Today’s Reflection
AS JESUS AND THE DISCIPLES gather for their last meal, Jesus takes a towel and water to clean the disciples’ feet. He places himself in a posture of service to the disciples as he performs work usually assigned to slaves. Peter protests, but Jesus says, “I am doing this as an example of how you should treat one another” (John 13:15, AP). Paul says we now have the mindset to live such humble acts in service to one another.
—Max O. Vincent
Because of This I Rejoice: Reading Philippians During Lent
From page 64 of Because of This I Rejoice: Reading Philippians During Lent by Max O. Vincent. Copyright © 2018 by The Upper Room. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
When were you last in a posture of service? Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.
—John 13:15, NRSV
This Week: Rejoice in the Lord always. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.
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Lectionary Readings
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14 Comments
My mind went straight to all the people in this family who are in a posture of service right now. Jill serving her mother and father. Robert serving his wife and son. Lou serving her kids. Betsy serving her children, their children, and her brother. Mary serving her parents. Edy serving her family, extended family, and the Daughters of the King. (Please forgive me, folks, and Lord help me – I know I’ve forgotten many more here! My apologies.) And all, all, all the firm and resolute prayer and emotional support that our valiant prayer warriors supply to one another here – and our loved ones – through outright payers but also by posting and loyally reading perhaps silently and having compassion in their hearts for this group day by day, by day, Now that in my mind is a posture of service!
Yes, I am serving my parents. I ask God to guide me, to enable me to walk this path well, courageously, eyes fixed on Him…that I would love my parents well, honor them.
I am so very grateful that I have been pretty much symptom free since Mid-November. Especially grateful now, as often stress can be a trigger for a flare.
I am grateful for God’s sustenance each day, despite not getting enough sleep. He sees me through. Yes, of course He does. I am grateful to come home to Roger – he isn’t quite sure what is going on – but he meets me and greets me and loves on me, staying very close.
I am serving my parents and students in my neighborhood who needs my help.
May God grant us the strength and joy in serving Him!
Blessings to all and have a fabulous week ahead!
Jill, keeping you and your family in prayer. May you and your family be strengthened and rest in the Lord!
Serving in many ways is part of our duty as Christians. I agree with Rusty. We all are servants for many people in our lives, even serving one another here as prayer warriors.
Jill, continuing to keep Gloria and your famiy close in prayer. All others who are caregivers, supporting family and friends.
Grateful for time to worship with my church family today. I’m playing “hooky” from choir to sit with my husband. Sometimes I need to be near family. Blessings gs to all.
Service to others is so vital to being a Christian. I always think to myself “ What would Jesus do in this circumstance”? Lord, please give me humility to help others less fortunate than myself. The homeless. The starving. Especially those who can use even a smile or a kind word. Try to share the love of Christ in our daily activities, while shopping, anywhere. Look into the eyes of people and really see how all would benefit from a smile or a silent or out loud prayer.
My husband has eye troubles. I will pray for your Bill, that all will go well.
Yes, again Rusty, you hit the nail on the head. Your eloquent and heartfelt post captured the spirit of this group of supportive prayer siblings. We truly care for one another and support one another through prayer and words of encouragement.
Prayers for Rusty and his family, may they be blessed.
Prayers for Mary and her parents and students, may they all be well.
Prayers for Jill and her family, may they support and strengthen one another through this challenging situation. may Gloria feel sustained knowing she will soon join Jesus in heaven.
Prayers for Robert and his family, may he remain healthy and may Erich learn with this job.
Prayers for her Connie, my sister in living under dark clouds, may they soon lift for both of us.
Prayers for Betsy and her family, may all be healthy.
Prayers for Andrea and Lowell, may they be restored to full health soon.
Prayers for Lou and her family, may they all be doing well.
Prayers for Aprila and her family, may they be happy.
Prayers for Marcy and may she be receiving the health care she needs..
Prayers and blessings and warm hugs for each of the UR family members, even the silent ones.
We will do o.k., Sis!
I forgot to ask all to pray for my son who has a lesion behind his eye. He will be going to Duke University for a consult in March. He has had 2 previous surgeries by docs who were not skilled enough to remove it. Hopefully this neurosurgeon will be able to perform the appropriate technique to once and for all get rid of the tumor. Thank you. His name is Bill and he is 47 years old.
I take good care of my husband as he does me. Not much time left over the last couple of years, but no complaints.
Thankful for:
Getting the garage door open, even though it may cost for repair.
Our faithful mail carrier and paper delivery people. We are blessed with very reliable ones.
The sheet of ice is not getting any worse. The main roads are clear so far.
Keep warm Lou, in this Midwest frigidity, and tread carefully.
Bless you all on this Sweet Sabbath.
You also Connie- I was up early and out to Sunday school and church and took my son and hi girlfriend out for a nice brunch- I got home before the light snow began and am snug and warm indoors with my little dog curled up near me as I work on some paperwork- glad you are faring ok – more snow and icy conditions on the way, but it is winter….
For forty years, I worked hard serving others, children and families, routinely giving many extra hours of time at no extra pay and little recognition. Divorced and a single mother for many of those years, I was often very stressed. Now I look back with great satisfaction and realize I was serving others. With my sister, I cared for my very difficult mother, in our very difficult family, through six years of terminal cancer. After my mother died, I was exhausted and shaken by family issues and I got myself on the receiving end of service – utilizing the YMCA for free in its excellent group activity classes tailored for older adults and taught by wonderfully-caring, capable teachers, and in grief therapy. I don’t manage as much as I did when I was young. My service to others now is through very simple every-day things. Charity quilting, ringing bells at church, volunteering, friendships, caring for my husband as we grow old. I appreciate each day of this slower-paced time of life.
I pray for each of you, dear UR friends, and for those you name here. Thank you for your prayers for Lowell and me. It is snowing again today. Such a beautiful old-fashioned winter we are having. I am grateful for a peaceful day. I wish you all a peaceful day, a Sunday of grace.
Set up tables and chairs for fellowship hour at church this morning. Yes, we pray for others here, in church, and at home. Prayers for Bill and the lesion behind his eye. Thankful for the prayers for my family and me. Had a very busy but spirit filled time at church today. Music, a guest speaker on foster parenting, lessons about homosexuality and the Bible, fellowship time, and an 80th birthday.
Blessings to all the UR family on this chilly Sunday afternoon.
Thank you Rusty -I am committed to my service to my children- I try to keep our little family together and keep our traditions and routines consistent even though the family constellation has changed – their father is not much in the picture for them anymore so I try to do the extra to let them know they still have a family unit. I think they do know that. I also try to serve in hosting and organizing my moms prayer group which has been important to the 10 group members that attend. I try to help my friends and my extended family when they are in need – with a phone call or text message or dropping off muffins or a bouquet of flowers – two friends struggling right now- I try to go out of my way to do nice things to let them know that they are not alone. In my work I also try to go above and beyond showing care for my patients as I would my friends or family. I love God’s people and I try to do what he would want me to do- like many of you- we are all in this life together and it is importnat to help one another along the way.
Peace and blessings to all this day.
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