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Dining with Jesus Christian Episodes

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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Jesus Christ taught his disciples one particular lesson many times and in many different ways. This idea was summed up well in Matthew 20:26, “… whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant”. We are at our best when we are being used by God to impact those around us with the love and blessings shown to us by the Lord. 

When we are focused on ourselves, we often find ourselves drifting into the shallow end of life as we wrestle with an overall state of purposelessness. In the following teaching which was provided by the Apostle Paul, we can hear a call for all followers of Jesus Christ to live their lives with an outward focus. 

8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

(1 Peter 4:8-11 NIV11)

Use Your Gifts

The big idea of this teaching is this: Whatever the Lord has provided you in this life, use it to be a blessing to others in the name of Jesus. When this is our focus in life, we will find ourselves feeling connected to the Lord and fulfilled with the meaning and value of our lives. 

When we retire from serving others because we feel we have done enough, we step onto the slippery slope of self-centered living. When we are looking after ourselves and ignoring the call of Christ to care for others, we find ourselves feeling like life has no purpose and value. 

In His Strength

If we want our lives to be of eternal value, we need to allow the Lord to be our strength and our guide as we dedicate ourselves to being valuable instruments in his hands. We do not serve others for the glory or for thanks but instead, we serve others to the praise of God’s glory. 

When we are willing to be used by God in this way, we will find that we have the strength needed to act. When we are serving our own fame and glory, we find that we are easily worn out and in constant need of rest and encouragement. 

Today

  •   As you go through your day today, ask the Lord to use your hands and feet. 
  •   Ask the Lord to use your gifts, skills, talents, and blessings in the service of others as an act of praise and worship unto the Lord. 
  •   Ask Jesus Christ to help you follow his lead as the chief servant of all. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN


Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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