As a Servant to Our Neighbors - Poem by Raymond A. Foss

Listening to the calling
in the words in the scripture
in the commissioning of Christ
past down to each one of us

To model his behavior
to walk in his steps
to be a servant of our neighbors
a willing sacrifice

Jesus speaking still
lifting the people up
when we take up our cross
and go the way of the Christ

September 17, 2010
Ephesians 5:1 (posted on Ruth’s office door)
&
various translations of Ephesians 5:1-2
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.” (King James Version)
&
“Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” (The Message)
&
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (New Revised Standard Version)
&
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (NIV)
&
“Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, (A) a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.” (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
&
posting of September 15, 2010
to Ruth’s blog, A Handmaiden of the Lord,
“Oh...What We Miss”
http://ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com/2010/09/ohwhat-we-miss.html
&
“Child/Children”
http://ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com/2010/08/childchildren.html
August 10, 2010 posting on her blog,
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, of
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.