He Keeps Me Singing

There’s within my heart a melody; Jesus whispers sweet and low, “Fear not, I am with thee, peace be still,” In all of life’s ebb and flow.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Sweetest name I know, Fills my ev’ry longing, Keeps me singing as I go.

Soon he’s coming back to welcome me far beyond the starry sky; I shall wing my flight to worlds unknown, I shall reign with him on high.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Sweetest name I know, Fills my ev’ry longing, Keeps me singing as I go.

Spiritual Disciplines Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Lesson 3 - Service

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Pony Express Factoids It was in existence for only 17 months. Each rider rode 75 to 100 miles per day. Your “kit” contained, flour, bacon, cornmeal, borax, and turpentine. Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Young, skinny, wiry fellows, not over 18, must be expert riders willing to risk daily, orphans preferred! Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life All ages, responsible, dedicated servants to do God’s work – the benefits are out of this world! Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

What is our motivation to serve? We serve out of obedience. Deuteronomy 13:4 We serve out of gratitude. I Samuel 12:24 We serve out of gladness Psalm 100:2 Deuteronomy 13:4 4  You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him. Deut 13:4 (NASB) I Samuel 12:24 24  Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. 25  But if you still do wickedly, both you and your king will be swept away." 1 Sam 12:24-25 (NASB) Psalm 100:2  2  Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

What is our motivation to serve? We serve out of forgiveness. Isaiah 6:6 We serve out of humility. John 13:12-16 Isaiah 6:6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. 7 He touched my mouth with it and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven." Isaiah 6:6-7 (NASB) John 13:12-16 12 So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. Galatins 5:13  For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Gal 5:13 (NASB) We serve out of love. Galatians 5:13 Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Four “Tips” for Service Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Aggressively seek opportunities to serve. Pray and work toward a change of heart. Use your own stuff to serve others. Serve first and ask questions later. Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Service results in FREEDOM Freedom from resentment. James 1:2-4 Freedom from hierarchy. Matthew 20:25,26 Freedom from the need to be in control. Numbers 12:2 Freedom from resentment James 1:2-4   Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 (NASB) Freedom from hierarchy 25  But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, Matt 20:25-26 (NASB Freedom from need to be in control “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us as well?" And the Lord heard it Num 12:2 (NASB77) Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Service results in FREEDOM Freedom from arrogance. Colossians 3:17 “Superman doesn’t need no seatbelt.” “Superman doesn’t need no airplane.” Someone tells the story of a time Mohammed Ali was traveling on an airplane. He refused to put on his seatbelt saying, "Superman doesn't need no seatbelt." To which the stewardess responded, "Superman doesn't need no airplane." Whether you are a successful business person or a leader in the church, humble service, especially that done in secret, can free you from thinking yourself "more highly than you ought" (Romans 12:3). Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Authentic Service….. ……is a by-product of a relationship with God. ……cannot distinguish large from small service. ……rests contented in secret Someone tells the story of a time Mohammed Ali was traveling on an airplane. He refused to put on his seatbelt saying, "Superman doesn't need no seatbelt." To which the stewardess responded, "Superman doesn't need no airplane." Whether you are a successful business person or a leader in the church, humble service, especially that done in secret, can free you from thinking yourself "more highly than you ought" (Romans 12:3). ……always meets a need Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Authentic Service….. ……has no need to calculate results ……is indiscriminate ……is best lived as a life-style Someone tells the story of a time Mohammed Ali was traveling on an airplane. He refused to put on his seatbelt saying, "Superman doesn't need no seatbelt." To which the stewardess responded, "Superman doesn't need no airplane." Whether you are a successful business person or a leader in the church, humble service, especially that done in secret, can free you from thinking yourself "more highly than you ought" (Romans 12:3). ……builds the body of Christ Basic Training Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life