Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 29:4-7, Matthew 20:25-28, Matthew 22:34-40, Matthew 25:31-46, John 13:1-17, 1 John 3:16-18
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 told us to beware of this impulse and to act differently. He said 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, I believe He has led me to “build houses” and to “plant gardens” in my current sphere 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 instructions into practice. When Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26), He was 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 Jesus 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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86 thoughts on "Service"
Beautiful reminder, Amen
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I am just reflecting on the fact that service and obedience must go had in hand. Service without obedience is empty. Obedience with out service is not an embodied practice. Both move, engage and dance together. You can have one without the other.
Amen
Ive always know God called me to serve and in what magnitude I didnt know until high school. I just started year 2 of teaching high school Agricultural Education and to say I needed a reminder from God about the divine purpose he put in my life was an understatement.
Lay down your life for your brothers and sisters just as Christ has done for you remind yourself of the death that He bored for us. Be servants to others in need as Christ did for His disciples by washing there feet before the Last Supper before He died.
Well here is a good laugh for you all. I have been reading my study book Daniel! I wondered why it didn’t align…
Oh, Traci! ☺☺☺❤❤❤
Eeek!! ❤️
Apparently SRT doesn’t like me today! I cut the length of my post and typed my name and email address instead of using autofill. I wonder what the rules are. Still nothing! Still moderation! Ugh!
I understand! I’ve done the same before. So sorry! ❤
I have been praying for a way to serve with my young family too. I have also been prompted by God to serve those in my own family and neighborhood.
Happy Monday sisters. Today’s title is “Service,” and it’s truly a beautiful one. Our precious Lord demonstrated this so well, He came to serve, not to be served. The great example of a Master washing the feet of His students, taking on the lowly servant’s job, really touches me. Have I stooped down to the dirty areas of someone’s life and offered to wash them clean, to bring order back to the chaos? Will I be put off by the smell, the mess, the effort, the unpaid thankless time spent? Honestly yes. And usually people won’t even notice! But Jesus serves without expecting anything in return. Isn’t He so wonderful? His reward comes from the Father, the Source of all heavenly gifts, not from the needy or the lost. I pray I remember this when I pity myself.
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If we look through Scripture, we see examples of service everywhere: Joseph serving Pharaoh’s household and later all of Egypt, Ruth serving her bitter mother-in-law out of devotion, the widow giving her two mites in sacrificial generosity, Paul working as a tentmaker to support his ministry through manual labor rather than being a financial burden to anyone.
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In modern-day life, there are countless untapped niches for us to serve in, especially toward people different from ourselves. Jesus crossed social, cultural and even religious boundaries to reach the Samaritan woman at the well, offering her living water in the middle of a scorching day. His service means crossing social, political, and cultural lines to help someone we might otherwise be inclined to walk past.
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I believe each of us is called to serve, as we are different parts of the body of Christ, using the gifts and talents God uniquely crafted in us. That might look like raising a family, caregiving, working in a trade or skill, cooking, baking, teaching, encouraging, leading, accounting, stewarding finances, working a job, managing money and possessions, leading others, or simply responding to everyday interruptions. So how do we find these on the go opportunities? We start with what’s already in our hands. Ask, What do I already have (time, money, knowledge, skills, connections) that could meet someone else’s need today? We also need to leave margin for interruption. The priest and the Levite in the story of the Good Samaritan likely had good reasons to keep walking ( “I am busy, shockingly busy”, like the song in veggie tale, I remember because it is such a funny song lol). A life of service means intentionally leaving unscheduled space, rather than packing our days to the brim.
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Life update: We welcomed a new puppy (toy poodle mixed chihuahua) and a new cat into our home last week. It’s been such a wonderful blessing, though honestly it has also been cray cray lol. The puppy is sweet and full of energy, jumping, digging, exploring. I love your prayers as I work on house training him, he has had daily accidents around the house which causes me to frantically clean and mop with soap water, besides vacuuming cat hairs twice a day (ugh). On top of that, my husband is out of town for training till next week, and the kids back to school is approaching, so I’d appreciate your prayers for strength and success to hold down the fort while he’s away. Thank you !
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Be blessed dear sisters.
