It is my prayer that every Christian recognizes the importance of serving God through the way we serve others.  There are few things, if any, that are as emotionally exhilarating, and draining, as the task of serving others.  Having worked in a variety of ministry settings, including various roles within Christian camp ministry, I understand the excitement that often comes with the beginning of a new ministry or ministry season.  I also understand the weariness than can develop when our focus begins to drift away from the ministry of serving and onto ourselves.

This is day seven in the ninth week of devotions from the book, “Serving God: Devotions for Active Worship”.  This devotional book is laid out in thirteen weeks of daily devotions with each week wrapped around an aspect of how we can serve others.  Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God to see how serving others is an act of worship.

Serving God:
Teach With Integrity

“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.“
Titus 2:7-8 (NIV)

Do you teach others? Are you sure? Do you teach more by what you say or what you do? In serving, is it possible to separate the two parts of teaching? Why? Have you ever been asked to teach something that you didn’t believe in? Were you able to do it? How effective do you think it would be? How careful are you in making sure your actions match your words to those you serve?

Whether we like it or not, our service to others teaches something to those who hear and watch what we do. Unfortunately, there are times when what they see is very different from what they hear. When we serve others and tell them things have to be done a certain way and then we don’t do it that way ourselves, we plant seeds of doubt in the minds of people regarding everything we attempt to say and teach.

As you pray, ask God to help you be aware of the teaching that takes place through your life. Pray that a life of integrity would help you to have words and actions that match. Pray that the people you serve would learn good lessons from you as you represent One who always does what He says. Pray that people would trust your teaching because of your integrity.

In prayer,

Tom