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Week 3 -
September 24th thru September 30th
Serving Our Family of
Believers
Ministry - Devotional 3.1
How Can We Serve Those in Our Church?
“But to each of us grace has been given, as Christ apportioned it.”
Ephesians 4:7 (NIV)
Grace
is the belt Jeremiah girded around his waist. Our belts, paid for by the
blood of Jesus, may be hidden, put aside, and good for nothing. But since we
have the Holy Spirit among us, we can get out our belts, place them around
our lives and really start using that gift of grace. Instead of pointing an
accusing finger, use that judging feeling when it rises as a stepping stone
to a new way to reach out to others. Grow a relationship with a lonely
individual, water it with prayer, and God will lead. Many people in our
church need us, and when we see them in our church, possibly hiding pain
behind a smile, we can help just by calling on what and who we know to
connect with them and answer their needs. Rick Warren says, “We first turn
attenders into members, the members into attenders.”
Which
church service do you attend? Look around for new faces and make a friend.
Pray that God will give you the opportunity to genuinely connect with
someone who needs to know you.
***
Serving Our
Family of Believers
Ministry - Devotional 3.2
Serving With Love
“In
Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated means
Dorcas) who was always doing good and helping the poor.” Acts 9:36 (NIV)
The
story of Dorcas has touched our hearts through the ages. She was much loved
and quite possibly irreplaceable in the early church development. Though
not a leader, she was the living vision of the love of Christ. Her ministry
was not something she did for God, but something God did through her.
Because Dorcas was unable to travel, she helped those in her immediate
circle and God blessed her efforts. Does God have a ministry for you? We
often spend hours pondering this question. What is the answer? The answer
is YES! If you awaken in the morning, it is because God has something for
you to do that day! He calls us to serve the world, but what better place
to start than in our own church. Be sensitive to those around you, find a
need, and then ask God for help as you get to work.
What
needs do you see in your church family that you feel passionate about?
Spend time in prayer and meditation that God will put someone on your heart
that needs your help.
***
Serving Our
Family of Believers
Ministry - Devotional 3.3
Strengthening Through Encouragement
“We
sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the
gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith.” 1
Thessalonians 3:2 (NIV)
As
children of God we should always be sensitive to the needs of others.
Everyone needs to know the good news about the salvation given to us through
Jesus Christ and we are commissioned to spread the Gospel.
We also
need to be available to encourage and strengthen the faith of fellow
believers. When I see God at work, it’s an invitation to join in. To help
support and encourage a brother or sister usually involves praying for them
and sometimes requires giving to them what is needed. I can serve others by
spending my time, money, effort and talent on ministries I am led to
support.
Life is
like volleyball, you’ll never loose if you are serving.
Who do
you know or what ministry do you know of that needs your support?
Make an
effort to pray for the person or ministry and contact them to encourage them
to “Keep up the good work.”
***
Serving Our
Family of Believers
Ministry - Devotional 3.4
Be an Encourager
“See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that
turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as
it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s
deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:12-13 (NIV)
Have
you spent any time in the “great outdoors”? We truly live on a beautiful
planet. Everywhere you look there is beauty in abundance. When we have the
love of God in our hearts, the beauty seems to increase. We don’t need to
travel to distant states or countries, we can find beauty right here at
home. There are those we encounter who tell us that they feel closer to God
in nature than in a church. Even so, the Bible tells us that we need the
“fellowship of believers” to lift our spirits as we experience life. Find
someone in church who seems to be in the “dumps” and encourage them. Remind
them of their past deeds that made a difference, tell them how their
ministry inspires others, or maybe just tell them you’re happy to see them.
Be a friend indeed to a friend in need.
How can
you tell if someone you encounter needs encouragement?
As you
spend time in the Word each day, ask God to make you sensitive to the
encouragement needs of others.
***
Serving Our
Family of Believers
Ministry - Devotional 3.5
In the Service of the Family of Believers
“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers not by
compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly. “ I
Peter 5:2
If you serve because you think you have to serve, it may create stress. It
is important to find the position of ministry that God has for us, and then
serve wholeheartedly and willingly in that position. Instead of stress we
will experience joy in God’s service and He will be pleased. Jesus
demonstrated the epitome of willingness in ministry. Willingly comes from
the Greek word “ekousios”, which means voluntarily or spontaneously.
Willingness comes naturally as we learn to walk in the Spirit and His power
overcomes our weaknesses. Willingness is a desirable trait for spiritual
leadership. Peter wrote, “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you,
serving as overseers not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain
but eagerly” (I Peter 5:2). David pleased God by serving and
He commended him by saying that David was “a man after His own heart”
(1 Sam. 13:14).
How far will you go to minister to the flock? Christ’s willingness went all
the way. He calls us that far too.
Pray
that you will be aware of the needs of others in the church. Watch and pray
– the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:36 to 44)
Source:
Hayford, Jack W. Spirit-Filled Life Bible Study Guides, Appointed to
Leadership: God’s Principles for Spiritual Leaders. |
