Most of us eat every day, some of us too much because yesterday's food
is not enough to supply energy for today's needs. Why then, do some
of us expect yesterday's portion of heavenly manna the word of God to keep us
through today's challenges. On this program, we are going to change all that.
Let's experience God's words today and receive the power we need to live healthy,
vibrant lives. Welcome to your Daily Portion with your host, author speaker
L. David Harris. Good morning, Good morning, Good morning. It
is Wednesday, September six, two twenty three. Hello, my name is
L. David Harris. I am your host, and this is your Daily
Portion where we give you God's word every single day, and today is no
exception. We are continuing in our lesson study series through the Book of Ephesians.
Our captions for today is slaves of Christ. And I know some people
don't like that term slave. Maybe I don't either, Okay, I don't
either, But I understand what the Bible is saying here, and we'll get
into that in just a moment. And I know that it will change our
perspective if we accept it. But before we get into that, I'd like
to just say happy, happy, like middle of the week day. I
know people call it something else, but I don't like that word either.
Let me stop getting distracted here. Let me please invite you to your Daily
Portion dot Com. There you can join our online community and pick up the
Your Daily Portion book to be delivered wherever you are. Yes, at your
Daily Portion dot Com. This is how we build faith and fellowship. Let's
go ahead and pray and then we will get underway. Father in heaven,
thank you for giving us this new day and for the privilege that you have
entrusted to us, to give us your spirit, to give us your word.
And I pray that we will maximize every moment here. Father, please
fill us with your holy spirit in Jesus name, I pray, Amen and
Amen again. Listen, every one of us is a servant to something or
someone or both. Some people serve their bellies, right. Have you ever
heard of people who are struggling with overeating? Right? Some people serve the
addiction to certain things on the Internet. You just can't stop flipping zoom zoom
zoom, like it actually drives me crazy. When they changed how some of
the platforms worked, where as soon as you open it up, it starts
playing videos and as soon as you're done watching something maybe you do intend to
watch, then it just serves you up another one and you just zoom zoom,
and I'm like, whoa wait a minute. Yeah, some people serve
that though they like it, they're addicted to it. Some of us are
servants to our spouses, our children in a good way, right leadership.
In leadership, you're a servant leader, like we are all servants of something.
Some unfortunately are still serving sin. Are servants to obey every evil inclination
that comes into our minds. Everybody is going to be a servant to someone
or slave. Okay, I know slave only comes with negative connotations and most
of our minds, including mine, But what we want to do is change
the perspective and say servant servant. If we are serving God, that is
positive. If you're at an upscale restaurant and someone comes to you and asks
to take your order and then does whatever they need to do to make your
experience positive, that servant or servant is someone positive in our minds. And
so when we are servants to God, we are saying, Lord, whatever
it is that you would have me to do. I will do it as
long as you empower me to do so. And so. In the Bible
Ephesians chapter six, beginning at verse five, the Bible reads, servants,
be obedient to them that are your masters, according to the flesh, with
the fear and trembling and singleness of your heart, as unto Christ, not
with eye service. We read about this the other day as men pleasers,
but as the servants of Christ. And so, Really, what we're talking
about now is what is our perspective when God speaks, when he gives us
his guidance and his will, do we respond favorably? Do we allow him
to lead us? Yes? Okay, but as servants to Christ, doing
the will of God from the heart? So service to the people we serve.
If it's someone who's a supervisor, or even if you are an entrepreneur
or business owner and you have clients, customers, and so forth people you
serve, are you doing it as unto the Lord or are you only doing
it to get the money? You see the difference here with good will seven,
doing service as to the Lord and not to men. Eight and final,
knowing that whatsoever good thing any person or man do with the same shall
he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. Notice,
the Bible didn't say that we have to become buddy buddy with those that we
serve in terms of our employers or our clients. He didn't say that we
have to find some like rose colored lenses and say this is a wonderful experience
all the time, when sometimes it is actually challenging. But he did say
that when we are serving, we are serving as unto the Lord. Like
imagine, And I don't want to be sacrilegious, so please just pardon me
for this. Imagine the essence of who God is. We don't know how
he looks, so we can't say his face, but just imagine his presence
superimposed over the face of the individuals you're serving, right, those who are
hungry, ha, those who are in need of clothing and shelter. Me.
I'm enamored by the opportunity to help individuals who have a certain other need.
I won't get into today, but I need to imagine. I need
to see in those individuals the presence of God. So when I see that
supervisor, if I did have one, when I see those clients, when
I see those individuals who need some nurture or care in some other way.
From me, I am to see the presence of God. Jesus said,
as you have done it unto the least of these, my brethren, you
have also done it unto me. So the concept is clear in scripture that
when we are in motion on planet Earth and we are serving in any way,
we need to see it as if we are serving God himself. Oh
and by the way, because we are so, I'm going to give you
a few takeaways, a few takeaways. If we have the time. I'll
get to seven takeaways concerning this right. Simple takeaways from the Slaves of Christ
the text that we could have considered for today. Number one, purposeful work.
That is a takeaway. We need to be purposeful in our work.
Approach every task, no matter how small, with purpose and dedication. Bible
says in Colossians chapter three, in verse twenty three, And whatsoever ye do
do it hardily, as unto the Lord and not unto humans. Verse I
mean not verse but number two inner rewards. Look within for validation, meaning
God puts this in you. He puts it in you. Look within for
validation and fulfillment, rather than relying on an external praise people who are looking
for external praise, and if you do get it, that is your reward.
But really what we're looking for is the awareness that when the indwelling Christ
through the Holy Spirit is satisfied and pleased, that should be our reward.
Number three Respect for all. Treat everyone, regardless of status or position,
with genuine respect. Number four higher calling in every endeavor. Remember you're serving
a greater mission or purpose beyond just the task at hand. Some people are
just happy to tick off the list. I did it, I served.
Okay, Now what's next to? No? No, no, no,
no no. The Bible teaches us in Philippians chapter three, in verse fourteen,
I pressed toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God
in Christ Jesus. That is our calling, a high calling in Christ,
Jesus of God. Okay, verse I mean. Number five. Acknowledge everyone's
value. Every individual has worth, recognize it, and celebrate it. How
do we know because the Bible said God created us all in his image.
He created humanity in his image and in his likeness. So we recognize that
and acknowledge everyone's value. Number six Stay committed, Stay true to your values
and beliefs even in challenging situations. And number seven and final seek growth.
Use every experience, good or challenging as an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth.
Yeah. Remember to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ, as we serve as unto Christ. Of a
wonderful day. Thanks for joining us listening. Friends. Always remember we cannot
live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of
God. This has been your daily portion with L. David Harris. Make
it a great day.