Thank you for those uncomfortably appropriate questions to ask.
I am writing them down in my journal.
Looking for more active ways to serve has been on my mind and prayer list lately. It’s difficult in this season of young children, but I’m praying for more opportunities to serve in “my little corner of the world.” (A very rural area at that lol). Today, I was able to drop everything and watch my niece when my little nephew needed to go get checked at the ER (thankfully he was all good).I read something recently about giving to others more even when it does inconvenience you. Looking for more ways to be that helper, person to step in! ❤️ Thank you for your prayers for my little Kindergarten, things are improving each day. I see her faith growing more into her own as she faces new challenges. Her verse we say over and over is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13
That’s a couple of praises there! ❤
Serving itself is fairly easy for me…but my true motivation is too often wanting to be appreciated, liked, or noticed, not just wanting to share His love or to be like Jim. Oh, Lord…work on my heart!
Everything I am is because of Jesus.
Dear Shes
I was stirred & stumped by the call to service. I see where I have been stingy with my “time, talent & treasure”. My Lord, in Your Omniscience , steer me onto the path of Your choosing. Help me to set aside selfish pursuits. Grant to me a new “head, heart & hands”. And to You be the Glory.
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Thank you for sharing your conviction. Great prayer! ❤
Jesus is our example of a servant’s heart. I think if we look to Him and how He served, we will not get burnt out. He much at a much slower pace than we do, He took time in prayer, and going to a solitary place. Then He served and walked out His purpose for being here.
We don’t have to do it all, each day will present us with an opportunity to serve others. We just need to ask God to show us daily where He wants us to serve. It might just be a listening ear, sending an encouraging text, paying for someone’s coffee. Just listen for His voice and be willing to serve. I promise you, He will fill you back up again.
Praying for all!
This is a great point. Jesus often left when many still needed healing.he would often get away to that solitary place and pray. I think he totally relied on the Father’s leading to know when and where to go and serve, teach, heal and lead. What an example to us. I also love the comments about being open to little ways to serve all day long, being kind and encouraging to a worker at the store, helping a neighbor, etc. so many ways to serve and encourage others. If we are in tune to the Lord and the Holy Spirit, he will show us. Takes the pressure off to think we need to do “everything”, as many women can feel.
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I tried removing some punctuation to see if that helped my post. I can reply, so…
It still went to moderation. Maddening!
I LOVE our students! It does help that they are only 4 years-old and so stinkin cute (at least 99.9% of them haha).
I was just thinking this morning before quiet time that I need to start getting to work just a tad earlier (although its a challenge since I start at 6:50AM ) and start praying over the cubbies of our students. I do pray for them, but there’s just something about praying in the room where we see them on a daily basis! Though I’ve been here almost an hour, I’m out of time… Love you so much! Happy Monday sweet She’s!
❤️ I love your heart for them! I still laugh about the 3 times I substituted and it was a nightmare for me..hahaha! No, it was just extremely challenging going in mostly blind (I’m still amazed they don’t really do a lot to prepare newbies like me that had NEVER taught school or hadn’t been around elementary school in any fashion since my son had attended 7 years earlier or something!!) The littles were cute, but little crazies full of exploding energy!
Jesus tells us he is our example to follow when it comes to serving others. Jesus served with a humble heart full of faithful love. Jesus also washed us with the washing of water by the word. In John 13:17 Jesus tells us we are blessed if we serve in this way. Jesus tells us that his yoke is easy and His burden his light. we should not become beat down by serving others. Anything we do for each other that washes away the hurt and discouragement, the grime of the world is footwashing, praying for each other’s needs is foot washing, lightning the load of another’s burdens is footwashing. I’m praying for my eyes to be open and to see the burdens of those around me, and to be inspired of what I can do to lighten that load. Jesus is such a beautiful example. Praying to Keep my eyes focused on him and sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading. ❤️
oh this is just the “other” insight I need..this is good, great wisdom Monie Mag!! ❤️ (I love on my phone I can use the heart like y’all do!!)
I love this too Monie!! Such great insight!
