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Serving God: Courage To Speak
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Serving God: Courage To Speak

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 fourth 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:
Courage To Speak

“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.  As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.  Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.“
Philippians 1:12-14 (NIV)

What are some situations when you are afraid to speak up?  Are there times you should be afraid to speak?  As you serve, are there times when you have not spoken truth because you were afraid of how it would be received?  Are there places or situations where you are afraid of being ridiculed if you talk about God’s Word?  Does it keep you from speaking as you serve in such places?

Saying the right thing at the right time is hard.  Saying it in the right way is even more difficult.  As we serve, it is important that we have the courage to speak not only the right things but to do so in the right way.  It is often said that truth hurts and sometimes we use that as an excuse to say things in a hurtful way and sometimes we use it to excuse saying untrue things that eventually hurt even more than truth.  Serving well requires that we have the courage to speak the truth of God’s Word in love to those we serve.

As you pray, ask God to help you learn when to speak and to teach you how to speak with courage and love.  Pray that your word choices would be made with the true benefit of those you serve in mind.

In prayer,

Tom

Serving God: Courage From Others
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Serving God: Courage From Others

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 fourth 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:
Courage From Others

“Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.“
Ezra 10:4 (NIV)

When your particular area of service does not allow for others to be serving directly with you, how can you overcome feelings of isolation?  How can you encourage those that serve in areas where they work alone?  How important is communication among a group or staff that serve with the same overall purpose but with different responsibilities?  How does knowing that someone in a different “department” believes in what you are doing give you greater courage to serve well?

When our area of responsibility seems different from all others, it is easy for feelings of isolation to set in and cause us to question the value of our serving.  Even when we work alone, knowing that we have the full support of others should give us the courage to serve while keeping the greater perspective in mind.  While we each may have a different gifting and task to do, supporting each other with the greater purpose in mind helps everyone to serve with courage.

As you pray, ask God to help you find ways to support and encourage those who do a task that is different than yours.  Pray that your task would always be seen in light of the greater purpose.

In prayer,

Tom

Serving God: Courage To Work
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Serving God: Courage To Work

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 fourth 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:
Courage To Work

“David also said to Solomon his son, ‘Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.  The divisions of the priests and Levites are ready for all the work on the temple of God, and every willing man skilled in any craft will help you in all the work. The officials and all the people will obey your every command.’“
1 Chronicles 28:20-21 (NIV)

Has fear ever kept you from finishing something?  From starting something?  How often are you afraid you won’t be able to finish what you start?  Are there times that the needs of those you serve seem so large that you shrink back from serving?  How much do you rely on those you serve with to help you?  Is it easier to imagine the necessary work getting accomplished when you know you will have help?

Just as “every journey begins with a single step”, every accomplished task begins with the courage to do the work at hand.  Every task of serving requires both courage and work.  Many people fail to serve because they lack courage or the desire to work — or both.  Sometimes we lack courage to do the work of serving because we have incorrectly defined what successful serving looks like.  If so, we need to go back to the first day’s devotion of this week.  When we trust God for His work to be completed, we can have courage to do our work.

As you pray, ask God to help you see clearly the work of service He has for you to do.  Pray that you would have the courage to do the work He created in advance for you to do.  Pray that your work would help people see God’s work in you. 

In prayer,

Tom

Serving God: Courage To Pray
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Serving God: Courage To Pray

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 fourth 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:
Courage To Pray

“You, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. So your servant has found courage to pray to you.  O LORD, you are God! You have promised these good things to your servant.  Now you have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O LORD, have blessed it, and it will be blessed forever.“
1 Chronicles 17:25-27 (NIV)

Are there people that you have a hard time talking to?  Why?  How about if you need to ask for something?  Does that increase or decrease the difficulty of communication?  Are there things that you don’t pray about, or have never even considered praying about?  Have you ever thought about needing courage in order to pray effectively?  Would having courage to pray in all circumstances change the way you serve people?  How do you need to pray today for those you serve?

The fear that I have of people is not limited to strangers.  It is a difficult fear to explain because I’m not afraid of them harming me, I’m just afraid of any type of potential interaction.  Even as a child I would be too afraid to ask my parents for things I wanted or needed.  Too afraid to ask teachers for permission to use the restroom.  Too afraid to ask for help when needed from people who would have been very willing to help.  Sometimes I think many people have that same level of fear when it comes to interacting with God.  We don’t know why, we just lack the courage to pray as we ought.

