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 the final day of the final 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:
Go and Find the Missing

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.“
Matthew 18:12-14 (NIV)

How many groups of Christians do you, or have you had, fellowship with?  Do those groups consist of the same people now as when you first met with them?  Why?  Who is missing?  Why?  Do you know people who have not just moved to a different fellowship of Christians, but have quit meeting with other Christians all-together?  As you consider people who have been close Christian friends of yours in the past, who is missing?  Will you serve them, and the body of Christ, by going and finding those who have wandered off?

It doesn’t take a very in-depth reading of the gospels to discover that Jesus has a heart of compassion for those who are missing.  It doesn’t seem to matter if they wandered off, were stolen away, or simply got lost.  Jesus taught that it is our responsibility to search for them, to watch for their return, and to be ready to welcome them with open arms.  People end up missing for a lot of reasons and sometimes we fail to have as much concern about the missing as Jesus does.

As you pray, ask God to help you to see those who are missing.  Pray that you would serve them by being involved in searching for them, watching for them, and welcoming them back.

In prayer,

Tom

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 final 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:
Go and Bear Fruit

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.“
John 15:16 (NIV)

Is your life producing anything good?  How do you know?  What type of fruit should your life be producing?  What is the source of this fruit?  How likely are you to bear good fruit if you are not living connected to the source of all things good?  How do you feel about bearing eternal fruit everywhere that you go?  Are there places you go on a regular basis that you have not thought at all about how you could serve the people there in a way that would bear much fruit?  What will you do?

Jesus said that if a tree doesn’t bear good fruit, it is eventually cut down and burned.  Sometimes we believe, and perhaps are even taught, that our relationship with Jesus is all about us and Him.  Yet the Bible makes it very clear that we are saved for the purpose of doing the good works that God created in advance for us to do.  When we live attached to the vine of Christ, it is our responsibility to bear fruit wherever we go. 

As you pray, ask God to remind you of the connection you have to Christ.  Pray that your life would be one that produces good fruit wherever you go.  Pray that you would take seriously your responsibility to serve others as you trust God to produce the fruit that He desires in their life.

In prayer,

Tom

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 five in the final 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:
Go and Leave Sin

“Jesus straightened up and asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’  ‘No one, sir,’ she said. ‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.’“
John 8:10-11 (NIV)

What is your favorite sin?  Are you shocked that I would ask such a question?  Are there things that God calls sin that you have renamed and allowed to remain in your life?  How does dragging sinful behavior along with you affect your ability to serve others?  When Paul writes about the “sin that so easily entangles”, is there a particular thought or action that comes to your mind?  What does it take to completely leave sin behind as you serve in the name of Christ?

For many Christians, sin is the thing others do.  We’re Christians so we compartmentalize and justify our pride, lust, greed, envy, jealousy, anger, hatred, etc. and choose labels for them that are anything but sin.  God want us to go and leave all of that sin behind because it separates us from Him and is a hindrance to our serving effectively in His Name.  God say that when we have been buried with Christ, we have put to death the sin the reigns in our body and it no longer is our master.  With Christ as our master, we can call sin out for what it is and completely leave it as we serve others.

As you pray, ask God to help you identify all traces of sin that you need to leave behind as you serve others in love.

In prayer,

Tom

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 four in the final 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:
Go and Show Mercy

“‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’  The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.’“
Luke 10:36-37 (NIV)

How vengeful are you?  Are you sure?  How long is the list of people in your mind that deserve punishment for what they have done to you?  Are there people that you have refused to serve because you believe they deserve the situation they are in?  What does God say you deserve because of the sins you have committed?  How much mercy has God shown in your life?  How much mercy does He expect you to show to others as you serve them in His name?

Most of us, when reminded of God’s mercy toward us, would not readily admit our lack of mercy extended toward others.  Yet our actions and attitudes often tell a different story.  By its very nature, mercy is something that is not deserved.  So, if you are waiting for someone to deserve having you serve them in the name of  Christ, you are not extending the mercy that they need.  When you consider the relief that comes from God’s mercy extended to us, one of the greatest acts of service you can do for the people around you each day is to show mercy to them.

