by Angelia Huntley

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (1 Peter 4:10, KJV).

What must we do in these times? Although some days life seems bleak and there seems to be no end to the tunnel, we must push forward as if there is no significant change. You may say "yes, I agree" but how can I do that? How can I be helpful during these times when patience, love, kindness, longsuffering, and endurance are so critical to everyday life and the love of many is waxed cold? Can I do this while being served or must I become a servant as Christ our Elder Brother was/is? Sometimes we forget that He is our Intercessor, speaking daily to the Father on our behalf. All we must do is live this life (physical life) out and that is it. But "NO," that is not all there is. We must do something, something in return to show that we are His, we love Him, we love His law, His way, and all that represent Him. We must pray to Him and strive to follow in His footsteps. Therefore, I say that we ought to be as the examples set out in John 13:12-17; 1 Peter 4:8; and James 1:27.

The first example coming from the FIRST of the Firstfruits as so stated in John 13:12-17: "So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" (KJV).

Christ gave us the perfect example when, knowing that He was about to be put to death, He humbly washed the feet of His disciples. He instructed us to follow in His footsteps and told us that He would send the Comforter which comes from the Father to bear witness of the truth (John 15:26, KJV). "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:34-35).

Christ tells us in 1 Peter 4:8, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins" (NIV). Verse 9 tells us to "use hospitality one to another without grudging." We're to do it "not with eyeservice, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart" (Ephesians 6:6). Remembering these words of wisdom, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves" (Philippians 2:3, KJV). For "he that is greatest among you shall be your servant" (Matthew 23:11, KJV).

James 1:27 tells us that "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." For as ambassadors of Christ, we must test ourselves daily to see whether we are in the faith. "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV).

As always, brethren remember:

"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh: but they that are after the spirit the things of the spirit" (Romans 8:5, KJV). "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth" (Colossians 3:1-2, ESV). For "Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word" (Psalm 119:114, KJV).

The faithful and the true

"Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us" (1 John 3:24, ESV).

Therefore brethren:

"Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8, KJV).

Ephesians 6:10-11: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (KJV).