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What a powerful example Jesus is to us. You know what makes our Savior so distinct?
He knew His purpose.
He knew He came to serve and save the souls of many.
Purpose: What is the purpose placed over God’s people? To expand the Kingdom of Heaven by doing the will of God.
Ladies, let’s dig deep as we apply this definition of purpose to service.
“Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies – in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11
Wow! Serving is truly being used by God. It is a reflection of His loving and faithful character.
Serving others comes in a variety of forms. There are formal and informal ways to live life as a missionary disciple. Scripture directs us to “Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.” 1 Samuel 12:24 ---Each verse I have found on serving and the depths of being a servant have left me speechless. This verse is lifechanging in that it charges us to give our ALL in serving and worshipping The Lord God Almighty. What does this have to do with how we serve others? So glad you asked! When we open our hearts to serve and grow deeper with such an intimate Savior, He will greatly direct us in serving others. He will show us that serving others can sometimes be as simple (yet powerful) as interceding in prayer for someone, and/or confidently taking on a leadership role that allows Him to speak through you.
When we commit to serving others, we are ACTUALLY committing to placing each of the gifts God has placed within us, through the power of the Holy Spirit, back at the feet of the Savior. This act is saying: “Lord, we submit to your will. We rid of ourselves in order to use our lives to be a reflection of Your light in this world through the act of serving. Please use us to change the lives of others and expand the Kingdom of Heaven.”
Jesus describes the Kingdom of Heaven beautifully in Matthew 13:31-32, which states:
“He put together a parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
Once again, I am sipping my coffee and saying “WOW”.
There are several messages in this one verse, but the one I would like for you to take away from this devotional is this: Your service may appear to be as small as a mustard seed, but whatever you do in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, Son of God, it will not be in vain.
Prayer: Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come, we worship you in spirit and in truth. We magnify Your name, alone. Thank you for choosing us. Break our hearts for what breaks Yours as we do our best to emulate Your coming not to be served but to serve. Help us to be willing vessels for Your will. We love you Jesus. Amen.
Sending one big hug to each of you! Keep fighting to expand the Kingdom of God!
Mariah
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