The spiritual discipline of service, or putting the needs of others ahead of my own, does not come naturally to me. In fact, my tendency is to place myself upon the throne of my own heart and prioritize my own needs and desires above all else. Yet, Jesus clearly tells us to beware of this impulse and act differently. He tells us that loving God above all things and caring for those around us are the two divine directives upon which all holy living depends (Matthew 22:36–40).
In 2015, I became an elementary school teacher. Daily, I am given the opportunity to actively serve others, namely, my students. But I cannot love the people around me as God commands if I spend my energy on trying to advance my own interests. Instead, service is a means of turning to Him daily—seeking His strength, patience, and peace—if I hope to serve my students well. In this discipline, God is actively training me to become more dependent on Him and less enamored with myself.
My current position is not something I consider to be a temporary situation that I just need to “get through” on my way to something less difficult and more rewarding, or less costly to my ego and more beneficial to my sense of accomplishment. Rather, He has instructed us to “build houses” and to “plant gardens” in our current spheres of influence (Jeremiah 29:4–7). If that is indeed the case, I must begin each day pleading God’s mercy, submitting to His will, beckoning the Holy Spirit to empower me to serve others first, and then putting these things into practice. When Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26), He’s addressing my heart’s most preeminent idol: myself.
If we subscribe to the world’s definition of greatness—some combination of influence, authority, wealth, and recognition from others—Jesus would have us reconsider what we value. These assets are by no means wrong in and of themselves, but when achieving them becomes our chief motivation, we lose sight of a foundational ethic in God’s kingdom: putting ourselves aside in favor of our neighbor (Mark 12:30–31).
For my part, any success I have in the service of my students, or anyone else for that matter, is not because of who I am or what I’ve done. It’s an act of living out who He is and what He’s doing right now, in and around me. It’s the daily practice of demonstrating my dependence on Him by assuming the role of servant instead of dedicating myself to the pursuit of my own glory.
Written by Alex Florez
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163 thoughts on "Service"
***only follow the Lords example in this world and to know it’s for His glory and our gifts come from him to serve others
Such a perfect reminder to follow only the Lord in this world
As one that serves in their church, this really touched my heart to reexamine my role as servant. There are times when we get frustrated by outcomes, but from reading this it shows that my purpose is through God and to ask for his strength and be dependable on him not myself. To know that Jesus loved us and although he was the Son of God, he was a servant to us for he sacrificed for us. This was very eye opening! Love this!
Whew that’s good. I’ve been such a giver and servant my entire life. I’ve always wanted to change that about me cause I felt like I wasn’t getting it back but indeeed my life is a example of my services.
Been having a hard time accepting things not going my way, but to reminded me that I am second and God is first
Working in the public as a cashier in a convenient store. It’s so very easy for me to serve those who are nice and respectful but I often find it irritating and hard to be kind to those who are rude and hateful. I needed this message.
God, teach me to serve. Teach me to love others above myself.
It is easy to serve people who are thankful, humble and kind, but very difficult to serve people who are disgruntled and rude (I suppose being taken as a slave to Babylon meant being treated as a slave)! I don’t mind helping those who are kind and thankful. I struggle terribly to help the rude and disgruntled because I feel they don’t deserve it!
But Jesus knows people and how difficult they can be. He experienced it first hand. He won’t ask me to do it without giving me the necessary support: wisdom, loving-kindness and strength! But I will have to be on my knees constantly for I cannot (or feel) like doing it by myself!!
Thanks for helping me remember that is what part of my job is!
God, let me be your hands and feet! I am submitting to you and demonstrating my dependence on you as a servant for your glory, not mine. Show me where to serve, and I will!
God, let me be your hands and feet! I am submitting to you and demonstrating my dependence on you as a servant for your glory, not
When she talked about ego and laying that down…. Hit home! Thank you for conviction
Lord, thank you for speaking to my desire for welfare and greatness and showing us how to go about it my loving and serving others and our city. Please help me to see those in need and treat them as you would. Please uproot the selfishness in my heart to be able to love and serve well. Amen
❤️❤️
Wonderful. Thank you
Here’s to relinquishing being a glory thief!
This was so convicting to me as I know of a literal neighbour in need but her need doesn’t align with something I want to do, I need to find a way to serve her as Jesus would. It was also such a great reminder that the place we are currently planted has Godly purpose + each day should be lived walking in His will for it!
Yes, Katie!!! So so good.
Wow, Katie! Me, too…
This discipline is very convicting for me. As I was reading I realized I need to wake up every morning and set my intention in prayer. I need to pray for God to set my priorities for my day. So that I will be servant minded. So that I will “set up camp” right where I am at and intentionally serve those right in front of me. Instead of focusing on my own agenda and how I can advance myself.
