In life most of us are looking for meaning and purpose. We ask ourselves what is my purpose, what is it that makes me happy, what can I do that will give me gratification?
We are all seeking self-gratification when our focus is on us. Actually serving God brings more meaning and purpose than anything. Think about it, when you give someone else joy, it gives you joy. It can be something as simple as giving someone a compliment. A kind word said will make a difference in someone’s life that has never heard anything good at all. It makes them feel so good - their eyes light up and they flash a big "SMILE"! It is a natural high nothing can replace - no drug, alcohol, or sex before marriage will ever do.
***A little note: God’s medicine (The Bible and Communion with Him) heals a body, soul, and Spirit. Taken daily, delivers you from destruction. The world’s medicine destroys, kills, and harms the body over time. ***
Philippians 2:3-7 AMPC
3 Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].
4 Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others.
5 Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]
6 Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained,
7 But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.
Kind words and acts of kindness changes a person - and their lives. I see it everyday at my place of work. Anyone can recognize a passionate and loving heart. That is where the change comes, followed by “Because you took your time to talk to me, pray for me and tell me or show me you care, means so much to me” Thank you!”
If making someone smile, or causing that person to shed tears of joy, or you told someone they are beautiful and they also cry, doesn’t give you joy, then your heart is not in the right place.
When you give anything of yourself and things, and not in a grudging way, blessings are given back to you from God.
Luke 6:38 AMPC
38 Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you.
And put another way in the Bible
Mark 4:24 AMPC:
24 And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you—and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.)
Serving takes little effort and time. (We should never be bored) There is always someone that you can help, call, talk to, visit, pick up, pray for, or give a ride to the store, etc. we feel we have to plan a big event, or do something of that magnitude to make a difference. You make a big difference to someone at the doctor's office or waiting at the BMV, or sitting at the bus stop by saying "Hello” or smile. A smile goes a long way!
Mark 10:42-45 Amplified Version
42 Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their powerful men exercise authority over them [tyrannizing them]. 43 But this is not how it is among you; instead, whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wishes to be first and most important among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
To be intimate with God is to “Serve God”
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