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Reasonable Service

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”
Luke 17:9–10
Throughout Scripture we see God commanding people to do things that seem foolish, unhelpful, or difficult. Yet in each case those who did as He instructed were rewarded for their faithful obedience. Noah built a large boat to prepare for a flood that had never happened before. Abraham bound his son Isaac to an altar, preparing to offer him as a sacrifice. Joshua commanded the priests carrying the ark to walk into the flooded Jordan River. At the instruction of Jesus, Peter got out of the boat and walked on the Sea of Galilee during a storm. None of these things makes sense to our reasoning, but when God speaks, we should obey without question or hesitation. (Of course this does not apply to people claiming God has told them to do things that are not in His Word.)
To our reasoning, it does not make sense to completely yield our lives to God and obey Him, even as we understand that doing everything He says is the bare minimum that is expected—our simple duty. Paul wrote, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). Because of the great sacrifice with which our salvation was purchased, it is completely reasonable for us to give God total control of our lives. No sacrifice that we could ever make compares to the death of Jesus on the cross for our redemption. Nothing that God commands us to do as His servants is unreasonable, because we belong completely to Him.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

Rather than being impressed with how much we have done for God, we need to keep our focus on how much He has done for us.

Need Some Help?

by Joyce Meyer - posted July 23, 2016

Behold, God is my helper and ally; the Lord is my upholder and is with them who uphold my life.
—Psalm 54:4
There are many people who have received Jesus as their Savior and Lord who will live their Christian lives and go to heaven without ever drawing on the power of the Holy Spirit available to them, never experiencing the true success God intends for them. People can be on their way to heaven, yet not enjoying the trip.
We often look at people who have wealth, position, power, fame, and consider them to be totally successful. But many people who are viewed as successful still lack good relationships, peace, joy, contentment, and other true blessings that are available only in the context of a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Self-sufficient people often think it is a sign of weakness to depend on God. But by drawing on the ability of the Holy Spirit, they could accomplish more in their lives than they could by working in their own strength.
There are countless things we struggle with when we could be receiving help from the Holy Spirit. Many people never find the right answers to their problems because they seek out the wrong sources for advice and counsel instead of asking the Divine Counselor who lives within them for guidance.
I encourage you to lean on God for everything, and that means little things as well as big things.
Love God Today: The only way to experience the success God intends for you is to become totally dependent on the Holy Spirit.