their cow or sheep or goat has to somebody else who needs it. In other words--to pass on the favor! Isn't that neat? |
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I'm here. I'm learning....  |
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| Marilyn. I love hearing that story about the charity wells. Jo, so good to have you here with us. What a great way to help with livestock! Charleen, stick around here and you'll be growing fast! Cubits Artistic Joy ~ Becktoria Baby ~ Do Overs ~Garden Heart ~ I LOVE Christmas ~ Trust in the Lord ~ Heart Strength ~ All Things Plants Garden Art ~ Purslane & Portulaca ~ Southwest Gardening |
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| I am here also reading and learning$m barb |
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Wonderful devotion !  It reminds me also of the widow in the Bible who had little but gave all she had. A great encouragement to those who stay in the shadows and serve quietly. They are my favorite people !  |
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| I agree Linda. I am not a shadow person but my heart is. Does that make sense? I struggle with being so "public" and yet my heart longs to just be held by the Lord and quieted. Barb, glad you're here! Cubits Artistic Joy ~ Becktoria Baby ~ Do Overs ~Garden Heart ~ I LOVE Christmas ~ Trust in the Lord ~ Heart Strength ~ All Things Plants Garden Art ~ Purslane & Portulaca ~ Southwest Gardening |
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| I think it makes sense Becky. You serve openly but not like the Pharisee's who wanted to be seen and admired by all. So your heart is a shadow heart ! |
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| So glad to have all you ladies with us! How has this mini-study encouraged you? Did it make you think more about being a "silent servant"? I know that while I was writing it, I certainly came to realize that it is not necessary for me to receive recognition for my "good works" and that my rewards are in heaven. Perhaps the Lord was wanting me to learn a lesson in humility? :). |
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| We crossed, Becky and Linda. I like that term "shadow heart"--it goes right along with being a "silent servant". |
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It encourages me as I have one of those behind the scenes jobs at church .  No, I am not ' one of my favorite people ' . |
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Great Bible Study, Marsue! Actually, I should have known some kind of 'lesson' would pop up sometime this week, since I was Grumbling under my breath Sunday morning while my husband & I were about to go do 'extended service' (where a couple of adults take care of a group of small children, while their parents go to Church service). I mean, I'm used to doing it, as we both love kids & we've been teaching kids at church for years, but that day I wasn't in the mood to be 'serving'...  There were more kids than normal also, like 11--- these are busy 4 & 5 yr.olds too, some eagerly playing & talking, several shyly standing alone, a couple of 'em scared & crying... I'm thinking, Gosh, it's Noisey in this room (as one boy dumped a whole bunch of Legos onto the floor!)--- and too Hot to take them outside to play!.... I was asking myself: Why are we Doing this?! Where are all the OTHER parents? Why don't some Others sign up to help?!... but then we got busy 'entertaining' some, & consoling others--- after awhile the Hour & 15 minutes was up, & the parents came to get them! (Yay, I thought!) .... Sunday afternoon, a friend mentioned that we had more Visitors than usual at church (I thought: I wouldn't know, since I'd been watching kids!) ... By Monday I started thinking: Good thing we were able to care for those kids, because if not, their parents might not have been able to hear the sermon, & maybe one or both will come to know the Lord!... So tonight I read this little Study on 'Silent Servers', and thought, Wow!--- Marsue hit the nail on the Head! I know we are supposed to All be Christ's servants (and do it ungrudgingly!)... & like Becky stated, 'When we serve others, we are Really serving the Lord.' |
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