You do a wonderful job of this! ❤️
In the instant, fast-paced world we find ourselves today, I’m reminded to live intentionally, fully in the moment. To be still, to observe, to be quiet. To really see and hear the person whom is placed on my daily path. (I believe we encounter each other on that path as a Devine appointment and not by coincidence.) To intentionally acknowledge and look at that person in the eye. To share that moment. To not just say “how are you?”, but to mean those words and to wait for their reply. It is my desire to linger longer in the moments I am given. To give these moments to others as a blessing to remind them they are valued and worthy.
This was a great reminder to bloom where God has planted me and not always be in a hurry to get to the next thing in life!
Question: Don’t we actually do acts ourselves? It’s our own bodies, etc.? And isn’t it just that we acknowledge that apart from God, we cwn do no good thing?
God bless!
I am with you Mamma! Sometimes I feel so swamped with kids that I can’t serve others, but I’m serving my family by training them up! I have also found that it’s my fellowship too – we do our bible studies together and we talk about Jesus on a very basic level, but it’s still coming together to love our Lord!
So good! “ pleading God’s mercy, submitting to his will, beckoning the Holy Sprit to empower me to serve others” Amen!
A good reminder that my seemingly unending service to my young children is actually an act of faith and I will say FOR SURE has changed me to be less focused on myself. Sometimes as a mom I don’t feel like I’m doing much for the kingdom but raising these kids up in the Lord and learning to take care of others, not just myself, is a holy walk.
It does take a lot of letting go and letting God reveal the pride inside me. Realising that I’m using my own strength to advance my own interests in my ‘service’ to others. Praise God for revealing this part of me to die to self. ✞
How am I denying myself to help others? I’m not sure. That’s a scary question for me because I’m not sure I am. I’ll be thinking about this more
This is an area I have struggled with. The nature is my work has been about service to others but as a mother I have struggled to let go of my old self focused desires, whether is be to be alone, do the things I want to do, be present to the wants of my children. I ask God for is grace and forgiveness. I breath and pray to stay on this mindset of service as I enter through day with my family. Praise God!
Yes, this resonates me because as a mother I also struggle with giving myself to my family in a loving way sometimes. I crave being alone! Lol but what im called to do in these moments is to be of service to my family and their needs. I have to constantly pray to God for help in having grace for myself and them! I’m always reminded that God loves and should I. I can’t do it on my own tho because I am only human I need God.
Such a good reminder today. It is so easy to be self-centered and self-serving. Grateful for a God who sees me and forgives my selfishness.
Such encouraging words for the tone of life I find myself currently in. Praise God for grace & forgiveness on our learning journey to loving others well.
Behind on the study but on time in the timely devotion as it relates to something going on in my day to day service to others. I know for certain that only the fact of who God is is the only reason I can serve others since some days I have a me, myself, and I attitude. With the leading of the Holy Spirit I can show love instead of being selfish❤️
“This is how we have come to know love: He laid his down for us.” 1john 3:16
We will be known for our love and Jesus’ sacrifice shows us what love mean- sacrifice, humility and generosity. Thank you Jesus for living by example.
So powerful! Looking at how Jesus served with all His heart, it convicts me, because I daily do not seek to serve others but to get through as the devotion said. Praying for a heart for others and the love for God to be through me.
‘True service can listen with tenderness and patience before acting. It can serve by waiting in silence.’ – Richard Foster. Service is about others – what they truly need, not what I believe they need. Love the words, ‘Service is the act of living out who Jesus is, what He is doing right now, in and around me.’ That is my prayer – that is would live a lifestyle that draws others to Christ. That my service to others would be simple, real, faithful, based on my love for them not my need to act. I pray that I would listen with tenderness and patience and then when the time is right be the hands and feet of Jesus in their lives.
A good reminder to remember others above ourselves.
Love this
Anna I too am a mama & it can be very exhausting but very rewarding when we think in terms of who we are serving-the next generation of Christians who need to see our faith in action, working His purpose out. . God bless
So it’s like the purpose behind self care is different. It’s not so I can get better and get more glory, but it’s thanking and respecting God for the mind and body he gave me so I can in turn give it over to him.
I found the phrase, “these assets are by no means wrong in and of themselves, but when achieving them becomes our chief motivation, we lose sight of a foundational ethic in God’s kingdom…” very helpful because I’m dealing with learning how to balance self care with my walk with Christ. So not shaming myself for not being perfectly selfless is really important right now. Yes over emphasizing self care is unrighteousness but if I do not take the time to take care of the mind and body God has given me then I cannot be as effective as a servant for him.
All of this today.
It can be so weary and draining being a SAHM to my little people because there are countless needs. I struggle with this service because sometimes I am just tired and want to sit. Sometimes I want to be left alone. I often see this calling as too difficult and where are you Lord in it.
I’ve come to realize and will continue to that there is glory in the ordinary. There is purpose, beauty, and honor in serving the Lord in the unseen ways/places as I shepherd my little people’s hearts.
