By His Word “And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.” — Titus 3:14, KJV Sometimes I begin the day thinking about everything I need to accomplish. There are appointments to keep, responsibilities to fulfill, and unfinished matters already waiting for my attention. Yet Paul’s closingContinue reading “Grace Has Somewhere to Go”
Tag Archives: Christian service
The Harvest You Cannot See Yet
DID YOU KNOW “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” —Galatians 6:9 Did you know that a delayed harvest does not mean your faithful work has been wasted? Paul places this encouragement within a passage about sowing and reaping. He callsContinue reading “The Harvest You Cannot See Yet”
What Will We Do Until the King Returns?
In the Life of Christ I sometimes wonder how much faithful work we postpone while waiting for circumstances to change. We imagine serving more freely when life settles down, speaking about Jesus when we feel more confident, or using our abilities when the right opportunity arrives. Then I read Luke 19:11–27 and hear Jesus directingContinue reading “What Will We Do Until the King Returns?”
When the Wound Becomes a Place of Service
On Second Thought “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” — Hebrews 4:14 We naturally want to believe that a useful life will develop along a straight and pleasant road. We imagine that God prepares peopleContinue reading “When the Wound Becomes a Place of Service”
When Service Becomes a Distraction
On Second Thought “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” —Luke 10:42 The home of Martha and Mary must have been filled with activity when Jesus arrived. Hospitality required preparation, and Martha accepted the responsibility of serving their honored Guest. Nothing inContinue reading “When Service Becomes a Distraction”
When Service Becomes Delight
As the Day Ends “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” —Ephesians 3:19 Evening Devotional Meditation As this day closes, Paul’s prayer invites us beyond merely knowing facts about Jesus. The Greek word ginōskō, translated “to know,” describes knowledge experienced throughContinue reading “When Service Becomes Delight”
The Front Door That Opens Toward Heaven
Heaven Hospitality may sound like a pleasant dinner, a clean house, and carefully arranged chairs, but the New Testament gives it a much richer meaning. The Greek word philoxenia joins philos, “loving friend,” with xenos, “stranger.” Biblical hospitality is therefore more than entertaining people we already enjoy; it is turning a stranger into a friendContinue reading “The Front Door That Opens Toward Heaven”
When You Try to Quit but the Word Won’t Let You
The Bible in a Year “Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” — Jeremiah 20:9 There are momentsContinue reading “When You Try to Quit but the Word Won’t Let You”
When Heaven Measures Greatness Differently
As the Day Ends “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” — John 12:26 As this day comes to a close, it may be helpful to remember that God measures a life differently than theContinue reading “When Heaven Measures Greatness Differently”
WHEN GOD SAYS, “WELL DONE”
Heaven Most of the things we do for people we love are not done because we expect something in return. A soldier running through gunfire to rescue a wounded friend is probably not thinking about medals. A mother sitting beside a sick child at three in the morning is not calculating what she will receiveContinue reading “WHEN GOD SAYS, “WELL DONE””