Aug

3, 2016

THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING
By Pastor Cesar Castellanos,
Declarations of Power for 365 Days of the Year

After the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun,
Moses aide, Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people get ready to
cross the River Jordan into the land I am about to give to them... (Joshua 1:1-2)

Joshua had the combined character of a courageous warrior and a diligent
and faithful servant. He had determined in his heart to serve the servant of God. To
achieve this he would have to be close to him in the moment that he needed him
most. This is why Joshua did not move from the mountain when Moses had not
come down after forty days. He had provisions of water, food, and clothing;
everything was ready for when Moses would need it. At the same time, the people
who were waiting below were acting without restraint, worshipping a golden calf.
The only one who was not contaminated was Joshua because his service to God
guarded his heart and his life.

Being a servant is an inner attitude that has an external reward. Jesus said,
Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the
servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good
for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. I tell you the
truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions (Matthew 24:45-47). The
characteristics of a servant should be: faithfulness, prudence, diligence, and
perseverance. The Lord calls such people blessed and promises a great reward.
Jesus said, My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I too am working
(John 5:17). Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord summarized the ministry of His
Son Jesus saying, Here is My servant whom I uphold, My chosen One in whom I
delight; I will put my Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations. He will
not shout or cry out, or raise His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not
break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out. In faithfulness, He will bring
forth justice; He will not falter or be discouraged till He establishes justice on earth.
In His laws the islands will put their hope (Isaiah 42:1-4). Jesus possessed all the
characteristics a person who serves God should have; He was the one that pleased
the heart of the Father with His faithfulness. He did not get tired or faint until He
had fulfilled the purpose of God on the Earth. Jesus told His disciples, My food is to
do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work (John 4:34).

For Joshua to replace Moses in leadership, he had to become a visionary a
man full of faith, someone overflowing with energy. He had to become a person who
could count on the anointing and full support of God to fulfill his mission, which was,
to improve the quality of the peoples lives, both spiritually and physically. In order
to achieve this, all of the people would have to become conquerors. What helped

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Joshua the most was his spirit of service, clearly demonstrated in how he remained
attentive to the needs of Moses. Whoever has a heart faithful in service, will be
protected.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

When the evangelist Oral Roberts first started his ministry, he found himself
facing a great difficulty the offerings were not enough to cover the costs of the
campaign. He decided to collect the offerings himself, but what he achieved was
minimal. Somewhat disillusioned in that moment, he thought about abandoning
everything. This is when his wife stood up and motivated everyone to give a special
offering. She told them, I know my husband, and I know that if he leaves, he will never
return. Thank God, that day all the costs of the campaign were covered. One of the
biggest divine healing ministries was about to die before it had even really started,
but the faithfulness of a congregation that was able to believe God, contributed so
that this great man of God could bring hope to hundreds of thousands of people that
needed it for many years.

PRAYER

Lord, You came to serve and not to be served; show me those people who
You want me to help, to care for, and to minister to. I will not allow the selfish world
that surrounds me to close my eyes to all those who need me to serve them.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.

DECLARATION

I was called to love, to serve and to conquer. I will always be faithful to this
calling.

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