Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

July 18
Thursday


CREATING
YOUR LIFE

READ:
Mark 10:35-45
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Whoever of you desires
to be first shall be slave
of all. __Mark 10:44
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The advice that I read in a self-help book sounded good: Do only what you're great at because that's when you'll feel most fulfilled. The author was trying to help readers create the kind of life they wanted. I don't know about you, but if I did only what I was great at, I wouldn't accomplish much!

In Mark 10, we read about two disciples, James and John, who had some plans for the kind of life they wanted for themselves someday. They asked to be at Jesus' right and left hand in His kingdom (v.37). the other 10 disciples were "greatly displeased" with them for asking (v.41). (Possible because that was the kind of position they wanted for themselves!)

But Jesus used the opportunity to teach His followers about another kind of life__one of serving others. He said,"Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all" (vv.43-44). It appears that service for others is God's design for us.

Even Jesus, the son of God, "did not come to be served, but to serve" (v.45). As we look at Christ's example and depend on the Holy Spirit's help, we too can be servants and will create a fulfilling life. __Anne Cetas

`````````````````I admit, Lord, that my eyes do get focused`````````````````
```````````on myself. But I really do want to live from a heart of`````````````
``````````````````love for You. Teach me to be a servant```````````````````
```````````````````and to look for my fulfillment in You.````````````````````
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Great occasions for serving God come seldom,
but little ones surround us daily.

**************Today's Bible Reading __ Mark 10:35-45****************

35 Then James and John,
the sons of Zebedee, came
to Him saying, "teacher,
we want you to do for us
whatever we ask."

36 And He said to them,
"What do you want Me to
do for you?"

37 They said to Him, "Grant
us that we may sit, one on
Your right hand and the
other on Your left, in Your
glory."

38 But Jesus said to them,
"You do not know what you
ask. Are you able to drink
the cup that I drink, and be
baptized with the baptism
that I am baptized with?"

39 They said to Him, "we
are able." So Jesus said to
them, "You will indeed
drink the cup that I drink,
and with the baptism I am
baptized with you will be
baptized; 40 but to sit on My
right hand and on My left is
not Mine to give, but it is for
those for whom it is
prepared.


41 And when the ten heard
it, they began to be greatly
displeased with James and
John. 42 But Jesus called
them to Himself and said to
them, "You know that those
who are considered rulers
over the Gentiles lord it over
them, and their great ones
exercise authority over them.

43 Yet it shall not be so
among you; but whoever
desires to become great
among you shall be your
servant. 44 And whoever of
you desires to be first shall
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 a
ransom for many.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Often the Bible is surprisingly frank in its portrayal of human
weakness. Today's passage shows James and John jockeying for position
in the eternal kingdom. Jesus teaches them that servanthood, not
political positioning, is the way to be exalted in the kingdom.