There is every opportunity to serve in love and honor the Lord in bath time, in cooking, and in the endless laundry piles. I am thankful that He does continue to show me that I’m not discarded as the world may see me as but to Him I am performing faithfully a service. Who knows what these little people may do for His kingdom one day all because I served my King faithfully in all the small things in my home.
Very thankful to previous comments and insights on how motherhood is truly a journey of humility, service and putting yourself last. During Covid, multi extra loads have been put on top of the usual motherly role and I was growing exhausted day after day, thinking how long Lord, sometimes to the point thinking I am unfortunate. But oh boy, how my thought lead me astray! you see, only the Truth can set us free. This is NOT unfortunate, this is basic training (military style), this is dying to self, and esteeming others before own own benefits (it hurts). Grateful for this deep revelation! I can now be joyful as I daily wash my husband’s and children’s feet with no resentment (feet are usually stinky and not pleasant.. but God, He still did it for us). Who is greater, the one who serves or the one who sits? Yet Jesus says I am the one who serves, says the Great I Am. I am just amazed how the King of all Kings would humble himself to this point to set an example. He is truly meek and lowly at heart, no pretending, no façade. I can’t imagine the power within him that enables him to do such beautiful and lowly deed for us. Glory glory to you Lord. May the name of the Lord be forever exalted by all. May the magnitude of His humility be shown through us! Amen!
As a mama who has been feeling defeated, I really needed this reminder today. I love that this theme is so clear when you place these scriptures one after the other. Motherhood is a place of dying to self and serving others. Discipline and instruction rather than reaction are service. Meeting the immediate needs around me is service to my King. They are loving my neighbors, my realm of influence. Deep breaths and lots of prayer as we head into this day. I’m thankful for a new day.
A good reminder that service is a daily act. Too often I think of it in bigger things (signing up for a volunteer shift for something at church for example) but it really is in the daily acts that we all do. I’ll be thinking today about how I can be more of service to my own family.
Any success I have is about who he is. I can often just get on with things I’m ‘good’ at and not bother God about them. But here I am reminded these actions are purely due to who He is not me.
It’s for you Lord ….. nothing else
May God provide you rest and refresh you daily. My husband is a retired Marine with many combat deployments as well. He returned with PTSD & a TBI. I know it is hard and frustrating on so many levels, but turn to the Lord for your strength when you don’t feel like doing it anymore. You are not alone. If you are near a military base, take advantage of the free counseling or find a support group for caregivers. Is he willing to go to family counseling with you to learn coping skills? Lauren- you are loved and God will get you through this valley.
The crazy twist that gets me is serving in our own home, neighborhood, or covid bubble. It’s hard to have opportunity, in a physical sense, when wanting to also abide by the covid restrictions in my area. For me serving others comes as second nature- everything I am and has is for the others- but in my home with my kids it’s harder to feel the same. With just one bathroom and small and tight spaces I have to build my home. I’ve been organizing, building a better home environment, and this is where I take the lesson today- I need to press into the Lord daily, not fall short in my mornings without any scripture to start my day, because being of service to my family- my closest neighbors- is often my largest struggle. Father, please help me in this and the other women who read this and feel the same in this today. Please lead us to building a home whose foundation is found in loving you and serving from then. Thank you Jesus, Amen!
That Jeremiah passage…argh! It starts out “The Lord of Armies”. So, the God who could totally have used the armies differently to stop you from being exiled in humiliation and suffering to a sinful kingdom that wasn’t even pretending to seek after the One True God, He’s the One saying “I exiled you to this place on purpose and you are going to be there for a while.” Our family has lost access to the country that was our home for over 20 years, so this is significant to me. Those mama’s in the time of Jeremiah also cried while comforting their sobbing children at night, the kids asking why we can’t just go home and why God hasn’t worked it out. They also worried that it would destroy their children’s faith in God. And the command is to get up each morning and make this new place home, to invest in it with acts of service and steps of permanence until finally one day they will actually get to go home (and by then it won’t be home to their kids at all!).
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He make His face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May He lift your countenance and give you peace.
I tutor college students via zoom, which has been very difficult for them & challenging for me. God willing, I am going to put more effort and creativity into assisting them in their studies.
Thank you for this reminder of service to others!
Lord let us be a servant
This was so helpful today. It’s been a hard year. My husband was deployed and came back with PTSD. He is struggling to reintegrate and is having trouble at home and at work. He might lose his civilian job. So much of me wants to ask when I get to be taken care of, when I get a break. This was such a good reminder to keep serving, keep loving him
This truly helped me love my toddler and baby today. I saw what I do for them differently! I saw it as love for God… That’s a huge shift. Praying this pops into my head as a reminder a lot over the next year.
As an educator this spoke greatly to my heart!