“Anything we do for each other that washes away the hurt and discouragement, the grime of the world is footwashing, praying for each other’s needs is foot washing, lightning the load of another’s burdens is footwashing. I’m praying for my eyes to be open and to see the burdens of those around me, and to be inspired of what I can do to lighten that load.”
I love your thoughts on footwashing. Growing up I attended a church that practiced footwashing. It seemed pointless to be washing feet that were already clean, extra clean since everyone knew we would be participating that day. I guess Peter made the same point.
Many have mentioned today about daily looking for needs all around us. It reminds me of a book I once read entitled “Bloom where you’re planted”.
Today’s devotional reminds me of the kids song J-O-Y. Means Jesus first, yourself last
and others in between.
“Sphere of influence” really stood out to me today. Sometimes we think service has to be something big, when serving the people God has already placed around us can be just as meaningful.
I’ve been looking for ways to serve at my church because I’ve felt somewhat isolated, and I think I assumed it needed to be something significant. But I believe the Spirit helped me see what was already in front of me: what I do in my everyday work aligns beautifully with an area where my church needs support. Our pastors and I will be talking this week about how I can volunteer.
My heart feels so full. Yesterday felt like a breakthrough after the past few months—a reminder that sometimes God simply asks us to use what He has already placed in our hands.
Wonderful, you are blessed, thank you for blessing us with this experience. Keep up the good work
that’s wonderful! yes, I feel like volunteering or serving at church gives us the nudge to step out!! It may not be “or ” ideal way to serve in the beginning but can be the entrance into finding what lines up with what we love. I never expected to do jail ministry, but God brought it about from other ways I had served!
I also was able through our church to do so many other serving opportunities – crafts, baskets for sex trafficking girls, letters to women in Africa, feeding the homeless, altar call prayer partners, and leading small groups!! I had always dreamed of doing this for decades but never took the steps at my old church. plus… important for younger women here…I am NOW in a season to be able to. Your season may be serving kids and family well right now!! And little interactions at school functions and all. Don’t ever beat yourself up for not serving as others do..when you just say yes to the things God aligns for you..that is serving!!
In a me, me society it’s hard to think of serving others in the way the Bible speaks of. Yes, we know to be kind to others and to “help” others, but to me this speaks of “doing” for others in a far more selfless way. That is something else. Cooking a meal for someone /family going through a hard time. Giving someone a ride that doesn’t have transportation. Answering the phone to talk to someone lonely or in need of advice or me calling them.
I have said numerous times here, that yes, I know I “do” lots as far as serving in the name of the Lord, but it is in my own choosing. Meaning, I make the decision/choice to coincide with my wants and needs. What I enjoy doing.
But do we do what we don’t enjoy doing/ or that serves us? Ask me to wash someones dirty feet— um no! Serve my husband with nothing in return…um no. Babysit someones kids when they need a break..um no!
The devotion didn’t grab me because I felt like being a teacher is basically your job to serve your kids, but in today society, I guess it is harder than ever to have a “strength” to “serve” them in love when it is more challenge than ever, but again, you don’t really have a choice to go every day and teach.
I will enjoy reading your comments today to get more perspectives and angles.
Thank you Michelle P for being honest. It does get tiring when we give and never seem to get anything in return, even getting deeply hurt. I feel like that is in my marriage. I feel like I have constantly tried to serve him well, yet it hasn’t changed much and it feels like it’s not making a difference, yet I know God knows my heart and intentions, and effort. And that at least gives me great comfort, knowing someone truly knows. And in that it strengthens me to keep on keeping on, aligning with the One who empowers us to serve beyond what our flesh wants to. It changes me in the long run, shaping me to be like Christ.
This “serving” isn’t natural, we must make it a life-long determination. When we love God and get closer to him, we naturally will develop the fruits of the Spirit, and that is transformational. It will pour out in our lives to serve because we must show His Glory and his love for people through us. Yes, even the unlovable. Yes, even in the inconvenience, stepping out of our comfort or just laziness.
I think you and Michelle hit on something important. I can always tell when my service is actually self-motivated (even when I don’t think it is) when I get frustrated or discouraged if there is no acknowledgement or return on that “investment.” When I am truly serving others “as unto the Lord,” my heart is joyful and at peace, regardless. So convicting, and something I need to pay more attention to as I am serving.
