Dr H Reflections

Age of rage

Age of rage ∙∙

Do not let yourself be quickly provoked, for anger resides in the heart of fools. – Ecclesiastes 7:9

Proverbs 16:32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.

Proverbs 16:32 Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

Sales of antacids are on a steady rise. These remedies, which fall into two main categories – those that neutralize gastric acid like sodium bicarbonate and those that absorb acids such as calcium and magnesium salts- are commonly used to alleviate gastric discomfort. However, it’s crucial to understand that antacids only mask the symptoms; they do not address the root cause of gastric distress.

We live in what many call the “Age of Rage.” People everywhere are seething, simmering, and fuming internally, leading to an era marked by churning anger.

Tempers seem to be perpetually on edge, contributing to a surge in violent incidents. News feeds are filled with stories of violence triggered by sudden outbursts of anger. Individuals appear to be not just losing their tempers but also their sanity, committing senseless, brutal acts against colleagues, strangers, or even family members.

Does anyone want to appear foolish? Of course not. Yet, fools are recognized through their actions.

Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool. – Ecclesiastes 7:9

REFLECT & PRAY

It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt (Mark Twain).

Father, teach me to cultivate and promote gentleness instead of anger.

INSIGHT

Anger often originates from our own actions. When we behave in ways that make us feel foolish or incompetent, it can result in self-directed anger, also known as internal anger. Conversely, anger can also be provoked by the actions of others, which is referred to as external anger.

Managing self-anger involves practicing self-acceptance and self-forgiveness. Embracing self-love, instead of harboring self-hatred, is a crucial step in this healing process.

External anger is frequently tied to difficult childhood experiences and inadequate parenting. When anger is sowed in a child’s heart, it grows into a bitter harvest of rage and wrath.

You reap what you sow,

More than you sow, and

Later than you sow (Stanley).

Hosea 8:7 They sow the wind, and so they will harvest the whirlwind!

Unresolved anger establishes a recurring pattern, a cycle of fury and rage that perpetuates itself across multiple generations.

Numbers 14:18 The LORD is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. But he does not excuse the guilty. He lays the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected – even children in the third and fourth generations.

Can this cycle be disrupted? Absolutely! By recognizing the issue(recognition), expressing remorse (repentance), and admitting one’s mistakes (confession), anyone caught in the cycle can break the generational curse.

For parents, the change begins with you. Acknowledging and responding to your children’s feelings and reactions is an essential part of parental responsibility.

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

“Literally this means, do not provoke your children to anger so that they begin to seethe with resentment and irritation like sap swelling in a tree on a hot day” (Hughes).

The Greek word for “provoke” is parorgizo, which comes from para – by, beyond, near, toward, implying movement toward a certain point, and orgizo – to anger, irritate. Hence, parorgizo means to exasperate, provoke to anger, irritation, or resentment.

This command forbids placing unreasonable expectations on children in the everyday course of family life (Nelson). Such provocation can unnecessarily ignite a child’s anger. Research suggests that the leading cause of rage in teenagers is the lack of adequate guidance from their parents (Constable).

Feelings of resentment and irritation flourish in environments marked by irrationality, selfishness, faultfinding, nagging, neglect, severe and unfair punishment, threats, and inconsistency. These feelings are further exacerbated when parents fail to acknowledge their children’s efforts and accomplishments, instead berating them for never being good enough. Children, like tender shoots, can easily be crushed.

Is it possible to correct these mistakes? Can these wrongs be made right? Can steps be taken when irritated, frustrated children grow into wrathful, resentful, and angry adults?

When the Father intervenes, all things become possible, though not guaranteed. By inviting the Father to be at the center of our lives, wonderful transformations can occur. Acts of kindness, understanding, gentleness, and godly instruction often work wonders over time. A positive, supportive, and safe environment defined by love can make up for countless shortcomings (1 Peter 4:8).

Our heavenly Father deeply desires and actively works toward the restoration of shattered lives and relationships. Consider the parable of the prodigal son: the father eagerly anticipates his son’s return and, upon his arrival, forgives him completely. The father welcomes him with open arms and rejoices in his safe homecoming.

Luke 15:32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!