I love the author’s definition of service…putting the needs of others above our own.
❤️the world would definitely be a much kinder place
My thoughts too.
Imagine what our world would be like if everyone loved others and served the way the Bible tells us to.
Lord, I am Your servant.
I am so greatly moved by today’s message. I have always loved serving, but I’m not sure my service isn’t sometimes for my own glorification. I too am a teacher and have been struggling this year (for many pandemic and non-pandemic reasons) on remembering my purpose. How am I serving my students? How am I serving my community, friends, family, and neighbors with my gifts and knowledge? I am so very thankful for todays message and it’s timing. Thank you, God!!
This devotional really touched my heart today
Such a good message today. I think for me, serving is being the hands and feet of Jesus and that requires a listening heart for guidance from the Holy Spirit as well as slowing down enough to be aware and listening. And realizing that even sometimes serving someone else can seem “inconvenient” but there is always purpose for it. And being bold enough to step out to do whatever that thing is.
❤️
Amen. I have always been a servant for my community for years. However, during this pandemic I have been very slow with serving others. When I read this message on being a servant to others, I knew God was speaking to me. I felt like God was saying to be a servant and there are those that are in need of my help. And being obedient to God is important. Now, I am back up and being a servant to others and I feel so excited because I am putting others first and that is what God is requiring from His people.
Love this!!
Thank you for your comments this also has spoken to me x
“Wow” light bulb moment, we are to serve those where He has placed us,
Our hearts are full when we serve others around us
Soooo good! I struggle to balance the desire to do more with the command to serve where he has placed me. I never thought I would be a SAHM for almost 20 years.
amen.
Sooo good !!!!! We are called to assume the role of servant no matters where we are in life. In this time that there’s global pandemic it’s easy to think of self but we must remember to serve others and love them the way Christ loves us. This was just good a reminder!!
Elise, I totally agree! I am a servant to my little toddler and some days I really don’t want to be. I’m praying the Lord uses motherhood to shape me into the person he wants me to be.
Not going to lie being a SAHM has revealed my idol of “self” greatly. I get fed up with always having to put children and husband’s needs before my own, but if I allow it this is the very work that Christ is wanting to do in me. Motherhood can be a journey to Christ likeness if I allow it, such a great reminder.
“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile” This is a good reminder that God has placed me where he wants me to be serving.
What would this old world look like if we chose to put the well being of others ahead of our own? I am called to this as a believer in Jesus…I have work to do!
Its hard in this season when so many are guilted into believing that you are loving others by avoiding people & staying home. Jesus touched the leper. Right now everyone sees everyone else as a leper & that is causing so much depression, suicide, drug addictions & overdoses etc etc. There are millions in our country right now needing to be actively loved- while there are many in isolation due to health issues there are also many who are choosing for their own reasons to NOT isolate- not out of being dangerous but out of survival! Jesus called us to have community & fellowship. Staying home is easy. Being bold & stepping out in faith no matter your circumstances is how you love others!
Wow! This was a great reminder. I never thought of applying Jeremiah 29 like that.
Thank you, Lisa!! I heard it from a speaker at some point, but I must not have realized that it was being quoted. That book is on my TBR list for this year — seems like a sign! ❤️
Service as a daily practice..
Service is doing the work of the living Christ in the world. Christ breathe into me the Spirit so my hands do your work. Amen.
I have continued to remind my family that we do the things required of us because we loved our neighbors. This means laying aside my own comforts and grievances. I wear a mask bc I love you. I don’t attend church in person bc I love my over 60 congregation. I don’t eat out at restaurants bc I love my friends and family. Yes some of these things grieve me and make my life more difficult but they are temporary. Love your neighbor. It truly is that simple.
He loved them to the end! What a great message today ❤️
Amen. Then he said to them all, if anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23.
I shouldn’t be surprised that this is EXACTLY what I needed to read today. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for always speaking. I pray for ears to hear and a heart to obey. One thing that really spoke to me today was the part of the reading where Jesus is speaking about coming to and visiting the sick and those who are in prison. He specifically says to go to them, because they are unable to come to us. I believe this is not only referring to those physically sick or in prison, but those who are emotionally, mentally and spiritually in these situations. Lord, help me to go to them when they can’t come to me. Thank you for those who have done the same for me. ❤️
I really relate to this too, Jennifer. Giving but sometimes not seeing it being reciprocated has been hard for me lately. May we continue to pour into others- for their welfare is our welfare.
Amen Karen.
