Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. John 13:16.
In His life and lessons, Christ has given a perfect exemplification of the unselfish ministry which has its origin in God. God does not live for Himself. By creating the world, and by upholding all things, He is constantly ministering for others…. This ideal of ministry God has committed to His Son. Jesus was given to stand at the head of humanity, that by His example He might teach what it means to minister. His whole life was under a law of service…. Thus He lived the law of God, and by His example showed how we are to obey it.
Again and again Jesus had tried to establish this principle among His disciples. When James and John made their request for preeminence, He had said, “Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister.” Matthew 20:26. In My kingdom the principle of preference and supremacy has no place. The only greatness is the greatness of humility. The only distinction is found in devotion to the service of others.
The ordinance of feet washing is an ordinance of service. This is the lesson the Lord would have all learn and practice. When this ordinance is rightly celebrated, the children of God are brought into holy relationship with each other, to help and bless each other.
That His people might not be misled by the selfishness which dwells in the natural heart, and which strengthens by self-serving, Christ Himself set us an example of humility. He would not leave this great subject in man’s charge. Of so much consequence did He regard it that He Himself, One equal with God, washed the feet of His disciples…. This ceremony means much to us. God would have us take in the whole scene, not only the single act of outward cleansing. This lesson does not merely refer to the one act. It is to reveal the great truth that Christ is an example of what we through His grace are to be in our intercourse with each other. It shows that the entire life should be one of humble, faithful ministry.
The Faith I Live By p. 297
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for my husband. Don. He is having his hours cut at work. They cut him 11 hours this week, and other people only three hours. He is 63 years old and the other people are in their early 20’s. We think it is age discrimination, or discrimination about him being a disabled vet but we cant prove it because everyone is getting cut.
He has an appointment to talk to the store manager today. Please pray that he calms down, he is livid. I am very afraid he is going to loose this job , because of his temper. Please help the store manager to understand. Jacqueline
—-Please pray for my good friend Linda who had a heart attack Sunday and now has MRSA. Please pray for a full recovery. Rose
—-There is another neighbor of mine; that is having chemo and up-coming surgery. Trish is a young woman. Her Mom, also, has cancer in her brain. Please pray for them. Kathrin
—-Prayer requests from prayer meeting: Sarah’s health, Minnie’s daughter, Marvin’s mother in the hospital, Ann, court next week, Teacher for Three Angels School, Andrew for pain, Alia needs a travel document, Carolyn back pain, Linda’s son for broken toes, Sunny for broken pelvis, family of Meldra as they grieve her death. Rose
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Dear Friends,
Years ago, I worked part time caring for the needs of the elderly or the disabled. I went to their homes and did the cleaning that they could not do, took them to any doctor’s appointments, went with them to the grocery store, etc. My favorite client was a lady named Mrs. Baldwin. She seemed more like a friend than a client and I looked forward to going over to her house. She had many past experiences and loved to tell about them. Since I love to hear about the experiences of others, I enjoyed her reminiscing. We always chatted happily while I worked in her living room and kitchen. For some reason, however, when it came time to clean the bathroom, she always left me alone.
One day as I began scrubbing her bathtub, I heard Mrs. Baldwin laughing behind me. Surprised, I looked around to see what she thought was so funny. Then I stared in disbelief. Standing behind her was a very tall, muscular man. I could tell by his uniform that he was part of an ambulance crew. What was he doing there? I had no idea. I listened in shock as Mrs. Baldwin was assuring him that we were safe and well. He explained to her that her emergency button had been pulled.
Then I knew. Somehow, as I was moving the shower curtain out of my way, I accidently pulled the cord of the emergency call button that was on the wall. Immediately a light went on at a switchboard in the police department of the small town where Mrs. Baldwin lived. The policeman, thinking that Mrs. Baldwin had fallen, had summoned an ambulance. Within a minute or two, the EMT’s were at there ready to rescue her.
We, too, have Someone on Whom we can call in every emergency. Even more quickly than the EMT’s response, He is by our side. When we have need for strength to resist the evil one’s suggestions, we can call upon our Dear Saviour, Who will send help in an instant. When we are in any kind of trouble, we can be assured that He, Who “gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father” will send us the very help that we need. Gal 1:4 “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” Ps 34:7 Wonderful Saviour! Loving King!
No matter what our situation, Our Great Redeemer says to us, “call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” Psa 50:15 “I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible.” Jer 15:21 “O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder. Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit’s end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” Psa 107:1-31
May we, in time of distress, claim His promise, “call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” Ps 50:15 May we be thankful for His loving care. May the Lord “deliver [us] from every evil work, and…preserve [us] unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 2 Tim 4:18
Rose
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The Servant of Man