Day Eight - Servant's Heart

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:5-11


I found a great article about having a servant's heart. The following passages/quotes are from that article.

"Our God is a servant God. It is difficult for us to comprehend that we are liberated by someone who became powerless, that we are being strengthened by someone who became weak, that we find new hope in someone who divested himself of all distinctions, and that we find a leader in someone who became a servant."

Jesus emptied himself. For us. He emptied himself of his deity to take upon himself his humanity. FOR US.

"To follow Christ means to relate to each other with the mind of Christ; that is, to relate to each other as Christ did to us - in servanthood and humility."

"The world in which we live - a world of efficiency and control - has no models to offer to those who want to be shepherds in the way Jesus was a shepherd. The leadership about which Jesus speaks is of a radically different kind from the leadership offered by the world. It is a leadership which is not modeled on the power games of the world, but on the servant-leader, Jesus, who came to give his life for the salvation of many."

If we are to grow in Christlikeness, we must be willing to empty ourselves, to hold nothing back. We must forget about polishing our image, saving face, or making sure that we look Christian enough. To grow in Christlikeness means to be empty of any and everything that would hinder a servant's heart.

"God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves."

If your sons are anything like Spencer, they're not full of themselves. They're not pretentious, don't know how to be jealous. Regardless of where they're at, I love this illustration at the end of the article, and think it would help in getting the point across on working towards a servant's heart.

The Suitcase:


What you need to empty out of your suitcase -

• Pride
• Selfish Ambition
• Jealousy
• Unforgiveness
• Hatred
• Temper Tantrums

(add what you need to this list...think of what would apply to your sons)

Okay, your suitcase is empty - now what?

To be filled with the Spirit of Jesus, the heart of a servant, fill your suitcase with -

• Love 
• Joy
• Peace
• Patience
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Faithfulness
• Gentleness
• Self-control

In conclusion, What's in your suitcase??


I pray that our sons will grow with a servant's heart. That they will be filled with the fruits of the Spirit. My mind is spinning with how I can explain the suitcase analogy so Spencer will understand. I'm excited about trying to get the point across.

Pray the Servant's Heart prayers over your sons. Fight for them. Intercede on their behalf. Try finding ways to serve with your family. Take a meal to a sick neighbor, or maybe rake up leaves for an elderly neighbor. Volunteer in your community. It would also be a great way for our sons to socialize while serving.

Tomorrow we will be praying the Honor prayers.

I pray God will give you strength on your journey.

Jaime