So many lessons from the scripture today! Of course the biggest being to truly LOVE our neighbors as ourselves. That can be difficult under normal circumstances, but given the current political climate of our nation, it can seem impossible sometimes. As Christians, I know we want to do that. We have a desire to love others- but when the reality of that means loving those who have completely opposite beliefs and those who are angry and those who hate and are unkind………well, that’s when we are reminded of just how much we need Jesus to do that! Without God, we can’t possibly love like that! It has to be His love in us, flowing out of us, in order for us to be able to live like that. The scripture from Jeremiah today really struck me- especially verse 7 that talks about seeking the welfare of the city where God sent them and that we should pray to the Lord on its behalf because in its welfare is our own. Wow. May we be ever before God brining our nation before Him and seeking to be part of bringing love to others and not hate. Sorry for the long post!!!! Have a great day!!!
Aw…. Thank you Tricia.
This hit me in the gut. I have the attitude of “getting through” most days with my toddlers. Lord, help me remember I am to service them and ultimately to You.
Service is a means of turning to Him daily – seeking His strength, patience and peace.
A thought that stood out to me: “Service is a means of turning to God daily.” This struck a chord with me. Every motivation behind each discipline should be founded and rooted in the gospel.
Mary V, you and your family are in my prayers today.
Abbey, I’m praying for you. Prayers that you will gain strength and your back will be all good again soon.
I strive to have a servants heart. I care for others and do for others, but sometimes the enemy gets into my head and twists it saying “why doesn’t anyone do for you the way you do for others?” This is something I fight against all the time and it’s the direct hit Satan has on me.
Alex’s last paragraph really hit home with me. As a nurse, I have to have a giving attitude or I will not last in this career long. As a Christian, I also have to have a giving attitude. My family instilled in me that it is good to give. I can remember my father going to different churches and talking about giving. He would tell people, “You may not be able to give a lot of money but you have something you are good at that you can give or you have time you can give or you can pray for those who need your prays.” Some people like to visit but didn’t have much money so he would encourage them to go and visit church members who couldn’t make to church. Service means giving in ways we never thought of. Making a phone call to someone to ask how they are doing. Sending a card to say I am thinking of you. Sending an email with a funny joke or sending a funny video to brighten someone’s day. In these days of not being able to get out and mingle as much anything you can do to brighten someone’s day is welcome, it not only makes them feel great but it will make you feel great. Sorry I got a little carried away.
Have a fantastic day sisters and may God bless each and every one of you.
Service….. wow!!!! Due to Covid I’m currently on the receiving end.
My whole family and I. I’m so thankful it didn’t hit us hard. Not even for my elderly mom. But prayers are appreciated. Just yesterday I was texting my good friend Gretchen who did our grocery shopping and was I was sharing “when is it going to be my turn to be there for others”. And she responded, “ that’s ok, that’s what friends are for.” Let me tell you, this friend of mine, has been with me through it all. I pray you are blessed with such a friend, Jesus with skin on. And someday I hope to “be there” for others too.
This really put me in my place today! I am a “do-er” … my daily mantra is, “if I don’t do it, it doesn’t get done”.. and wow has today’s study really opened my eyes. I take too much credit for my serving, often relying on my own strength. It’s a wonder I’m so tired and worn out at the end of day – I have exhausted myself physically, mentally, and spiritually..most of the time without ever seeking Him first to serve those around me. It should be a joy to “build houses and plant gardens” exactly where I’m at- not a burden. I GET to do all things with His grace and mercy. Loving this study so far!
What a wonderful community this is! Reading all the posts is so encouraging and so full of insights! It is helping to change my perspective from being stuck in lockdowns in our state still…….it’s very hard not of feel like life is on hold. But like the OT passages said “build and plant”. It made me realize I’m exactly where God wants me and the peoples came into contact with are placed there for a reason. Lord I pray for you so speak words of grace love peace and encouragement to those I come into contact with and spread this encouraging message to other believers in my bubble. And for our government and country….pray pray pray
I used to think service was just the act of physically serving and I thought “whew! That’s one Christian characteristic that I don’t have to work out. I’m good!”! It wasn’t until I was in college that I understood the real meaning of a servant heart and was completely humbled. Because I think of myself a lot!! Switching that mindset has been a daily, scratch that, moment by moment step. And often I fail…terribly. I so appreciate that reminder that it’s a daily practice of assuming the role of servant rather than living dedicated to my own glory. So humbling and encouraging!!
I’m also in a season of waiting to hear what could be wonderful or devastating life changing news. The last week has been overwhelming and it’s been hard to stay focused on Christ. A sweet friend reminded me that we need to worship in the struggles, in the wait and in the unknown. The reminder today to build a house where I am hit me like a ton of bricks. Even through the wait and the struggle, I need to be serving, worshipping and being obedient to the Lord. The resolution will come and the Lord will be glorified.
A lot of times in my prayers I ask Jesus to empower me to be his hands and feet. I am going to start praying this in the morning before I get out of bed!
I’ve loved this study so far! My focus for this year has been how to be a better listener to the Holy Spirit, my Counselor, so that I may develop these spiritual disciplines at my heart and not just in my knowledge (if that makes sense).