I think, at times, we have to be aware of Satan’s pokes and prods when we serve others. Yes–our good works should be to glorify God. Yes–there are times our motivation is to please ourselves. However, there are times our right motivation and right actions are attacked by Satan, creating doubts. Was good done? Yes. In spite of ourselves; in spite of Satan. God’s work will be done.
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Not sure I was clear in my thoughts.
Rhonda you are so right about serving when it serves us. This was a good word for me today. It’s harder to serve in my marriage or in my family, and harder still when my efforts aren’t recognized or nothing is changing. Thank you!
Yes, wise words Rhonda. Thank you❤️. I pray you continue to serve unto the Lord entrusting your heart to Him.
Lord, give me the energy, excitement, kindness, and patience to love my elementary babies well this week along with any disgruntled, nervous parents. My little boy will be starting kindergarten tomorrow and I am struggling with being excited about it. The days are so long for them, and he will spend most of his waking hours at school. We picked a public school (I’m a public educator) but we are leaving a private school which we loved because it is very costly. Not sure at all if it was the right choice. Please pray for discernment on my end and that my kiddo adjusts well to the long days.
I pray your little one does well in kindergarten and has a great time. i pray. too, that you feel God’s blessings and confirmation on the decision to go to the public school.
So sweet – kindergarten! But yes the day is long. I remember going to `/2 day kindergarten and they still gave us a nap time.
Let His glory be what I long for and let it be my consuming fire. Let Him and those around me be who i love and give my life for!
Amen
GM ladies. Here is our list of prodigals. Add any names in the comments.
Isaiah 43:19 Look, I am about to do something new;
even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert
Alice V – Brian, Rachel
Kim Mullins – Tyler
Tami – Chela, Quentin
Sharon – Nicholas, Jonathan
Rebecca W – Brett, Jake, Joey, Lindsay, Kelly, Abby, Katelyn, Katie
Emma Rageth – Olivia, Ali
Indiana Elaine – Kent, Shelley
Mari V – Rick, Marta, Toby
Tricia C – David, Allison, Christopher, Lina, Travis, Nicole
Mia Faith – Parker, Isaiah, Alexandra, Griffin, Annalee, Bill
Aleida – Victor
Maddie – Michelle, Julia
Rhonda – Michael
Charlotte Hill – Casey, John, Emma
Deb – Brandon, Angel
Linda J – Matthew
Mollie – Sam
MMD – Ethan, Hayden, Rachel
Carol H – Justin, Ezekiel, Elijah, Andrew
Kari – Rachel, Josh, James, Ayano
Mi Sherry – Kaitlyn, Aaron, Will
Cheryl Read – Renee, Jason, Kayden, Kylee
Wendy B – Amy, Colton, Kirk, Nick
Anne Klinkhammer – Molly
Sue Dalos – Chelsea, Kenny
Bessie – Ben
Annie Hewitt – Annie pls give me name/s:)
Sandy Lynn – Andy
Diane – Jon, Keith, Roger, Mike
Jane K – Leah
B – M, B
Susan B – Tammy, Amy
Carla – Cierra, Stephen
Lisa H – Cora
Kimberk – Megan, Randy
Adrienne – Raelynn, Tyler, Tracy
Brandi – Levi, Sarah, Ellen, India
Robin Bailey – Rodney, Brian
Erin L – Emerson, Zoe
Janet – Ryan, Amanda, Matthew, Stephanie
Sheryl – Adam, LaShonda
Maria J – Benjamin, Mike, Mark, Patrick
Maria B – Chris, Tristan, Madeline, Cristal, Shanty, Nicole, Luis
Melani Fryer – Matthew, Dylan, Courtney, Lydia
Therese – Ryan, Brittany, Sydney
Traci Gendron – Kara, Andrew
Jenny Carmichael – Katy
