1 Corinthians 12:5 - Spiritual Gifts

There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.

This passage is referring to spiritual gifts or talents. I am not convinced that today these talents are received miraculously as they were in the first century, but almost all of the gifts listed are talents which can be studied and learned (healing, languages, etc). People who move into these fields often have a natural ability which leads them in this direction. I think this is just as much a gift as it was in the first century and has the same purpose of the common good (v.7). So, whatever you are good at, whatever you have studied and mastered, it is a gift from the Lord. Use your gift to serve him!

Lord, thank you for giving us gifts and opportunities to serve. Please help us to use our gifts to your glory and for the common good. Amen.

1 Corinthians 4:1 - Christian Leaders

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.

What makes a good leader? 1 Corinthians chapters three and four are about leaders in the church. These leaders were apparently gaining status and wealth based on who had taught them about Christ. They were focused on reigning and judging. Paul tells these leaders being a leader really means being a servant.

Lord, thank you for making it clear the role of a church leader. Please help us to look for these kinds of people to put in leadership positions. Amen.

Luke 2:11 - Merry Christmas and remember those who have to work today

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Merry Christmas to everyone!! I hope you have a wonderful day of celebration. Remember all of those who have to work on this holiday: health care workers, civil servants (police and fire), military personnel, hospitality (restaurants, hotels, entertainment) workers, retail workers, preachers (this year especially since Christmas is on Sunday) and any body else who has to work on the holiday.  I have worked every Christmas day for the last 6 years. For me Christmas has become a day of service in addition to a day of celebration.

Lord, thank you for special days, especially Christmas when we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Please bless everyone, especially those who have to work today. Amen.

Psalm 86:16 - Thank you for my mom

Turn to me and have mercy on me;
     show your strength in behalf of your servant;
save me, because I serve you
     just as my mother did.

Reading through the Psalms, there is a lot of similar sounding text. When something is different, it grabs my attention. I loved the last phrase of the verse above, "just as my mother did." Did your mom serve God? Mine does. She is a wonderful example of how to live a Godly life of service. In this season of Thanksgiving, I would like to thank God for my mom. I serve God "just as my mother did".

Lord, thank you for my mother, a servant of Christ. Please help me to serve you just as she does. Amen.

John 15:13 - Thank you to those who serve

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Thank you to those who serve in the US military.

Lord, thank you for the people who are and have served to protect our country, Please keep them safe and successful and help us to never forget their sacrifice. Amen.

I Thessalonians 1:3 - A dedication

We remember before our God and Father
   your work produced by faith,
   your labor prompted by love, and
   your endurance inspired by hope
in our Lord Jesus Christ.

I would like to dedicate this verse to Crissy Ketchersid. Crissy was the coordinator of our church Senior Banquet. It was an amazing event honoring our graduating high school students. Crissy's organizational skills were evident in the planning, setup, during the meal and at tear down. Thank you Crissy for your tireless efforts!

Lord, thank you for Crissy. Please help us to give honor where honor is due. Amen.

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Exodus 38:8 - Women and mirrors

They made the bronze basin and its bronze stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

This verse really stuck out to me. I didn't realize there were women who served in the tabernacle. Also, I was confused about a basin made from mirrors. I found a paper which gave me some insight. Mirrors were made from polished metal at this time, so these were just melted down and reformed. On the question of the women, it's not entirely clear as to their role, but it would make sense to me they would be responsible for changing out the water in the basin.

Lord, thank you for including details like this in your word. Please help us to each find our place of service. Amen.

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Exodus 3:11 - Who am I?

But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?"

There is a quote out there that says something like, "I asked God why he would let bad things happened in the world and God asked me the same question." Sometimes we look for solutions to problems without realizing that we are the solution. It's hard to believe that we're the guy, but God's plans are so much but bigger than ours.

Lord, thank you for using us in amazing ways. Please give us confidence to do the things you have planned for us to do. Amen.

Romans 15:30 - Join in the struggle

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

I have always wanted to do amazing things for Christ: be a missionary, write a book, be a speaker, etc... but so far those things have not worked out. I serve God everyday in many small ways and occasionally I get a "bigger opportunity" to serve, but generally I don't feel like my service is anything special. The verse above lets me know I can always participate in those "bigger opportunities" by finding someone who is doing them and join in their struggle by praying for them. We can do this anonymously or let them know we feel like God has called us to pray for their ministry. It will be a great encouragement to them!

Lord, thank you for every opportunity to serve, be it large or small. Please help us to look for the places you are working and join in your work. Amen.

Romans 15:17 - Glory in Christ Jesus

Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.

In this verse Paul is talking about his ministry to the Gentiles, but I think we can apply it to whatever we do. I can glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God, be it my job, my ministry, my hobbies, my relaxation time, my exercise or any thing else we do.

Lord, thank you for allowing us to bring glory to you. Please help us to do so in all we do. Amen.

Romans 1:25 - Creator vs. created

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

For many years I have thought about the concept of worshiping the created verses the Creator. Really any time we place something or someone above God, this is what we are doing because God created everything.

Lord, thank you for giving us the truth and creating everything. Please help us to keep your truth and serve only you. Amen.

Monday, Monday

Well, I had to do something for my son which he needed for school this morning and of course it took longer than anticipated so I did not have time to do my study. I can either be frustrated and angry or I can be grateful for the opportunity to serve my son. I will choose gratefulness. (although that was not my first reaction)

Lord, please help me to be thankful for the daily interruptions that allow me to serve others. Amen.