Ezra 5:10-11, "We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them. 11And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up."

The adversaries of the Jews who had returned to build the temple wanted to indict the leadership involved in building the temple. They were writing a letter to Darius king of Persia, and wanted to certify the names of those involved in leading the rebuilding process. They simply replied to the indictment by saying, "We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth." I love the humility demonstrated in their response. They were servants!

I have found there are people who are involved in serving the Lord, they serve faithfully, they are God's servants. Then there are those who aren't servants, but critics. They do very little serving and a lot of complaining. Then there are some who are outright adversaries of the work of the Lord. Paul said, "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries." (1 Cor. 16:9)

Romans 6:18, "Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." Now that we are forgiven of our sins, we should spend the remainder of our lives as servants of the Lord. The book of Revelation was written to God's servants, Revelation 1:1, "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass..." We should focus daily upon the fact of our servanthood, and be the best servant for Jesus we can be.

Will you determine to be a servant of Jesus Christ? Psalm 100:2, "Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing."

Your Friend & His,

Pastor Abbott

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. Have you ever been a critic? What made you such, and what did it accomplish?

2. Why do you believe people live to be critical? 3

. Are you a glad servant in your local church? What can you do to build God’s church?