Want to hear from Jesus? It’s simple, really. Turn away from self and turn to Him. Be a son, not a servant.

19 Servants cannot be corrected by mere words; though they understand, they will not respond.

It’s all about attitude. What’s in your heart? Pride? Arrogance? Sloth (laziness)? Malice? Unforgiveness? Lust? Greed? Some measure of all of the above?! Me, too. Why? Because God made us with the capacity to love, give selflessly, and to depend upon His Spirit for power and control. These negative feelings are what happen in our hearts when we don’t have the Holy Spirit guiding us.

The capacity for great love comes with the risk of great transgression.

Jesus had high regard for His disciples. Listen to what He told them:

¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command. ¹⁵ I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. ¹⁷ This is my command: Love each other. John 15:14-17

So, what it boils down to is how we want to be viewed by Jesus: as servants or sons. Ladies, you have been moved to “son-status” by Jesus. In Him, “there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” We have been called His friends–more than that, we have been made His brothers and sisters!

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba [Daddy], Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:14-17

Do we cry out, “Abba, Father?” Do we share in His sufferings? Do we do as Paul did, “Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. ²⁷ No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:26-27?

Today, let us be intentional about our worship. Let us come before Him with purposeful praise and thanksgiving. Let us read His Word and bless Him for it. Let us take His words to heart and apply them to our lives. Let us love and give selflessly and allow the Holy Spirit to guard and guide our lives. LET’S HAVE CHURCH!

Abba, may Your Spirit have His way in our hearts and lives. I wish my life had a “backspace” button, but it doesn’t, so I reckon I’ll have to learn from my mistakes, deal with the fallout, and trust You to help me avoid making the same mistakes again. You call me, “friend,” so I KNOW You know my tendencies–yet, You love me anyway. In fact, the Bible says You’re crazy about me (I have loved you with an everlasting love-Jeremiah 31:3)! May I never take that love for granted. Calm my heart, LORD. Fill my spirit with Your love, joy, peace, hope and grace. May I feast on Your truth and may I receive Your abundant life as I walk in step with You today. Amen.

NOTE: Join me on YouTube at OKC Brookwood. Our service is at 9:30, but you may watch whenever you like.

NOTE 2: I am doing a “Sunday’s Cool” (Sunday School) lesson at 11 on Facebook live. Go to my Facebook page and join me!