When God communicates, do we perceive Him as a forgiving or exacting Father, a close or distant Friend, a patient or impatient Teacher, a gentle or era Guide, a compassionate or unfeeling Counselor, a generous or hesitant Provider, or a faithful or inconsistent Sustainer? (Stanley)

What do other people hear when we speak?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 9-18-1

Waiting ∙

Waiting ∙

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living. Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. – Psalms 27:13-14

Isaiah 40:28-29

28 Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

29 He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.

The pace of the 21st century is not just fast, but it’s constantly increasing. It challenges our ability to keep up and stay updated with unfolding events. We often find ourselves waiting in one way or another: waiting in line, waiting in traffic, waiting to be seated in a restaurant, waiting for food to be served, waiting for the check, waiting for the mail, waiting at the doctor’s office, waiting for customer support, waiting for delayed flights, and waiting for postponed appointments.

So often, we hurry up and wait! At times, our lives are just on hold. How does that make us feel? How do we react emotionally? To ask the question is to answer it. We often feel frustrated, blocked, and perhaps with a simmering dash of anger.

Growth is not uniform in a tree or children of the King. There is more growth in some months than in the rest of the year. During the rest of the year, solidification takes place. Without it, the green timber would be useless. The period of rapid growth, when the woody fiber is deposited between the bark and the trunk, occupies but four to six weeks in May, June, and July (Strong).

In the immortal words of Aretha Franklin, “You better think about it; you better think about the consequences of your actions.” Too often, the children of the King miss the value of waiting. We miss the purpose of waiting. Waiting is not synonymous with wasting time in the kingdom of God. Waiting is not about doing nothing; instead, it is being prepared to do something.

As we learn to rely on our Heavenly Father, we also acquire the skill of patient waiting. This process produces within us a deep sense of trust in Him. Waiting is not passive but calls for active trust and dependence on the Father. Our inner spiritual strength and courage grow as we develop the skill of active confidence.

Waiting under the Father’s gaze is never a futile interval. Waiting on the Father is not idle time. Waiting is a time of growth and consolidation. He ingeniously utilizes these times to sculpt our character, purify our hearts, and prepare us for His service. As we obey Him, the Father will prepare each child of the King for their assignment (Blackaby).

REFLECT & PRAY

“One day in the House of Commons, British Prime Minister Disraeli made a brilliant speech on the spur of the moment. That night, a friend said to him, ‘I must tell you how much I enjoyed your extemporaneous talk. It’s been on my mind all day.’ ‘Madam,’ confessed Disraeli, ‘that extemporaneous talk has been on my mind for twenty years!’” (Miles Stanford).

Father, I am so impatient at times. I often worry that my difficult life circumstances will never end. Help me realize that You use my difficulties and trials to reveal my needs and limitations. Enable me to reach out and trust You all the more.

INSIGHT

“All growth is progressive, and the finer the organism, the longer the process. It is from measure to measure: thirtyfold, sixtyfold, and hundredfold. It is from stage to stage: ‘first the blade, then the ear, and after that, the full corn in the ear.’ And it is from day to day . . .. There are also idle days, days apparently useless when even prayer and holy service seem a burden. Are we, in any sense, renewed in these days? Yes, for any experience which makes us more aware of our need of God must contribute to spiritual progress . . .” (Graham Scroggie).

Sadly, we tend to act like sheep when we wait. We stray and wander off. It is through discipline that we learn to follow Him closely.

Psalms 119:67 I used to wander off until you disciplined me, but now I closely follow your word.

In the Father’s timing, waiting periods become crucibles in which character and integrity are meticulously forged and refined. The Father tenderly reveals what is in our hearts, often to our dismay. But then He purges and cleanses us. The Father binds us to Himself in ever deeper intimacy and spiritual union. We learn lessons of voluntary submission and obedience.

The Father is far more interested in accomplishing His kingdom purposes than we are. He will move us into every assignment when He knows we are ready to take it on. Permit the Father to adjust your orientation towards Him. A servant does not dictate the desired position to the Master. Instead, servants abide, awaiting whatever directives the Master provides (Blackaby).

Psalms 27:13-14

13 I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

14 Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

In the face of challenges, or maybe even because of them, David develops stronger faith. He firmly believes that the Father will intervene and come to his aid. As a result, he anticipates experiencing God’s extraordinary goodness in the land of the living.

The first word in the Hebrew text of Psalms 27:13 begins with “Unless.” The initial phrase is omitted. Various translators render slightly differently: “I would have lost heart unless,” “I would give up hope unless” (FRCL), “I would have despaired unless” (NAS), and “I had fainted unless” (KJV).