Mercy – boys in social care system
Kerry Rowley – Preston, Parker, Lindsey
Maria S – Joshua, Katie, Zoe
Melissa – Madison, Richard, Liam, Zac, Wesley
Felicia – Brittin, Tyler
Vicki – Ben, Sian
TC – Randi, Michael, Callie
Elizabeth – Trae, Xavier, Reya
Adie – Monica, Shawn, Stephanie
Susan B – Emma
Penni – Les, Jonah, Emily, Garret, Domi, Connor, Grace
Nat – Marissa, Melody
Martha Hix – Claire, Ralph, Tyler, Whitney, Trey
Phobie – Phobie, Greg, Steve, Jessie
Laura – Jordan, Taliah
April L – Molly, Becca
Karen Breaux – Brittany, Justin, Erin, Jordyn
Heather – Jack, Hudson
Cheryl Blow – Sara
Dianne – Ian
Leap – Liz, Teg, Taylor, Alison
Tara B – Clara Paige, Anna
Debra K – Stephen, Meagan, Daniel, Creg
Margaret W. —David, Matthew, Missy, Becca, Marianna
Melzie K- Jake, Cece & Elijah
Shar – K
Leala – Ryan, AJ, Sam
Jennifer – Matthew, Lauren and families
Cat-tee – A & A, K & T
K-Ann – G, T, S
Cathy McVey – Jeremiah, Brayden, Nolan, Ashlyn
Keri – Finley, Rudy, Scout, Nellie, Polly, Dottie, Goldie
Lena- Andrea, Lanie, Eiley, Everly, Schaefer
LaRae – Levi
Julie G – Matt, Katherine, Ray
AML – Jonathan, Jake, Emma, Becca
Kristin G – Brandon, Melissa
Allegra – Lydia, Nick, Micah, Jonah
Karen – Nathan, Bailey
Jazz – Blake, Zoie, Greg, Elizabeth
Gina – Carolyn, Steven
Cindy – Toby, Clarissa, Katie, Samantha
TS Woodruff – Danielle
Tammy H.- Alyssa
Danielle B – Joelle, Adam
Myra – Mitchell
Debby – Kristen
Jenn F – B&E, J&T
K – Alizabeth
Stephanie – Greg
Melanie C – Casey, Corey, Celeste, Kat
Mollie – Haley, Jeff, Rhonda
Margo – Lindsey, Drew, Lauren, Spencer
Meghan – Maddie, Brianne
Susan – Natassia
Donna – Kathy
Lena- Andrea, Lanie, Eiley, Everly, Schaefer
Donna – Linda
Melanie – Jeff, Gary, Drake, Logan, Ryan
KMC – Rachelle, Karah, Joshua
Donna- Sherry
Kelly – Kyla, Brendan
Marie S – Joshua, Carleigh, Zoe, Terry, Edie, Brady
Jenn F – K&L, B&S, J&C
Eileen – Chris
Erin – Ava
SB – T
Please add Stephanie❤️
Another addition for me, please… Micayla.
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Thank you.
As a teacher, Alex’s words really hit home. I can do nothing apart from Jesus. I need the Holy Spirit to impart a huge dose of patience and humility daily in dealing with my middle schoolers.
Also, I was thinking that oftentimes when I think of “service”, I think of things such as Rhonda and her jail ministry. But service doesn’t have to always be big and loud. It can be the kindness shown to a stranger in the grocery store, bringing a meal to a neighbor in need, a few extra minutes of your time for your co-worker who is having a bad day, and so on. If we approach “service” with this mindset, our days will be filled with opportunities to live out Jesus’s commission to us to care for those around us.
Yes, I think the smaller areas of serving are much harder. It is such a mindset shift. I KNOW I have Jail ministry on Wed, so it’s just part of my schedule. It’s something I LIKE to do. It’s the things we don’t like to do in the flesh that Jesus is pointing out by washing the feet. Like who likes to wash the dirty feet of grown men. AND that they can actually do themselves. We like to do for ones that can’t…but for those that can..hmmm?
And I don’t know how you always fail to see that YOU doing your missions trip is a BIG SERVE my friend!! That you do that and go to give yourself and the Lord is huge. AND how you served your brother so lovingly and faithfully through his cancer- it was beautiful. You inspire us!