I watched the Passion conference over NYE and Ben Stuart referenced 1 John 3: 18 in one of the panel talks in this way, “People tend to think that speaking the Truth as a hostile thing and love is full acceptance. But we as a community [believers] get to say ‘no, I accept you right where you are, but I love you too much to let you stay you there, so I’m going to speak the Truth to you in love’.”
I have found that service is the act that comes more easily for me. It feels so good to give, help and support others. What I’m struck by in the devotional is her sitting and adjusting her thoughts to God in order to move forward. It makes me think of my own children and how I need to go to God more often for patience, support and wisdom. I appreciate this devotional and how it appeals to my own needs. Thank you.
Today’s reading has me thinking about my college days and what my motivation truly was back then. I was always trying to better myself and become the “best” musician in the department; in all reality I should have been trying to do more for others instead. Today’s scripture was a a great reminder of how I need to live my life.
This message reminds me of the hymn, Take My Life and Let it Be:
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
2
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
3
Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee,
Filled with messages from Thee.
4
Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose,
Every power as Thou shalt choose.
5
Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart; it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
6
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.
My word for this year is “Serve “. Ironically, or perhaps providentially, I’m the one being served. I’m a young mom of 4 but several days ago as I stood from sitting on a step I damaged a few discs in my low back that are now compressing my spinal nerves. I can’t walk unassisted because my legs buckle randomly, I can’t dress myself or sit for longer than a few minutes. My husband has been an amazing help and the few families we know here have been so helpful. I would rather serve than be served. I love helping, but I’m praying I would glean them lessons the Lord has for me here.
I love this entire study so far. It is really opening me up to a moral inventory and there is so much work that needs to be done inside me. I completely relate to focusing more on myself than serving others.
Lewis wrote in his book “Mere Christianity” that “humility isn’t thinking less of yourself – it’s thinking of yourself less.”
I love this…beautifully written.
I agree with everything you are saying. While I am called to serve and love those around me, I have to remind myself that it also says in Matthew 12:30-31 to “love your neighbor as yourself”. It is difficult to love and serve others if I don’t care and prioritize my mental/physical/spiritual health, and do not have boundaries in place. I know that is not what you are implying but I wanted to share this point because I forgot it for many years!
Happy new year!
Angie, your post was my favorite part of my reading today. As a fellow teacher, your students are so lucky to have you. Thank you for sharing.
The last sentence is: “It’s the daily practice of demonstrating my dependence on Him by assuming the role of servant instead of dedicating myself to the pursuit of my own glory.”
God clearly commands to do everyday life where he has put us. But to love. Oh how true is the Idol of self. The daily idol we must work to push aside our selfishness and selfish desires.
A servants heart is exactly what the world needs right now.
I am loving this study. I’d like to spend more time on each practice. Like a month!
I used to have a magnet on my fridge with a simple reminder- Grow where you are planted!” I used to look at that a lot because I was “stuck” in the cold, long winters of Chicago which I was literally waiting to get out of when the day would come to live the dreamy life in warm Florida! But I would look at it and remind myself to be present in the season of life I was in, not dreaming for it to be over! You should always try to enjoy and produce fruit where you are and where you can, and of course, enjoy the phase that you are in and be the best you can! God uses you all the time, in small ways and large ways!
I’m replying to Maura… Everybody Always!
Great book! Love it
A friend of mine used to say, “Leave a margin in your day,” for when things and people pop up into your day that weren’t “on the schedule,” but it’s exactly where God wants to use you. I love that idea. Leave a margin in your day, friends! Where will God use us today?
“If I am going to be spent, what a privilege to be spent for Jesus.” I love this perspective, Angie. Thank you for sharing your heart. I am making this my mantra for this week.
Thank you! As a counselor this really resonated with me >
Heidi, a well known Christian author/speaker (I think Matt Chandler but cannot remember for certain) defines humility as “not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.” I think this quote lines up with your great comment today, so I wanted to share it with you.
Oops, that book is called Everybody Always by Bob Goff. Not Everyone. May His joy fill your day Sisters.
I literally prayed today for God to show me ways to volunteer in my community, and then I read this! Looking forward to finding places to serve.
Yes Katie- I so agree and pray that I can build houses and plant gardens where I am today (not when things “go back to normal”)!!!! Thanks for the reminder!
I confess that I feel spent before much is done. I feel spent and frustrated when interrupted. I confess that I often focus on myself and do not turn to Christ. I spend time and effort on my desires and distractions instead of His desires for me.
I recognize my need for Christ’s sustaining love instead of my earthly desires. I ask God transform me and renew me to see and serve others.
So many good points in today’s devotional & your comments here. Our lifelong struggle is to take ourselves off the throne & worship the rightful King instead. When we follow Him, an important byproduct is loving & serving others.