Psalms 27:13 . . . Unless I had believed that I would see . . ..

In this verse, David expresses an amalgamation of doubt and confidence. He acknowledges his wavering faith but also affirms his trust in God. His faith triumphs over his feelings of weakness and doubt. “His Faith rebukes his faintness” (Kirkpatrick). Through hope, faith, and trust, David encourages himself. He firmly believes that he will witness the goodness of the Lord while he is alive.

Psalms 27:13 I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

David’s determination lies in patiently waiting for the Father’s timing, understanding that God’s timing is the best timing. David encourages others to wait patiently for the Lord, to be brave and courageous in their faith, and to trust in God’s perfect timing.

Psalms 27:14 Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

Waiting goes against our fallen nature, and waiting on God can be particularly challenging. Impatience often leads to mistakes and hinders the fulfillment of the Father’s plans. Just as abundant harvests require the plants to mature fully, waiting for the Father’s timing is essential for the best outcomes.

Despite the difficulties, David possesses audacious boldness. He encourages himself and others to “Be of good courage,” regardless of the circumstances.

Something marvelous and delightful happens when we learn to wait in confident expectation. He strengthens our hearts and imbues us with courage during this waiting period.

Waiting on God in faith is transformative. Waiting, mixed with courageous determination, results in power and strength (Butler).

During the waiting process, the Father works behind the scenes, orchestrating circumstances and aligning things according to His divine plan. He uses this time to prepare us for what is to come and to shape us into vessels capable of receiving His blessings.

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

How does the Father develop within us the ability to shepherd others? For the children of the King, it is often cultivated during periods of waiting and experiencing personal failures and inadequacies.

These moments of weakness allow us to understand our limitations and shortcomings better. Consequently, we develop patience and compassion towards the foibles of others.

When did the Lord Jesus Christ call Peter to shepherd His lambs and sheep? Was it when Peter affirmed his undying loyalty to the Lord Jesus Christ (John 13:37)? No. It was when Peter utterly failed to keep his commitments and wept bitterly (John 21:15-17). This moment of brokenness and humility opened Peter’s heart to receive the calling to care for others.

When our response to waiting is as it should be, endurance is the byproduct. When trained in this way, we are not easily discouraged by others’ weaknesses or shortcomings. Once we come face-to-face with our own, we can see beyond human sinfulness, willfulness, and even foolishness. In these moments, the ability to shepherd and guide others begins to take shape within us.

David shows the way, encourages and counsels himself, and his advice has echoed down through the millennia.

Psalms 62:5 Let my soul wait in silence before God, for my hope is in him.

Paul explains he expresses this thought as his life purpose.

Acts 20:24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 7-12-1

The suburbs of heaven ∙

The suburbs of heaven ∙

You will show me the path of life, grant me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. – Psalms 16:11

Ephesians 3:19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

The Scottish Puritan Samuel Rutherford once declared, “Live in Christ, and you are in the suburbs of heaven.” This profound statement addresses one of the greatest struggles for every child of the King: experiencing joy amid life’s circumstances.

In Rutherford’s seventeenth-century context, the “suburbs of heaven” referred to a “land of praises” and “the fairest of created paradises.” It is the place where there is “fullness of joy” and “pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

Rutherford speaks of proximity. Those who dwell in the suburbs live as close to the city as possible without actually being in it. This is Rutherford’s point. When you and I “live in Christ,” there is but a thin wall between us and the land of praises.

When children of the King “live in Christ,” they position themselves just outside heaven’s gates. They are as near to heaven as they can be without actually entering. In this spiritual suburbia, they catch glimpses of the “fullness of joy” and “pleasures forevermore” that Psalm 16:11 describes. Often, these are fleeting flashes or tiny glimpses, for the complete experience is reserved exclusively for when they actually arrive at heaven itself. Nevertheless, we can come close and know genuine joy and lasting pleasure in this life. When we do, we find ourselves in the “suburbs of heaven” (Guy M. Richard).

The splendor, grandeur, pulchritude, magnificence, and sheer delightfulness of heaven are beyond anything we can imagine or predict. Many children of the King once lived in utter darkness, far from the light. They existed in squalor and ugliness, within a world lying in the arms of the evil one, under his dominion (1 John 5:19). They were doomed, far off, strangers, and aliens (Ephesians 2:17,19). Far worse, they were dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1).

