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Wet Autumn Leaves

4. Service

The action of helping or doing work for someone. From Old English denoting devotion or a form of liturgy, from Latin servitium ‘servitude.’                 

 

~ Oxford Dictionary

So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today--to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul--I will send rain…

Deuteronomy 11:13

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

John 12:26

Violin and Music Sheet

Ponder a moment:

Our Service to God

What does servitude mean to me?

  • From the beginning, God tells us that we are to love him and to be his servants.

  • One can neither be forced to love, nor to have a servant-heart. God lovingly gave us the choice to choose communion with him (servitude) or to walk away from him.

What does servitude mean to me as a musician in the King’s service?

Open Book

Scripture Reading:

Read: I Samuel 25

 

Read this chapter twice. First, read as a historical narrative. Try to get into the scene. Second, read with an open heart to hear God speaking to you personally.

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For Discussion

1. David’s anger at Nabal’s rebuff would have wreaked havoc on himself and his men had not a wise woman with a servant’s heart interfered.
2. Abigail, repeatedly calling herself a servant, thwarts the disaster. David’s immediate response was to thank God for keeping him from making a big mistake.
3. How can this story, packed with life-lessons, be applicable to your life?
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Ponder a moment:

Our Service to Others

Meditate on Christ's service to us.

  • “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to be a ransom for many.” Mark 10:25 

  • “And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, ‘If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all’.” Mark 9:35

  • “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12 

  • “For you were called to freedom, brothers (and sisters). Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13 

  • “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:2

Musicians (usually) have sensitive hearts and (often) a sense of not fitting in the "normal" world, certainly not in a church scene.

Musicians are longing to know God!

How can we:

Be Christ’s servants to others?

Love each person as Jesus loves us?

Bring a Spirit of joy, or peace, or understanding to

     those in our path?

Share Jesus Christ with other musicians?

Calm Sea

Mind-flash

The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40

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Think of someone with whom you have had trouble.

Replay an interaction with them in the light of this verse.

Service Etudes

Read Psalm 119:124-125
“Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees. I am your servant, give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.”

King David’s short prayer reveals so much of his relationship with the Lord, so much of his heart. Humility, love, obedience, surrender, longing to know more of God...

Service Exercises

  • Be prayerful. Ask God to give you love, wisdom, discernment, and boldness.
  • Read I Thessalonians 5:11-18
  • Choose to change your annoyance to service.
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          - the stand partner who never turns the page at the right time
          - the loner who can blow that trumpet, but has no social skills 
          - the soprano with an attitude
          - the violinist who is always blaming the pianist
          - the pianist who is always blaming the violinist
          - the auditionee who throws up
          - the arrogant conductor
          - ad infinitum…
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