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 first 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:
Serve By Equipping

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

What makes you able to do the things you are good at?  Who invested their time and knowledge into equipping you to do the works of service your job calls for?  Do you think it would have been faster or easier for them to do things themselves rather than training you?  Why?  Why is it important to involve God’s Word in making sure you, and others, are thoroughly equipped?  How will you use God’s Word this week in helping to equip the people around you?

It is usually easier to do the things I know how to do myself than to make the effort to equip someone else.  Unfortunately, if I maintain such a short-sighted view there may be no one to do my current tasks when I am no longer able to do so.  As Paul writes to Timothy, he advises him to use Scripture in a variety of ways in order to equip the person of God to accomplish every good work that is needed.  As you pray, ask God to give you the wisdom and patience to be involved in equipping others to join you in the works of service that you are called to.  Pray that you would be a student of God’s Word so that you would be equipped, and be able to equip others, for every good work.

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 first 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:
Serve By Sharing

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:12-13 (NIV)

What do the people around you need?  What resources have you been given?  How will sharing what you have benefit the people around you?  Why are some things often more difficult to share than others?  Are there things that you have held onto that God would want you to share this week?

God gives each of us a variety of gifts in both resources and abilities with the expectation that we will share for the benefit of others.  My first writing assignment from God was a poem.  Partly because it came out of my prayer time, I realized rather quickly that it didn’t have its origins in my wisdom.  As I shared it, the poems kept coming and as I compiled the collected poems into a book to share with people, God began to give me other writing assignments as well.  I believe there are times we don’t seem to receive from God because we have not yet shared what He has already given. 

As you pray, ask God to fill you with a desire to share.  Pray that you would understand and practice your responsibility to share with those in need.  Pray for wisdom to know how to do that 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 one in the first 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:
Serve Because of God’s Calling

“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.  The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”‘
Galatians 5:13-14 (NIV)

Why are you here?  Not just why are you here on earth, though that is part of the question, but why are you here at this particular time and place?  What do you hope to get out of the position you have?  What do you expect to give?  How will you use the freedom you have in Christ?  Have you ever thought about being free to serve?

It is important to always remember that, as Christians, each one of us has been called by God to serve others.  Knowing and remembering this should help us keep our minds focused on Jesus in all we do.  Serving usually isn’t glamorous.  And done well it doesn’t often gain the attention of others.  Knowing that we are called by God to serve should help keep our jealousy at bay when others serve in more noticeable and enjoyable ways. 

As you pray this week, ask God to fill you with the attitude of Jesus who humbled Himself and became a servant of all.  Pray that you would have a greater understanding of what you are doing to serve and who you are serving.  Pray that each member of your team would better grasp the necessity of serving as a way of life.

In prayer,

Tom

Each one of us is on a journey to our final, and eternal, destination.  As Christians, we live with the confident assurance that our eternal home is with God.  But, we’re not home yet and there is a life to be lived as we journey toward heaven.  It is my prayer that this series of devotions will help you discover not only a glimpse of heaven, but that it would prepare you to more fully live like you are home even as you continue the journey.

This is the final day from the devotional journal, “Almost Heaven: Devotions For the Journey Home”.  Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God in the process of discovering how He would have us to live as we prepare for an eternal home.

Almost Heaven:
A Home With God’s Glory

“When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him.  But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’“
Acts 7:54-56 (NIV)

Have you ever experienced a time when it seemed to you like an individual’s presence completely filled a room?  How did it make you feel?  What do you think of when you consider God’s glory?  How overwhelming would a home with God’s glory be?  How comforting would it be?  What would cause it to be more one than the other?  How do the traits we’ve considered in the previous 31 days fit into a home with God’s glory?  How can your home today better reflect the glory of God in the home you are headed toward?

When I think of the glory of God, I first think about the description of God as being an all-consuming fire.  Many times we connect that element of God with His judgment and wrath.  While I think that is true, I also believe it describes the all-consuming nature of His glory.  Heaven is a home where His presence cannot be hidden or ignored.  His glory fills every part of this eternal home and of each person who dwells there.  As you pray, ask God to so fill you with His glory that nothing could distract you from His presence.  Pray that your journey home would be lived in pursuit of the glory of God filling you.

In prayer,

Tom

Each one of us is on a journey to our final, and eternal, destination.  As Christians, we live with the confident assurance that our eternal home is with God.  But, we’re not home yet and there is a life to be lived as we journey toward heaven.  It is my prayer that this series of devotions will help you discover not only a glimpse of heaven, but that it would prepare you to more fully live like you are home even as you continue the journey.

This is day thirty-one from the devotional journal, “Almost Heaven: Devotions For the Journey Home”.  Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God in the process of discovering how He would have us to live as we prepare for an eternal home.

Almost Heaven:
A Home of Worship

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.“
Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV)

What first comes to mind when you read the word, “worship”?  Why?  Would that first thought be accurate?  Would it be complete?  How often is the worship of God on your mind?  Why?  Is it possible to worship God without singing?  Is it possible to sing worship songs without worshipping?  What is required for worship to take place?  Are you sure?  What would a home of worship look and sound like to you?  How can you make your current home be one of greater worship?

