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\u201dWhoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, \u00a0and whoever wants to be first must be your slave \u2014 \u00a0just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.\u201d <\/em>\u00a0Matthew 20:26b-28<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n I\u2019m not referring to the kind of greatness the world knows, but the counter-cultural greatness of a committed Christ follower.<\/p>\n In my initial immature years as a believer, I thought receiving Christ as Savior was the beginning and the end of my eternal relationship journey with the Lord. Regrettably, many believers are spiritually stagnant. Ultimately, as I immersed myself in Jesus\u2019 Words, I realized that receiving Christ is only the initial relational response in my intimate discipleship journey.<\/p>\n In Matthew 20<\/strong><\/span>, Jesus\u2019 disciples, exhibiting an entitlement mentality, resentfully debate their perceived position and power in the Kingdom. Jesus corrects their perspective \u2014 clarifying that unlike the religious elite of Jesus\u2019 day who thrive on power, prestige, and prosperity, His disciples must exemplify selfless, surrendered, servitude. Throughout the gospels, Jesus models and emphasizes intentional servitude. This compulsory discipleship dynamic reflects Kingdom greatness, and by God\u2019s divine design, refines character \u2014 transforming the inner man to represent and reflect His Son, Jesus.<\/p>\n God calls every believer to embrace Kingdom greatness. As I continue to immerse myself in Jesus\u2019 words and character, I realize that salvation is only the spark to the flame of our intimate and eternal relationship with God. Yes, Jesus saved us from sin, but more importantly, He saved us to serve \u2014 not exclusively within the comfort and confines of church community, but also to authentically represent and reflect Him within our broader communities of hurting and forgotten people.<\/p>\n Dear Heavenly Father, help me to understand and embrace Kingdom greatness. Create in me a servant\u2019s heart \u2014 a heart that strives to emulate Jesus\u2019 servant heart to a broken and hurting world. Open up opportunities for me to serve within my own community. Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n By Allan Mitchell<\/a> www.thelife.com\/dailydevotions<\/a><\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0 Empowered to\u00a0Serve<\/a><\/b>\u2013 A Poem by Margaret Mullings<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0 Free to\u00a0Serve<\/b><\/a><\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 by John Fischer<\/p>\n \u2022 Serving\u00a0Faithfully and Fully<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 by Julie Lairsey<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE BY EMAIL:<\/strong>\u00a0FOLLOW THIS LINK<\/a><\/p>\n Follow Us On:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0 \u2022\u00a0Twitter\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0\u2022\u00a0\u00a0Instagram\u00a0<\/a> \u2022\u00a0Pinterest<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\nDo you believe the Lord is calling you to greatness?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Used by Permission<\/p>\n\nFURTHER READING<\/span><\/h3>\n