❤
This was so good, thank you. I love the thought of “’building houses’ and ‘planting gardens’ in our current spheres of influence.” As I look back through my life, I see where I have, indeed, built and planted well during certain seasons. As an empty nester now, I sometimes feel lost, wondering where I should be building and planting. I haven’t found my service niche yet. I’ve recently begun teaching at a nearby college, and I hope that I might always seek his strength and guidance as I head into the classroom, putting my students’ needs first and loving them all.
“Loving people one at a time” is how we interpret this command in our church. Saying Yes to God when I wake in the morning gives me a head start on my attitude for the day; Loving whoever God places in my path daily; relying on God’s strength, energy, persistent perseverance; asking God for His eyes to see people as He sees them with the heart that He has. Service is one of my gifts and I still feel the need to practice it all the time—it’s not a natural thing. And I know He walks me through.
Love your neighbor as yourself…. serving is LOVE in action! No matter if it’s a daycare worker cleaning dirty diapers, a mother wiping wet sticky fingers, a pastor taking the time to mend a couples marriage, a janitor sanitizing grocery carts, do it with love and carefulness as if it was for me. The thought comes to mind, how would I want to be treated?
Praying for you teachers, you are His love in action, you are my heroines. You make such a difference to every child you come in contact with. What a gift of love you are. I just finished reading Everyone Always by Bob Goff which I highly recommend if you have a chance it is so encouraging in serving others and says to tell others who they are becoming. When we love others the way Jesus does we are becoming love, selfless unconditional love that embraces those He places in our path, the difficult ones, the lost ones, even our enemies. Asking God to help me be His hands and feet right where I am, the Holy Spirit to give me the ears to hear the needs and the words and the heart to speak Jesus. How Awesome that God wants us to serve and walk with Him side by side in humble ways washing the feet, wiping the tears, praying over those He gives us.
This devotion makes me think of the analogy of our lives like a cup. When we go to church, read our Bibles, do devotions, pray, we are filling our cup up with spiritual nourishment, energy, etc. However, God doesn’t call us to live with our cups full. He calls us to pour ourselves out in service to others. However, we need a balance of filling up and flowing out. We cannot flow if we have nothing inside our cup.
Lord, I pray you would show me ways in my current season of life (studying for boards at my parents house for the next month) how I can flow out in service to others. Maybe by serving my parents who are both working full-time by helping around the house more, serving my two best friends back home better, etc.
Dedicating myself to the pursuit of my own glory.
Like the act of love brings the byproduct of feeling good, serving others can do the same.
I really needed this reminder today: “God is actively training me to become more dependent on Him and less enamored with myself.” As someone who works as a therapist in healthcare, I generally like when I get to help people…when it’s easy. The moment my schedule becomes inconvenient to me, my true feelings come storming up from the basement of my mind in protest. Father, help me get over myself and let your will be done instead.
I’m also a teacher, and the verbal processors take it out of me as well. Praying we can serve our students well for the Kingdom.
One thing I hear often from people when looking at this topic is the focus of “making myself small so I can make God/others big…”. But it hit me a while back, that’s STILL putting the focus on ME. Humility isn’t making myself “small”. Christ never once sat around and attempted to do that. He loved big, but big in the name of God. Big to reflect His Father. He placed value and worth on others and made sure they felt seen. I think we DO the work of making intentional time to rest, read, pray, grow, then take the skills/abilities He’s given us directly to those in our realm of influence. To serve by answering the question “how do you need to experience God’s love today?” and then DO that. BE that. While simultaneously giving God praise for the opportunity He’s just blessed you with and allowed you to be a part of. Seeing that He could have used someone else, but didn’t- He chose YOU to be the one to carry His greatness to that person today.
Being able to recognize God’s greatness.
THAT is humility. Keeping my focus on seeing and experiencing His enormous presence, NOT focusing on myself and how to “make less” of me- because in that setting, I AM still my main focus, and that’s so not the point…
Love this! It is one of the things I wanted to work on this year. Becoming more selfless! Less of me! ❤️
My own glory
“It’s the daily practice of demonstrating my dependence on Him by assuming the role of servant instead of dedicating myself to the pursuit of my own glory.”
We live in a culture of information overload. There is the clamor of so many “voices” demanding our attention.
How often God has said to me to take a deep breath and quiet myself. He tells me to be in this moment with this person, eyeball to eyeball, ears fully open.
Being attentive, fully present, may be the best act of service we can give our fellow human beings. It is a point of connection and an opportunity for compassion in the midst of this chaotic world.
It’s the daily practice of demonstrating my dependence on Him by assuming the role of servant instead of dedicating myself to the pursuit of my own glory.
❤️
This holds so much truth for me- sometimes I feel weary serving others. Im an elementary teacher as well, and a mom to a toddler, so the feeling of always beening needed can be overwhelming. I need to reframe my thinking as I am doing God’s work by serving others, no matter how tiring that is!