Ask God to give you the courage to go to Him about everything.  Use that courage to pray for those you serve.

In prayer,

Tom

Serving God: Courage From God’s Presence
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Serving God: Courage From God’s Presence

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 fourth 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:
Courage From God’s Presence

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.“
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

Does having someone with you give you courage when facing the unknown?  Why?  How does that change if you know they’ve already been through what you face?  What parts of serving others requires courage for you?  Are there times fear has kept you from serving in a particular way?  Would having confidence in God’s presence being with you have helped?  Is there anything you will be asked to do in serving others that you think would surprise God? 

There are a variety of things that I am afraid of.  There are also a few fears that I have overcome with the help of God and friends who have been through what I feared.  Knowing I’m not alone helps me to have courage in serving because I am confident someone has my back.  When I think of the fears that have kept me from serving, daily acknowledging God’s presence helps me to know He can empower me to do what fear has kept me from trying.

As you pray, ask God to fill you with a knowledge of His presence.  Pray that He would specifically make that presence known to you when fear tempts you to not serve.  Pray that the people around you would see God’s presence in you.

In prayer,

Tom

Serving God: Courage To Be Successful
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Serving God: Courage To Be Successful

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 fourth 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:
Courage To Be Successful

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.“
Joshua 1:7-8 (NIV)

What makes a person successful?  Does your answer change based on what particular area of success we are talking about?  Should it?  Do you think it is easier for most people to succeed or to fail?  Why?  Is it possible to “cheat” your way to success?  Explain.  How would your view of success change if you were to see it as doing the right things in the right way no matter what?  What role does courage have in viewing success in such a way?

In a culture that often views success as reaching the top by some standard of numerical measurement, there is often little emphasis put on how we get there.  In a dog eat dog world, it seems that anything goes in our attempts to be seen and known as the best.  When God instructs Joshua, He makes it clear that it is through courageously doing the right things in the right way, success will be found wherever he goes.

As you pray, ask God to fill you with the courage necessary to do the right things in the right way no matter what.  Pray that you would see success as being faithful in your service to others and allow God to be in charge of the outcome.  Pray that  you would serve with courage when fear wants to lead.

In prayer,

Tom

Serving God: Strength With Grace
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Serving God: Strength With Grace

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 third 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:
Strength With Grace

“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.“
2 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)

Do you deserve everything that you have?  What would you have left if you were to return to others, and to God, everything that you don’t deserve?  How thankful are you for God’s grace?  Why do you think that grace seems to be so desired, yet so difficult for us to give to others?  Are there people you have a hard time serving because you don’t think they deserve it?  How does being strong in grace help you serve?

Years ago I had a brand new truck.  Not a “new to me” truck, but an actual brand new truck!  Soon after I got this truck, I came home one day to find my sister very apologetic  because while she was mowing the mower had thrown a rock and dented the beautiful chrome trim panel on the truck’s tailgate.  I had a decision to make that after the fact sounds easier than what it was.  Do I extend grace or condemnation to my sister?  Grace was my choice, not because I’m that good but because God is that good.

As you pray, ask God to fill you with a greater understanding and appreciation for His grace extended to you.  Pray that you would extend that level of grace to those you serve.

In prayer,

Tom

Serving God: Strength In the Lord
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Serving God: Strength In the Lord

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 third 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:
Strength In the Lord

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.“
Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV)

What are some things that people say are your strengths?  Do you always agree that you have the strengths others see in you?  Why?  Where do your strengths come from?  How strong would you feel if you had a team of experts in every area of life that you could call on at a moments notice?  How often do you call on God when you lack strength?  Would deliberately serving in the strength of the Lord change what you do today?  How?

While public speaking is an area of my life that is a weakness that God uses, writing is one that has always been a strength.  Yet it was not until I saw my strength in writing as being a gift from God, that He began to use it to His glory.  As you serve, recognize God’s ability and desire to use both the things you feel weak in and the thing you feel strong in to minister to others.  Recognize that with God’s Spirit in you, you have the ability to serve in the strength and power of the Lord.

As you pray, ask God to help you see and use your strengths as gifts from Him.  Pray that God would fill you with a humility that allows Him to be seen as you serve others in His strength.

In prayer,

Tom