I’m laughing at the foot washing. I hate feet! That would be a tough one for me. I like how Monie likened foot washing to the small ways we can be serving. And for me, missions is like your jail ministry. Something I love and find totally rewarding. But where in my day to day can I be serving better? Be more like Jesus? It’s great to do missions, but I want to be more intentional in loving and reflecting Jesus to those I encounter on my day to day, especially my husband. Lol
“It’s the things we don’t like to do in the flesh that Jesus is pointing out by washing the feet. Like who likes to wash the dirty feet of grown men. AND that they can actually do themselves. We like to do for ones that can’t…but for those that can..hmmm?”
~~ Wow, I’ve never thought of it that way. I’ll be pondering that today!
Love you neighbor. Different app. This is coming across everything for me lately. Church services, studies, morning verses. Time to refocus on others
As we truly bend our hearts to worship Him, I believe He will equip us for service in His Name, for His glory- not a feather in our cap ir a lust to complete. Gotta scoot!
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
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SONG SHARE: (just heard this for the 1st time yesterday!)
CityAlight – Only A Holy God
CORRECTION (too late to edit!
Text should read:
*** or a LIST to complete***
If I may be real, I struggle with these words, today. Sometimes, the cost of serving can lead to bitterness after things don’t “go my way” for so long. Trying to work through that this morning and not hold a resentful heart towards the Lord/others. ❤️
I have felt this way before… kinda like Mary & Martha, huh?
I pray whatever resentments are left behind & your heart be lightened, in service to the greater good, dear Michelle.
Yes sister. Serving comes with a hidden cost which is to guard against bitterness when the effort is not reciprocated. And each time I have to remind myself, as I serve to the Lord (when he’s hungry, i feed him, I have to picture Jesus in those whom i serve, yet still hard lol).
May I eagerly serve God and others as my Lord did.
I think that we have to be very careful with this lesson. So often this is taught to put the needs of others ahead of your own needs, and that is not at all what Jesus says. There is a difference between needs and wants. We are to put the needs of others ahead of our own wants, but we cannot pour from empty cups, and I have watched so many women burn themselves out by ignoring their own needs in the name of service. Jesus tells us to love our neighbors AS OURSELVES. Making sure that our own needs are met before trying to meet the needs of others is not selfish or prideful, it is loving ourselves so that we can love others and serve others. In my experience, this is not taught well in so many Christian circles. Lord, help us all to receive Your love for us, that we may pass it on to others for Your glory! Amen.
Yes!
“we cannot pour from empty cups”- reminds me of an old song- Fill My Cup, Lord.
Fill my cup, Lord
I lift it up, Lord …
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Very true, Katie.
Amen!
Like putting on the oxygen mask before you help put it on someone else. Airplane talk..lol
Today’s reading reminded me that service isn’t always about doing something big or being recognized for what we do. Sometimes it’s simply putting someone else’s needs before my own and asking God to give me the patience, strength, and love to serve well. I loved the reminder that Jesus calls us to be servants, not because of what we can accomplish or how others see us, but because that’s who He is. I want to become better at looking for the opportunities God has already placed around me to serve others and trusting Him to work through me.
Hi Lisa – I had the same thought as you. I am a middle school teacher so Alex’s devo really hit home for me. I do need patience, love and strength as school starts next week!
“God is actively training me to become more dependent on Him and less enamored with myself.”
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Yes! And may I be a willing, trainable student to my Lord.
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May we watch for ways to serve Him today as we serve others.
Amen. That sentence stood out to me, too, Kelly. ❤❤❤
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Amen❤️
The reading from scripture is beautiful and timely as so many teachers go out into the world over the next few months and serve their students. I love this story about Jesus because it is simple and yet so powerful. The prayer today is that God shows us where he would like us to stop what we are doing and put the needs of others ahead of our own ❤️
Yes, and amen.
Lord, tune my heart towards service of others in love for those you’ve placed around me—may they see you and glorify your name!
Wasn’t our Lord Jesus our greatest and most amazing example of service!? From leaving heaven to death on a cross, His example of serving us (while we were yet sinners and enemies of God!!) is second to none. As He walked the earth, He modeled service by healing the sick, freeing the oppressed and washing the feet of His betrayor. Scripture clearly teaches the Father has prepared an eternal inheritance for those who do likewise.
Father, give us clear sight to see those in need right in front of us and the humility to reach out and serve them.
Amen, let it be
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