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 1 John 5 - Ask God for What We Need - Servant Leadership

A key element of servant leadership, leading fearlessly in Christ, is knowing that we can ask God for anything we need.  We serve without expecting anything for ourselves in return.  In God’s economy, He sees everything we do - and He knows our motives.  We do good to our enemies, even lend to them, out of love, reverence, and obedience to God.  We are forgiving and merciful because our Father is forgiving and merciful (Luke 6:35-36).

It’s similar to how we conduct our business affairs.  We do not exaggerate, hype, pressure or mislead people - not because some rule or state regulation says so, but because God’s standards say that He hates dishonest business and false measures (Leviticus 19:35-36).

        God expects us to stand up for the disadvantaged - never to abuse, manipulate, or profit off their backs.  Think of ways to encourage those you serve.  God placed you exactly where you are to serve not to be served.  Think of ways to encourage, motivate, and help people by what you say and do.  Again, expect nothing in return.  Help people to achieve far more than they could imagine.  God can imagine it - His creativity has no bounds.

        We may think that the sky will fall if our party doesn’t win an election or if we see evil men prosper.  But there is nothing new under the sun.  God’s Kingdom is not of this world.  His eternal Kingdom is forcefully advancing today.  And He commands his children to go and make it grow by making disciples of Jesus Christ.  We don’t get a pass from that commission just because we are engaged in a certain type of ministry or vocation.  God is using the time He gives us in this short life to grow our character, to discipline us, and to prune us so that we are more effective in leading people to reconciliation with God.  Jesus is the Servant Leader.  He knows how to encourage us and do what is best for us.

        Yes, obviously we are needy people.  We thrive when we remain in Christ and get our spiritual nourishment from God.  Let’s humbly go today to the throne of God through our Saviour and ask for all we need.  Ask.  Ask for anything that pleases God.  Ask for jobs for our friends and for our kids.  Ask for healing.  Ask for addictions to end and relationships to be mended.  Ask for nations to be at peace and for good governance for our country and our organizations.  Ask God.  Jesus, we need your help and intervention today.  We call on your Holy Name, our only hope.

        Help us to please you today Lord God.  Help us to defend the weak and the fatherless.  Help us to stand for justice - to help the afflicted and destitute.  Help us to be like Jesus - rescuers of the poor and needy.  Use us Lord Jesus to give, and serve today without any expectation of reward.  You are our Rescuer and our reward.

        Our identity is in Christ.  May we as Christians, seek no selfish ambition or the approval of men.  Instead, may we only seek the Father’s approval.  May the Holy Spirit work through us to help people get out of all sorts of dysfunction and disunity.  May our names be known as problem solvers and unifiers.  Servant leaders.  Fun, energetic, encouraging, creative, and good.  Yes, it is okay to get along with people in our community and our nation.  Don't expect people to like you.  They won't.  Yes, it's okay to be kind.  Common ground is not a negative when our foundation is the Cornerstone, Jesus Christ.

        Thank you, Lord Jesus, for suffering for us (Hebrews 2:17-18).  We ask You to help and protect us when we are being tempted today for we have no doubt that we will be.

        When we see people today Lord Jesus, help us to see what you see.  Help us to love those we see today.  We know that we don’t need SCOTUS opinions or Websters to define love for us.  You tell us that loving God means keeping Your commandments.  And we know that Your commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3).

        We do have faith Lord Jesus.  We know You are the Son of God.  We can see that our character is growing and that the Father is disciplining us for our good.  We trust Your word this morning that we have a new life now and eternal life in Christ.  We need Your help to know what to pray for today, to ask for what pleases the Father.  Help us to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Give them every good desire of their hearts.  Keep all of us from anything that might take Your place in our hearts today.  Please increase our faith and understanding, and please hold us securely Lord Jesus.  Help us to serve others well today.  Amen.


Keep leading.  Keep learning.

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