TGIF

The holidays are now clearly behind us, and it is certainly time for each of us to turn our attention back to the routine in life, if you have not already done so.  In doing so, it is important to get back to considering our service to God.  Remember that God sent His son Jesus to earth to show us the life we are to lead.  Jesus’ entire purpose in life was service to others.  He came to earth, from his place on high with God, to give to us. He came to live among us and show us the best way to live and to claim victory over sin and death.

God’s Word tells us:

Philippians 2:13 – for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure.

God is alive in us always and seeking our attention – does He have yours?  God produces the good works and spiritual fruit in the lives of believers, He accomplishes this by working through us by His indwelling Spirit.  God energizes both our desires and His actions.  We make an unbeatable team when we seek and follow His desires for us.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 – Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.  ⁵And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.  ⁶There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.

You are gifted!  There are sovereign gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit on all believers, enabling each of us to spiritually support each other and by doing so honor God.  And our gifts can be so varied, and we may even surprise ourselves at the gifts God provides us when we open our heart to hear Him.  Maybe coronavirus limits our ability to get out of our house but it doesn’t limit our opportunities to speak with others and to find out how we may be able to help them during this time.  Maybe just a phone call of encouragement can make someone’s day today.  Maybe just bringing someone their favorite treat from the grocery store or bakery if you are going there for yourself can make their day and change their gloomy outlook.  Maybe giving a $20 bill to a stranger you meet on the street that God told you to do can change their life….. and yours!  There are ways we can continue to serve God in spite of whatever limitations we face right now in our lives, and He is expecting us to do so.

1 Corinthians 10:24 – No one is to seek his own advantage, but rather that of his neighbor.

It is so easy to get caught up in our own problems and situations.  We can grow weary at times, seemingly overwhelmed with other things, such as family, work, finances, and friends.  But when we view service as something we get to do and not something we have to do, it can brighten our day and we can more joyfully go about our tasks.

Isaiah 40:30-31 – Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: ³¹ But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Take heart!  Our Lord promises to renew our strength!  Strong in Him, we may indeed run and not be weary, walk and not faint.  We serve with the strength and joy God provides.

Philippians 2:1 – Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

May you serve today and every day with strength and joy!

Amen!