But then, at the moment each of us accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, everything changed. Those who were far off were brought near.

Ephesians 2:13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once, you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

REFLECT & PRAY

“Many of us are missing something in life because we are after the second best” (Eric Liddell).

Father, I thank You that I am in Christ forever and will dwell in Your presence forevermore. I pray that with each passing day, I may draw nearer to You for the rest of my life on earth.

INSIGHT

Geographically speaking, imagine we once lived in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Juneau, Alaska, or the Florida Keys. When we became children of the King, we moved to the state of Iowa. Previously, we resided in the Kingdom of darkness; now, we are in the Kingdom of light.

We are currently within the state, but the King Himself resides in the capital, Des Moines. How can we approach our King and get closer? How do we reach the suburbs of Des Moines?

To live in the suburbs of heaven, Samuel Rutherford encouraged us to “Live in Christ.”

What does it mean to live in Christ?

Living in Christ encompasses three key elements: knowing, recalling, and living.

To begin with, it is essential to fully grasp that every child of the King is in Christ. This understanding forms the foundation of our faith and shapes our perspective on life. It is crucial to constantly remind ourselves of this truth and to believe in it firmly. Finally, we are called to actively live out this reality each day, allowing it to guide and shape our thoughts, actions, and interactions with others.

When we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, we had an encounter with Him. Some of us had dramatic experiences, while others had more subtle ones. Regardless of our individual experiences, each of us has been inwardly transformed. We were placed into Christ when this encounter happened (1 Corinthians 12:13), and Christ came to live within each of us (1 John 3:24).

1 John 4:13 God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.

We must continually bring this truth to mind. Our fallen nature often causes us, even though we are the children of the King, to momentarily forget that we are in Christ and that Christ is in us. We must regularly look back and remember our first encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 2:6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.

“The Christian life continues as it commenced: just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him” (BKC). God saved you by His grace when you believed, and you cannot take credit for this; it is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8).

Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

The apostle Paul had insights that few other children of the King ever considered. He fully understood what it means to be in Christ and to live in Christ. Consequently, Paul completely redefined life as we know it. It is a profound paradigm shift. For Paul, to live is Christ! He regarded his life as inseparable from Christ.

Galatians 2:19 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

There is a significant difference between merely knowing the truth and experiencing the power of the truth (John Owen). When we focus on applying the realities of our new position in Christ and His presence within us, we move closer to genuinely experiencing this truth. This is what Owen, along with many other Puritans, emphasized. We need to diligently meditate on these truths and contemplate how they apply to our lives (Guy M. Richard).

To live in Christ is to strive to keep our hearts and affections focused on Him and allow His life force to flow through us. As we do, we begin to experience what Paul experienced.

Galatians 2:19 It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

Psalms 16:11 You will show me the path of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Psalm 16:11 is unsurpassed for the beauty of the prospect it opens up, in words of the utmost simplicity. The path of life is so-called, not only because of its goal but because walking that way means living, in the true sense of the word, already (Kidner). The path of life leads into the Father’s eternal presence.

The joys and pleasures are totally and eternally satisfying and endlessly varied, for they are found in both what He is and what He gives (Kidner).

“The pleasures of heaven will be far beyond any pleasures we have known here on earth, and as we enjoy the Lord and serve Him, we will not be restricted or encumbered by time, physical weakness, or the consequences of sin. So magnificent are the glories of heaven that the apostle John had to ransack human language to find words to describe it (Revelation 21-22)” (Wiersbe).

¯\_(ツ)_/¯2-09-3

A thief in the night ∙

A thief in the night ∙∙

But be sure of this: that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. – Matthew 24:43

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.

In a shocking turn of events in the spring of 2017, administrators at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh initiated an audit and were left stunned. They discovered that a significant portion of the Oliver Room’s holdings was missing. Nearly every valuable item in this rare books collection had been pilfered, with the estimated value of the stolen objects amounting to a staggering $8 million. This marked the most extensive theft from an American library in at least a century.

Similar to the stringent security measures employed at nuclear power plants and sensitive computer networks, the Oliver Room was safeguarded through a strategy known as “defense in depth.” This comprehensive technique involves a series of layered, overlapping measures designed to deter any thief capable of overcoming a single deterrent. Greg Priore, the room’s manager since 1992, was responsible for implementing this robust security system.

