From the Preacher's Pen October 2009 
When we went out to the car this morning the frost on the wind shield reminded us that fall is upon us. I really enjoy this time of the year when all nature bursts forth in beautiful colors. I never cease to be amazed at God's amazing power to change things, especially when I think of how He is able to change our lives to make them more beautiful as we come to know Jesus and desire to become more like the Master Potter. We are the clay, but in the potter's hands we can become noble vessels for God's service. This was certainly true of the Apostle Paul. Even living a religious life as a Jew, Paul harbored great hatred in his heart for those who followed Christ. When Paul came to know Jesus as his own Lord and Savior, God made him a noble vessel for His service. Yet in all of his faithful service to Christ, his one desire was to know Jesus more. Listen to his own words as he writes to the Christians at Philippi as recorded in Philippians 3: 8-11, "8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead." The word "know" is the Greek word "ginosko" to know by experience. Paul wanted to get to know the spirit of Jesus as a servant by now serving Him, even if it meant suffering as a servant and dying as a servant as Jesus did. Every Christian is called to know Jesus and to serve Jesus in whatever way we are called to serve.
During the month of October, the morning messages will help us all come to know Jesus more and more. We will be going back to the basics about the word of God and His Son Jesus. It was a beautiful thing that God did in the Apostle Paul's life as he changed Paul's spirit to a spirit of LOVE for all men. The more we come to know Jesus as the Son of God and the servant of men, the more we will want to serve Him. Jesus, the Lord of our lives, said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever wants to be first, must be slave of all. 45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." May it be our desire to become more beautiful servants as we come to know Jesus more.
Enjoy the changing leaves of nature as Christ continually changes our lives to be His servant. Please feel free to step up and step out when you see a work of service that you can fill in His Kingdom. The joy of living for Jesus is in the service of the King.
Joyfully serving Christ with you,
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