A Martin Luther quote:
"A Christian is the most free lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to everyone."
Simply put, "we are servants to no one - and yet- slaves to all."
God calls us to have our own heart, this is true; we naturally tend to love those who love us. This tends to be the first loves of our lives!
However, as we grow, we are called/expected to reach outside ourselves all the time as a way to use that God-given heart the Lord has first given us.
Take a moment in your regular bible reading this week and add this one in:
I Corinthians 9:19. St. Paul says:"For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them."
We are free through Christ, but we are slaves (a strong term, to be sure) to everyone we meet.
What is the inspiration to be this way? Jesus Christ.
He was God (owing no one) but He became a slave for all through the cross (becoming bound to all our sins)! What an amazing God we have! What an amazing call we have to serve in the world around us!
How can we live this out this week?
God truly loves you, and, so do we!
Pastor Jim
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Update on Ashley Nipper:
Ashley continues to do well. Her weekly doctor visits tend to knock her back a little bit (these visits deal with reconstruction); right before she goes to the doctor each week, she's feeling better, but after each visit she's kind of back where she was the week before. She remains limited in what she can do; she cannot drive a car. She still gets tired.
But, your prayers do lift her spirits, and those of David! (And ours too!) They also are so helpful in the healing process. Thank you all so very much! We miss you all!
God bless you!
Pastor Jim & Mary Alice