The Oliver Room was under constant camera surveillance, with a single entry point accessible only to a select few who possessed keys. The room operated limited daytime hours, and all visitors were required to sign in and leave personal belongings, such as jackets and bags, in an outside locker. Priore’s desk was strategically positioned to oversee the room and the table where patrons worked. Whenever a book was returned, he meticulously checked its condition. Priore was always aware of whether an employee or a guest entered the collection.

Given such stringent security protocols, how could such an extensive theft occur? Almost every conceivable threat to the rare books collection had been considered, leaving just one weak point: an inside job. Shockingly, Greg Priore himself was the thief. For nearly 25 years, he systematically stole almost everything he could get his hands on without arousing suspicion. As noted by Smithsonian Magazine in September 2020, the only thing that can prevent an insider from stealing is their conscience.

Satan was the archetypal insider. As the most excellent of all the Father’s created beings, he had complete access to the holiest realms of heaven and the very presence of the Father. No one would think he could be corrupted when he had such vast privileges and access. Yet, he fell from perfection to imperfection, from righteousness to evil, becoming thoroughly heinous and reprobate.

Lucifer, once the bearer of light, transformed into the prince of darkness, the slanderer, and the accuser.

Why, oh why?

REFLECT & PRAY

Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. – Proverbs 18:12

Father, I am reminded of the night of the Last Supper when the Lord Jesus Christ declared, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.” Deeply troubled, each disciple asked in turn, “Am I the one, Lord?” (Matthew 26:21-22).

Dear Father, I pray that I will not be the one.

INSIGHT

The Scriptures lay bare the events and motivations with striking clarity. There came a pivotal moment in the life of the devil when being who and what he was ceased to satisfy him. It just wasn’t enough. His ambitions swelled uncontrollably – he wanted it all! He snapped under the weight of his own desires, yearning to usurp the very throne of the Father Himself. His pride grew immense, fueled by his extraordinary beauty, magnificence, power, and esteemed position. This insatiable arrogance led to his ultimate downfall.

Ezekiel 28:12-17

12 You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and exquisite in beauty.

13 You were in Eden, the garden of God. Your clothing was adorned with every precious stone – red carnelian, pale-green peridot, white moonstone, blue-green beryl, onyx, green jasper, blue lapis lazuli, turquoise, and emerald – all beautifully crafted for you and set in the finest gold. They were given to you on the day you were created.

14 I ordained and anointed you as the mighty angelic guardian. You had access to the holy mountain of God and walked among the stones of fire.

15 You were blameless in all you did from the day you were created until the day evil was found in you.

17 Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor.

Isaiah 14:12-14

12 How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world.

13 For you said to yourself, “I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north.”

14 “I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.”

The enemy of our souls does not deserve our pity but only our disdain.

The proverbial saying, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely,” is attributed to the 19th-century British politician Lord Acton. The idea was nothing new and had been expressed previously by others in different words.

What exactly does this mean? As a person’s power increases, their moral sense diminishes. The more power a person has, the more corrupted they will become. “It morally destroys their nature and fills them with destructive pride. However, if the person saves himself from this abuse of power, he or she is a humble person” (https://literarydevices.net).

Satan’s temptations and fall are similar to the temptations we face. The world is in conflict with the Father; the flesh fights against the Holy Spirit, and the devil opposes the Son of God. Pride is Satan’s great sin, and it is one of his chief weapons in his warfare against the saint and the Saviour.

God wants us to be humble; Satan wants us to be proud. God wants us to depend on His grace, while the devil wants us to rely on ourselves. Satan is the author of all “do-it-yourself” spiritual enterprises. He enjoys inflating the ego and encouraging the believer to do it his own way (Wiersbe).

Three enemies want to turn us away from God: the world, the flesh, and the devil. These enemies are left over from our old life of sin (Ephesians 2:1-3). Christ has delivered us from them, but they still attack us.

1 John 2:15-17

15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.

16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father but are from this world.

17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

What is the Father’s answer?

James 4:6-8

6 But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.”

7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯2-18-3

7‑Eleven servants ∙∙

7‑Eleven servants ∙∙

Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. – John 12:26

Matthew 20:25-28

25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them.

26 But among you, it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,

27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.

28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Thank Heaven for 7-Eleven! The 7‑Eleven brand is recognized and cherished worldwide. Many of their iconic products have become ingrained in American culture. At 7‑Eleven, they are deeply committed to their customers, embodying a success story built on understanding and addressing customer needs. Their unwavering focus is on making life easier for their patrons.