What is the end of the very last sentence? On mine it seems to be cut off by the scripture image.
More of Him.Less of me. Always may this be the way I live my life.
I love the thought of “build your house” and “plant your garden” right where we are. Kind of like you do you in that I have a certain geographical location and certain gifts so I should not be trying to usurp the opportunities of someone else somewhere else with different gifts. I love my job (teacher) and sometimes forget that is my field of service… I don’t need to be abroad to make an impact when I can do it every day in my classroom. And you can to wherever you are! Let’s do this!
When we take our eyes off Jesus, we fail. Even if it looks like success to the world. May I keep my eyes on Him and remove myself from the throne of my heart.
Wow!! Alex Florez you once again have put into words what my spirit has been getting!!! I LOVE your honesty and humility!!! Thank you!!! Your words and insights bless me so much!!!
I am putting this in my quote book: “God is actively training me to become more dependent on Him and less enamored with myself. Any success I have, is not because of who I am or what I’ve done. It’s an act of living out who He is and what He’s doing right now, in and around me. It’s the daily practice of demonstrating my dependence on Him by assuming the role of servant instead of dedicating myself to the pursuit of my own glory.”
A-MEN!!!!
Teaching is my calling, a service to God to the least of these. Certainly it is: “humbling of yourself to be present with others and responsive to their needs.” I do pretty well with the “responsive to their needs” part. The mom in me (which is also very much a servant/serving calling) takes over. But the “being present” part, wears me out. Do you know how many stories 8 year olds have to tell? Do you know how many questions 8 year olds have? Do you remember their energy? Imagine 20 of them, all day, 5 days a week. Truthfully, we do not have time for all of the stories, but we make time for as many as possible. We ask and answer questions, because children are always thinking, and learning, (even the lessons we don’t mean to teach). And, their energy…is a blessing, for it is full of a joyfulness we sometimes lose in the pressures of life.
In my many years as a teacher, principals have come and gone. Those that stood out were the servant leaders. (Incidentally, they were also strong believers.) Whether we are a teacher (at home or in the classroom), a mom, with the police, fire department, an office worker, cashier, work in a factory, whatever our job…our attitude of service; being present and responsive in a positive, helpful way shows every day. It is our calling to shine for Jesus. How do we do that? Love Him, and love others. I’m not saying it is easy. I come home everyday literally spent. If I am going to be spent, what a privilege to be spent for Jesus. I also recognize that any good that comes out of each day is a result of God’s hand. Things come together in ways daily that leave me in awe of the fact that, while I am putting the body and mind God has given me to the work, it is ONLY by His power that things are coming together. He shows himself before me and with me in the moment, which gives me even more confidence in His promise of that continuing in the days to come.
May your day be full as you love Him, and love others through Him. Blessings to you sisters.
Loving this study… I always need reminders, not to focus on self, but to turn my focus to Him, and He will highlight the needs of others! My focus this is Trusting in Truth… Lord help me to do just that!
I love this so much. This is my 10th year as a 4th grade teacher. Last school year, God was really dealing with me in exactly what you were talking about today. Teaching can become such a contest between teachers. Everybody tries to be the best, to have the best scores. But nothing we do in that classroom is really us, it should be all God. After all these years, I had let it become about something it wasn’t. My goal now has been to daily focus on showing my students who God is. To serve their needs, whether they be physical needs, spiritual needs, or educational needs. I also love the way you incorporated God’s commands in Jeremiah to your classroom. This is so true. I plan to retire from the classroom one day. This is not something I am just trying to get by. It is so important to set up camp there, and make the biggest impact I can each day. Thank you so much for your encouraging words. I can’t wait to see my students today!
“It’s the daily practice of demonstrating my dependence on Him by assuming the role of servant instead of dedicating myself to the pursuit of my own glory.” May this sink into my soul, thoughts, and words this week.
❤️
amen, Penny
We must serve!
Sometimes I find it hard to serve others, especially other Christians. Because you are a Christian others think you should serve the because God says love your neighbor and serve others. So when I get frustrated I just think maybe someone has not shown them kindness today.
Penny, sorry =D
Thanks Peggy, that’s very insightful, I love your short prayer at the end, I wrote it down and will pray it too =)
REPLY
Thanks Peggy, that’s very insightful, I love your short prayer at the end, I wrote it down and will pray it too =)
Goodness this is a challenge at the start of a week of enforced home learning! Give me more of the Holy Spirit and the humility to listen to his promptings and put aside myself!
Absolutely love this! Exactly what I needed. ❤️
I like the definition of each practice that has been added to the study book. “Service – the practice of humbling yourself to be present with others and responsive to their needs.” Humbling yourself first to be present, which means forgetting about yourself for a moment; then, responding to the other’s need. Lord, help me to forget about myself and to be aware of the needs of those around me.