"I Serve" ~ Dr. Tom Milam

January 29, 2010

"But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me."  Luke 10:40



Avery Elisabeth
6 years old



MARTHA:  It was not bad that she served; work is a GOOD thing. 

It was not a fault that she served or was busy ~ or that she had much serving to do.  We cannot ever do too much! Our head, heart, and hands should always be busy; engaged in service for the Master.  It was not a bad thing that she was preparing a feast for the Master.  She had an opportunity that many others didn't have; to serve the Master in HER house.  She was having so wonderful a Guest that she could throw her whole soul into honoring the Master.  But her great fault was that she was complaining about her duties (cumbered).  She could only remember the work, she forgot to worship Him. She allowed service to override communion.  Mary communed before her service while Martha complained and brought attention to herself.

"I serve", should be our by-word, our motto, our identification as Christians.  Martha had spirit enough about her to heartily engage herself in one duty but at the sacrifice of a more important one.  We should have qualities of both Mary and Martha; we should be diligent in much duty to serve and at the same time be devoted to communion with Christ.  For this balance we need great grace because it is easier to serve than commune.  Some never get weary with the fight, like Joshua, but others like Moses needed someone on either side holding up his hands.  It seems that the more spiritual our exercise the sooner we get tired of it. 

Prime stock and choice fruit are the hardest to raise: the more heavenly graces are the hardest to feed and cultivate.  Friends, we should never lay aside or entirely put away practical, external things which are, in themselves, good enough.  We ought also to enjoy living in a wholesome manner, and not what I or you think is wholesome and right, but what God says is wholesome and right.  Personal fellowship with Jesus Christ will guarantee the right kind of lifestyle and attitude.  Be sure to take time to sit at the Saviours’ feet without a selfish motive or an appearance to be ceremonially logical with a show meant for good, but a reason far off from being genuine.

True meaningful service is done when one is focused on pleasing the Master.  The first and best thing that a servant can do is be in communion with the Master.  The soul will stay healthy; He will be glorified; He will use us beyond ourselves; and the Lord will be exalted as His longings are fulfilled in and through every perpetual servant.  If we keep ourselves in devoted communion with the LORD Jesus Christ our spirituality will increase and overflow to another, and true, unadulterated religion will be maintained over and above all that we ask or think.  To be in this world for the benefits, is to not be of this world in lifestyle and conduct.  (1 John 4:4) “. . .greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1 John 5:5) "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."  

Make much of Jesus, because He made much for us!

A note from Grandma:  As we have been teaching our grandchildren a servants heart, our little Avery, wrote the following poem. She let us know in her words that she understands that "God" is the one helping her to do her duties as a servant in her home!  We love her so!  :)

"Hands on Helping"

by Avery Lange

6 years old

Doing the laundry,

   Washing the dishes;

Making the bed ~

   All Day Long!

God is making

   me a home;

Hands on helping,

   All Day Long.