Their principle is simple: “Give the customers what they want, when, and where they want it.” This straightforward idea propelled them to be a marketplace leader. 7‑Eleven has a storied legacy of innovation, having virtually created the convenience store industry. They were among the pioneers who offered 24-hour service, understanding that true service means being available and willing to help, even when it’s not convenient. Their readiness to serve transforms what seems inconvenient into convenience.

The Father seeks 7‑Eleven-like servants. He would likely appreciate a new motto: Thank Heaven for 7‑Eleven servants of the King.

John 12:26 Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

Jesus called His followers servants. Following the Lord Jesus Christ means becoming a servant of the King. But what does it mean to be a successful servant?

Our eternal destiny is secure when we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. At that moment, the Father could take us home, allowing us to enjoy His presence forever. So why does He leave us to live out our appointed days on earth?

There are many valid answers to this question. One significant reason is that the Father wants us to be His servants on earth. To fulfill this role, we must develop a servant mentality. Ultimately, the Father is in charge. His servants are no longer self-centered but become “Father-centric.” We are here to serve the Father, not the other way around. A servant mentality recognizes that our purpose on earth is not to serve ourselves but to be the Father’s servants.

This is a big hurdle, indeed! But once we are on the other side, we have the opportunity to be genuinely successful servants. A 7‑Eleven servant dedicates their time, resources, energy, money, loyalty, and expertise. Similarly, as children of the King, we should surrender and offer everything we have to the Father. The Father does not need our possessions and does not intend to keep them. Instead, He returns everything to us, asking that we use it wisely in His service.

Our purpose in life is to please Him, and in turn, He places people in our lives for us to serve and care for.

Matthew 10:24 Disciples are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master.

The Message Bible paraphrases it as “A student doesn’t get a better desk than their teacher. A laborer doesn’t make more money than their boss.”

In the TV show, NCIS, Special Agent in Charge Leroy Jethro Gibbs is referred to as “The Boss.” All the special agents reporting to him call him “Boss.”

When we choose to become servants of the Father, we relinquish being the boss of our own little worlds, let alone the universe. Our mindset shifts to, “I serve the Boss. I am a servant of the King of kings and Lord of lords.” The struggle ends, and we find contentment in joining Him in His kingdom’s purposes.

REFLECT & PRAY

Be mindful of where you position yourself; embracing humility is far better than facing humiliation before your peers and superiors.

Father, I desire to be Your servant. Instill within me a servant’s mindset and motivate me to live it out.

INSIGHT

Once we become children of the King, a fitting attitude naturally follows. Servants understand that, regardless of their social standing or status, they are always ready to take the lowest place.

Instead of seeking a position among the great, they humbly place themselves below their rank. It’s far better to embrace humility than to face humiliation. It’s much wiser to start at a lower level and be invited to rise than to be demoted. It’s better to adopt a humble position and be promoted than to be presumptuous and corrected.

Proverbs 25:6-7

6 Do not honor yourself before the king or push for a place among the great.

7 It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table than to be sent away in public disgrace.

The Hebrew term translated as “honor yourself” or “put yourself forward” is “hadar.” Within its semantic range, hadar also means to claim honor, seek favoritism or respect, thrust yourself forward, exalt yourself, or be puffed up.

Luke 14:8-11

8 When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited?

9 The host will come and say, “Give this person your seat.” Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table!

10 Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then, when your host sees you, he will come and say, “Friend, we have a better place for you!” Then, you will be honored in front of all the other guests.

11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Humility is considered a fundamental grace of the Christian faith, but it can be challenging to attain. There’s a saying that if you realize you possess humility, you have actually lost it. Humility is not about having a low opinion of ourselves but rather about not focusing on ourselves at all.

The Lord Jesus Christ is frequently hailed as the ultimate embodiment of humility. His life and actions serve as an unparalleled example, urging us to strive for a similar mindset. In Philippians 2:1-16, we are encouraged to seek the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit to emulate His humility.

The selfless love and sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ set the gold standard for how we should live our lives – putting others before ourselves and embodying true servant leadership. By inviting the Holy Spirit to work within us, we can follow in His footsteps and reflect His grace and humility in our daily lives. (Wiersbe)

¯\_(ツ)_/¯8-08-2

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: