How Much Do You Love Me? - Apples of Gold - May 26, 2009 -vi-

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Apples of Gold
 

Radio Script for May 26, 2009

“How Much Do You Love Me?”

 

Hello, I’m Doug Apple…with Apples of Gold.

I was talking to a fellow middle-aged father over the weekend.

Between us we have 11 children and half a century of marriage experience.

And what great wisdom was lighting upon our lips?

The importance of getting credit for work you do around the house.

I mean, why do it if you don’t get credit?

Now gather ‘round, young husbands, and listen to the words of the master.

He told of a time when his wife and kids were out of town for the weekend and he was home alone.  He said he had the place completely neat and tidy.

But then he ate a little something and ended up leaving the house before he could clean it up.  Meanwhile, they returned home, and what did his wife see?  The mess from his last little meal!

See, it didn’t matter how neat he was all weekend.  What mattered was how the house looked when she walked in!

I know exactly what he’s talking about.  Let’s say I have two jobs to do, one is something I want to do, and the other is something my wife wants me to do.  And let’s say my wife is going to be gone part of the day.

Well this strategy is a no-brainer.  I will do my job while she’s gone, then just before she comes home I will dive into the job she wants done.  That way I am right in the middle of her job when she comes home.  Ah, she is so happy to see me doing her job!  What a wonderful husband.  What a catch!

But if I did her job first, then she came home and found me “goofing off” on some other thing – even if I got her job done, it’s just not the same.  She needs to see the work that goes into that job.  She needs to see greasy hands and dirty clothes and sweat.  “See how much I love you, babe?”

Okay.  Stop right there.  I know we’re kind of joking around about this, but don’t miss the connection.  I show my wife my love for her by serving her, by doing some kind of service, some work that needs to be done, even if it’s humbling, dirty work.

Showing love through service.  This is exactly what Jesus taught us to do.

He did it when He washed His disciples’ feet, for example.  It was a simple, humble act of service, and He did it as a living illustration. 

The NIV says, “…He now showed them the full extent of His love…” and then He washed their feet.

That’s in John chapter 13, and look what verse three says.  “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power…”

So here was Jesus, with all things under His power, yet He still wrapped a towel around His waist and washed their feet.

Philippians 2 says that Jesus, being in very nature God, took on the very nature of a servant.

Jesus said in Luke 22:27, “…I am among you as one who serves.”

Jesus showed His love by His service, and we are to do the same.

Right after that, in John 13:35, Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

How will people know if we love one another?

Is it because we say it?  Well I do think it’s important to say it.  But it’s also important to back up those words with service.

This even works in business.  I read an article yesterday where one guy gave his opinion about Circuit City and why it failed.  He said it was because they didn’t really care about serving their customers. 

And really, it starts at the top.  If you are the leader, then serve. 

Here is one business owner’s philosophy.  His philosophy is, “I serve my employees so they can serve our customers.”

Ephesians 4 tells church leaders to serve God’s people so that they, in turn, can serve others.

What messes up a lot of churches?  When people don’t serve each other.

And what messes up a lot of marriages?  When people don’t serve each other. 

You know, people are out there looking for authentic faith. 

People are asking, “Are you really a Christian?”

And our answer is how much we love.

People are asking, “How much do you love me?”

And our answer is…how much we serve.


Comments?

E-mail me:  dougapple@wave94.com.

May God bless you today!  With Apples of Gold…I’m Doug Apple.


© 2009 The Arrow’s Tip 
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(Proverbs 25:11 – “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”)

Why “The Arrow’s Tip”?  Each morning, after diligently seeking the Lord, I write Apples of Gold.  Then before I release it to the public I pray one final prayer, “Lord, send forth your arrows.”  I envision Apples of Gold as arrows, tips dipped in the river of the water of life that flows from the throne of God (Rev. 22:1), sailing toward the hearts and minds of men and women around the world.

Doug Apple
General Manager - Wave 94
Christian Radio for Tallahassee
PO Box 4105
Tallahassee, FL  32315
(850) 926-8000
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