Rivers of Water

"Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law (Ps. 119:136 KJV).

This world is a wicked place. We're surrounded by wickedness. We're bombarded daily with wickedness. How many in today's culture know what the Holy Bible really says? How can an evil world keep laws it doesn't know?

This world is full of Christians, yet not one will deny this world is an evil place. It's easy to speak of the evil. It's easy to point out the evil. Yet why is doing something about it so hard?

The psalmist David was grieved to his core because humanity of his day disobeyed the law of God. The man who left the world some of the finest poetry ever penned poured his heart out to God because of the wickedness of humanity.

Jeremiah grieved deeply over the iniquity of his people. He prophesied it then watched his prophesies fulfilled as his people were carried away captive. This is what he said...

"Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people. Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission, Till the LORD look down, and behold from heaven (Lam. 3:48-50 KJV)."

When's the last time you shed a tear for the wickedness of humanity, Christian? When's the last time the grief and the sorrow of the wickedness drove you to your knees in intercession for the lost, Christian? Who among us is willing to shed rivers of water for the lost until God in Heaven beholds our tears?

The story of Job is a great one. He suffered tremendously. He endured, maintained his character and integrity with God, and God poured out a double-portion blessing on him in the end. But the blessing came only after Job interceded for the sin of his friends.

Christian, will you do as the label you bear implies? You see, even Christ grieved and shed rivers of water for the sin of his people (Lu. 19:41-42). Let's intercede for the sin of the land. Let's reach out to those trapped in the sin of the land. Let's win a soul for Christ. God bless...

The Servant

One tenet of Christianity is a Christian is called to a life of service. Several opportunities exist for service in the realm of Christian ministry. We often think of the preacher or the pastor when we think of Christian ministry. Let's take a closer look...

"But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant (Mt. 23:11 KJV)."

How can one who is great serve? Let's look at the word greatest. Translated from Greek to English, it literally means larger in age, or older. Now let's look at the word servant. This word is translated as one who attends to menial duties, especially Christian teachers, pastors, deacons, or ministers.

Allow me to paraphrase this verse. "But he who is older shall become your teacher, your pastor, your deacon, or your minister." This puts the idea of the servant in this verse into a different perspective.

We often associate the word minister (noun) with a preacher or pastor. What does it mean to minister (verb)? The simple definition of the word minister (verb) is to give aid or service. I will contend that every Christian is called to a life of Christian ministry, to give aid or service.

Acts 1:8 says we will be witnesses of Christ. Witnessing of Christ is Christian ministry. Teaching Sunday School is Christian ministry. Playing music or singing in church services is Christian ministry. The local church soup kitchen is Christian ministry. There are many areas of opportunity for those who are older now to serve in areas of Christian ministry. Speaking words of encouragement to those who are hurting is Christian ministry. I could go on and on.

A life of service is inevitable as we grow older. We are fed as babies. We feed as adults. We spend childhood learning. Though we still learn as adults, we now teach children. Words of encouragement and praise were heaped on us as children. We speak words of encouragement and praise to those around us, both to adults and to children.

Yes, the words of this verse are truth. As we have grown older, we have become servants. It doesn't matter if you're a Christian or not, sometime during the course of this day you will serve someone or something. How will your service be perceived today? Are you a good servant? God bless...