THE HEART OF SERVICE (PART 1)

 WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER. 2^ND.

TEXT: Philippians 4:4-8 King James Version (KJV)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Whenever you are involved in service and the motive of your heart shifts from thanksgiving to complain you have forgotten where the Lord took you from. One of the reasons we cannot walk in thanksgiving is because we are too self-centered. Gratitude is an attitude that provokes a lot of joy no matter what the situation is. But when you praise God just because of what He has done, this is an indication that you are still at the elementary level of Christianity. When you are able to praise Him in spite of your situation and whether your needs have been met or not, then you are maturing in the faith.

Some of us will put up a quarrel with God because we did not receive what we have been expecting. Such persons often manifest a depleted zeal for God. Suddenly prayer will be considered a drudgery (a boring task) and lacking the fire and presence of God. 

If you are going through unpleasant situations and that is strong enough to cut short or off, your zeal for the Lord, your faith is already failing. The man who is content with whatever God gives him will continually live in peace. This man has learnt to be content no matter what and he is unperturbed by what is happening around him. He knows very well that all thing are working for his good because God is in charge. To him God’s faithful is more than an answers to his prayers, he sees God to be faithful, no matter what happens.