Am I a Servant?

 I love the Word of God. Each time I open my Bible and begin reading it I see something new the Lord is wanting me to see. The journey is not about sin, or how righteous my life is today compared to yesterday, but about where the Lord is taking me. I have a tremendous desire to know Jesus more today than I have when I began this journey 21 years ago. I have a tremendous desire to have more faith today than I did yesterday. I have a tremendous desire to change everyday, and that only comes through be challenged by His Word.
 This week in one of the Bible Studies I teach these word's lept off of the page "A Servant of Jesus Christ." I have read my Bible everyday for the past 21 years and I have read these words numerous times. That day, I was challenged to look into the eyes of truth and ask myself "Am I truly a Servant of Jesus Christ." This question leads me to the cross, and closer to Jesus. I see that Paul, Peter, James and Jude start their Epistles with these words. I also remember that they died martyr's deaths and gave their all. So, am I a servant? I have to take a deep look in the mirror and evaluate what I believe and who I say that I am. Throughout my life (prior 1992) I would have said "Yes" because thats what I thought I was. But this word servant has haunted me for years, and this is good. Going to Church, preaching, teaching, going to Bible Studies, and even conferences do not make us 'Servants.' Living our lives totaly surrendered to Christ, serving Him above ourselves, and serving others is what a true servant is. A servant realizes that they were 'Purchased' by another and no longer are their own. Who are we truly owned by? Who do we truly serve? A servant only serves his master.
 If you saw all of what the Lord has me doing on a daily basis you might think I do alot. You might even say "Don't be so hard on yourself Pete." I am not being hard on myself because if I do not admit the truth to myself I would become apathetic and complacent. Do not get me wrong, I do not believe in works at all. I believe that Jesus purhased me when I did not deserve it and that I could never pay Him back. The least I could do is serve Him in all that I do. So today I challenge you as I challenged our Bibles Study group. Examine our lives and see who really serves who. Examine whether or not we truly serve Jesus each and everday of our lives. Hold on because if you strive to be that servant, He is about to take you to places you only dreamed about. A place where only He can take you. A place where true love exists, and His love abounds. Be a ture servant~