Bread Crumbs – Devotions for Life

A Servant of the Lord

Luke 1:15-17

He will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.  Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God.  And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. (NIV)

Parents have dreams for their children long before they are born.

I never asked my parents what their dreams were for me.  I was a good student, but not a great scholar.  I have made enough, but not millions.  I had 15 minutes of fame which made them proud, but I also did things which caused them shame.  

My wife and I have two boys.  We were the typical suburban parents with high expectations for our kids.  It could not have been easy for them all these years.  But I must tell you what I tell everyone, “We have been blessed with two wonderful boys!”  

God tells Zacharias that his son will:

• Be great in God’s sight;
• Be filled with the Holy Spirit;
• Will bring God’s people back to Him;
• Turn the hearts of fathers to their children;
• Make ready a people for the Lord.

What a blessing!

When I told my parents I planned to go into ministry they ….!  It was not part of their dream for me.  After officiating at my grandmother’s funeral my Dad paid me the greatest compliment he could saying, “Now I know why you are in ministry!”

He let go of his dream for me for His dream for me!

God our heavenly Father dreams that all his children become a servant of the Lord!  

Servants come in a sundry shapes and sizes, serve in various vocations, and enjoy eclectic economic blessings.  Some live to a ripe old age.  Others die young in the midst of their service.

God wants you to be his servant – to be filled with His Spirit, to bring His people to Him, to have a heart for His children.  

This could be your gift to the Lord this Christmas – letting God work through you to be a blessing to His people.

Prayer:  Lord, make me your servant.  Let me be to you as Jesus was for me.  This Christmas I will give myself to you as a living sacrifice.  May you be pleased with my service.  Amen