I’m not trying to reignite any old “worship wars” here, because frankly none of the ones I am familiar with really had much to do with worship.  Our worship of God is our expression to Him of His worth.  This ought to take place through every activity we are involved in and with every fiber of our being.  God says that His Son was given a name above all others so that the very name of Jesus would receive worship in heaven, on earth, and even under the earth.  As you pray, ask God to fill you with expressions of worship as you consider His Son, Jesus.  Pray that you would not confine worship to any one place or activity but that your life would be worship.

In prayer,

Tom

Each one of us is on a journey to our final, and eternal, destination.  As Christians, we live with the confident assurance that our eternal home is with God.  But, we’re not home yet and there is a life to be lived as we journey toward heaven.  It is my prayer that this series of devotions will help you discover not only a glimpse of heaven, but that it would prepare you to more fully live like you are home even as you continue the journey.

This is day thirty from the devotional journal, “Almost Heaven: Devotions For the Journey Home”.  Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God in the process of discovering how He would have us to live as we prepare for an eternal home.

Almost Heaven:
A Home of Wisdom

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.“
James 3:17-18 (NIV)

Who is the wisest person you know?  What makes you think that about them?  Do you always make wise decisions?  Why?  Does advanced education always equal advanced wisdom?  Why?  What is the difference between the two?  Have you ever been  part of a home that lacked wisdom?  What would, or did, it take for that to change?  How desirable is a home of wisdom to you?  How can you make your current home be more like the home of wisdom you are headed towards?

It appears that our culture has become so fixated with education that we no longer make much effort to pursue wisdom.  It isn’t that we should abandon our quest for education, rather we should add a deliberate pursuit of the wisdom that comes from God.  God describes wisdom as a quality that flows from His character and is offered freely to all who would ask.  As you pray, ask God to increase your wisdom as you grow in Christ.  Pray that you would acknowledge God as your source of wisdom in all things.  Pray that your home would be filled with a godly wisdom that comes from humility and represents the home you are headed toward.

In prayer,

Tom

Each one of us is on a journey to our final, and eternal, destination.  As Christians, we live with the confident assurance that our eternal home is with God.  But, we’re not home yet and there is a life to be lived as we journey toward heaven.  It is my prayer that this series of devotions will help you discover not only a glimpse of heaven, but that it would prepare you to more fully live like you are home even as you continue the journey.

This is day twenty-nine from the devotional journal, “Almost Heaven: Devotions For the Journey Home”.  Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God in the process of discovering how He would have us to live as we prepare for an eternal home.

Almost Heaven:
A Home of Unity

“And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment — to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.“
Ephesians 1:9-10 (NIV)

What does unity mean to you?  What things do you believe are necessary for unity to exist?  What do you think are some of the reasons unity seems to be so elusive?  Do you believe unity should be pursued at all costs?  What might be some limits to the price of unity that might make it undesirable — or perhaps make it not be unity at all?  What role does submission have when it comes to having a home of unity?    How can your home today look more like the home of unity you are headed towards?

When the world speaks of unity, they are often actually referring to conformity.  God says that heaven is a home of unity, not because we are all alike but because we are living our unique giftedness under one head — Jesus Christ.  I like all of the parts of my truck to work in unity in order to transport me to where I want to go.  I don’t want a truck built out of parts that have all become the same — I want unique parts that are working together to accomplish the purpose of their designer.  As you pray, ask God to help you live in unity with others as each of you accept His headship over all things.

In prayer,

Tom

Each one of us is on a journey to our final, and eternal, destination.  As Christians, we live with the confident assurance that our eternal home is with God.  But, we’re not home yet and there is a life to be lived as we journey toward heaven.  It is my prayer that this series of devotions will help you discover not only a glimpse of heaven, but that it would prepare you to more fully live like you are home even as you continue the journey.

This is day twenty-eight from the devotional journal, “Almost Heaven: Devotions For the Journey Home”.  Each of these devotions are designed to help a person spend time with God in the process of discovering how He would have us to live as we prepare for an eternal home.

Almost Heaven:
A Home Filled With Treasure

“‘All these I have kept since I was a boy,’ he said.  When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’  When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth.“
Luke 18:21-23 (NIV)

What do you value most in this life?  What do you think the people closest to you would say you value most?  Why?  What would you do to get the thing you treasure most?  Is there anything that you wouldn’t give up?  What does that say about what you really treasure?  Have you ever saved up an amount of time and/or money in order to do something special?  How did you feel about putting aside immediate desires in order to experience a treasured moment later?  Was it worth it?

Many people save up money in order to have or do something at a later time.  Typically our perceived value of what we’re looking forward to will influence our seriousness in saving up for whatever it is.  When God talks about heaven being a home with treasure, He does so as a reminder of the value it should have to us.  When we view eternity with God to be the greatest treasure that could ever be obtained, it motivates us to loosen our grip on the stuff of this world that we are tempted to call treasures.  As you pray, ask God to help you pursue a home with Him as the greatest treasure you could find.  Pray that you would invest all you have in obtaining that treasure.

In prayer,

Tom