Maintaining a spiritual focus has allowed my strength to endure and overcome trails and tribulations. I invite you to meditate on the thought of the month provided by:

Rev. Wayne and Andrea Purcell
The Word Made Truth Ministry
76 Livingston Street
Asheville, North Carolina 28801

(828) 279-8562

Rev. Wayne and Andrea Purcell also have a prison ministry. Please feel free to ask questions pertaining to the thought of the month.

MAY 2007

Do you want to be GREAT?

Mark 10-37-44 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.
38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized:
40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.
41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.
42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.
43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
It is astonishing how we as people want to be great for all the wrong reasons. But the word of God defines greatness differently than the secular world. In the secular world greatness is defined by the vastness of our material possessions and positions. However, God’s word clearly states that greatness has little if any thing to do with earthly possessions or positions. If we want to be great in the kingdom of God we simply have to be a servant. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was great not simply because of his possessions or position, but for his great act of love and service to the world. When Jesus came to this earth he had all power in his hand, but he laid down his power so that we might gain power over sin, death, and the grave. Jesus took the position of the sacrificial lamb by allowing Himself to died between two thieves on an old rugged cross. Many times we interpret incorrectly our position when we are going through periods of suffering despite working to serve and be all that God has called us to be. Let us be reminded, that the position that Jesus took on the cross (suffering and dying in a humiliating manner for our sins) brought us salvation.

May we always be reminded in these last and challenging days that:
1. greatness is about serving mankind (not being self servicing).
2. greatness involves doing the work of the Master (we are here for an appointed time and plan, so let us be about seeking God’s will).
3. greatness is not determine simply by our possessions or positions (unless we possess the spirit of God and find ourselves in the position of bended knees seeking first the kingdom of God).

Do you want to be great? In the word of Martin Luther King, Jr. “Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
___________________________________

Prayer
Almighty God,

Thank you for your amazing grace and mercy. Thank you for opening up our blinded eyes that we may see you and your will for our lives. Forgive us for our sins and our desires for greatness for self-servicing purposes. Help us to remember the great commission that you gave, to “go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Today we commit ourselves to be the servants you are calling for so that one day we may here You say, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Amen.