Serving vs Servanthood

[stillfocused]

Hi All..

It's been a while..all is well. In your own words and thoughts can you please share serving vs servanthood ? Do you serve in an area in your local fellowship because of necessity or because it an area you know God has called you to ? What the consequences to serving in an area that you are not anointed to work in ? I know that cleaning bathrooms is not something everyone likes to do..yet, it considered to be one of earmarks of one who is called to serve others..can you please share regarding these 2 areas ? This post is not exclusive of anyone..so please share what is your heart.

[kanyon]

Serving is an action..servanthood is an attitude or a way of life.

[stillfocused]

Okay..Kanyon..thanks !! How do you know if one has a servant's heart ?

[giantsdodie]

Before I arrived at my church God told me that this would be my home church and this would be the church he would launch me into ministry from. I asked the Lord what do you want me to do while I am there. He said your job will be " the ministry of helps ". I asked what do you mean specifically Lord. He said " Wherever there is help needed YOU SHOW UP ".

Thats what I have been doin since. Need the chruch cleaned. Im there.
Chairs straightened. Thats me.
Audio equipment set up. Thats me.
Painting needed. Yo right here.
Drive the women of God out to a womans retreat in Pennsylvania. Check
Set up and break down church every Sunday. First one there and last to leave. Right here.
Saints moving to a new apartment and heed help. No problem.

Wherever there is help needed. I show up. Why? Because this is God's instruction. The one that has a servants heart doesnt do something expecting a reward or to get something out of it. The servants heart does it for one reason. They know it pleases the heart of their Father. They know that if GOD is glorified then they should be satisfied. They know that their labor in the Lord is NOT in vain. They already know that what they do for the Lord HE WILL reward them in due time and season, yet they dont do it for the reward they do it because it puts a smile om His face.

[stillfocused]

Thanks..Giants !! I like that...I guess sometimes we really miss the opportunities to servie..because no one is looking...

[giantsdodie]

And to show you that it hasnt been all in vain.

God has used me to be a blessing on many occasions to people.

God has used people on many an occasion to bless me.

I have been graced by God to have been awarded what the church calls the Eagle's House Award which is given to a person who is outstanding in the ministry of helps.

I was awarded Pillar of the Year which is given for exemplory faithful service to the house of God.

These are the two highest awards given out in the church. Others have won these awards as well, but as far as I am aware I am the only person who was been blessed to receive both.

In 2003 I ws ordained as a deacon in the house of God
I was blessed to do the teaching on the Holy Spirit at our church retreat that year.

Last year God began to use me to minister the Word of the Lord on several fourth sundays.

This year I was actually called on ( quite unexpectedly) to piinch in on some bible studies when the regular teacher couldnt make it due to illness.

Why did I share this ? I never did any of it to receive rewards, accolades or recognition.

BUT GOD said what we do in secret HE WILL bring to light. HE said our labor in the Lord is not in vain.

He said that which your Father seeth in secret HE WILL reward openly.

Also to show that GOD comes through on what HE said. He is using all these things to train me for ministry unto HIM and unto HIS people.

We often get caught up in the trap of " my ministry ". Well I always say I dont hve a ministry. JESUS has a ministry that HE operated THROUGH me. We want to know when I be launched out into ministry.

Well the word minister means " TO SERVE "

And just because God has begun to utilize me in certain areas of ministry hasnt changed a thing. I am still the one who sets up the equipment every Sunday. I am still one of the first to enter the church and the last one to leave.

Still servin !!!!!!

[stillfocused]

That is so awesome..Giants, you need to teach what you have shared here..alot of people miss it; because of impure heart motives..including myself !!