As you pray, ask God to help you understand more fully His mercy toward you so you will be more inclined to show mercy.

In prayer,

Tom

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 three in the final 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:
Go To Your Family

“As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him.  Jesus did not let him, but said, ‘Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.’  So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.“
Mark 5:18-20 (NIV)

What does your family think about the faith you have in Christ?  Do you have family members that are currently not living in relationship with Jesus?  What is their attitude toward you?  How do you think serving them in love would impact their attitude?  When you talk to family members, are you more likely to try to tell them what they need to do “to get their act together” or tell them about God’s mercy in your life and what He has done for you?  Which do you think will be more effective?

Sometimes family members can be the most difficult for us to go to when it comes to serving and sharing our faith — especially if they are indifferent or even antagonistic.  Often they know us so well that they can see the inconsistencies between the good we know we ought to do and the things we actually do.  Yet many times that wall can begin to crumble when we approach them with a goal of serving and through that serving, wait for an opportunity to share about God’s mercy to us.

As you pray, ask God to help you love each member of your family as He loves them.  Pray that you would serve them well.

In prayer,

Tom

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 two in the final 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:
Go To the Streets

“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come.  Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’  So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.“
Matthew 22:8-10 (NIV)

How comfortable are you talking with strangers?  How much do you deliberately try to live in a way that people “see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven”?  When you are out in a crowd, would you rather be noticed or blend in?  Why?  In the places of life where you normally go, where is the place most likely to have people that do not yet follow Jesus?  In what ways can you serve them as you go?

For far too long, a primary strategy of many churches, and Christians, is to allow the church building to be the place of evangelism in the community.  While there are some who will be reached through special programs and events at a church building, there is still a need for people to go to the street and invite people to Jesus.  While we’ve all likely seen examples of people “preaching” on the street corner that seems to do more harm than good, that shouldn’t stop us from going to the street to serve people with the love of Christ.

As you pray, ask God to give you a heart of compassion for the people you pass by on a daily basis.  Pray for wisdom and courage to take your faith outside of the walls of a church building and learn how to effectively serve those on the street.

In prayer,

Tom

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 one in the final 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:
Go Because of God’s Command

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’“
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

Do you like to go places?  How do you decide where to go?  Has there ever been a time in your life when someone in authority would set your schedule and tell you where you had to be and when you had to be there?  Did you like it?  Did you do it?  Why?  What do you think would happen if you took a job delivering pizza but would only go to the addresses that you were familiar with?  Would your boss be okay with that, or would he expect you to go everywhere he tells you?

As Jesus was finishing His ministry on earth, He commands those who would follow Him to go and make disciples.  Some say the emphasis in the command is on going and others claim it is on making disciples.  I’m not convinced Jesus had any intention for us to separate the two parts of the command.  The idea is that those needing to be discipled aren’t usually going to come to you as you sit by and wait — you must be actively involved in living the gospel of Jesus and taking it with you everywhere you go.

As you pray, ask God to fill you with the courage to go when He commands.  Pray that your obedience to His command would involve you in the act of serving everywhere you go.

In prayer,

Tom

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 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 Actions

“Differing weights and differing measures — the LORD detests them both.
Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.“
Proverbs 20:10-11 (NIV)

Why do you do what you do?  What motives compel you to serve, or keep you from doing so?  What do you think your actions reveal about you?  What would your closest friends say about your purity based on your actions?  What would strangers say?  Should those answers be the same?  Why?  What standard do you use to determine “good and right” actions?  How will having purity in your actions help you as you serve? 

While our thoughts influence our actions, it is our actions that influence our character — what people think about us.  Whether we like it or not, people are watching and they make judgments about what kind of person we are based on what they see us doing, or not doing.  When those we are serving watch us, they decide rather quickly if we can be trusted as they observe our actions with others and experience our actions toward them.  When our actions honor God, we find ourselves serving others in ways that honor God as well.  As you pray, ask God to help you see how well your actions are reflecting Him to those you serve.  Pray that the people around you will know you as God’s child by the way you live.

In prayer,

Tom