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 six in the twelfth 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:
Purity Of Thoughts

“The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him.“
Proverbs 15:26 (NIV)

What do you think about most?  What things would make a thought impure?  Do you think that list is larger or smaller than most people imagine?  Why?  How does your intent, or motives, influence the purity of your thoughts?  How often are your thoughts pleasing to the Lord?  Do you think He agrees with your answer?  What would make a thought pleasing or displeasing to God?  How will having pure thoughts help you serve others more effectively?

As with most aspects of purity, sexual temptation is an area that can quickly overtake a person’s thoughts and wreak havoc in their ability to serve.  Because it is so predominant in our culture, it is easy to be on guard against impure sexual thoughts while completely ignoring the danger of other thoughts that are just as impure.  We have thoughts of selfishness, pride, and envy that can cause us to not serve as we ought if we let them take over our mind.  Any thought that doesn’t please God becomes a gateway for evil to take root.  As you pray, ask God to cleanse your thought life.  Pray that you would take captive every thought and make them obedient to Christ as you serve others.

In prayer,

Tom