2025-04-04
Good Morning Dear Ones,
Today, the Holy Spirit commands me to write about some of the ways we can serve God that are individual pursuits and others that are done in conjunction with other people. Attendance at Bible classes can really fuel faith in Jesus. This is because a person can see what others are thinking and doing in their lives. Good leaders ask the right questions from their own experience studying Scriptures, jump-starting useful discussions. This is also a way to meet new people and/or share our faith with friends. The example we set can be life-changing for people influenced by it. That is why it’s so important to be Christlike in our life choices and behavior. PR 2: 1-5, “My son [he who looks to increase his faith] , if you accept My words and store up My commandments within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” This is one search for treasure guaranteed to find it!
Study alone is not enough. We must allow these gems of life-giving knowledge to be applied in our lives. Remember the head, heart, hands connection. Some people receive a call to the ministry, some to write about the Lord, some to speak publicly with messages the Lord has given them, some to plant churches, some to go away from their home base to carry the message just as Paul did, some to establish ministries that serve the under-privileged, some greet people arriving at church services, some to provide music for services and other events, and some to prepare food/drink for rituals and church events. There are even some with skills that enable them to run the necessary business affairs allowing churches to function. Professional clergies are trained to officiate at weddings and funerals and are prepared to provide counseling for those needing it. Their jobs are not only for Sundays, as they visit hospitals and nursing homes, and provide leadership at other times when needed, including meeting with community leaders to provide support where it is needed. Mention needs to be made of those servants who train (sometimes for years at great expense) to be professional healers serving in medical offices, schools, nursing homes, and hospitals. 1 PET 4: 10-11, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him, be glory and power, forever and ever. Amen.”
While all these ways of serving and more that space doesn’t allow me to enumerate here matter, it is one’s personal relationship with God and other people that is at the core of the head, heart, hands connection. As many years as I have studied Scriptures and shared them with others, it is clear to me that I must approach what I encounter as a learner, not an expert. While I was exposed to the NT later than most, I had a strong foundation from my long years with the OT. Despite being imperfect and surely a sinner, King David teaches us in the Psalms what it means to have “a heart like God’s own” [1 SAM 13: 14; 2 SAM 11 and 12: 1-25]. His faith was so strong that it even overcame the fright normal to the challenges David faced [PS 63 & PS 64].
PRAYER: O Lord, we were created with certain skill sets made to serve You while still experiencing remarkable fulfillment. You have told us, in EPH 3: 12, “In Him [Christ] through faith we can approach God with freedom and confidence.” We have many ways to do this, through service to You and to others for You. You love us so much that You not only pursue us, but You lead us to the ways You created us to serve You. We are to serve You with humility, sincerity of heart, and reverence, just as Jesus came to serve and not be served [MT 20: 28]. We offer You praise, thanksgiving, and all the glory for being the uniquely loving God You are. In the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: I never could have imagined there was so much that the Holy Spirit would direct me to say about patience, humility, surrender, and now, ministry. All of these things are essential to the life of a genuine believer in Jesus Christ. Our egos must take a back seat to the only One in the universe Who richly deserves our worship, adoration, respect, and willingness to follow Him. Different forms of worship will be the subject of next week’s devotion. We will look at some reasons why we should worship God. There are corporate and individual forms, essential rituals and habits of worship we should consider. Allow me to close with COL 3: 23-24, “Whatever you do work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2025. All Rights Reserved.
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