Jesus Measures Greatness by Service

Jesus said, “You can tell what they are by what they do.” (Matthew 7:16 CEV)

RAMBLINGS from Kris King’s hubby – Kris and I had a great time relaxing in beautiful south Florida with some wonderful weather. We really enjoyed our ride a few days ago in the water-taxi. Everyone on board was fascinated with the magnificent homes and yachts we passed. I thought about our kids, and how much they would enjoy taking in all these sights.

There were names being thrown around that you would recognize immediately, many of whom graced the most recent issues of People or Forbes. As I look back, I consider lives that by the world’s standards are the epitome of success. People who have $10 million beach homes in addition to other properties. People who own multi-million dollar yachts that sit around most of the time unused.

Home after home, yacht after yacht, we saw staff cleaning, repairing, replacing, serving. I watched on one yacht 7 different crew taking care of one individual sitting at a table on the stern of a 140′ vessel.

Could these people be involved in some great ministry work? Sure. We know wealthy people that stay busy spreading the Gospel while helping worthy causes. But unfortunately that seems to be the exception. The majority of these have all the world offers today, but with no hope for eternity. Early in my career I worked for a man who recently sold his company for $20 billion. Unless things have changed in the last 10 years, at an age near 80, he is spiritually bankrupt …worshipping nothing but money and Mother Earth.

In the twinkling of an eye, their lives here will be over. God won’t ask them what kind of Bentley they drove. He won’t ask in which jet they flew. He will ask them one of two questions: Why they didn’t accept the gift His Son had for them, or why they didn’t do more with what He gave them?!?

The bottom line is that we have all been called by God to serve. Jesus was the model of the servant leader. In the end, those men and women “servants” on those yachts I saw may be the ones with great heavenly wealth in the end. God’s standard of measurement is very different from our own.

…But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10: 43-45)

Pray For Others

“And this is my prayer, that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best and be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.” ( Philippians 1:9-11 NIV)

RAMBLINGS from Kris’ husband – My bride and I have gotten away for a few days to relax, recharge, and celebrate her birthday. We are on the 9th floor with a beautiful view of Ft. Lauderdale, watching all the big yachts parading up and down the water. It is quite a show.

Last evening we got together with some friends who live 30 minutes away. They, like us, had eaten a late lunch, so we planned to catch up over a cup of coffee. Kris and I decided before we met them that the conversation would be all about them. We knew they had been through some rough times recently and just wanted to let them talk.  And talk they did…for almost four hours.

John, the husband, one year earlier had come out of a business relationship that had gone sour. His partner had promised the world!  Unfortunately, the world they walked into was one of lies, deceit, narcissism, and questionable business practices. Within months John left the partnership, with major financial fallout from the cost of getting in, and then deciding to get out. One year later they still feel the financial repercussions.

Through appetizers, dinner, dessert, and coffee, they relived experience after experience where promises were made, and not kept. The pain and frustration on my friend’s face was fresh, even though it had been a year.

As we walked across the parking lot my still hurting friend reiterated his anger for the shyster.  I looked at John and told him he would never be able to let it go until he started praying for the guy. He admitted to knowing that, but I could tell it was asking a lot of him.

The subject was soon changed and they drove us around looking at some of the magnificent homes in the area. We talked about our kids, we talked about our dreams, and then they dropped us off at our door.

This morning I got up and prayed for John and his wife. I prayed for his former partner, and the countless families left in the wake of his deceitful business practices.

I should consistently be praying for those I crossed paths with yesterday. I should be praying for those I will cross paths with today. This morning different friends came to mind, so I started praying for them. Maybe a few of them lifted up a prayer for me…

And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you can approve the things that are superior and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11)